Chapter 9
Stefano leaves a package for Pilar. Liz gets an unpleasant surprise.
Celeste sat in the monitor room at Stefano's compound alone, watching as the helicopters landed, and the authorities began to go to everyone. Her eyes stayed on her daughter, who was now a widow.
She leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes. This had all been preventable, and she knew she had to shoulder some of the blame. She should have spoke up the minute she discovered who Eve was. Or better yet, just called T.C.. None of this would have happened if she had just done that!
Celeste was alone in the compound now. Stefano, and his henchman, had left in several helicopters, before the rescue ones had arrived. She shook her head. Stefano had killed his daughter's husband, and he was just as remorseless about it, as he would have been over any other murder he was responsible for.
She didn't want to think of Theo, and how hard it would be for him growing up without his father. Celeste prayed that Stefano would stay out of both Alexandra and Theo's life for good from now on.
She heard a sudden noise and peeked out of the room to look out into the hallway. Pilar was skulking around out there, carrying a gun and looking around. Celeste closed her eyes. Maybe she could make up for her part in all of this, by doing something right for once.
But what good what it do for Pilar to know that she had once slept with Martin Fitzgerald? None. Besides, it was going to hurt Pilar bad enough, when she saw what Stefano had left for her.
Celeste took a deep breath, then stood up and walked out into the hallway. She then made herself visible to Pilar. Pilar cocked the gun at her briefly, then lowered it.
'Celeste? Where is everyone? Where is Stefano?'
Celeste moved towards her.
'He's gone.' Celeste said.
'Gone? You mean escaped! And what? You just sat there and did nothing, right?'
Celeste couldn't even get angry.
'There's no stopping Stefano DiMera, Pilar. You ought to know that by now.'
'Oh God! Stop being so melodramatic! I have no intention of letting that man get away with kidnapping me! And for...'
'For kidnapping your husband? Is that what you were going to say, Pilar?'
Pilar didn't like her tone! She pointed her gun at her.
'What do you know about my husband, Celeste?' she asked, not feeling at all guilty about pointing a loaded gun on this woman. For Pilar was pretty sure Celeste did know something, which meant that she lied to her, when she showed her the picture of Martin back on the beach.
Celeste didn't even flinch.
'Stefano left a package for you on the table, behind you over there. The rescue team is here now, so I'm going back down to the beach.'
She then moved past Pilar, who lowered her gun and turned around to look at the table Celeste had been referring to. Celeste started to walk through the doorway out of the room, when she stopped and turned back around.
'Good luck with whatever you learn, Pilar.' she said, then turned and walked out. Pilar watched the empty spot Celeste had just stood in. What did she mean by that? What was she going to learn?
Pilar walked over to the table. There was a huge, maybe 11 x 17 padded, manila envelope sitting on it. It was addressed to her.
Pilar put away her gun and picked it up. It was secured shut with a lot of heavy tape. Something in her sensed this was it, this was what she had waited too many years to count, to find out. Finally, she would be able to tell Antonio, Luis, Teresa and Miguel, what had happened to their beloved Papa.
Pilar knew what was inside this envelope, could very well confirm Martin's death. But it just felt like too much information, for it to be as simple as that. She decided not to open it now. She would wait until she was off of this wretched island, to open it. Pilar clutched the envelope, then turned and walked out of the room.
****
Hours later, a government plane had the former captives, ensconced on a plane. There were agents questioning each person, in a separate room, one at a time. T.C. had just went back. He had been holding Theo, and handed him off to Celeste.
Eve eyed Lexie, who was asleep on a small couch/chair. T.C. had covered her with a blanket, and had been sitting next to her.
Eve leaned back and stared out of the window. Julian had left the seat next to her to speak to Rebecca about something. Probably about divorce plans.
Eve took a deep breath. When she returned to Harmony, she would have to deal with everything: her job, Whitney and Simone, Liz and...Grace.
Eve had already decided that if she was going to come clean about everything, then she would have to do so with Grace as well. She felt so heavy hearted, for she knew she was going to lose her best friend.
Meanwhile, Julian could not believe what he was hearing from Rebecca.
'You're moving to Salem?'
'That's right, Julian. So have your lawyer, send my lawyer, the necessary paperwork to end our marriage.'
Julian looked around, just to make sure no one was listening.
'Rebecca, please, let's be realistic. I know we're ending our marriage, but I do care about your welfare. You must know that whatever plans you have to get John Black for yourself, will never work.'
