…
"Kris! You're up!" Matt said happily as he made his way over to Kris and embraced her in a hug. She was happy to see him too as she hugged him back.
"Hi Matt." she said.
"Hey man" Junior said as he got up from the chair he jumped into before Matt walked in. They did their guy handshake
"How are you feeling?" Matt asked her as he turned his attention back to her.
"I'm feeling good. Tired and sore but good." she replied. "Junior's been so great keeping me company." she said as they both turned to look at him.
"It's my pleasure. Nothing to it, when you're such a good patient." he said as he smiled at them. He winked at her once Matt turned back around.
She couldn't help but smile.
"You gave us quite a scare." Matt said.
"I know, I'm thankful to be alive. I still want to meet all the doctor's who helped save me." she said.
"I don't know what I would have done if I lost you."
Junior just stood there quiet. He felt a little uncomfortable since he knew Matt still had strong feelings for Kris. He knew how Kris felt about him, so he wasn't worried that she would hurt him again. "Well, I'll leave you two alone to catch up. I'm going to go down to the cafeteria. Can I get you both anything?" he asked.
"No thanks, I'm fine." Matt replied as he turned to face Junior.
Kris knew that it bothered Junior that Matt still had those feelings for her. "Uhm, Junior why don't you see if you could get some more mango?" Kris asked smiling as she winked at him to lighten up his mood.
"Your wish is my command." Junior replied as he had the biggest smile on his face. "I'll be back in a bit."
"So when do you get to leave?"
"I actually don't know yet. The doctor should be back to check in with me a little after lunch." she said.
"I'm so glad your okay Kris." Matt said as he smiled at her.
"How are things at Raintree" she asked
"Things are still the same. My mom still has us running a dude ranch. I mean it's great that Wildfire's back since the guests love seeing him. He misses you though."
"I know, I miss him too."
"So Kris, you never gave me your answer about helping me yet with turning Raintree back into racing." he said.
"I know, I know. I will give you my answer once I'm out of the hospital. Being in here will give me a lot of time to think." she said laughing.
"Yeah, I bet. Oh my mom sends her best for you to get well soon. I told her what happened and surprisingly she was worried about you. I know she's still upset but deep down inside she still cares about you."
Kris was happy to hear that Jean was worried about her. "Tell her I said thank you. I just wish things were back to normal for all of us. You know?"
"Yeah I know, it will Kris. If things go the way I planned with your help, Raintree will be back up and running and everything will be back to normal." he said as he squeezed her hand. "You just wait and see."
Kris just smiled at Matt.
…
"Good Morning Noah" said Dani as she walked into her office.
"Morning Dani. Any news on Kris?" he asked
"She's doing great. I just got back from seeing her. Dr says there's no complications. She just needs to continue getting plenty of rest and then she'll be back to normal. I think she'll be out of there in a few days."
"That's great. It'll be nice to see her around the office soon." he replied as he picked up the newspaper. "Oh boy" he said
"Yeah it will be. What is it now?" she asked looking at him worried.
Noah then flipped the newspaper around as he showed it to her.
Her mouth dropped open as she saw a picture of Laura and Kris on the front page of today's paper.
"LAURA NICKELS, DAUGHTER OF SENATOR NICKELS WAS FOUND AT THE SCENE OF A POSSIBLE DROWNING ACCIDENT AT DAVIS FARMS INVOLVING BODY IDENTIFIED AS KRIS FURILLO. NO WORD YET IF SHE SURVIVED. KENNETH DAVIS JR PULLED THE VICTIM OUT AS HE AND KALVIN HANDLY BEGAN CPR UNTIL PARAMEDICS ARRIVED. WHEN QUESTIONED, LAURA NICKELS HAD NO COMMENT" "That's just great." she said as she continued reading it. "When you think things couldn't get any worst."
…
Laura's door bell rang. She was hoping it was Junior so she ran towards the door.
"Hi honey" Senator Nickels said as he gave her a hug.
"Hi daddy" she frowned as she responded.
"You want to explain how this happened?" he asked as he handed her the paper as he followed her in.
"Explain wha-?" she was in the middle of asking until she saw the paper. "Oh my god" she cried as she read out loud. "LAURA NICKELS, DAUGHTER OF SENATOR NICKELS WAS FOUND AT THE SCENE OF A POSSIBLE DROWNING ACCIDENT AT DAVIS FARMS INVOLVING BODY IDENTIFIED AS KRIS FURILLO. NO WORD YET IF SHE SURVIVED. KENNETH DAVIS JR PULLED THE VICTIM OUT AS HE AND KALVIN HANDLY BEGAN CPR UNTIL PARAMEDICS ARRIVED. WHEN QUESTIONED, LAURA NICKELS HAD NO COMMENT"
"What happened?" he asked her worried. "Laura we should be thankful that it only hit the paper." he exclaimed.
