CH 1.
Three Years Later
Theresa Soltini-McKay let herself into the huge apartment that she, her sister Paloma, and their sisters-in-law Sheridan and Kay resided in.
"Hello?" She said quietly. It was almost midnight but she knew that someone would be up.
"In the living room T." Kay called. "You're late."
"Emergency downtown." She said coming in. "Hank!"
"Hello Theresa." He stood, and hugged her.
"When did you get here?" She whispered.
"This afternoon. Do you play music in that club of yours?" He asked.
"You say that every time. We keep telling you: soundproofing."
He grinned. "Why break tradition? Your babies are beautiful."
"Are they all asleep?"
"Out like lights. Ethan was the last one. He was so excited to see his Uncle Hank." Sheridan said, handing Theresa a glass of wine.
"Thanks." Theresa took the wine and took a seat. "How long are you here for Hank?"
"Three days in LA, a quick run up the coast to Seattle, then one more day here, if all goes as planned."
"Hit and run yet again," Kay grinned wryly. "Well if it does go to plan, you'll be here for the big anniversary party on Saturday."
"Sounds good." Hank smiled. "How's school?"
"So busy, but good."
"And Theresa? How's the best looking medic in LA?"
"Busy. A building came down on a bunch of squatters a little while ago, which is why I'm late. It was chaos."
Hank winced. "You're a good person, T."
"So they keep telling me."
"He's right. You could be a medic for one of the hospitals or even out in the hills of Beverly. But you stick it out around here." Kay said, with a smile.
"Enough about my good nature. How's everyone back in Harmony? How's my niece?"
"She's cuter than a button, and can charm on a dime."
"What?" Kay laughed.
"She's got the trick of looking at you until you give her anything she asks for."
"Sounds familiar." Kay said looking at Theresa with a grin.
"Not even."
"Please. You still have it."
"But I only use it for a good cause." She said with dignity.
"Like supplies for the clinic." Sheridan said.
"Exactly." Theresa said.
"So free ice cream for the kids is a good cause?" Kay teased.
Hank smirked. "So, what about the fourth Soltini-McKay? How is she?"
The three women looked at each other, trying to conceal knowing looks.
"She's fine. She's busy, which is the way she likes it." Sheridan said. "How's Sam? Are he and Grace any better?"
"They're a bit better. Rebuilding trust is difficult. Busy with what?"
Kay tried not to giggle. Her uncle was too obvious when he tried to be subtle.
"The club, the clinic, Alex. You know that stuff." Theresa answered.
"You should ask her yourself." Sheridan finally lost her patience.
"And on that note, how's Luis? Is his divorce from Beth final?"
"Yeah, the ink's dry." Hank said. "She's grateful that he's allowing her partial custody of Chloe. I think a big part of her problem was that she thought marrying Luis would allow her to escape her mother. When it didn't, she saw all the problems in the relationship, and she stopped fighting. After going berserk."
"Interesting take on events." Sheridan said sarcastically.
"How's Miguel?" Kay asked quietly.
"He's um..." Hank thought for a minute. "Well, he's ok, considering. Since Charity entered the convent he's been evaluating his life and hasn't liked what he's seen."
Kay snorted. She wouldn't hide the fact that she was glad the Charity had left Miguel especially after he had asked her to give up her daughter before she was even born. "Is he in school?" She asked neutrally.
"Yes, he is." Hank said. "He's attending the police academy, and doing his best to be a little Luis."
"Mama must love that. How is she?" Theresa asked.
"Worried about her girls."
"You'd think she'd worry about her sons. Her daughters don't strap on bullet-proof vests on a daily basis."
"Maybe Poe doesn't." Theresa amended Sheridan's statement.
Kay winced. "Was it bad tonight?"
"A building came down, but no one was shooting at us."
"Today," Sheridan put in.
"Hank? How are your nephew and great-niece?"
"Noah or Ethan?" Hank asked.
"Ethan. I didn't realize Noah and Whit had procreated yet."
Hank smirked. "Ethan is doing fine. He gets a little stressed between the DA's office, Rosie, visiting poor Gwen and avoiding his mother."
Sheridan sighed. "A busy life. Tell me all about my great niece."
Theresa's face betrayed her opinion that there was no "poor Gwen."
