Chapter XXVI: Planting Seeds

"So, how are the preparations for the fashion show going so far?" Thomas asked, looking from one to the other of the board members who were seated around the table in the office.

"PR is going well", Steffy informed him. "We have contacted all the major fashion magazines and they are all very interested. I would say we'll have good press coverage this time."

"Well, we'd better", Bill Spencer commented. "After the last time, we really can't afford another failure. Of course, Spencer Publications will be covering it, but we'll need some positive reviews in the national press in order to attract buyers."

"We'll get them, Uncle Bill", Caroline said confidently. "Our designs are really good."

"I agree", Thomas said, smiling at Caroline. "We make a great team."

"Will we have a complete collection ready, though?" Steffy asked. "The fashion show is only a few weeks away."

"You can count on it!" Amber exclaimed enthusiastically. "We've all been working out butts off lately. This is gonna be awesome!"

"What about your contacts with the staff at the Queen Mary, Marcus?" Thomas asked. "Are they clear on what we want to do?"

"Absolutely, man!" Marcus said. "Fashion, charity auction, food and beverages, dancing, music, we've got it all covered. Well… almost, anyway."

"Wait, what, what?" Thomas interrupted uneasily. "What do you mean by 'almost'? We can't afford 'almost'."

"As a matter of fact, we've had a cancellation", Marcus explained. "The band we hired to play before and after the actual fashion show and during the dancing just called and said they couldn't make it."

"Oh, great!" Thomas exclaimed with frustration. "We booked them weeks ago, and they're only just now figuring that out. Now what do we do? It's not like we have nothing better to do the next few days than finding replacement musicians…"

"Okay, I'm just having this crazy idea", Amber said, suddenly.

"What's that?" Caroline asked, not without a little suspicion.

"I just happen to know a couple of musicians I used to hang out with a while back", Amber said. "I'm sure they'd be willing to help. Then all we need is a lead singer…"

"And who might that be?" Marcus asked.

"Yours truly, who else?" Amber said, grinning.

"You don't think you'll have other things to do?" Caroline asked. "We kind of need you backstage preparing the showing…"

"I can do both", Amber protested.

"If that's how we're gonna do it", Steffy said, amused, "I could just as well get up there and do some DJ-ing. Heck, why not? It'll get their attention, show them we're youthful, creative, fun-loving. Just the kind of image we're trying to promote for Forrester Creations."

Thomas looked at his sister, then at Amber.

"You guys are really serious about this?" he asked incredulously. "This is not just karaoke night at Dayzee's…"

"Now there's another talent!" Marcus said. "I'm sure Zee wouldn't mind belting out a few tunes as well, she's got a great voice. You know what, I think we can do this ourselves… it'll be fun!"

Bill Spencer leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed.

"So what would you like me to do?" he asked dryly. "Juggle beer bottles?"

"It's for a good cause, Bill", Steffy joked.

"Yeah, that's another thing that doesn't really seem all that wise", Bill replied. "Auctioning off gowns for charity. Giving part of the profits to charity. Maybe its just not in my nature to be altruistic, but I am seeing a major red flag here."

"Why is that, Uncle Bill?" Caroline objected. "I thought we agreed on this."

"We did", Bill continued. "I'm just not sure that if the company goes bankrupt, I will feel all that much better thinking about those poor sick people we just gave all our money to."

"Uncle Bill!" Caroline exclaimed, appalled. "That money could be saving lives!"

"That money could be saving our company", Bill said. "I own part of Forrester Creations, I'm just protecting my investment, that's all."

"Look", Thomas said, a little stressed out, "now is not the time to be second-guessing ourselves. The showing is just around the corner. We need to focus. We've made a plan, and we're sticking to it."

"Aye, aye, Captain!" Steffy said. "Let's get back to work, everybody!"

Michael Guthrie opened his front door suspiciously. He rarely got social calls, and whenever a customer stopped by, it was essential to make sure that nobody else was there to see the transaction. This time, it was with mixed emotions that he saw who the visitor was.

"Sheila!" he exclaimed. "What are you doing here again?"

"Gee, Mike, thanks for the warm welcome!" Sheila said, raising an eyebrow and walking straight into the apartment without asking for permission. She knew that Mike had never been able to say no to her.

