AN: The long-awaited update! Reading over this story, I can believe I started it back into 2017 at the same time I'm so proud of how it's grown 😊. There are four chapter left and perhaps an epilogue, I have the chapters outlined so hopefully it wont take as long to finish them. I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you to my loyal readers who've stuck with this story for four years. Hang on, the end is near.

…

I would hold the hands of the one who could lead me places

And kiss the lips of the one who could sing so sweet

And I would fly on the wings of a bird

I knew could take me higher breathe in breathe out

You keep alive, you are the fire burning inside of me

You are my passion for life

Chapter 31

The following week.
Fancy Crane ran her hand through her hair as she checked her watch for the umpteenth time. She was supposed to meet her mother for breakfast at Viola! but to the brunette's surprise she hadn't shown. Fancy scoffed as she signaled to the waiter for the check, she had lots of work to do it she planned to get the North American conglomerate of Crane Couture off the ground. As she hurried out of the restaurant she nearly collided with an incoming guest.

"Excuse me", Paloma said apologetically as she pulled off her shades. "Fancy?"

Fancy pasted on a smile as she recovered.

"Good morning Paloma, what are you doing here?"

"Just grabbing some coffee, before I head over to Castleton Community College for class. I'm studying to be a pharmacy tech, something a little safer for Joseph you know."

"Yeah", Fancy said absently checking her watch again.

"When did you get back in town and why haven't you called! Jessica's had the baby and there all back in Texas now, maybe we could go visit-"

"I've been back in Harmony for a while now", The brunette replied shortly. "And I've been extremely busy with Crane Couture, speaking of which I've got to head into the office."

Without waiting for her former sister in law to respond, Fancy strolled away to her waiting Limousine. "

Uh I'll call you?", Paloma shouted.

Fancy turned around and gave a brief nod, not bothering to tell her friend she'd already changed her number.

Over at the Bennett household
Sam Bennett stared into his coffee mug as he tried to reconcile the events of the past few months: Charity's return, Fox's return, Charity's accident and now Rebecca's death.

What is going on in Harmony? he wondered.

It was like the old days again; constant chaos and secrets being exposed. The police chief had enjoyed these past few years of peace but there was no denying it was slipping away from him again. There was also no ignoring the involvement of two of the people he cared about most, Kay and Ivy.

As he clutched his daughter's Phoenix necklace tightly in his hand, there was no denying the obvious. Kay had been at Charity's house near the time of her accident. But how had it happened? Had Kay found out about Elijah and attacked Charity, shoving her down the stairs? Or had it all been some kind of accident?

As he sipped his cooling coffee, he had to admit it could certainly be the latter. Kay's adolescent grudge against Charity was the most vicious he had ever seen her; she'd destroyed their family back then to get even with the mother she felt chose Charity. What else would she do?

And Ivy, how could he forget the fury in her eyes after discovering Rebecca's last scheme? In her determination to handle Rebecca once and for all, had she finally crossed the point of no return?

The police chief rose from the table and placed a hand on his neck as he struggled to escape his thoughts. He'd left Rebecca's murder investigation to Luis, while he planned to wrap up the investigation into the Charity Standish accident today. His thoughts were interrupted when his oldest daughter came downstairs with her suitcase. How had he forgotten she'd spoken to Fox earlier that week agreeing to their divorce and that she planned to leave for Texas today?
"Good morning Dad", Kay said kissing her father's cheek. "Just let me grab some juice I'll be ready to head to the airport."
"Kay I'm sorry but I can't let you go back to Texas today"
Confused the brunette turned to face her father.
"Why not?"
His eyes were grim as he held up her Phoenix necklace. "You know exactly why"

"Where did you get that?", Kay asked as the color drained from her face.
"The evidence locker at the Castleton Police Department", Sam replied a hard glint in his eye. "Do you want to tell me how it got there?"
The brunette closed her eyes in defeat as she flashed back to that awful night. Confronting Charity, arguing with her, and finally watching her tumble-down stair after stair until she hit the bottom with that sickening thud.
"What happened Kay?", he asked again now with sympathy in his eyes.
"Exactly what you're already thinking", Kay bit back fleeing the kitchen with Sam on her heels. "If it was an accident just tell me, I can get you help"

"And if it wasn't?", she snapped back. "And if I did want Charity gone forever, out of my life for good? Then what?"
Silence hung in the air as Sam was once again forced to consider the worst about his daughter.
"Then you wouldn't have called 911", he said softly.
At his gentle belief in her, Kay's facade crumbled, and she rushed into her fathers' arms.