Rebecca's eyes flashed with anger!
'And why not?!'
'Keep your voice down, dear. Do you want the whole plane to hear of your plans?'
Rebecca looked around. No one was looking at them.
'Look Julian, I noticed that now that you have your precious Eve, you think you're qualified to dispense advice. Well let me tell you, you're not.'
'I never said I was.'
'Then listen to me well Pookie, don't get in my way...and make sure to be prompt on the alimony checks, and we'll be okay, or as the young people say, 'cool'.'
Julian rolled his eyes.
'Well I do wish you luck.'
'I won't need it. Though, it would have helped if Stefano could've kept his word to me.'
'Believe me dear, you did not want him sticking around. And these de-briefing things they are conducting on this plane are a waste of time. The authorities will have about the same chance at catching Stefano as they always do, which his none!'
Julian began to stand up, when Rebecca pulled on his hand.
'Just one more thing, Pookie: do you think Alistair left me anything in his will?'
The head of the FBI in Harmony, a Spence Lowell, had been on hand when they were rescued from the island. He told Julian about his father's fate.
Julian shrugged.
'You have as good a chance as anyone. Why, I wouldn't be surprised if he left something to Pilar.'
'God no!' Rebecca cried out.
'You never know.' Julian answered, then walked back over and sat down next to Eve. He looked at her and could see she was deep in thought. He touched her hand. She looked over at him.
'Was Rebecca very hurt?'
'About what?'
Eve sat up.
'About the divorce, Julian.'
'No, why would she be?'
Eve eyed him.
'Julian, I know that Rebecca and yourself don't have an idyllic marriage, but I'm sure she's somewhat sad that it's ending.'
Julian smiled at her. This was a new one for him. A wife that was sensitive and cared for others feelings. It would take some getting used to.
'Darling, I told you, Rebecca is interested in someone else. So, no, she is not sad.'
'Did you ever find out who this man was?' Eve asked.
Julian shook his head. While he loved Eve dearly, she could be a bit sanctimonious. It would be just like her to warn poor John and Marlena of Rebecca's intentions. And that would not do.
'No. But she is moving away from Harmony to be with him.'
Eve's eyes widened, and she looked over at Rebecca, who was reading a magazine, some ways back behind them, across the aisle.
'Darling, forget about Rebecca. What were you thinking about? You know, before I came back here to sit down.'
Eve shrugged.
'I wasn't thinking about anything.'
'Eve...'
Eve tried to hide her exasperation. God! It was like night and day between Julian and T.C.! She could worry about her secrets right in front of T.C., and he never knew a thing. Julian was a bit more perceptive than she was used to. But, she decided to come clean.
'Ivy hired David Hastings to pose as Grace's long lost husband. And even worse, she blackmailed me into faking the DNA results that said that John was her son. I have to tell her the truth, Julian. And what I have done is so unforgiveable...I guess I'm not looking forward to losing my friends, my daughters respect and my job.'
Ah! Another secret! Eve had been a busy woman all of these years, Julian mused. And Ivy? Good God! He had seriously underestimated her deviousness all of these years as well!
'Eve, I'm going to say something, and I know it goes against your beliefs, but you are going to have to trust me on this.'
Eve nodded.
'Sometimes, truth isn't that great, darling. Sometimes, there are things that people should never learn.'
'What are you saying?'
'I'm saying that maybe Grace and Sam need never learn of your deception.'
'But Julian, it's not just Sam and Grace that have been hurt. John thinks Grace is his mother. He loves her. Simone is friends with him...that will probably be ruined once they find out what I did.'
'Then don't let them find out. Ivy certainly isn't going to say anything...oh, by the way, did you know that my dear ex could walk all of this time?'
Eve's mouth dropped open!
'Why am I not surprised? How did you find this out?'
'It's not important. The point is, everything will be alright now. What you have just told me about is not a REAL problem, per say. It's just a little something on your conscience. It's kind of like water on a person's lungs.'
Eve squinted at him and gave him a small smile.
'What??? Have you been drinking?'
Julian took both of her hands and squeezed them.
'I am drunk with happiness. Tell me you feel the same way?'
Eve smiled.
'I do.'
Julian kissed her. Eve felt her stomach flutter as she returned his kiss with fervor. Julian then broke it off.
'Darling, we still have to deal with Father's murder...and the will.'