Laura sat down as she started crying. "It was an accident daddy. I didn't mean for any of it to happened."
"Laura, honey tell me what happened so I could help you fix it." he said
She nodded. "Kris Furillo is Junior's Ex-Girlfriend. The love of his life." she said "Last night was Junior and Kalvin's big important presentation. I was upset that Junior invited Kris and when Junior and Kalvin went to do interviews, Junior told us to get to know one another."
"Wait I'm confused. Junior loves you? What do you mean, love of his life?"
Laura sighed. "Let me explain and then it will all come together." she said.
He nodded his head.
"When Junior left us alone to talk, things got a little out of hand. It was my fault, I was the one who accused her of trying to steal Junior from me. I was the one who got in her way and put my hands on her shoulder. I was the one who wouldn't get out of her way when she calmly asked me too. Kris then pushed me off of her as we struggled pushing and pulling back and forth thats when we fell into the water. Once we were in the water, I kept pushing her under until she gasp for air" she said still crying. "She tried telling me that she couldn't swim but I wouldn't listen I had to beat her daddy, I just had too. We kept at it for awhile and then I got tired and cold so I swam away to pull myself out of the pool. Junior caught up to me before I entered the house, asking me why I was wet and where Kris was. I didn't know she couldn't swim daddy, I swear. I then got upset that he even cared about Kris."
Senator Nickels held his daughter in his arms. "Is she alright?" he asked her.
"She's okay, but when I left the hospital last night, she hadn't woken up yet. The doctors are worried that since she was down for so long she may have brain damage."
"Why isn't Junior here comforting you?" he asked her.
"Because he's with the love of his life daddy. As he was doing CPR, he confessed his love for her to fight and not leave him" she cried. "I know that Junior loves me, or loved me but he never stopped loving Kris and last night proved it. I don't think he'll ever forgive me daddy not after this, god he couldn't even look at me last night. You should have seen the anger in his eyes, it was like I disgusted him. Junior and I are pretty much over." she said with tears streaming down her cheeks. Laura never told her dad that she slept with another man. He would be so disappointed if he knew the truth.
"WHAT?!" exclaimed Senator Nickels. "You're his girlfriend. He better get his act together if he knows what's good for him" yelled Senator.
"Daddy, I'm not anymore. He loves Kris with every ounce of his heart and soul. This is not his fault" she tried saying.
"Wait till Ken Davis hears about this! He's going to get a ear full too." he yelled. "No one hurts my daughter and gets away with it. Maybe that Kris girl wanted to frame you, sue you even since you're the senator's daughter." he said going off.
"Daddy, listen to me. I told you that it was me who started everything. Kris was just defending herself against me. I don't know what I was thinking going after her like that. I take full responsibility in what happened last night."
"You love him and you don't want to lose him. That's normal honey."
"I told Junior that I will take care of all the medical expenses."
"Okay, that sounds reasonable."
"Reasonable daddy?! What are you saying, she could have died last night and it would have been all my fault. I don't know how I could live with myself if she didn't make it out alive" she said crying.
"It's okay, you'll get through this." he said hugging her as he let her cry. "Junior loves you, he'll forgive you."
...
Gillian decided to stop by and see how Kris was doing. As she walked through the lobby making her way towards the elevator she spots Kalvin. "Kalvin right?" she asked as he noticed her.
"Yes, Hi Gillian right?" he replied.
They both laughed as they shook hands.
"You here to see Kris too." he asked her.
"Yeah, hope everything went well. Have you heard anything?" she asked Kalvin.
"No, I haven't talked to Junior yet.
They got off the elevator and went towards Kris's room. Kalvin knocked as they went in.
They all said there hellos and hugged.
"How are you feeling?" Gillian asked her.
"I'm doing good, tired and sore but good." she said for the 3rd time.
"You gave us quite a scare" said Kalvin.
She shook her head. "I know, I'm thankful to be alive. "Hey Kalvin, thanks for your help in saving my life. I heard that you and Junior started CPR right away until the medics came. I'm also so sorry that we ruined your big night." she said as she gave him another hug. "You guys are the greatest." she said as she smiled.
"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad you're here and okay." he said. "Where's Junior? Didn't he stay the night with you?" he asked
"He went down to the cafeteria" replied Matt. "He gave us time to catch up." he said as he turned back to Kris.