"Did anybody see you coming here?" Mike asked, nervously.

"Everybody saw me coming here, Mike", Sheila replied with a smile. "But nobody took any notice."

"So, you here just to see me?" Mike said. "After last time, I didn't think…"

"Last time was a bit quick, wasn't it?" Sheila said. "We didn't really have time to catch up, reminisce about old times…"

"I sure didn't expect to see you back in LA", Mike said. "I thought you had been dead for years."

"Well, as you now know, rumors of my death had been greatly exaggerated."

"So what have you been doing all these years?" Mike asked. "Have you been hiding all this time? Do you have a new identity?"

"You are asking too many questions, Mike", Sheila said, effectively cutting off Mike's trail of thought. "I need a favor of you."

"What?" Mike said, dreading the answer.

"I need another gun. At least one, maybe more. And ammunition."

"But I just sold you one!" Mike objected. "What happened to…"

"I had to get rid of it", Sheila said matter-of-factly.

"Why?"

"Because I used it."

Mike froze. He tried to process what Sheila had just said, searching for alternative interpretations of that simple phrase and finding none.

"And this… this new gun you want to buy…" Mike stuttered, "are you planning on… 'using'… that, too?"

"It depends", Sheila said. "If I have to."

"Sheila, are you in trouble?" Mike asked gravely.

Sheila merely laughed in his face.

"Mike, I'm always in trouble. You of all people should know that."

"So you're gonna kill somebody?" Mike said, making it sound like a question although it really wasn't.

"What in the world gives you that impression?" Sheila asked.

"What if I won't sell you another weapon?" Mike challenged her. "I don't particularly like this."

"I'll go somewhere else", Sheila said, shrugging. "But it would be easier with you. You're already in this with me, anyway. Your gun was used to kill a man, if you must know. If I go down, you go down with me. And I'd hate to see that happen."

Mike was starting to sweat. He knew he should never have let Sheila in that day a few weeks ago. But he just hadn't been able to resist. Against his better judgment, he had helped her out, just like so many times all those years ago. And why? Because of that face. Because of those dark, beautiful eyes and that dry wit and razor sharp intellect that shone from them. She was the only woman he had ever felt this way about, even though she had never even seemed to notice. No, that wasn't true. She had noticed, she had known all along, and she had always used it to her advantage. And he had let her. Because he feared her - and because he loved her.

"Well, if I'm in this with you, you might as well let me know what you are planning", Mike said. "What are you after?"

Sheila was silent for a minute, watching Mike closely, trying to read his intentions and assessing whether or not he could be trusted. She was suspicious by nature, but in this case, her gut instinct told her that she had nothing to fear.

"Justice", she finally said, earnestly. "Justice for myself, and for my daughter."

"Mary?" Mike asked, surprised.

"No, my youngest daughter Diana", Sheila corrected him. "I'm sure you don't even know she existed, do you? It's no wonder. The high and mighty Forresters and Marones wouldn't want their family name sullied by any association to me. Even though she is - was - Massimo Marone's child."

"Was…?"

"Yeah, Mike, she's dead. She was taken from me, placed with foster parents who abused her, then was forced into prostitution by the mob and ended up dying in a filthy nightclub while everybody around her turned a blind eye. But I will make them pay for what they did to her, and what they did to me!"

"You're going after the mob?" Mike asked incredulously. "Single-handedly?"

"They are responsible for what happened to her, they killed her", Sheila hissed. "But none of it would have happened if I hadn't been thrown in prison for something I didn't do."

"What… what didn't you do?"

"The so-called murder of Taylor Forrester", Sheila said ironically. "First of all, it was an accident. I never meant to fire that gun in the first place. But she just threw herself at me and it went off. Second of all, she wasn't even dead. I spent prison time for the murder of a living woman, while my daughter was going through hell without me! And that is nobody's fault but those damn Forresters'. Every bad thing that has happened in my life the past decades can somehow be traced back to them. Well, no more!"

"Sheila, what exactly are you going to do?" Mike said. "You can't mean that you're expecting to go up against both the mob and the Forrester family at the same time - that's just…"

"Crazy?" Sheila filled in, her eyebrows raised. "Oh, but Sheila is crazy. Isn't that what they've always said?"