'I don't care about the will, Julian.'
'I know, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't. That and Whitney and Fox have become close. They'll need our support. We both have too many family obligations to look for more trouble. Do you get my meaning?'
Eve nodded. Julian was telling her not to say anything to Grace because they had their own problems.
Julian touched her chin.
'We do understand one another then?'
'Yes, Julian. I get what you're saying.'
'Good. Now, I do believe I will see if I can rustle up a drink for myself.'
Julian stood up and walked off. Eve sighed, her eyes falling on the back of Pilar's head. She was clutching an envelope addressed to her. Eve suspected it was from Stefano DiMera. Eve turned and looked out of the window.
****
Chad sat at a table in the Lobster Shack. He was waiting for Whitney, but felt more apprehensive than he had ever felt in his life. She had been evasive on the phone, as to why she wanted to speak to him.
Everyone had heard the news about the rescue. Chad could only hope, that that had to do with why Whitney wanted to see him. After all, her mother and father were alive. Now, she could move out of Fox Crane's house, and leave for L.A. with him.
He tried to put the idea of Fox and Whitney sleeping together, out of his mind. He blamed Fox for that, and himself. He should've seen what a predator that creep was from the beginning! Always hanging around him and pretending to be his friend! Why hadn't he seen through Fox! It was his biggest regret.
Chad looked at his watch impatiently. Whitney wasn't late, if anything, he was early. He looked up and was more than a bit surprised to see Ivy Winthrop walking towards his table. What was she doing here?
Ivy sat down quickly across from him.
'I know you're meeting Whitney here soon, so I'm going to make this quick: yesterday, I had rethought my offer to you. I was thinking I had been wrong in trying to keep Fox and Whitney apart.'
Chad stared at her.
'Ms. Winthrop, I didn't take your offer seriously anyway.'
'Well, you should dear. Fox has given Whitney an engagement ring. She's probably coming here to give you the heave-ho today.'
Chad felt as if he had been punched in the stomach!
'What?!'
Ivy smirked. She had actually felt bad for Fox the other day. But Alistair's murder had changed things. That and Julian's rescue. She was now suddenly feeling sorry for herself. Sorry that all of the crap she put up with from Alistair and Julian, was all for naught. Now, Julian and Fox's dreams were going to come true, while she and Ethan were out in the cold(although she knew Ethan didn't feel as she did).
'That's right, Chad. Fox has asked Whitney to marry him. And they are going to have quite the little life. All of Alistair's money to spend, now that he's dead. She won't want someone like you...unless you have what Fox has.'
'Whitney is not like that! She doesn't care about money!'
'Oh please! You should see her around the mansion, Chad. She acts as if she was manor born! Born to rule! Oh, and the servants just love her!'
'What's your point, Ms. Winthrop?' Chad asked, his tone surly.
Ivy leaned forward. She presented a check to him.
'This Chad dear, is a check to cover your expenses in L.A. . I have also managed to pull some strings and get you a very prominent job as a high level record exec, at a very prominent label.'
Chad took the check and stared at it. His eyes widened. Whoa! All of those zeros!
Ivy had been so busy smirking, and Chad so entranced by the check, that neither saw Whitney walk up behind Chad. At first, she looked startled to see Ivy sitting across from Chad.
But then, her eyes fell on what Chad was holding, and she rushed up behind him! Ivy saw her and cried out. Chad turned around, check still in hand. But it was too late! Whitney snatched the check from Chad, looked at it, then glared at both of them!
'What the hell is this?!' Whitney went off, looking from one to the other.
'Whitney! It's not what you think!' Chad cried out. He stood up. Ivy did not.
Whitney read the check, then looked at both of them.
'What is this then? Hey? A check made out to you, Chad, from you, Ivy. Ivy, why would you be giving Chad a million dollars?'
Ivy still didn't stand. She really couldn't think of any lie that would suffice, not on such short notice. And she had thought Whitney was still at the mansion!
'Never mind! I don't know why I would expect the truth from the likes of you!' Whitney snapped.
Now, Ivy stood up.
''The likes of me?' What the hell does that mean?'
Whitney walked past Chad and faced Ivy.
'The way you treat Fox is a crime. And as long as Fox and I are together, I don't want you coming around.'
Ivy folded her arms and looked her up and down.
'Coming around where, Whitney? The mansion? Your mansion? You see what I mean, Chad? She's acting as if it's her house now!'