As much as it hurt Gillian, she could see how excited Matt was to be around Kris.
"So Kris, when do you get to check out?" she asked.
"I'm not sure yet to be honest. The doctor is going to stop by after lunch to check on me." she replied.
They all just started talking about life and stuff as 15mins go by...
"Well, I better get going" said Matt as he looked at the clock. "Duty calls" he said laughing. "I'll see you soon" he said as he got up and gave her another hug. "I'm so glad you're okay Kris, now get some rest so you can go home sooner. Tell Junior I'll catch up with him later."
She smiled at him. "I will, don't you worry."
"I better get going too." Kalvin then said. "I've got to get working on the project since Junior's going to be busy for awhile." he said smiling. "Our potential buyers are really interested, and they want us to promote our presentation all over the world. I haven't told Junior yet, but he'll be so excited. I'll see you soon Kris."
Kris was a little sadden by the news. "All over the world?" she thought to herself. "Ugh, thanks for coming guys." She said as she waved.
...
Junior was walking back from the cafeteria as he headed towards the elevator. He couldn't help but smile as he looked down at the mango's he was holding. As he got off the elevator, his phone rang. As he reached for it he looked to see who it was. "What does he want?" he asked. "Hello" he answered.
"Junior you have some explaining to do. Did you see the paper?" Ken yelled into the phone.
"No, I haven't. Why what's so-" he tried saying.
"Just get the paper now!" he yelled.
Junior walked over to the nurse's station and asked if anyone had a newspaper he could look at.
"I know there's one around here somewhere" said one of the nurses. A few minutes later she came back with one. 'Here you go." she said as she handed it to him.
"Thank you" he said as he walked away towards the waiting area. He flipped the newspaper around and his eyes opened wide. "Oh god" he said into the phone.
"Oh god is right. Would you like to tell me what happened last night." he exclaimed. "And why didn't anyone call me?!" he snapped.
Junior took a deep breath. He filled his father in on everything that happened.
"That doesn't sound like Laura." he said as Junior finished.
"Dad what are you talking about. Laura even admitted it herself. She took full responsibility in her actions last night."
"She loves you, that's why she acted like that. Why was Kris even there in the first place?" he asked upset.
"Because I invited her. I wanted her there." he replied.
"Why on heaven's earth would you do that Junior. You know that having the ex and the new girlfriend there is suicide. What happened to you even asking Laura to marry you?"
"Laura and I are over. This maybe hard for you to believe and accept, but I still and will always love Kris. She's the love of my life, and I don't care what you or anyone else has to say. I'm not going to let her go this time."
"Junior you've got to be insane. We've had this conversation already. Laura is the right girl for you, when are you going to wake up and realize that? Senator Nickels is going to fly through the roof once he hears you broke his daughters heart."
"Not that it's any of your business or his business dad, but I didn't break Laura's heart. Kris never came in between Laura and I ever, but Laura could never get over the fact that Kris and I are were just friends. She did it to herself. She just made it easier for me to realize that no one could ever replace Kris in my heart. She's the one I want to spend the rest of my life with not Laura."
"Junior what are you talking about." he asked confused. "For all we know, Kris could have faked her own drowning?" he said.
"How could you say that. Kris almost died last night because of Laura. She has such a good and beautiful heart that she won't even press charges against Laura. Why don't you go ask Laura about her and Bobby from the club.
Ken stayed quiet. "That's not true, she would never do something like that to you with Bobby or any guy. Laura's got class, she comes from a good background. I just think it's all a misunderstanding. You guys should just ta-" he tried saying.
"Yeah she may have class and come from a good, wealthy background, but when there's alochol involved that all goes down the drain. Look dad, Laura and I are over. I love Kris, and we're going to be together, end of discussion." he said. "I'll talk to you later. Kris is waiting for me."
"Junior- wait, don't you dare hang up. Junior-" Ken said before he heard the dial tone. "What has gotten in that son of mine." he though. "Could it be true, Laura and Bobby?"
...
"How are you doing?" Kris asked Gillian now that they were alone.
"I'm doing good." she replied.
"Tell me something Gillian," began Kris.
"What's that Kris?" she replied.
"I know that you didn't come back for business. You came back for Matt didn't you?" Kris asked.
Gillian looked at Kris squared in the eyes. "Is it that noticeable?"
"It's just that I see the way you look at him. I know you still care for him."
"Well what about you and Junior?" Gillian replied.
"Did you really come back for Junior?" she asked.
"To be honest, at first I came back really only for Wildfire, but then I realized that I was still very much in love with Junior. I couldn't act on it since he had a girlfriend., so I left it alone."