"I'm so sorry Dad", she cried. "Everything just happened so fast and I was so scared".
"I know, I know", Sam said, relieved to learn that it had been accident. "We'll call Ethan, he should be able to let us know what our options are"

"What's going to happen Dad?"
I'm going to do everything I can to help you Kay", he replied. "But I've got to take you in."

That afternoon
Pilar Lopez Fitzgerald was busy cleaning her home and trying to pay attention to her telenovelas. The house was decidedly less crowded since Theresa and the children had returned home, Joseph had also gone to North Carolina to visit his father and uncle. While she missed him greatly, the matriarch was glad to have some one on one time with Elijah. Being that the family had been unaware of his existence, he was the only grandchild she hadn't truly bonded with. His parents were still in Rome doing lord knows what, and it was clear Elijah missed them, his mother the most.

Checking the time, Pilar decided to head up the stairs to wake him from his nap when the phone began to ring. Answering quickly, the matriarch was relieved to hear the voice of her youngest son on the line.
"Miguelito?", she said smiling at the sound of his voice.
"Si Mama, it's me", came the reply. "I was just calling to check on you and Elijah? How's everything there?"
:Elijah and I are fine", Pilar said before updating him on the rest of the family. "Rebecca Hotchkiss has been killed though."
"What?", Miguel exclaimed stunned at the news. "Do they know who did it?"
"No mijo", Pilar said wringing her hands. "And it's unsettling to know there's a killer on loose. But I trust your brother and Sam will track them down soon. Do not worry Miguel. How are things where you and Charity are?"
He was quiet as he looked over at a fever ridden Charity. The priest John Paul clutched her hand as she sweated and heaved. Miguel decided it was best not to tell his mother about the elixir the priest had given Charity to strengthen her as they prepared to summon Death. It was also best not to tell her about the many near death incidents they had faced to get to this priest, who knew exactly who they were and why they'd come.
"Miguel?", Pilar called again startling him.
"I love you Mama, you, Theresa, Luis, Paloma and all the children", he said solemnly. "Charity and I plan to be back home in two weeks. I-If we're not, promise that you will take good care of Elijah"-
"Miguel, what are you saying", Pilar gasped growing more panicked by the second.
"Make sure that Maria knows how much I love her, tell her that despite all my mistakes she was always the closest to my heart", he said as he teared up thinking of all the mistakes he'd made with his oldest child. "Even though it may seem selfish, this trip, this journey I'm on with Charity is to save her too. I love you. Good-bye Mama".
"Wait Miguel! Miguel!", Pilar screamed into the phone, although only the dial tone answered her.

Wiping away tears Pilar quickly redialed the number only to get a message that the line was disconnected.
"How can that be?", she exclaimed slamming the phone down again.
Sitting down on the couch Pilar struggled to calm herself. That wasn't Miguel saying goodbye forever, it was a just in case message.

The matriarch looked over at the mantel, pictures of all of her children at various stages of life. The picture of her, Luis, Miguel and Theresa stood out. Antonio was already gone and Paloma in Mexico when the photo was taken.

Sniffing again, Pilar struggled to calm herself. It was a just in case message.

It had to be, because Pilar couldn't bear to lose another child.
...

Later that evening in Castleton

Gwen Hotchkiss was snuggled on the couch with her fiancé. They'd spent the day watching the blonde's favorite romcoms, anything to pull her out of the depressive episode she was in since Rebecca's memorial earlier that week. Gwen wiped away tears as the screen credits of "My Best Friends' Wedding" appeared on the television.

"I should check on Madison", she said getting up from the couch.

"She's fine, you checked on her 20 minutes ago", Travis said reaching out to stop her from leaving the room. "It's you I'm worried about".

Gwen stared into his brilliant green eyes and sighed at the concern she saw there. Sitting back down, she ran her hand through her hair.

"I don't know what to say honey, there just aren't words to describe how I feel", she said. "I know my mother wasn't perfect, hell she tormented half the town, but she loved me. Loved me more than anyone and I can't help but feel that most of what she did, she did to give me the life she thought I should have."