'Whatever, Ivy! It's obvious this money is a payoff for Chad to get me away from Fox. I saw the look you gave me this morning while I was holding the ring! I'm telling Fox!'
'I'm so scared!'
Whitney turned her back on Ivy, then handed Chad the check. He didn't take it.
'So, it's true? Fox did propose to you?'
Whitney just nodded, then set the check on the table.
'You know, I came here because I needed to know if you were still in my heart, Chad. I needed to know that if I did accept Fox's proposal, I would not spend the rest of my life regretting that it was not you I was sleeping next to at night. That it wasn't you that I was raising my children with. How could you have accepted a check to hurt me?'
'Whitney, Ivy handed me a check. I looked at it. We have no deal or anything like that!'
'If I had not shown up here, Chad, would you have told me about that check?'
Chad folded his arms.
'I don't know, Whitney. If I hadn't shown up in Bermuda, would you have told me that you slept with Fox?'
Ivy decided to leave. She had made a costly error. From the sound of this argument, she may have unintentionally pushed Whitney right into Fox's arms.
Ivy slipped away and out of the door. Chad and Whitney did not notice.
'Probably not.' was Whitney's answer.
Chad put his hands on her shoulders.
'Whitney, Ivy gave me that check because she knows how much the two of us love one another. She also knows what a manipulator her son is. She figured that it might help if you knew I could support you in the same fashion that Fox can.'
'I don't love Fox for his money, Chad and...'
Chad put up a hand in a halting motion!
'What did you just say?!'
Whitney stopped herself. What had she just said? That she loved Fox? She loved Fox?
Whitney began to nod, more to herself than anyone else. Chad began shaking his own head.
'Whitney, no! Fox took advantage of you when you were mourning and vulnerable.'
Whitney looked into his eyes. Chad, her first love. It was not meant to be.
'Fox was the one that told me to come here. He said that he wanted me to be sure that I didn't still want to be with you, Chad. I just realized, that if we left for L.A. and made a life together, I would spend most of my time thinking about Fox. Pining for him. I'm sorry, Chad.'
Whitney then turned and walked away, leaving Chad standing by their table, devastated. He looked down at the table and saw the check. He picked it up and began ripping it up into little pieces.
Meanwhile, Whitney got into her car, opened her purse and pulled out the ring box. She opened it, picked up the ring and slid it on to her finger. She then opened her glove compartment and placed the box inside, slamming it shut.
Whitney started her car. She was supposed to meet Fox and the other families at the airport. She couldn't wait to see her mother again! Her father, of course, would froth at the mouth when he saw her engagement ring. But, she hoped Fox would be happy when he saw her wearing it.
****
AIRPORT
Luis paced in front of Sheridan, who was sitting in the waiting room area, reading a magazine. Bo and Hope Brady were over by one of the windows, watching the government plane slowly come to a stop.
Antonio cracked his knuckles, as he watched Sam and Grace talk, with their arms around one another. His eyes then fell upon John Hastings and Simone Russell. They looked somewhat cozy as well. John had his arm around Simone and was rubbing her shoulder.
He looked up and saw Liz headed his way. Antonio jumped up out of his chair and hurried to meet her.
'Liz? What are you doing here?'
Liz eyed everyone. Sheridan peered at her over her magazine. Luis watched her as well. Grace and Sam had stopped talking and were looking at her as well. John and Simone were looking out of the window, staring at the plane.
'Antonio, please don't ask me to leave. I have to know that T.C. is alright.'
'He is, Liz. I still think you should leave, though.'
'Antonio!'
'If T.C. wants to see you, he'll call you. I would just give him some room. That and no one wants any trouble between yourself and Eve.'
Liz put up her hands.
'There won't be! I'll be as good as pie!'
'You stick close to me, Liz. I mean it. Don't do anything.'
'I will, Antonio. I swear.'
Simone had turned slightly, and saw Liz. She began walking towards her. John hurried after her. Sam and Grace began to drift over as well.
'What the hell are you doing here, skank?!' Simone hissed. John grabbed one of her arms to keep her back from Liz.
'Simone, honey, I wanted to be here for your parents...'
'You mean for my father! He doesn't want you, so you might as well leave!'
Bo and Hope eyed the commotion with interest. It was as they were looking in that direction, that another person standing a little ways behind Liz caught their eye. Hope looked at Bo. Bo walked over to Luis.
