We'll now open our hymnals to page eighty seven, Father Thomas instructed, as the first notes of the Prodigal Son song sounded on the organ.

Father I have sinned, he started up in his deep baritone, filling the small space with his impeccable, inspiring voice.

Help me find my way…..

Remember not my sins…..

Just let me hear you say…..

The solemn believers stood in the pews and sang along with the grey haired priest, one particular voice standing out as it's owner expressed the joy and jubilation racing through his newly cleansed heart.

I forgive you….

I love you…..

You are mine….

Take my hand….

Go in Peace….

Sin no more…

Beloved one…..

As he harmonized the touching words, his pair of icy blue eyes focused on the thurible, filled with hot coals and incense, sending wafts of scented smoke through the stagnant air. He honestly hated the smell, but he tolerated it, this small annoyance, one that he gladly overlooked for the greater good. He had become enlightened, a whole new world was now opened for him. Money, fast cars, good looks, status….what did it matter? None of these things could compare to his new love.

Two new loves actually, Bruce Patman smiled to himself. Real love. And not just of the flesh...

Speaking of which...He hadn't had sex for over a year... but his abstinence was worth it. She was worth it. So was his soul. He would not mar himself with other women until he was married.

To her.

He looked around him, and his eyes met the old ones of Sister Maria Claire. Her wrinkled lips smiled encouragingly at him as they sang together. They were in the chapel of St Bernadette's, with the rest of the small congregation. He was surrounded by women, most of them old enough to be his great grandmother. They asked nothing of him, except his devotion. He had never met kinder, more generous people. They didn't judge him, they just wanted to help him. The small religious order had been in the south of France for two years now, teaching at the local parish school. Bruce had gone to them, asking for help.

They had welcomed Bruce with open arms, leading him on his journey, teaching him his catechism, counseling him when he had doubts, listening to his transgressions, assuring him that God loved him, and everything he had done in the past was forgiven. Bruce opened his bible and followed along with the readings. He was ever so fortunate, that the mass was being conducted in English, due to the fact that this particular clergy hailed from Ireland.


My daughter is a virgin, Francois Devaux barked at Bruce in his thick French accent, after he asked for his one and only child's hand in marriage one year ago. Pure in mind and body, just like her poor dead mother, God bless her soul, he said, looking upwards and making the sign of the cross. You will respect her! I know how you Americans behave. No values! All fun and games! There will be none of that with my Babette!

Oui monsieur, Bruce said meekly.

Babette was supposed to marry Antoine Faucher. It was decided since her birth, Francois continued, his bushy brows moving every time he spoke. Their family owns all the land next to ours. It was a match made by my Marjorie and Antoine's mother.

I don't approve of my daughter's attachment to you! But…my child will not be happy if I force her to marry Antoine. Alright, the old man conceded. You may marry my Babette. But…It has to be in the church. And you have to be of our faith to marry in the church. You do not even speak French! You Americans are just as bad as those English people who move here, buying property, setting up their shops, their schools, their own society, they don't respect our language!

He looked accusingly at Bruce from drowsy eyes under his bushy brows. Do you know God? Do you even go to church?

Well, I ahhhh, haven't been in a while sir, Bruce said, elated at the answer from Babette's father. The last time he was in a church, was when his grandfather, Alexander Patman died three years ago. It sure as hell wasn't a Catholic one. Bruce didn't know much about Catholicism... except that they got to drink wine during service. Which sounded pretty damn good to him…

And as for speaking French. So what if his language skills were terrible? He knew how to French kiss, that was more than enough! And he knew how to say voulez vous coucher avec moi whenever he met a pretty girl. Everyone in Monaco, where Bruce had been spending most of his time since he arrived in Europe, knew how to speak English. Especially the belle filles that hung on to his every word. They loved his American accent, his sexy eyes, tanned body, and his pathetic excuse for an attempt at speaking French got them giggling giddily and eager to teach him their native tongue!

Among other things.

How hard could it be? It was then he started on his journey. He was completely in love with Babette, and was willing to do whatever it took to marry her. He had repented, absconded from all of his wicked ways, and made his commitment to converting into a member of the Catholic church. He was never prouder than the day when Mother Anne Rieley handed him an old rosary so he could pray with her. After almost a year of completing the necessary sacraments, and immersing himself in the age old rituals, he was now a member of the church and he could at last marry Babette.

