AN: I missed the 22nd anniversary of the Passions premiere by 2 days . However, I still have an update! Happy 22nd birthday Passions! HEA is coming!

…..

Good morning dear readers

The wedding of the year is slated to take place today at the Crane Estate. The wedding of Julian Crane, patriarch of the Crane Empire, and Rebecca Hotchkiss, widow of Jonathan Hotchkiss of Hotchkiss International, is set for 5pm this evening. The author has on good authority that groom is less than pleased at the thought of remarrying. But is it remarrying that Mr. Crane dreads or his future spouse? The author has on good authority that Mr. Crane's heart belongs to another. Not to worry dear reader, the author has secured an invitation and will report every look, outfit, and secret scowl.

Signed

Crane Canary

…..

Julian Crane finished reading the article and crumpled the morning paper tightly in his fist.

Wedding Day.

It was his wedding day, and just like the last time he was absolutely miserable.

His first wedding had been required in order to fulfill his duties as heir to the Crane Empire. He'd married the Governor's daughter and produced 4 children.

2 sons and 2 daughters, his heir and spare as well as two daughters to be married into prestigious families, further solidifying the power of the Crane family.

His eldest daughter was beautiful enough to be married into the European aristocracy, and the youngest to a political dynasty with eyes on the White House.

Though he and Ivy grew to despise each other, Julian was somewhat content in their marriage. He did as he pleased and had everything he could've reasonably asked for.

Of course, he knew he couldn't have the woman he'd fallen for all those years ago. It was completely unreasonable. He was however content to drink and sleep with every other woman he could have as a replacement for her.

It wasn't until his wife, scheming for her own lost love, invited Eve and her husband to dinner at the Crane Mansion that Julian truly took note of her again.

How she'd changed from the days when they'd first fell in love. She was even more beautiful, more accomplished and yet still had the same loving and loyal heart he'd fallen in love with so many years ago.

As foolish as it was, he began to dream of a life with her. But this time he would put her needs first, he would work to ensure the life she'd work so hard to build remained intact. Even if he could never have her for his own, at least she would be happy with the family she'd built after he abandoned her.

That was the sole reason for his wedding today. Somehow, he'd managed to find a more manipulative, cunning wretch than Ivy. One who would easily destroy everything he held dear to get what she wanted, and what she wanted was to be Mrs. Julian Crane.

Julian would give it her; he would give it her anything as long as she would leave Eve alone. He'd already trumped up charges against Liz and had her taken back to St. Lisa. It should be child's play to marry Rebecca Hotchkiss and let her play Mrs. Crane.

But it wasn't.

To marry Rebecca was to throw away his last chance at a life with Eve, the life that he truly wanted. But if he didn't Rebecca would expose Eve's past and ruin the life that she wanted.

He had to do it, he had to marry Rebecca. For the first time in his life Julian Crane was putting someone else's needs over his own desires.

"Father", a voice called snapping him out of his reprieve. "

"What is it Fox?", Julian grumbled as he struggled with his tie in the mirror.

"The next Mrs. Julian Crane is not one to be left waiting", he chuckled before helping his father with his tie. "I can't for the life of me understand why you're doing this."

Julian reached out and grabbed his son's hand.

"I'm doing this because I love Eve", he said gravely staring his son in the eye. "And until you're prepared to do the same don't mention your love for Whitney Russell to me again."

"But there has to be another way"-

"Short of having Rebecca killed there is not", Julian scoffed.

Fox waved his hands in exasperation.

"Are we not the Cranes? We've certainly made people disappear before."

"It's too messy!", Julian said with finality. "It would bring to much attention to this family, this empire! And if you ever hope to be the head of this empire, you'd better start thinking with your head and leave the hearts for the lower classes"

"So that's your plan", Fox replied with a shake of his head. "To grow old and ruthless like Grandfather. That little speech you just gave sounded just like him."

"I am nothing like my father- "

"Yet".

"Get out", Julian growled as he began looking through his cabinet desk for scotch.

"Gladly", the Crane heir scoffed. He opened the door and nearly collided with Eve Russell.

Taking in the doctors' puffy eyes, disarrayed hair and clothing, Fox knew he was needed elsewhere. Surprising himself he hugged the doctor.

"I'll take care of Whitney", he said softly before rushing away.

Julian Crane was silent as Eve entered the room and closed the door.

"Tell me you didn't", Julian said gravely. Tell me you didn't ruin your life.

Eve chuckled and shook her head as she wiped her eyes. She glanced around the room full of plaques and awards much like her office at the Harmony Hospital. She and Julian were more alike than she cared to admit.

"It wasn't a life Julian; it was a lie. For more than 20 years I've lied to the people I love. Allowed them to put me on a pedestal, to worship me when I didn't deserve it."

"Eve- "

The doctor put her hand up to stop him from speaking.

"I'm not the perfect doctor they think I am. I've lived an entirely different life that I've kept from everyone and I said it was to protect them but maybe it was to protect me too. So that I could pretend I didn't do all the awful things we did back then. And while it wasn't a life that I'm proud of it's not one I regret entirely, because in that life I met you."

"Eve"-Julian began again.

"You hold me in such high regard Julian, a lot like TC used to", Eve continued. "All I'll do is disappoint you- "

"I am nothing like TC", Julian interrupted crossing the room to take the doctor into his arms. "I know you're not perfect and I'd never expect you to be. You'd never have to be perfect with me Eve, only happy."

"You care so much for me which I why I couldn't allow to throw your life away"

"Care for you?" the Crane patriarch asked incredulously. "I love you Eve, I always have, and I always will."

Before Eve could respond Julian kissed her deeply, releasing years of pint up passion.

As Eve allowed herself to relax and return his passion, some of the heartache she felt at unveiling her past faded.

Suddenly she broke the kiss.

"What's next", she murmured as she rested her head on his chest. "Julian, I've lost everything."

"We can start fresh", he said cupping her chin. "take all the time we need to get to know ourselves as we are, independent of everyone's expectations of us. I'm ready to change, to be the best version of myself but I can't do that without you. It'll be hard but I'm willing to try, tell me that you're willing to try with me."

Eve hesitated for a brief second before making her decision.

Epilogue
The next day the following story ran in the society pages of The Harmony Herald:

"Crane Wedding Ends in Catastrophe!"

The author is stunned to report that the wedding of Julian Crane, heir to the Crane Empire, and Rebecca Hotchkiss, widow of Johnathan Hotchkiss of Hotchkiss International, did NOT happen yesterday as scheduled. In fact, the guests were all stunned when Mr. Crane called off the wedding mere minutes before it was scheduled to begin. Ms. Hotchkiss was beside herself with rage and had to be escorted from the Crane Mansion.

The author can also confirm that Mr. Crane has reunited with a long-lost love and left town for a brief respite from the commotion caused by the canceled wedding. Since the author has no love for Ms. Hotchkiss, we wish Mr. Crane and his true love all the happiness in the world.
Signed
-The Crane Canary