'You see what I see?' he asked with disgust.
Luis looked behind Liz, and saw Tony DiMera, standing some distance away, coolly appraising everyone. He wore dark sunglasses.
Luis nodded to Bo and Hope, and together, the three of them headed in Tony's direction. Sam caught Luis's eye, saw Tony, and he too, drifted over in that direction. Antonio, who was still half watching Liz and Simone, wondered what was going on with Sam and Luis? His eyes fell upon Sheridan, who met his eyes briefly, before looking away.
Tony took off his sunglasses, as he was greeted by Salem and Harmony's finest.
'Well hello, Officer's Brady, Brady and....I'm sorry, I have not been introduced to the two of you.' he said, looking at Luis and Sam.
'It doesn't matter,' Sam said, 'because we know who you are.'
'Mighty convenient, all of that evidence we found in Stefano's lair.' Bo said snidely.
Hope nodded.
'Yeah, you're father isn't usually so careless with evidence.'
'It must be old age.' Tony said brightly. He then looked towards the terminal doors. They opened, and Julian and Eve were the first off of the plane. They were holding hands.
'Mom!' Simone screamed and ran to Eve. Julian let go of Eve's hand, as Eve threw her arms around her youngest daughter. The media then seemed to swarm in out of nowhere! Sam, Luis, Bo and Hope, forgot Tony, and rushed forward, as they waited for the others. Sheridan hugged Julian.
Tony eased through the crowd, just as Eve let go of Simone. Her eyes locked with Tony's. She was clearly shocked to see him there.
'Tony?' she asked.
Julian let go of Sheridan and locked eyes with Tony DiMera, who was standing alarmingly close to Eve. Simone eyed him.
Tony then reached for Eve's face and pulled her into a passionate kiss! The cameras went crazy, as did Julian, as he shouted for Sheridan to give him something to beat Tony off of Eve with! Sheridan handed him her magazine!
And then, Julian balled up the magazine and proceeded to beat Tony down as if he were swatting an oversized fly! The first swat stopped the kiss. Eve wiped her lips and locked eyes with a gleeful looking Liz.
Julian's magazine beat down turned into a fist fight, one that Luis, Antonio and Bo had to jump in and break up! Liz's smile seemed to disintegrate, when she looked past Eve, and watched T.C. come in with his arm around a woman, who looked depressed. Celeste appeared behind them carrying a baby. Who the hell was that that T.C. had his arm around?!
She didn't have time to ponder that, as Tony pushed Julian into her, and she fell onto the floor! Reporters began snapping photos of her on the ground!
Stefano leaves a package for Pilar. Liz gets an unpleasant surprise.
Celeste sat in the monitor room at Stefano's compound alone, watching as the helicopters landed, and the authorities began to go to everyone. Her eyes stayed on her daughter, who was now a widow.
She leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes. This had all been preventable, and she knew she had to shoulder some of the blame. She should have spoke up the minute she discovered who Eve was. Or better yet, just called T.C.. None of this would have happened if she had just done that!
Celeste was alone in the compound now. Stefano, and his henchman, had left in several helicopters, before the rescue ones had arrived. She shook her head. Stefano had killed his daughter's husband, and he was just as remorseless about it, as he would have been over any other murder he was responsible for.
She didn't want to think of Theo, and how hard it would be for him growing up without his father. Celeste prayed that Stefano would stay out of both Alexandra and Theo's life for good from now on.
She heard a sudden noise and peeked out of the room to look out into the hallway. Pilar was skulking around out there, carrying a gun and looking around. Celeste closed her eyes. Maybe she could make up for her part in all of this, by doing something right for once.
But what good what it do for Pilar to know that she had once slept with Martin Fitzgerald? None. Besides, it was going to hurt Pilar bad enough, when she saw what Stefano had left for her.
Celeste took a deep breath, then stood up and walked out into the hallway. She then made herself visible to Pilar. Pilar cocked the gun at her briefly, then lowered it.
'Celeste? Where is everyone? Where is Stefano?'
Celeste moved towards her.
'He's gone.' Celeste said.
'Gone? You mean escaped! And what? You just sat there and did nothing, right?'
Celeste couldn't even get angry.
'There's no stopping Stefano DiMera, Pilar. You ought to know that by now.'
'Oh God! Stop being so melodramatic! I have no intention of letting that man get away with kidnapping me! And for...'
