Jessica Wakefield pressed on the gas on the way to a trade show. Her boss, Grace Fowler, needed Jessica to go pick out some fabrics for her new teen line. Jessica loved her job. What could be better than to get paid to hang out at fashion shows and see the hottest new designs on the market? Usually her job entailed getting a first hand look at fabrics, tracking patterns, and fitting models.

Her biggest dream was to have her own line some day. She thought about yesterday when her sister, Elizabeth had gotten on a plane to New York City. Liz was such a downer sometimes. Her sister had been ignoring and avoiding her for the past weeks before she left. So what if she was now with Todd? Elizabeth did not own him. Besides, Todd had changed from the boring drip he was while he dated Liz.

Their little high school romance was sooooo long ago. Liz would just have to deal with it. It was time to move on. Jessica almost packed herself in her sister's suitcase. What she would give to live and design in New York. But she had a good thing working with Grace Fowler and she didn't want to leave California. Not yet anyway. Once Liz got over it and got more established in the city, Jessica would be visiting her often, taking advantage of all the east coast had to offer. After arriving from England, her sister had taken a job working at the Valley news as a junior editor.

An unexpected visit to Todd's apartment was the manner by which Elizabeth found out about Jessica's involvement with Todd. She had wanted to tell Elizabeth, she really did. But it was just so hard. So she stalled, trying to wait for the right time to tell her. She had spent the night at Todd's apartment when Elizabeth walked in. A few hours later, Jessica returned home, determined to make her sister understand.

Liz?, she said, knocking on her sister's door.

She opened it to find Elizabeth standing by the window, facing the patio and swimming pool.

Were you ever going to tell me? Elizabeth asked, her voice not much more than a whisper.

It's complicated Lizzie, Jessica told her.

Elizabeth turned around. Well I suggest you make it really simple for me. Since I am obviously a fool. I am such a fool. I guess I shouldn't be surprised because you've done this over and over. Tried to get in the way of my relationship with Todd.

Jessica dropped her eyes. We wanted to tell you, we just couldn't find the right time.

If you wanted me to know, you would have told me. You didn't tell me because you're a coward. Elizabeth shook her head. Her look was pure hatred. Jessica almost cringed in fear.

I have to hand it to you sis, Elizabeth said. Your half hearted attempts at honesty are truly admirable. First Sam and now Todd. Elizabeth looked stormily at Jessica. How long has this been going on?

We didn't mean to hurt you, a tear escaped Jessica's eye. It just happened.

Just happened? Falling into Todd's bed just happened?

We love each other, Jessica declared.

How could you do this?

We didn't plan it, Liz, like I said, it just happened. We both missed you, and then we started spending time together. You and Todd weren't together anyway, and Liz, you never slept with him.

But you have right? Of course you have. Wow, Elizabeth said, shaking her head. It's just what you do. Just what you do.

Todd and I, well, we're getting married.

Twist the knife in me, why don't you Jessica!

I want you there Lizzie. I don't want to get married without you!

Elizabeth threw her head back in exasperation. You really are something else Jessica.

Get out,! she said.

But Liz….. Jessica started.

I said get out! I can't stand to look at you.

Jessica left the room, hanging her head in defeat.

Liz will get over it, she convinced herself as she moved a pile of clothes off her bed.

She stumbled on a bridal magazine and began looking at the wedding dresses, trying to distract herself from the anguish on her sister's face. For the rest of the week, Liz seemed to dive into a pool of deep depression.

Then she dropped the bombshell on the family. She was packing up and hightailing it across the country. Jessica observed the looks on her parent's faces as they watched Elizabeth moping around the house. Neither of them said anything, but she knew they blamed her for Liz's sour mood. But she tried to look on the bright side. This would all blow over soon.

With their brother Steven living in London, Jessica would be their parents' only child that was close to home. Which meant that she'd be getting most of their attention. And financial gifts whenever necessary. She smiled to herself. It was ironic how things worked out. Her straight A, serious, studious identical twin was heading for some rinky dink job at some magazine no one had ever heard of while Jessica was living it up by going to parties, having access to amazing high end gowns, and almost being a designer herself.