"It's dangerous", Mike said. "If you are caught… if the Forresters catch you you will end up back in prison, and if the mobsters catch you you'll end up dead."

"I have no choice", Sheila said with determination. "There is too much at stake."

Sheila repeated the words silently in her head. There was too much at stake for her to let it go. The Forresters had got their hands on her grandchild. And no matter the cost, they would not get away with it. They had already taken two children from her.

"Well then", Mike said, resigned at last, "if that's the way it is, I do have some guns right here that you might be interested in. But please, Sheila, be careful."

"I always am", Sheila replied.

Already before Macy entered the living room after having put Noah down for his nap, she could hear the sound of Alexandria playing tentative chords on the electric keyboard, making the occasional mistake, stopping, correcting herself and going on. It had become quite a familiar sound by now, and even during the few weeks that Macy had been staying at Thorne's, she had noticed that Alexandria's piano playing had improved. The girl had an ear for music, there was no doubt about that. With a sudden feeling of sadness, Macy realized that once she moved out, she would miss the sound of Alexandria practicing the piano. And it wouldn't be much longer now - she had found an apartment the other day and the contract was signed.

It was probably for the best, Macy thought. She couldn't depend on Thorne indefinitely. Besides, if they managed to find Deacon he might not be too thrilled that she was staying with her ex-husband.

And yet… it would be hard to leave. Harder than it ought to be, and much harder than she wanted to admit. She had never intended to stay this long in the first place, and she sometimes worried that Alexandria might be bothered by her prolonged presence in the house. Not that Thorne's daughter had said anything to that effect, on the contrary, she was a very sweet child, but it seemed self-evident that a girl who was used to having her father all to herself might not be completely comfortable with the current living arrangements.

Macy watched Alexandria from the doorway with a smile on her face, unwilling to disturb the girl who was obviously concentrating deeply on finding the right chords to a song she was humming. Over and over again, Alexandria repeated the same phrase, trying out a different chord each time but never seeming satisfied. Finally, she looked up and addressed Macy:

"Do you think this is right? Listen to this!"

Macy looked back at Alexandria, surprised. She didn't think that the girl had noticed her standing there.

"Play it again", Macy said, approaching the keyboard.

Alexandria repeated the phrase of the song again, then she frowned.

"No, it doesn't sound right", she concluded.

Macy bent over the piano, watching Alexandria's fingers move across the keys.

"Did you try an A major chord instead?" she suggested.

Alexandria tried it and was satisfied. It was the chord she had been searching for.

"Do you know how to play the piano?" she asked Macy.

"I don't know", Macy said. "I don't think so. Not really, I mean. I know where the chords are, though."

"Dad is really good at it", Alexandria said thoughtfully. "But I've hardly ever heard him play. It's like his singing. He's awesome, and he doesn't want anybody to know about it. He usually just kind of pretends he doesn't like to do that anymore."

"That's too bad", Macy said.

"Yeah", Alexandria said. "I mean, if you're that good, you should just get out there and show it. I wish I could sing like that."

"I'm sure you could, if you wanted to", Macy said encouragingly. "You have a lovely voice, Ally. The rest is just a matter of practice."

"Did you have to practice a lot?" Alexandria asked.

"I don't remember", Macy said. "I guess I must have. At least, I must have sung a great deal."

"It's so strange to think that you and Dad used to tour the world together."

"Yeah, it is", Macy agreed. "I've heard the story, of course, but it seems almost unreal…"

"Hey, I want to show you something!" Alexandria interrupted, rising abruptly from the piano. "I'll be right back."

Alexandria ran from the room and returned a minute later from the garage with a cardboard box. She placed it on the table by the couch and opened it, and motioned to Macy to come and have a closer look. Alexandria started emptying its contents onto the table. CDs, photos, newspaper clippings… every one of them related to Thorne and Macy's brief but successful career as a singing duo.

Macy sat down, picked up an old CD and looked at it.

"Have you listened to this?" she asked Alexandria.

The girl shook her head, then turned to Macy with a grin.