'For kidnapping your husband? Is that what you were going to say, Pilar?'
Pilar didn't like her tone! She pointed her gun at her.
'What do you know about my husband, Celeste?' she asked, not feeling at all guilty about pointing a loaded gun on this woman. For Pilar was pretty sure Celeste did know something, which meant that she lied to her, when she showed her the picture of Martin back on the beach.
Celeste didn't even flinch.
'Stefano left a package for you on the table, behind you over there. The rescue team is here now, so I'm going back down to the beach.'
She then moved past Pilar, who lowered her gun and turned around to look at the table Celeste had been referring to. Celeste started to walk through the doorway out of the room, when she stopped and turned back around.
'Good luck with whatever you learn, Pilar.' she said, then turned and walked out. Pilar watched the empty spot Celeste had just stood in. What did she mean by that? What was she going to learn?
Pilar walked over to the table. There was a huge, maybe 11 x 17 padded, manila envelope sitting on it. It was addressed to her.
Pilar put away her gun and picked it up. It was secured shut with a lot of heavy tape. Something in her sensed this was it, this was what she had waited too many years to count, to find out. Finally, she would be able to tell Antonio, Luis, Teresa and Miguel, what had happened to their beloved Papa.
Pilar knew what was inside this envelope, could very well confirm Martin's death. But it just felt like too much information, for it to be as simple as that. She decided not to open it now. She would wait until she was off of this wretched island, to open it. Pilar clutched the envelope, then turned and walked out of the room.
****
Hours later, a government plane had the former captives, ensconced on a plane. There were agents questioning each person, in a separate room, one at a time. T.C. had just went back. He had been holding Theo, and handed him off to Celeste.
Eve eyed Lexie, who was asleep on a small couch/chair. T.C. had covered her with a blanket, and had been sitting next to her.
Eve leaned back and stared out of the window. Julian had left the seat next to her to speak to Rebecca about something. Probably about divorce plans.
Eve took a deep breath. When she returned to Harmony, she would have to deal with everything: her job, Whitney and Simone, Liz and...Grace.
Eve had already decided that if she was going to come clean about everything, then she would have to do so with Grace as well. She felt so heavy hearted, for she knew she was going to lose her best friend.
Meanwhile, Julian could not believe what he was hearing from Rebecca.
'You're moving to Salem?'
'That's right, Julian. So have your lawyer, send my lawyer, the necessary paperwork to end our marriage.'
Julian looked around, just to make sure no one was listening.
'Rebecca, please, let's be realistic. I know we're ending our marriage, but I do care about your welfare. You must know that whatever plans you have to get John Black for yourself, will never work.'
Rebecca's eyes flashed with anger!
'And why not?!'
'Keep your voice down, dear. Do you want the whole plane to hear of your plans?'
Rebecca looked around. No one was looking at them.
'Look Julian, I noticed that now that you have your precious Eve, you think you're qualified to dispense advice. Well let me tell you, you're not.'
'I never said I was.'
'Then listen to me well Pookie, don't get in my way...and make sure to be prompt on the alimony checks, and we'll be okay, or as the young people say, 'cool'.'
Julian rolled his eyes.
'Well I do wish you luck.'
'I won't need it. Though, it would have helped if Stefano could've kept his word to me.'
'Believe me dear, you did not want him sticking around. And these de-briefing things they are conducting on this plane are a waste of time. The authorities will have about the same chance at catching Stefano as they always do, which his none!'
Julian began to stand up, when Rebecca pulled on his hand.
'Just one more thing, Pookie: do you think Alistair left me anything in his will?'
The head of the FBI in Harmony, a Spence Lowell, had been on hand when they were rescued from the island. He told Julian about his father's fate.
Julian shrugged.
'You have as good a chance as anyone. Why, I wouldn't be surprised if he left something to Pilar.'
'God no!' Rebecca cried out.
'You never know.' Julian answered, then walked back over and sat down next to Eve. He looked at her and could see she was deep in thought. He touched her hand. She looked over at him.
'Was Rebecca very hurt?'
'About what?'
Eve sat up.
'About the divorce, Julian.'
'No, why would she be?'
Eve eyed him.
'Julian, I know that Rebecca and yourself don't have an idyllic marriage, but I'm sure she's somewhat sad that it's ending.'
Julian smiled at her. This was a new one for him. A wife that was sensitive and cared for others feelings. It would take some getting used to.
