*Disclaimer:  I am in no way affiliated with Passions, NBC, or JER.  I don't own these characters so don't sue me!

CHAPTER 25

            Bennet House

He taped up the last box and sat down on the edge of the bed.  Sam sighed.  "I can't believe that it's all over, that Grace is actually gone." 

The service had been beautiful and the church was full.  Everyone had been so supportive.  Even Ethan had come.  Sam had cried a few special tears for that specific reason.  It had meant so much to him that his son had come.

After the service, Sam had opted to walk home, taking time to walk by all the places Grace had loved in Harmony.  When he had gotten home, he had gone directly to the bedroom to finish packing Grace's belongings.  Kay and Jessica had already come through and picked the things they had wanted to keep to remember their mother by. 

Now Sam was finished and the only thing remaining was Grace's antique shop and her Bed and Breakfast.  He'd have to ask Kay and Jessica what they wanted to do about it.  Jessica was taking the whole situation like any normal kid would take their mother's death, but Sam was worried about Kay.  She had been exceptionally quiet all week.

As if on cue, Kay walked into the bedroom.  "Dad, how are you doing?"

"I'll be okay Sweetie, as long as I have you guys," Sam answered, hugging his daughter.  "How are you with all of this?"

"It's strange.  I guess I don't really believe it.  Right now it's kind of like Mom is just on vacation or something."

"Look Kay, I know you were never as close to your mother as Noah and Jessica were, and I know that the last year had be strained between the two of you,"

"Dad, stop.  Look, it's no secret that Mom and I had our differences, but she was my mom just the same.  I did love her, a lot.  It's just hard to believe that's she's actually gone."

"Right," Sam whispered.

"Anyway, the service was really beautiful, and I didn't know Mom knew so many people.  I even saw Ethan Crane there.  I suppose he came in his mom's place," Kay was rambling.  "Did you hear about Mrs. Crane being in the hospital?  I guess she was attacked in her own home."

"Yeah, I heard."  Sam shivered.

"Dad, is something wrong?  I mean, I know Mom just died, but I've never seen you like this."

"Kay, this is so hard for me, but I want to tell you something.  Something I never got around to telling your mom because I thought it would hurt her.  But I can't do this alone anymore."

"I'm listening, Dad."

Sam took a deep breath and began his story, "Well, a little over twenty years ago, the summer before I met your mom, I was dating Ivy Crane."  Kay remained silent, just staring at her dad, so Sam continued.  "She was Ivy Winthrop then, the Governor's daughter.  We met at the beach, started dating, and were really in love.  We were planning on getting married, but her father had other plans.  He had made a deal with Alistair Crane for Ivy to marry Julian.  I had gone away on a fishing boat to earn enough money for us to run away.  I wrote to her and tried to call almost everyday I was gone, but Ivy's father intercepted both of our letters and my phone calls.  Ivy was convinced I wasn't coming back, so she married Julian, believing that he loved her."  Sam stopped again and looked at his daughter.

"Go ahead, Dad.  Finish your story."

"Well, Ivy overheard a conversation between Julian and Alistair on her wedding night and found out all about the business deal and that Julian had no feelings for her.  She was crushed.  I had come home and gone to the mansion the day of the wedding, but it was too late.  I guess Pilar had told Ivy I had stopped by because she ran into my apartment that night.  She was so sad; I tried to make her feel better.  Well, before you know it, we were, well," Sam began to blush, "I guess I don't have to explain what happened.  The next morning she left to get her things so we could run away, but she never came back.  That's when I went to Boston and met your mom."

"Wow.  No wonder the last few days have been so hard on you."

"Oh believe me Kay, there's more.  Ivy just told me, right before her attack and your mom's accident, that we had a son."

"What?  You've got to be kidding, Dad."

"No, I'm not.  When Ivy came to tell me I had already left for Boston, but her parents forbid her to tell anyone about."

"Well, what happened to the baby," Kay asked.  She was curious to know who her half brother was.

"Ivy raised him as a Crane.  It was her only choice.  Ethan is my son and your half brother."

Kay, for the first time in her life, was speechless.  "Oh my God, does Ethan know?"

"No, not yet.  Only you, Pilar, Ivy, and me.  I want to tell him, but not without his mother.  And please Kay, don't tell Jess or Noah yet, or anyone else for that matter.  I tell them all soon."

"Okay Dad.  Look," she said placing a hand on her hand on his shoulder, "this has been tough for all of us, but if no one else will listen, I just want you to know I understand.  I know what it's like to love someone you can't have.  Besides, all of this was way before Mom.  I know you loved Mom, but she wasn't the only woman you loved, and that's okay."

"Thanks Kay."

"No problem, Dad," she answered leaving the room.

"Oh, what am I going to do now?  I can't stay here all day or I'll go crazy.  Well, at least Kay understood about my past.  A little surprised, but understanding."  Sam jumped off the bed.  "I'm going to the hospital.  I've lost Grace, but I'm not going to lose Ivy again."

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