"Shall we?" she said.

After a moment's hesitation, Macy agreed. Her heart started beating slightly faster as Alexandria took the CD from her hands and put it in the CD player. Then, as the first notes of the first song started playing, she felt something very close to butterflies. Those chord progression, that sound, the way her own voice on the record blended with the man's voice she recognized as Thorne's, there was just something so… right about it all. That feeling of "rightness" again. It was not exactly familiar, but it fit. She had no recollection of recording this album, but to her own great surprise, she found herself mouthing the words along with the track. Alexandria watched her curiously.

"Do you remember anything?" she asked.

"No", Macy said. "I just know the song. But it's… it's very interesting."

Macy started looking at a few of the newspaper clippings as the music continued playing in the background. Was all this really about her? Sitting down beside her on the couch, Alexandria picked up some other articles and browsed through them thoughtfully.

"I can't believe Thorne saved all this", Macy commented.

"Actually", Alexandria admitted a bit hesitantly, "I was a bit weirded out when I first found this box."

Macy looked at the girl inquiringly.

"Don't take this the wrong way", Alexandria continued awkwardly, "but I didn't know about you and Dad, and it was kind of… well, you know. And then all of a sudden, you showed up and…"

"I can imagine", Macy said. "This situation is strange for me, too."

"Yeah, I'm the reason you guys broke up in the first place. That must be… "

"No, no!" Macy said emphatically, "Ally, that is not what I meant. Absolutely not. I wouldn't… I would never think that. You and Thorne have both been so kind to me since I came here. It's just that there's a lot of things that don't quite add up in my mind right now."

Alexandria found a photograph and showed it to Macy. It was the old wedding photo Alexandria had seen the day she first discovered the box.

"Do you know who all these people are?" the girl asked.

Macy looked at the photo curiously. She immediately recognized herself and Thorne, all dressed up and looking very happy. As for the rest, she tried to place all those faces by drawing to mind what Thorne had told her previously, and old pictures he had shown her.

"The red-headed woman…" Macy began, "she is my mother, right? Yeah, of course she is. And the blonde is Darla, your mom. The old man must be Saul, I think I've seen another picture of him somewhere. And, oh my gosh, is that kid CJ?"

Alexandria laughed.

"It's got to be", she agreed. "He was so chubby back then, I can't believe it's really him!"

"Looks like he had quite an attitude, too", Macy observed with a chuckle. "Look at that face!"

"Too bad I didn't think of showing him this while he was still here", Alexandria said. "That would have been so funny! He's back in Paris now, right?"

"Yeah", Macy said. "I guess he couldn't leave his coffee house for long. I'm gonna miss him, though. It was great meeting him, I feel like I've missed out on so much, being away all this time from my family. I just wish there was some way of letting Mother know I'm okay, I really want to see her."

"Do you miss her?" Alexandria asked, suddenly turning serious.

"I don't really remember her", Macy admitted, sadly.

"I know", Alexandria said. "That's kind of why I ask. Do you think it's possible to miss someone even though you don't remember them?"

"Yes", Macy replied gravely. "Yes, I think that's definitely possible. You can feel that… that something, or someone, is missing, even if you don't have any specific memories of them."

"I think so too", Alexandria agreed. "It's like there's this void where they should be, and you don't really know what your life would be like if they were still there, but you know that because they're not, one piece of the puzzle will always be missing."

Macy glanced at Alexandria. The girl had looked away while she spoke, and there was something tense and unnatural in her posture.

"We are not talking about my amnesia any more, are we?" Macy inquired gently.

Alexandria didn't answer right away. She curled up in her corner of the couch, hugging her knees and bending her head so that a curtain of blonde hair protected her from Macy's concerned gaze.

"I'm not talking about anything in particular", she said in a muffled voice.

They were silent for a moment. The CD was still playing in the background. Finally, Macy spoke:

"I think Darla would have been so proud of you, Ally."

Alexandria started and looked up. Her first impulse was to deny having been thinking about her mother, but then she realized the tears in her eyes would have given her away already. She looked at Macy and said skeptically:

"How do you know?"

"It's just a feeling I have", Macy answered. "I can see you have her smile. She'd have liked that. Besides, any parent would be proud to have you as a daughter. I know your dad is."