"She's sharp as a knife and pretty cute, if a little spoiled at times."
"She sounds like Gwen and Rebecca only more evolved," Kay said dryly.
"Well that'll be fun when she grows up." Theresa laughed.
"Now tell me about my niece." He demanded.
"Which one?" Sheridan said.
"There's Emma," Theresa pointed out.
"And there's Olivia."
"I want to hear about everyone." Hank said.
Content with the topic, the girls chattered for almost a half hour. Then Kay stopped. "Wait, I forgot to ask--how're Jess and Reese?"
"You forgot about your sister?" Theresa pretended to scold.
"She's so normal, how can I help it?" Kay teased.
"We could all do with a little dose of normal." Sheridan laughed.
"Reese went pre-med. They're broke but my spies tell me they've been visiting jewelers in town."
"Oh God. Sam'll go postal. She's his baby." Theresa said with a laugh.
"But Mom'll be happy. She always liked Reese." Kay said with a smile. She looked at her watch. "Oh God. I have class in five hours. I need some sleep."
"Oh, I've kept you all up too late. I'll be here in the morning, go crash." Hank said.
"Our sofa is yours, as always." Theresa told him.
"I got the sheets already." Kay said. "Want me to make the bed?"
"No, go sleep. I'll wait up for Poe."
The three women hid grins.
"Tell her we said good night." Theresa chose one of the hall entries and disappeared down it. Sheridan and Kay did the same with different doorways.
Hank decided to go downstairs to the club. It could be hours before they closed up completely and he was still running on Eastern Time. He used the staff entrance, which let into the kitchen. A few of the staff nodded or waved at him. He wove his way through the dimly lit interior to Paloma's office.
The office was empty and Hank took a seat on the couch along one of the walls. The office was tastefully decorated and family photos covered one whole wall.
He knew that in the beginning she had planned to share an office with Theresa, but after about six months that had changed. The sisters did love each other, but they lived and worked together. Sharing an office was a little too much togetherness. Hank grinned as he noticed that a corner of the office held toys for Alex, and he imagined the other four children as well.
The door eased open as he picked up a furry stuffed Elmo. "Hank."
He turned and smiled. "Paloma."
They embraced briefly. "Jose told me you were back here." She said. "I wish you'd give some notice." She laughed. "You're like a gypsy.
"The gypsy and the one in self-imposed exile. Perfect." Hank laughed.
"Have you visited upstairs?"
"Yeah. They're going to bed."
"No night owls in this bunch." Paloma agreed. "What was so urgent it couldn't wait till I came upstairs?"
"Interpol indicted six members of the Santiago crime family at seven am this morning."
"Oh my God." Her knees failed her. "Am I going to have to testify?"
"No, you'll stay anonymous. Because of you we found other sources--none are quite as good, but they're all easier to protect."
"Does Luis know?"
"No. He doesn't have a clue."
"Good." Paloma nodded. "How long are you here for?"
"A few days then up to Seattle. I'll be back for the party on Saturday."
"Why Seattle?"
"Do you really want to know?"
"I guess not." She hesitated. "Thank you."
He hugged her. "It's okay if you cry."
"They're not worth my tears." She sniffled. "Besides, I'm mostly relieved no one's going to swoop down and take Alex away."
"Then we should celebrate."
"Champagne?"
"I would've said chocolate, but champagne sounds good."
"I'll go wrestle a bottle away from Cole at the bar." She said. "Be right back."
"I'll be here."
#(#(#(#(#
"When do you got to L.A.?" Whitney Russell asked Chad Harris as she finished making dinner for her and Noah while talking to Chad on the phone at the same time.
"I should get in at eleven tomorrow. Then I'll run around to a few clubs, check out the gig situation."
"Do you know what clubs you're going to?"
"A few of the chains and one independent."
"What's it called?"
"Cloud Nine."
Whitney laughed. "Cloud Nine? Tell me that's nothing like Club 54."
"No. It's supposed to be really great for music acts. They supposedly have people performing in there all the time." Chad said.
"Be careful, please." She implored him.
He laughed. "You worry too much Whit."
"I know. Be careful anyway. I'll see you when you get back. Have a good time."
"I will. Bye."
"I'll call again soon."
"I know."
They hung up the phones, and Whitney began tossing the salad in earnest.