His parents had arrived just two days ago, and were staying at the Deveaux family's chateau. And although he was fully aware of their relationship, he was somewhat surprised to see Lila Fowler coming off the plane, her hand entwined with Roger's. She seemed very comfortable with him and ever since they arrived, they cloistered themselves in the suite that was allotted to them. His future father in law seemed to be under the impression that Roger and Lila were already man and wife, and Bruce didn't dare correct him. He just hoped that God would turn the other cheek at this little white omission to the truth of the matter. The ceremony would take place in just two days! Bruce had never been happier.

Except...expect the tiny hint of tension he picked up between his parents. Hank and Marie Patman had never been liberal with their show of affection towards each other, however, things just seemed off. Maybe his mother was annoyed that they had to fly commercial? The Patman's jet had a sudden mechanical problem right before their scheduled flight, and was being repaired at Sweet Valley airport's hanger. The foursome were forced to book first class with PanAm airlines. Although she had been to Europe numerous times in her life, his mother hated flying. Especially with commoners!

He hadn't had the time to speak in depth to either of them yet, and Bruce figured that his parents were just anxious about his getting married to a foreigner. For most of his life, they…... his mother especially….. had stressed the importance of choosing the right kind of woman to marry, who would uphold the prestige of the Patman family.

He couldn't just marry anyone! Between jet lag and preparations for the wedding, the conversations centered mostly about the weather, the happenings in Sweet Valley, and most importantly to his parents, about the beauty of the inland Languedoc region where the Deveaux family had made their fortune.


I am really happy for you Bruce, Lila announced two days later, as she took a sip of her champagne.

They were standing on the manicured lawn in front of the chateau, among the almost two hundred guests who had shown up to see Babette Deveaux and her handsome American beau tie the knot.

Thanks Li! I really mean it, he returned, his expression sincere. As soon as the words came out of his mouth, Bruce's eyes changed, and now sparkled with mischief. Not going to cry tonight because I let you go,? he teased.

Lila huffed, flipping her hair. Correction Bruce. I let you go. Besides, she turned her eyes to Roger, who was awkwardly dancing with his aunt Marie. I am very happy with my Patman man. At the corner of her eye Lila examined Bruce closely. The love in his eyes was evident. The formerly arrogant womanizer was completely devoted to the petite redhead clad in a luminous white dress, who was now dancing in the arms of her new father in law, Henry Patman.

She's cute enough…..I guess, Lila thought, as Babette placed an offered canape in her mouth.

I'm happy for you too! You and my cousin, who would have thought? But then again… Did I ever tell you he had a picture of you hidden in his desk? Back in high school?

You're serious? Lila laughed. What picture?

A picture of you, out by the pool…must have been your sophomore year. I was snooping in his room after he moved in with us and I discovered it. Bruce started to laugh. I used it to blackmail him into helping me with my homework. I said I'd tell everyone about the picture if he didn't do all my chemistry and physics labs. And history reports too. Poor Rog was smitten. And you were so mean and stuck up.

Me? Mean and stuck up? Look who's talking. That must have been the old days when I used to call him Bugs. He did beat you in that track race in high school. I remember how hot he used to look in his running shorts.

Bruce cringed. I don't want to hear about that.

I'll admit, I could have been nicer. But then he chose that granola eating, tree hugging Olivia Davidson over me! Lila giggled. He just wasn't ready for me yet!

I can picture her now. The look in Bruce's eyes were far. Frizzy black hair, tie dye clothes, very talented….

You'd better do right by him. I mean it Li, Bruce said, his eyes earnest.

Lila folded her arms. Since when do you care about Roger?

Of course I care, Bruce insisted. I've learned to be less selfish, to appreciate my family, Roger included. I wouldn't have asked him to be my best man if I didn't care. I don't have any brothers.

Uh, yeah you do, Lila wanted to say. Maybe someone should tell him? He'll find out eventually...

Lila...Lila! Bruce interrupted her thoughts.

Hmmm? Where were we? Oh yes! A secret picture of me huh,? Lila grinned, still tickled at the thought. And he was cooler than a cucumber to me when he got back from New Jersey, acting like he didn't even notice me! I'll have to ask him about it, she smiled. Maybe we can frame it and put it up at Fowler Crest.

Where will you live, after you get married,? Bruce asked.

We were thinking of buying some land in the neighborhood and build our own house, Lila responded. I don't know if your parents have told you this, but the Morrows have bought the two remaining plots up on the hill adjacent to their house. Almost ten acres in total. There's no land left to buy. Nothing sizable with nice views anyway. They've made their estate even bigger.