"and now?" asked Gillian.
"and now" said Kris smiling "I don't want to spend my life without him." she said beaming.
"Can I ask you something?" asked Gillian.
Kris nodded her head.
I know that we're going to put the past behind us and start fresh, but I just want to know something and I promise I won't ever ask again. "Why did you and Matt happened?" she asked sadden.
Kris took a deep breath. "I'm sorry about that Gillian, I truly am. I've wanted to tell you for so long. I guess Matt and I happened because I knew that Junior and I couldn't. I wasn't using Matt if that's what you're thinking. Matt and I clicked since I first arrived, and I knew we couldn't make it work because I worked for Ms. Ritter, so Junior and I hung out and started dating. Junior knew what he wanted, and he kept pushing to get to know me. I knew I was in love with Junior but I kept pushing him away and I started working with Matt more and you were gone most of the time, I guess our old feelings sparked. My short relationship with Matt really hurt a lot of people and I regret that. I do, I didn't want to hurt any of you three I swear. I love Junior with all my heart and he's the only guy for me. I just hope that Matt will understand that once Junior and I tell him. Does that answer your question? You forgive me?"
"Yes and Yes." she said as they hugged.
"I'm still very much in love with Matt, but I know that he's still in love with you. I know that I can't make him forget about you but I love him and I want us to make it work." Gillian never told Kris about her sleeping with Kerry to get her in the breeders cup. She didn't want to bring it up. "All I know is that my life's incomplete without him."
"I know how you feel, because I feel the same exact way about Junior. It will happen Gillian. He will come around. I know that when you and Matt were together, he was very happy. Don't give up okay." replied Kris.
"I knew from beginning that you and Junior are soul mates. You two belong together and no one can replace either one of you in your own hearts. You two deserve to be happy so I say go for it. Let the world know that you're in love." said Gillian with a smile.
"I just hope that Matt realizes it and accepts it." said Kris smiling.
"I'm glad we had this talk Gillian. It was long over due and now we can put the past in the past and start a new beginning."
"I agree Kris." said Gillian.
There was a knock at the door.
…
Junior pokes his head in the door, as he sees a big smile on Kris's face. "Can I come in?" he asked both girls.
"Hi baby" said Kris as she smiled at him.
He looked over and was surprised she said that in front of Gillian.
"Uhm, Kris-" he began saying looking over at Gillian.
"Awwww" said Gillian as she clapped her hands together.
"She knows." Kris replied.
"Oh well in that case" said Junior as he walked over and kissed Kris. "How are you Gillian?" asked Junior when he and Kris pulled apart.
"I'm pretty good. How about you." she asked.
"On cloud nine" he said as he looked over to Kris who was blushing.
"Alright, I will leave you two alone. I've got some business to attend too. I'm glad you're doing great Kris and I will see you soon" she said as she got up and hugged her. "Bye Junior."
"What was that all about" asked Junior confused. "I thought you didn't want anyone to know yet?" he asked.
Kris smiled at him as she pulled him in for a kiss. "I love you Junior Davis." she said as she touched his lips.
"I love you too Kris Furillo." he replied. "I've got your mangos you asked for." he said as he winked at her.
"I can see that." she laughed. "What took you so long?" she asked as she grabbed one and shared it with him.
"My dad called." he said. "Looks like you and Laura made front page news." he said as he pulled out the newspaper he borrowed.
She took the paper from his hand as she read it. "Oh boy" she replied.
"I explained everything that happened last night, and I told him that Laura and I are over. You and I are just beginning." he said with a smile that she couldn't resist.
"But Junior-" she tried saying but he cut her off with a long kiss.
"No buts Kris. I'm not losing you again you hear me." he said.
She looked up at him and smiled as she nodded. "Loud and clear."
"Like I've told you before, I don't care what my dad or anyone thinks. You're all that matters to me."
They share a sweet kiss.
"So, what are we going to do about this whole mess?" she asked him pointing to the paper. "Wait till Senator Nickels sees or hears about it."
He sighed. "I don't know, and I don't care about him or anyone. We will fix it. I promise you." he said as he grabbed a mango and shook his eye brows at her.
"Junior, you need to talk to Laura and clear things up. I don't want to be the cause of your break up." said Kris. "I won't come in between you too."
He sighed. "Okay, I will as soon as your out of here. Until then we're just focusing on you getting better."
She laughed as she met him half way to a passionate kiss. "We're getting good at this" she said. "We're not making my monitor beep anymore."
Junior nodded his head. "Yes, we are" he said as they kept kissing.