Theresa Soltini-McKay let herself into the huge apartment that she, her sister Paloma, and their sisters-in-law Sheridan and Kay resided in.
"Hello?" She said quietly. It was almost midnight but she knew that someone would be up.
"In the living room T." Kay called. "You're late."
"Emergency downtown." She said coming in. "Hank!"
"Hello Theresa." He stood, and hugged her.
"When did you get here?" She whispered.
"This afternoon. Do you play music in that club of yours?" He asked.
"You say that every time. We keep telling you: soundproofing."
He grinned. "Why break tradition? Your babies are beautiful."
"Are they all asleep?"
"Out like lights. Ethan was the last one. He was so excited to see his Uncle Hank." Sheridan said, handing Theresa a glass of wine.
"Thanks." Theresa took the wine and took a seat. "How long are you here for Hank?"
"Three days in LA, a quick run up the coast to Seattle, then one more day here, if all goes as planned."
"Hit and run yet again," Kay grinned wryly. "Well if it does go to plan, you'll be here for the big anniversary party on Saturday."
"Sounds good." Hank smiled. "How's school?"
"So busy, but good."
"And Theresa? How's the best looking medic in LA?"
"Busy. A building came down on a bunch of squatters a little while ago, which is why I'm late. It was chaos."
Hank winced. "You're a good person, T."
"So they keep telling me."
"He's right. You could be a medic for one of the hospitals or even out in the hills of Beverly. But you stick it out around here." Kay said, with a smile.
"Enough about my good nature. How's everyone back in Harmony? How's my niece?"
"She's cuter than a button, and can charm on a dime."
"What?" Kay laughed.
"She's got the trick of looking at you until you give her anything she asks for."
"Sounds familiar." Kay said looking at Theresa with a grin.
"Not even."
"Please. You still have it."
"But I only use it for a good cause." She said with dignity.
"Like supplies for the clinic." Sheridan said.
"Exactly." Theresa said.
"So free ice cream for the kids is a good cause?" Kay teased.
Hank smirked. "So, what about the fourth Soltini-McKay? How is she?"
The three women looked at each other, trying to conceal knowing looks.
"She's fine. She's busy, which is the way she likes it." Sheridan said. "How's Sam? Are he and Grace any better?"
"They're a bit better. Rebuilding trust is difficult. Busy with what?"
Kay tried not to giggle. Her uncle was too obvious when he tried to be subtle.
"The club, the clinic, Alex. You know that stuff." Theresa answered.
"You should ask her yourself." Sheridan finally lost her patience.
"And on that note, how's Luis? Is his divorce from Beth final?"
"Yeah, the ink's dry." Hank said. "She's grateful that he's allowing her partial custody of Chloe. I think a big part of her problem was that she thought marrying Luis would allow her to escape her mother. When it didn't, she saw all the problems in the relationship, and she stopped fighting. After going berserk."
"Interesting take on events." Sheridan said sarcastically.
"How's Miguel?" Kay asked quietly.
"He's um..." Hank thought for a minute. "Well, he's ok, considering. Since Charity entered the convent he's been evaluating his life and hasn't liked what he's seen."
Kay snorted. She wouldn't hide the fact that she was glad the Charity had left Miguel especially after he had asked her to give up her daughter before she was even born. "Is he in school?" She asked neutrally.
"Yes, he is." Hank said. "He's attending the police academy, and doing his best to be a little Luis."
"Mama must love that. How is she?" Theresa asked.
"Worried about her girls."
"You'd think she'd worry about her sons. Her daughters don't strap on bullet-proof vests on a daily basis."
"Maybe Poe doesn't." Theresa amended Sheridan's statement.
Kay winced. "Was it bad tonight?"
"A building came down, but no one was shooting at us."
"Today," Sheridan put in.
"Hank? How are your nephew and great-niece?"
"Noah or Ethan?" Hank asked.
"Ethan. I didn't realize Noah and Whit had procreated yet."
Hank smirked. "Ethan is doing fine. He gets a little stressed between the DA's office, Rosie, visiting poor Gwen and avoiding his mother."
Sheridan sighed. "A busy life. Tell me all about my great niece."
Theresa's face betrayed her opinion that there was no "poor Gwen."