Oh,? Our home sits on about eight, Bruce grimaced, pondering how sinful it was to envy someone else's land.

So we decided we might as well stay at Fowler Crest, Lila added. I already have my own wing. Why should I move out? Things are perfect as they are. We have plenty of room. More than enough for the two of us.

What about kids?

Well, Lila bit her lip. Roger says he wants a house full of children.

And do you,? Bruce queried.

No! Not a house full. Fowler Crest is pretty big. I'll only have one….or two. And not anytime soon. My little brother is more than enough. I'll do like my Mom, wait till I'm forty. Maybe I'll have twins, that way, I'll only have to be pregnant once.

Twins,? Bruce smirked. Like Liz and Jess? Double the trouble huh? Well… on Jess' end anyway. How are they by the way?….I haven't seen them in ages.

Lila raised her perfectly arched brow. Ohhhh? You haven't heard? Roger didn't tell you?

Bruce cocked his head. Tell me what?

Jessica is married to Todd Wilkins. They have a son.

What? Bruce burst out laughing. You have got to be joking!

His jaw dropped, an incredulous look took over his face. No…That's just… Wow. Trust Jessica to pull a move like that. He shook his head.

I'm speechless! So where's Liz? How's she taking it. Did she have a breakdown? Maybe I can talk to her. I know how much the lord can heal, he declared nobly.

Lila rolled her brown eyes. You can save your holy drivel Bruce. I doubt she'll need any, Lila added.

Elizabeth is out east, living back and forth between New York City and Greenwich, Connecticut. With guess who?

Bruce raised his dark brow. Who?

None other than Nicholas Morrow!

Really? Regina's brother? Bruce raised his eyebrows.

The one and only. And Cara told me they have a fabulous apartment in New York. And an even more fabulous house in Greenwich.

Cara?

Yes Cara Walker, now Wakefield. Don't tell me you forgot her!

Of course I haven't. Give me some credit Lila. So she married Steven then?

She did, Lila confirmed. They have two children, a boy and a girl. They all went to Connecticut, to Liz's wedding.

Bruce nodded slowly, digesting the news. So Greenwich huh?

Yep, Lila confirmed. Miss Save the world, goody two shoes is living it up in the richest part of the country.

I see…... With Nicholas Morrow… I guess it's not surprising. I mean….. he always did have the hots for her, Bruce said thoughtfully. I remember Regina telling me he named his boat in honor of her. You don't do that for a girl you just want to hold hands and be friends with. And they're married you said?

Are you slow today Bruce,? Lila teased. Yes they're married. They had a fantastic wedding on an island off the coast of Connecticut, and then an overnight cruise on a Lurssen Yacht. And get this. A helicopter flew in to take them to JFK afterwards for their honeymoon in Tahiti.

Bruce raised his brows. Well excuse me Miss Elizabeth Wakefield!

Oh I know, Lila agreed. That girl was the biggest reverse snob. And look at her now.

Lila grabbed another glass of champagne. Nicholas is quite a catch. I remember when he breezed into town and all the girls couldn't get enough of him. I had an eye on him myself. So did Jessica for that matter, she said silently.

You know I'm not exactly the Morrows' favorite person. A flicker of pain crossed Bruce's eyes.

Yes, I know. Lila sighed. She knew he was remembering Regina and the role he played in her untimely death.

From what I hear of the situation, Liz won't even talk to Jessica, she carried on, eager to spread more gossip. She hasn't seen Liz in over two years. Can you believe that? Cara talks to both of them, so I always know what's up.

All over Wilkins? Bruce shrugged. Well, that's pretty cruel, to do that to her own sister. But it's not like Elizabeth to hold a grudge, especially not with Jessica. But I don't blame Liz for being hurt.

Oh…..I agree, that's what I told Jess, Lila insisted. But Jess won't hear it!

She didn't show up at Jessica's wedding and Elizabeth didn't invite Jessica to hers.

Ouch!

I know. Enid Rollins was Liz's maid of honor. Remember her?

How can I forget...Liz's drippy sidekick. I mean well…. Bruce said, remembering his vows to be more benevolent to the undesirables. She wasn't exactly….. you know what I mean. She wasn't exactly my type back then. When I was snobby and superficial.

Lila looked at Bruce, trying not to laugh at his new found piety.

Well Bruce, you should see her now. She had a baby right after college. Her boyfriend is a plastic surgeon, but he's not the Dad. She lives lower on the hill from me, pretty close to Jessica's house.

Jessica lives in our neighborhood too?