Plus she was dating Todd, and with his new juicy salary, he had plenty to keep her in the lifestyle that she craved. Liz was too stick in the mud.

Ha! So much for me being the younger twin.

Jessica felt she was a lot more worldly and mature than her sister. She had more experience with men for sure. Liz still acted like Virgin Mary and Mother Theresa rolled into one.

There was a secret that Jessica hadn't told anyone yet. OK, except Lila. And Amy Sutton, her best friends. Every one else would find out soon though. In about seven months. She and Todd were expecting! It had come about as a shock. Well, not a shock really, considering how busy things always were in the bedroom! Todd had proposed and she had accepted.

She was about to become Mrs Todd Wilkins! Amy and Lila were less than thrilled about the news. In fact, Lila acted like she was breaking the law by dating Todd in the first place.

Seriously Jess?, Todd Wilkins,? she had said.

Ummm, are you forgetting he was Liz' boyfriend? That's cold Jess. Real cold.

Your own sister! Amy chimed in.

Liz and Todd have been over for years,! Jessica insisted.

And anyway, the two of you used to steal my boyfriends all the time, so who are you to talk?

All the while you were stealing ours, Lila admonished.

But that is not the point Jess. We're not your sisters. It's different, Amy said.

So what Amy? Jessica replied. He loves me though, not her. He's marrying me, he chose me! He's not dull like he used to be. We go to the greatest parties together, to all the hot clubs with his teammates, he enjoys it as much as I do. He's not boring like he was with Liz!

Jessica shook her blonde head. Lila was the worst person to be giving relationship advice. Lila had been alone for almost a year after breaking it off with Bruce Patman. Bruce had gone to Europe, seeking new business opportunities. He wanted to impress his father by making it big outside of America. The only thing he seemed to have found was a new set of women to chase after.

Not that Lila cared much. Their romance had long fizzled by then. And recently, she had other things to worry about. She had the strangest feeling that someone was watching her, that someone was following her. She put it off as paranoia, but couldn't help remembering the past. A traumatic experience in high school where she had almost been raped, then later stalked by her attacker had left her weary about men.

As she got older she realized the ramifications of what had happened to her and that she had never properly dealt with it. Romance had taken a back seat to her attempt at establishing herself. Although she was always the ultimate clothes horse, she didn't have much interest in working for her mother. Lila already had her hands full, running her juice bar in downtown Sweet Valley.

The bar was right next to Mallone's Gymnastics and Cheerleading, where Jessica's old nemesis from high school ran the place with a well manicured iron fist . Her young pupils all seemed to love her, despite her dictator like tendencies. Heather Mallone was firm, but fair and encouraging. She had an eye for young talent. It was perfect. The moms who wanted a break from watching their kids jumping on trampolines, and Heather's strict instructions on how to do a perfect split, only had to walk a few feet to get one of Lila's delicious mixtures, while they gossiped and talked about their children's progress.

Her father, George Fowler was very proud of her for taking the initiative and starting her own business. He had often thought that Lila would grow up and live the rest of her life shopping, tanning, and chasing boys. George Fowler finally had everything his heart desired. Earlier in the year, his wife had given birth to their son. It was quite a surprise for them, Grace was well into her forties, but their child was perfectly healthy. He had the son he had longed for, especially now that he felt he had more time to spend with his family.

He knew he had failed Lila, his beautiful daughter had been spoiled and pampered throughout her life, but mostly from afar. He had neglected her while she was growing up, he was always away on business making more and more money that none of them would ever be able to spend in a lifetime. He had cut back on his business trips and hours at the office, and vowed to do better with his new baby.

He was fully aware of Lila's insecurities about her not being his biological daughter. It was something they had never discussed, he was akin to the knowledge that Grace had confessed it to Lila when she was a teenager. He wanted to make it up to her, become the father she deserved. He never wanted her to feel that she was less his child than her new brother.