Alexandria wiped her eyes and sniffled.

"Sometimes I wish I could talk to her, just one more time", she said quietly. "We never got to talk, you know, really talk, like grown-ups. I was too little. I was just a kid. I didn't get to ask her all those questions I have now…"

"I know", Macy said with a smile. "But even with all those questions unasked, I think you already have the most important answers. The things that really mattered, you already know."

"What?"

"You were loved. And you were wanted. You meant the world to your mother and she would have done anything for you. Isn't that true?"

"I guess so", Alexandria said. "Yes."

"And you still have that love. Your father, your family - everywhere you go, you are surrounded by people who love you. And somewhere in the middle of all that, I think Darla's love for you lingers. Feelings like that don't just go away."

Alexandria looked at Macy and smiled. Maybe she was right. It was a nice thought, anyway. It didn't change what had happened, of course, but then again, nothing could change that. But for now, Alexandria felt her dark mood passing. Seeing that the girl had started to relax again, Macy leant towards her and gave her an encouraging hug. It was the first time that she had ever hugged Alexandria, and she wasn't sure whether or not it was a good idea considering her complicated relationship to Thorne and Darla, but Alexandria seemed to take it quite naturally.

When Thorne came through the front door at that moment, they both looked up in surprise. Thorne stopped to take in the unexpected scene - his daughter and Macy looking quite emotional, surrounded by photos and the catchy tune of one of his and Macy's old duets.

"Am I interrupting something?" he asked.

"No, no, it's fine, Dad", Alexandria said quickly. "I was just showing Macy some of this old stuff."

"Everything all right?" he asked.

"Everything's okay, Thorne", Macy confirmed. "How was your day at work?"

"Interesting", Thorne said. "You guys are not gonna believe what the kids at Forrester have planned for the Queen Mary showing."

"What?" Alexandria said.

"Well", Thorne explained, "apparently they got a cancellation from the musicians, so they decided to provide all the entertainment themselves. Singing, DJ:ing and I don't know what else. What do you say about that?"

"That might give them a bit of attention", Macy commented. "So, how is E F Couture going to top that?"

Thorne was silent for a moment. The CD was still playing. Alexandria looked from Thorne to Macy, and could see the thought striking them almost simultaneously. Their eyes met. A fraction of a second later, the reaction came.

"No…" Macy said with an incredulous laugh.

"No, you're right…" Thorne agreed, his face slightly flushed. "We couldn't possibly…"

"You guys are such hypocrites!" Alexandria teased. "We all know you want to do it."

"My singing days are in the past, Ally", Thorne said. "The very distant past."

"I'm not sure it would be a good idea", Macy said doubtfully. "It might not be safe…"

"I don't think you'd have to worry about that, Macy", Thorne said. "Everybody knows where you are already. Being on a stage would make no difference."

"So you are actually considering this?" Macy asked.

"No, no", Thorne said, shaking his head. "I mean, sure, it would be fun, but… no, I'm not seriously thinking…"

"Dad!" Alexandria cried out, disappointed. "Come on, don't be such a wet blanket!"

"What did you say?" Thorne said, feigning horror. "Did my daughter just imply that I am boring?"

"You so are", Alexandria teased.

"That's it!" Thorne exclaimed. "Macy, let's get up there and show those kids how it's done, what do you say?"

"Thorne, I…" Macy laughed, amused at his sudden display of enthusiasm.

"Please, Macy", Thorne appealed, "you have to help me out here. I need to defend my honor."

"Your honor, huh?" Macy said, raising an eyebrow. "Well, in that case…"

"You'll do it?" Thorne asked.

"Maybe", Macy said. "Okay. Yes. I'll do it."

"This is gonna be so cool!" Alexandria cheered.

"Kids your age are supposed to be ashamed of their parents", Thorne joked. "What did I do wrong?"

"Oh, I'm sure it'll come up in therapy eventually", Alexandria said. "But right now, I'm late for choir practice. Are you gonna drive me or not?"

Thorne smiled at his daughter.

"The Queen has spoken", he said.

