Disclaimer: Nope, don't own any of the characters (except for Richard). The rest belong to NBC's Passions and JER.

Chapter Two - Taking Risks

"Hey guys," Jessica called out to her cousin Charity Standish, and Charity's boyfriend Miguel Lopez-Fitzgerald, as she struggled into the craft shop with the box.

"Need some help?" Miguel asked with a smile, as Jessica wobbled from side to side with the box.

"No, I got it," Jessica said, bringing the box to the counter where Charity and Miguel were standing. "What's up with you guys?"

"Um, nothing Jess," Charity said, holding back a smile. She snuck a look at Miguel, her blue eyes twinkling. "Nothing at all."

"Okay, what?" Jessica sighed. She knew they were holding something back from her.

"Well," Miguel started off slowly. "Charity and I were just thinking about how we could maybe set you up with someone," he said.

"Like who?" Jessica prompted. Miguel and Charity looked at each other, both unable to suppress their smiles.

"With Reese!" Charity exclaimed.

"Did someone call me?" Reese Durkee asked, as he entered the store. He slowly walked in, shyly smiling at Jessica. "Hi Jessica," he said.

"Hi Reese," Jessica said, looking down at her feet. It was so weird how nervous and shy she was around Reese, when that wasn't her at all just a few minutes ago. "What's up?" she asked.

"I've just been thinking about how school starts tomorrow. Maybe we should have one last party or something before we hit the books?" he said. Everyone smiled at the idea.

"We could have a barbeque at our house," Charity replied, smiling at Jessica. "Aunt Grace won't mind."

"Kay said Simone was coming over later," Jessica offered. "Plus Ethan's half-brother is coming to our house. Ethan said he's around our age," Jessica added.

"Sounds great," Miguel replied. He looked over at Charity, and she nodded. "In that case, Reese and I will make sure we'll have food to barbeque," Miguel said, before kissing Charity goodbye.

"Bye," Jessica faintly said, before the guys left. She covered her face with her hands. "I must have sounded like a fool in front of Reese," she said, miserably.

"I take it you want Miguel and I to set the two of you up," Charity said.

"Yes. No. Well, yes. I mean, no... I don't know," Jessica sighed. "I like him and everything, but I'm kinda scared," she said meekly.

"Don't worry about it," Charity reassured her. "You'll learn to loosen up with Reese. I mean, I was so nervous around Miguel the first few times I saw him. But gradually I began to loosen up. And now I'm at total ease when I'm with him," she said.

"But that's different," Jessica pointed out. "Reese is like, in love with Kay. He just sees me as her little sister," Jessica said.

"That's not true," Charity argued. "Reese might have a crush on Kay, but have you seen the way he is when you're around? Like just now, he was so shy. Usually he's more talkative."

"Maybe," Jessica grudgingly agreed. "But I just don't want to get hurt," she said.

Charity was silent for a moment. "Love is about taking risks. Sometimes you just need to try it, or else you could be missing something very special," she said. She leaned over and gave Jessica a quick hug. "Now you get back home, and get ready for the barbeque. I want you to wear something so gorgeous, that you'll literally knock Reese off his feet." Jessica laughed.

"Thanks Charity," she said, before leaving the store.

* * *

"It's so good to see you again," Richard said to Ethan, as they walked into the living room at the Bennett house. He looked around. It was so warm and cozy, that he couldn't help but wish that this was his own home. "So you're living here now?" he asked.

"Not really. I'm staying next door at Grace's bed and breakfast until after the wedding. Theresa and I started house hunting, but she's so indecisive," Ethan laughed.

"Do you like it here? I mean, do you like your new family?" Richard asked quietly.

"Yeah. But you know that you're always my family too," Ethan said.

"I know. I'm just wondering how things are around here," Richard replied.

"It's different than the Crane mansion," Ethan admitted. "At first I hated Sam because he wasn't there when I was growing up. Then I slowly accepted the fact that he didn't know about me. We started spending time together, and he invited me to stay at the bed and breakfast until I got my own home. And his wife Grace is really nice too. She's been very accepting of me, despite the fact that the revelation of my paternity caused her to miscarry her child."

"What's it like getting to know a new brother and sisters?" Richard inquired. He was very curious about what has happened in Harmony during the time he was away.

"I've only talked to Noah a couple of times. He's been away at school, but he seems cool. Kay and Jessica are amazing. Same with Charity. It's like I've known them my whole life," Ethan gushed.

"Sounds cool," Richard replied. Deep down he was hurt. It seemed like Ethan had a deeper relationship with his new family than the family that's been there for him all along. Especially when Ethan was always Ivy's favorite son.

"Yeah it is," Ethan said. "How are things with you?" he asked.

"Okay, I guess. Have you talked to Paige or Amanda lately?" Richard asked.

"Yeah. I just got a letter from Paige yesterday, and Amanda called a couple of days ago," Ethan replied.

Unbelievable, Richard thought. He hadn't had contact with his sisters for a couple of years, yet Ethan just talked with them within a couple of days. And he's still got those bonds with his new family, Richard thought bitterly.

"Hey, I thought fall semester would have already started at Worcheisler, " Ethan said. Richard nodded. "So why are you in Harmony?" Ethan asked, confused.

"I couldn't stay there anymore," Richard said. "Starting tomorrow, I'll be a member of the Harmony High student body."

Ethan whistled. "Julian and Alistair aren't going to like that," he said.

"Julian threw a fit," Richard admitted. "Surprisingly Alistair didn't care," he said. "He doesn't have any hopeful aspirations for me."

Things fell silent between them. Richard looked at Ethan, who looked away. Things were never this awkward between them. Just then a pleasant distraction walked in.

"Ethan, do you know where Jess is?" she asked. She stopped in mid-step when she noticed Richard sitting there. "Hi," she said.

"Hey," Richard replied.

"Richard, this is my sister Kay. Kay, this is my brother Richard," Ethan said, introducing his two half-siblings.

Kay laughed. "That sounded really weird," she said.

"Actually I don't know where Jessica is," Ethan frowned. "We were talking, when Grace called her. I think she had to run to the store or something," Ethan said. Just then the front door slammed. "That must be her," he told Richard. "You'll like Jessica. She's the most adorable thing," he said.

Just then Jessica walked in. And Richard couldn't believe it.

"What are you doing here?" they both asked at the same time.

Charity Standish

I meant every word I said to Jessica today, about how love was about taking risks.

When I first met Miguel, it was so exciting. He just swept me off my feet, and was so romantic. I remember the time when we were trying to get back to my house, when his motorcycle broke down. We were at the mechanic's, with nothing to do, when he played a really sweet song on the jukebox. The song was "Cross My Heart" by Jane French, and it

was just beautiful. He asked me to dance, and I just about melted in his arms.

Awhile after that, came the fire that killed my mother. I still don't know how it started, but it just about devastated me. Miguel risked his life to save mine in that fire. He's also risked his life so many times to save mine, and that's how come I know that our love is true. I'd risk my life, and my very happiness to make sure that he was safe.

I wouldn't be with Miguel if I didn't take the risk of loving him. I know that somewhere along the lines I might get hurt by him, but I know that I wouldn't be this happy if I didn't at least try.