Title: Topsy Turvy

author: Cindy Ryan

notes and summary: See part one

Fog had swept over the bay by the time Nancy left Ryan's. She was so tired she just wanted to curl into a ball and sleep for a week. Nancy pulled her cell phone from her purse and hit the hands free and dialed Owen's number. She knew he had a business trip that day but Nancy hoped he was home or on his way. Crazy as it was Owen's arms around her sounded very good right now. The business man answered on the fourth ring.

"Hi, you must be celebrating. I heard the charges were dropped against your Dad."Owen commented.

Nancy could hear the smile in his voice. His words however brought a lump to her throat and fresh tears.

"Are you home?"Nancy asked.

She heard her voice waiver and break and she didn't care at this point. Everything wasn't what it was. She didn't know who she was.

"What's wrong?"Owen inquired with worry. "I'm not there yet, just leaving the airport. I'll call ahead and have the staff let you in."

""Thank you, I'll explain when I see you."Nancy replied quietly.

"See you soon."Owen said ending the call.

Nancy knew Bess could've easily let her in to the Marvin estate. However, Owen had rooms in a separate section of the house. She wouldn't have felt right asking Bess to intrude on her cousin's quarters. Plus, with how good a friend Bess had become Nancy hadn't wanted to bother her. She'd already dumped enough on her this week. A few minutes later Nancy arrived at the Marvin's. Wearily she got out of Kate Drew's car and closed the door. She got her suitcase out of the trunk. As she closed it memories of Kate nearly overwhelmed her. A young blond male servant cleared his throat startling Nancy. She met his gaze.

"Mr. Marvin, has arranged a guest room for you, Ms. Drew."The man announced with a smile.

"Thank you."Nancy acknowledged.

The man took her suitcase and Nancy followed him into the house.

Half an hour later there was a knock on the guest room door. Nancy was still amazed by the furnishings and decor. She knew some hotels would kill to have this in their building. She'd just gotten out of the steam shower and now wore a white fluffy robe. Nancy felt almost human again. Her hair was wet. The face that had greeted her in the mirror had been almost ghost like. Pale and red rimmed eyes. Nancy opened the door and watched as worry took over Owen's handsome face as he looked her over. Owen stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. Wordlessly he folded her into his embrace. Nancy melted against him. After a few minutes Owen pulled away and led Nancy to the bed where they sat. Owen took her hands in his.

"Tell me what's happened."Owen prompted gently. "I had a series of texts from Bess that didn't make much sense."

Despite everything Nancy smiled briefly

"In a nutshell I had my DNA run to disprove my Dad was involved with Lucy's murder."Nancy began softly. "The surprise was I'm not a match to my Dad."

"What?"Owen replied in shock.

"Oh it gets better."Nancy said as she leaned back against the bed post of the four poster canopy bed. "Lucy Sable was my mother."

"Wow."Owen exclaimed. "You have been pulled through the wringer haven't you?"

"You may not want to see me any longer once you've heard the rest."Nancy stated sadly.

"There's no chance of that."Owen said as he took Nancy's right hand in his once more.

Nancy took a deep breath and met Owen's gaze. There was such a history between the Marvins and the Hudsons that she really didn't know how he was going to react. She suspected he'd already put the pieces together.

"I'm a Hudson."Nancy stated grimly.

Every time Nancy said it out loud it was becoming more real. It still made her head spin and her heart hurt. However, she had to somehow pull herself together and move on. Nancy just had no idea how she was going to do that.