'Darling, I told you, Rebecca is interested in someone else. So, no, she is not sad.'
'Did you ever find out who this man was?' Eve asked.
Julian shook his head. While he loved Eve dearly, she could be a bit sanctimonious. It would be just like her to warn poor John and Marlena of Rebecca's intentions. And that would not do.
'No. But she is moving away from Harmony to be with him.'
Eve's eyes widened, and she looked over at Rebecca, who was reading a magazine, some ways back behind them, across the aisle.
'Darling, forget about Rebecca. What were you thinking about? You know, before I came back here to sit down.'
Eve shrugged.
'I wasn't thinking about anything.'
'Eve...'
Eve tried to hide her exasperation. God! It was like night and day between Julian and T.C.! She could worry about her secrets right in front of T.C., and he never knew a thing. Julian was a bit more perceptive than she was used to. But, she decided to come clean.
'Ivy hired David Hastings to pose as Grace's long lost husband. And even worse, she blackmailed me into faking the DNA results that said that John was her son. I have to tell her the truth, Julian. And what I have done is so unforgiveable...I guess I'm not looking forward to losing my friends, my daughters respect and my job.'
Ah! Another secret! Eve had been a busy woman all of these years, Julian mused. And Ivy? Good God! He had seriously underestimated her deviousness all of these years as well!
'Eve, I'm going to say something, and I know it goes against your beliefs, but you are going to have to trust me on this.'
Eve nodded.
'Sometimes, truth isn't that great, darling. Sometimes, there are things that people should never learn.'
'What are you saying?'
'I'm saying that maybe Grace and Sam need never learn of your deception.'
'But Julian, it's not just Sam and Grace that have been hurt. John thinks Grace is his mother. He loves her. Simone is friends with him...that will probably be ruined once they find out what I did.'
'Then don't let them find out. Ivy certainly isn't going to say anything...oh, by the way, did you know that my dear ex could walk all of this time?'
Eve's mouth dropped open!
'Why am I not surprised? How did you find this out?'
'It's not important. The point is, everything will be alright now. What you have just told me about is not a REAL problem, per say. It's just a little something on your conscience. It's kind of like water on a person's lungs.'
Eve squinted at him and gave him a small smile.
'What??? Have you been drinking?'
Julian took both of her hands and squeezed them.
'I am drunk with happiness. Tell me you feel the same way?'
Eve smiled.
'I do.'
Julian kissed her. Eve felt her stomach flutter as she returned his kiss with fervor. Julian then broke it off.
'Darling, we still have to deal with Father's murder...and the will.'
'I don't care about the will, Julian.'
'I know, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't. That and Whitney and Fox have become close. They'll need our support. We both have too many family obligations to look for more trouble. Do you get my meaning?'
Eve nodded. Julian was telling her not to say anything to Grace because they had their own problems.
Julian touched her chin.
'We do understand one another then?'
'Yes, Julian. I get what you're saying.'
'Good. Now, I do believe I will see if I can rustle up a drink for myself.'
Julian stood up and walked off. Eve sighed, her eyes falling on the back of Pilar's head. She was clutching an envelope addressed to her. Eve suspected it was from Stefano DiMera. Eve turned and looked out of the window.
****
Chad sat at a table in the Lobster Shack. He was waiting for Whitney, but felt more apprehensive than he had ever felt in his life. She had been evasive on the phone, as to why she wanted to speak to him.
Everyone had heard the news about the rescue. Chad could only hope, that that had to do with why Whitney wanted to see him. After all, her mother and father were alive. Now, she could move out of Fox Crane's house, and leave for L.A. with him.
He tried to put the idea of Fox and Whitney sleeping together, out of his mind. He blamed Fox for that, and himself. He should've seen what a predator that creep was from the beginning! Always hanging around him and pretending to be his friend! Why hadn't he seen through Fox! It was his biggest regret.
Chad looked at his watch impatiently. Whitney wasn't late, if anything, he was early. He looked up and was more than a bit surprised to see Ivy Winthrop walking towards his table. What was she doing here?
Ivy sat down quickly across from him.
'I know you're meeting Whitney here soon, so I'm going to make this quick: yesterday, I had rethought my offer to you. I was thinking I had been wrong in trying to keep Fox and Whitney apart.'
Chad stared at her.
'Ms. Winthrop, I didn't take your offer seriously anyway.'