"Was the life she thought you should have, the one you wanted?", Travis asked gently turning off the television.

"No", Gwen answered honestly. "But I didn't know that at the time. I was just as involved as she was. It wasn't until years later that I realized that I wasn't living life on my own terms but following a carefully laid plan, a life women of my "station" are supposed to live. Watching that movie, I can't help but wonder how my life would've been if I'd just let Ethan marry Theresa in the first place"

"But then you wouldn't have Jonathan", Travis interjected with a smile. "And we may not have ever met."

The blonde smiled for the first time in a week at the thought.

"You're right about that, if I didn't endure those dark days, I may have missed out on this chance at a happy life with you Johnathan and Madison."

Suddenly Travis reached over and pulled the blonde into his arms, kissing her gently on the cheek.

"It's not a chance", he whispered into her ear making her blush. "It's a guarantee, you Maddie, Johnathan and I are going to have a happy life. I want you to know that we don't have to start planning the wedding until you're ready."

"I am ready", Gwen said softly leaning into her fiancé. "Since the day you came running into my life, you've been my rock, someone that I can depend on through anything. You've given me a daughter, something I thought I'd never have again. Of course, I'm ready to spend the rest of my life with you."

The two kissed passionately until a knock at the door interrupted them. Checking the time, the two looked at each other in surprise. It was well after 9pm.
Opening the door the couple was stunned to see Luis and another officer at the door. "Luis?", the blonde said. "What are you doing here? Are Sheridan and the baby okay?"
Good evening Gwen, they're fine", the detective replied formally. We're here about your mother's case."
Gwen leaned into Travis as she felt her heart skip a beat.
"Yes?"
"We need you to come down to the station and answer a few questions Mr. Moore", the other officer Will said sternly.
Confused the couple stared at each other then back at the officers.
Why?", Travis asked.
"Just additional few questions"
Gwen's eyes narrowed as she glared at the men.
"You can't possibly be implying that Travis had something to do with my mothers' death? He was nowhere near Harmony or Castleton when it happened!"
"Well that's funny", Luis said crossing his arms. "According the airport, Travis never boarded his flight"
What!?", the blonde exclaimed as Travis looked visibly stricken. "What are you saying, Travis went to California for a software development conference BEFORE my mother was killed. I talked to him- "
"So he drove from New England to California?", Officer Will interjected. "Because according to flight records all across New England no Travis Moore boarded any flight the day, he said he left."
Stunned Gwen looked at Travis who remained stubbornly silent.
"Travis?"
"I'll be right back Gwen", Travis said gently before stepping outside leaving Gwen speechless. "Don't worry"
Luis hung back as Travis and Will headed toward the waiting cop car.
"How much do you really know about this guy?", he asked gently.

Despite his conflicted feeling about Gwen, he knew this had to be hard for her.
"I know he didn't kill my mother Luis!", Gwen snapped. "What possible reason could he have had to do that?"
"Maybe it was the background check she ran on him", Luis offered. "We found it in Rebecca's hotel room, some of the pages were missing. Is it possible that he found out about the background check and had something in his past he wanted to keep hidden?"
Gwen said nothing as she struggled to absorb the startling revelations.
"I know you don't want to hear this, but you've got to consider that Travis could be involved", Luis continued. "If he wasn't in California where was he and why did he lie to you about it?"
Gwen's eyes glistened with tears as she watched Luis walk to the cop car and drive away with the man she loved. In a matter of ten minutes it seemed her whole world had been shaken to the core.

Numbly, she found her way onto couch where she and Travis had just professed their love to each other. There was no way he could've had anything to do with her mother's murder. No way.

Then why had he lied to her?

And why was her mother running background checks on her fiancé?
As she brushed away her tears, Gwen realized she had access to all of Travis's information. She wouldn't wait for the police to discover the truth about her fiancé.

She would find out herself.

Next time on Passions: The hunt for Rebecca's killer heats up and everyone's a suspect. Gwen pulls Sheridan into her hunt for answers. The Bennett's turn to Ethan for help. Fox and Whitney try to solidify their relationship but concerns about Ivy may derail their plans. Charity and Miguel finally face off with Death and make a decision about their future.