"She's sharp as a knife and pretty cute, if a little spoiled at times."
"She sounds like Gwen and Rebecca only more evolved," Kay said dryly.
"Well that'll be fun when she grows up." Theresa laughed.
"Now tell me about my niece." He demanded.
"Which one?" Sheridan said.
"There's Emma," Theresa pointed out.
"And there's Olivia."
"I want to hear about everyone." Hank said.
Content with the topic, the girls chattered for almost a half hour. Then Kay stopped. "Wait, I forgot to ask--how're Jess and Reese?"
"You forgot about your sister?" Theresa pretended to scold.
"She's so normal, how can I help it?" Kay teased.
"We could all do with a little dose of normal." Sheridan laughed.
"Reese went pre-med. They're broke but my spies tell me they've been visiting jewelers in town."
"Oh God. Sam'll go postal. She's his baby." Theresa said with a laugh.
"But Mom'll be happy. She always liked Reese." Kay said with a smile. She looked at her watch. "Oh God. I have class in five hours. I need some sleep."
"Oh, I've kept you all up too late. I'll be here in the morning, go crash." Hank said.
"Our sofa is yours, as always." Theresa told him.
"I got the sheets already." Kay said. "Want me to make the bed?"
"No, go sleep. I'll wait up for Poe."
The three women hid grins.
"Tell her we said good night." Theresa chose one of the hall entries and disappeared down it. Sheridan and Kay did the same with different doorways.
Hank decided to go downstairs to the club. It could be hours before they closed up completely and he was still running on Eastern Time. He used the staff entrance, which let into the kitchen. A few of the staff nodded or waved at him. He wove his way through the dimly lit interior to Paloma's office.
The office was empty and Hank took a seat on the couch along one of the walls. The office was tastefully decorated and family photos covered one whole wall.
He knew that in the beginning she had planned to share an office with Theresa, but after about six months that had changed. The sisters did love each other, but they lived and worked together. Sharing an office was a little too much togetherness. Hank grinned as he noticed that a corner of the office held toys for Alex, and he imagined the other four children as well.
The door eased open as he picked up a furry stuffed Elmo. "Hank."
He turned and smiled. "Paloma."
They embraced briefly. "Jose told me you were back here." She said. "I wish you'd give some notice." She laughed. "You're like a gypsy.
"The gypsy and the one in self-imposed exile. Perfect." Hank laughed.
"Have you visited upstairs?"
"Yeah. They're going to bed."
"No night owls in this bunch." Paloma agreed. "What was so urgent it couldn't wait till I came upstairs?"
"Interpol indicted six members of the Santiago crime family at seven am this morning."
"Oh my God." Her knees failed her. "Am I going to have to testify?"
"No, you'll stay anonymous. Because of you we found other sources--none are quite as good, but they're all easier to protect."
"Does Luis know?"
"No. He doesn't have a clue."
"Good." Paloma nodded. "How long are you here for?"
"A few days then up to Seattle. I'll be back for the party on Saturday."
"Why Seattle?"
"Do you really want to know?"
"I guess not." She hesitated. "Thank you."
He hugged her. "It's okay if you cry."
"They're not worth my tears." She sniffled. "Besides, I'm mostly relieved no one's going to swoop down and take Alex away."
"Then we should celebrate."
"Champagne?"
"I would've said chocolate, but champagne sounds good."
"I'll go wrestle a bottle away from Cole at the bar." She said. "Be right back."
"I'll be here."
#(#(#(#(#
"When do you got to L.A.?" Whitney Russell asked Chad Harris as she finished making dinner for her and Noah while talking to Chad on the phone at the same time.
"I should get in at eleven tomorrow. Then I'll run around to a few clubs, check out the gig situation."
"Do you know what clubs you're going to?"
"A few of the chains and one independent."
"What's it called?"
"Cloud Nine."
Whitney laughed. "Cloud Nine? Tell me that's nothing like Club 54."
"No. It's supposed to be really great for music acts. They supposedly have people performing in there all the time." Chad said.
"Be careful, please." She implored him.
He laughed. "You worry too much Whit."
"I know. Be careful anyway. I'll see you when you get back. Have a good time."
"I will. Bye."
"I'll call again soon."
"I know."
They hung up the phones, and Whitney began tossing the salad in earnest.