She does, with Todd. He plays for the Clippers now. Their son Jake is just over a year old.

I still can't fathom that. Soon you'll be telling me that you and Enid are best friends.

We are friendly, not friends. I see her practically every day.

The frizzy hair is gone. She's actually kind of pretty these days.

Hmmmmm, too bad I'm taken, Li, Bruce's blue eyes twinkled as he nudged Lila with his elbow. I'd have to give her a call.

Ha! Lila exclaimed. She's already taken. She works in a massage parlor downtown, pretty close to my juice bar. She showed me all the pictures of Liz's wedding. So did Cara. Everything looked so amazing. Nicholas' parents couldn't be happier that he married her.

Lila rolled her eyes. The Morrows just love sweet perfect Lizzie.

She was always so uptight, Bruce remarked. A stickler for the rules. Would practically go into mourning if she didn't get an A plus.

Lila grinned wickedly.

Remember the time me and Jess convinced her you were dying and she started acting nice to you?

Yeah, that was a pretty mean trick!

Come on Bruce, it was hilarious!

You're such a jerk Bruce! Lila chuckled. She placed a hand on her forehead in mock sympathy.

Poor sick Bruce is on his last days, let me hold his hand and wipe his tears...

And you were enjoying it too! You went along with it even after you knew she was taking you on as one of her charity cases.

OK, I'll admit it, I was as much of an accomplice as you were. But Lila…. who came up with the idea in the first place? I was just taking advantage of the situation that you and Jess dropped in my lap. And it almost worked too….. until her boyfriend showed up. What was his name again?

Jeffery French, Lila answered. I had the biggest crush on him. But Saint Elizabeth stole him from me. I'll never forgive her for that. Jeffie was such a cutie, said Lila, biting her lips. You failed Bruce. The plan was for you to keep Lizzie busy while I made my moves on sexy Jeffrey. The two of them were all wrong for each other.

Yeah, Bruce agreed. They looked like something out of Flowers in the Attic!

Lila gasped. You read that Bruce?

Uh, no. He averted his eyes. I don't read that kind of silly female adolescent stuff.

Sure you don't, Lila smirked, not quite believing his denial.

There was something seriously wrong with that girl, Bruce declared. How on earth she resisted my charms all through high school, I'll never know. Except for that one time, she did have a moment of weakness. More than one time actually, he grinned evilly.

I hope Liz and Jess make up, he said more sincerely. You know Lila, forgiveness is necessary to cleanse the soul.

Don't start preaching to me Bruce! It was hard enough to listen to the introductory prayers from the priest. I thought the whole thing would never end. I won't have any of that dull sermonizing at my wedding.

Have you set the date? Babette and I will be in Sweet Valley in three weeks. We'd like to be there. I asked Rog, but he wasn't sure.

We were going to do it this month, but someone else had to have his wedding in February, Lila said, looking pointedly at Bruce. We'll do it next month instead.

Lila blew Roger a kiss as the musicians started up a new song.

Where... I'm not sure yet. It won't be at Fowler Crest like my Mom and Dad.

I remember when your parents got married and you practically invited the whole school.

It was really something wasn't it? You know, I really miss those days, Lila said, her eyes sentimental. Being with all the gang again. You know, Ken and Amy got married last year. Before I left, Amy told me she was expecting.

Amy Sutton?

It's Amy Matthews now, Lila corrected.

Good for them! I personally can't wait to have kids, Bruce smiled, looking over at his new bride.

You're not the one who's going to have to do the work Bruce. Carrying a baby is hard. My little brother is difficult to handle and he's not even mine. We're going to be sending him to preschool soon. Just twice a week, mostly to play with other children.

Who would have thought Lila, your Dad having a kid at his age?

Your father had one too! Lila almost shouted. Yeah, well, my Mom was still young enough.

What about you Bruce? Is Babette excited to have kids?

Of course she is!

Who doesn't want to have little Patmans running around?

Lila bit her lip, preventing herself from bursting out with the announcement that Bruce was unaware of for almost a year now. Your mother maybe... especially not the newest little one who's probably just learning to use his legs!

So…Your parents must be pretty happy, you moving back home with your bride, she remarked, as she saw her fiance walking towards them.

Yeah, they're pretty thrilled. The house is way too quiet with just the two of them and the staff. And I think my Mom is a bit too old to have another kid. Not that they'd want to. They already have the most handsome, most intelligent, most awesome son in the world. What more can they possibly want?

Oh Bruce, Lila shook her head as Roger came to claim her for a dance. Some things never change.