Sheila watched from the beach as Thorne's car left the driveway. She could see that his daughter was sitting next to him. So Macy would be alone in the house - alone with Diana's child. But for how long? Sheila had to act quickly.

Walking around to the front door, she rang the doorbell. A few minutes passed before the door opened and Sheila found herself face to face with Macy, who was holding the baby.

"Hello, can I help…" Macy began politely, but stopped dead as she recognized Sheila's face from that dreadful night a few weeks ago. It was that woman from the beach, the one who had taken care of her after Luigi's death.

"Hello, Macy", Sheila said with a smile. "I didn't mean to startle you. I just wanted to stop by and see if you were all right. I've been meaning to come sooner, but I've been out of town."

"Thanks, that's really considerate of you", Macy said. "I… I never got the chance to thank you for helping me that night. It meant a lot to me."

"You're welcome", Sheila said. "I just happened to be passing by."

"I'm sorry, I don't think I remember your name", Macy said apologetically.

"It's all right", Sheila said. "I'm Molly."

That was funny, Sheila thought. Of everything she could have thought of, why would she choose to call herself her mother's name? Not that it really mattered, anyway.

"Won't you come in?" Macy asked. "I was just trying to get the baby to sleep. This is Noah, by the way."

Sheila followed Macy inside and looked attentively at the child. Her grandson! She could see it - his face looked so much like Diana's when she had been that age. It was amazing how the eyes, the nose, the tiny mouth, were all identical to hers. Macy noticed Sheila's interest in Noah and smiled.

"He's adorable, isn't he?" she said affectionately.

"He's beautiful", Sheila said. "Can I hold him?"

"Of course."

Carefully, Macy put the baby in Sheila's arms. He stirred uneasily and cried a little, but soon calmed down. Sheila smiled. She couldn't take her eyes off Noah. This was where he belonged. With her, in her arms. Not with Macy, and certainly not with the Forresters. But she would correct that wrong, all in good time.

"So, you're staying here with a friend?" Sheila asked Macy, trying to sound like she was just making casual conversation.

"Yes", Macy confirmed. "But I'll be moving into my own apartment soon."

"Is your friend here?" Sheila asked innocently, although she knew the answer.

"No, Thorne had to take his daughter to choir practice. But I imagine he'll be back any minute. If he doesn't stop by the office, that is. He's been working a lot lately, he's got a big fashion show coming up in a few weeks."

"Really?" Sheila said, suddenly interested. "That sounds very glamorous."

"I imagine it will be", Macy said. "Forrester Creations and E C Couture, that's where Thorne works, will be hosting a major charity fashion gala on the Queen Mary. It will be quite the party, from what I hear."

"That's very interesting…" Sheila said with an absent-minded look on her face.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" Macy laughed, "I hope I'm not boring you with this fashion talk. I didn't mean to. It's just that it was on my mind because Thorne and I just talked about maybe performing there. I don't really know what got into me, but apparently I agreed to it in a moment of weakness. We haven't sung together in years, though. But I'm starting to look forward to it."

"I wish I could be there to see it", Sheila said in a friendly voice. "It sounds like it will be the event of the season."

"Well, you could always try to get a ticket", Macy suggested. "If you can still get one. Or maybe I could talk to Thorne…"

"No, no, no", Sheila said quickly. "I wouldn't want to cause you any trouble."

"It's no trouble at all", Macy said. "I'll tell you what - let me talk to him and I'll see if I can get you a couple of tickets. It's the least I can do, after what you did for me."

"You are being too kind", Sheila said. "Maybe I…"

There was the sound of a car on the driveway. Sheila quickly gave the baby back to Macy.

"I have to go", she said hurriedly. "I just realized I forgot to lock my front door."

"Oh", Macy said. "Well, I guess you'd better leave, then. Thanks for stopping by, Molly! I'll let you know about the tickets, okay?"

"That sounds nice", Sheila said with a smile, and turned to leave through the glass doors facing the deck.

"Wait!" Macy said as the other woman stepped onto the deck and walked towards the beach. "I don't have your number!"

"It's okay, I'll be in touch!" Sheila called back as she kept walking away.

"I'll be in touch", Sheila repeated to herself with a triumphant smile. "You can count on that."