'Well, you should dear. Fox has given Whitney an engagement ring. She's probably coming here to give you the heave-ho today.'
Chad felt as if he had been punched in the stomach!
'What?!'
Ivy smirked. She had actually felt bad for Fox the other day. But Alistair's murder had changed things. That and Julian's rescue. She was now suddenly feeling sorry for herself. Sorry that all of the crap she put up with from Alistair and Julian, was all for naught. Now, Julian and Fox's dreams were going to come true, while she and Ethan were out in the cold(although she knew Ethan didn't feel as she did).
'That's right, Chad. Fox has asked Whitney to marry him. And they are going to have quite the little life. All of Alistair's money to spend, now that he's dead. She won't want someone like you...unless you have what Fox has.'
'Whitney is not like that! She doesn't care about money!'
'Oh please! You should see her around the mansion, Chad. She acts as if she was manor born! Born to rule! Oh, and the servants just love her!'
'What's your point, Ms. Winthrop?' Chad asked, his tone surly.
Ivy leaned forward. She presented a check to him.
'This Chad dear, is a check to cover your expenses in L.A. . I have also managed to pull some strings and get you a very prominent job as a high level record exec, at a very prominent label.'
Chad took the check and stared at it. His eyes widened. Whoa! All of those zeros!
Ivy had been so busy smirking, and Chad so entranced by the check, that neither saw Whitney walk up behind Chad. At first, she looked startled to see Ivy sitting across from Chad.
But then, her eyes fell on what Chad was holding, and she rushed up behind him! Ivy saw her and cried out. Chad turned around, check still in hand. But it was too late! Whitney snatched the check from Chad, looked at it, then glared at both of them!
'What the hell is this?!' Whitney went off, looking from one to the other.
'Whitney! It's not what you think!' Chad cried out. He stood up. Ivy did not.
Whitney read the check, then looked at both of them.
'What is this then? Hey? A check made out to you, Chad, from you, Ivy. Ivy, why would you be giving Chad a million dollars?'
Ivy still didn't stand. She really couldn't think of any lie that would suffice, not on such short notice. And she had thought Whitney was still at the mansion!
'Never mind! I don't know why I would expect the truth from the likes of you!' Whitney snapped.
Now, Ivy stood up.
''The likes of me?' What the hell does that mean?'
Whitney walked past Chad and faced Ivy.
'The way you treat Fox is a crime. And as long as Fox and I are together, I don't want you coming around.'
Ivy folded her arms and looked her up and down.
'Coming around where, Whitney? The mansion? Your mansion? You see what I mean, Chad? She's acting as if it's her house now!'
'Whatever, Ivy! It's obvious this money is a payoff for Chad to get me away from Fox. I saw the look you gave me this morning while I was holding the ring! I'm telling Fox!'
'I'm so scared!'
Whitney turned her back on Ivy, then handed Chad the check. He didn't take it.
'So, it's true? Fox did propose to you?'
Whitney just nodded, then set the check on the table.
'You know, I came here because I needed to know if you were still in my heart, Chad. I needed to know that if I did accept Fox's proposal, I would not spend the rest of my life regretting that it was not you I was sleeping next to at night. That it wasn't you that I was raising my children with. How could you have accepted a check to hurt me?'
'Whitney, Ivy handed me a check. I looked at it. We have no deal or anything like that!'
'If I had not shown up here, Chad, would you have told me about that check?'
Chad folded his arms.
'I don't know, Whitney. If I hadn't shown up in Bermuda, would you have told me that you slept with Fox?'
Ivy decided to leave. She had made a costly error. From the sound of this argument, she may have unintentionally pushed Whitney right into Fox's arms.
Ivy slipped away and out of the door. Chad and Whitney did not notice.
'Probably not.' was Whitney's answer.
Chad put his hands on her shoulders.
'Whitney, Ivy gave me that check because she knows how much the two of us love one another. She also knows what a manipulator her son is. She figured that it might help if you knew I could support you in the same fashion that Fox can.'
'I don't love Fox for his money, Chad and...'
Chad put up a hand in a halting motion!
'What did you just say?!'
Whitney stopped herself. What had she just said? That she loved Fox? She loved Fox?
Whitney began to nod, more to herself than anyone else. Chad began shaking his own head.
'Whitney, no! Fox took advantage of you when you were mourning and vulnerable.'
Whitney looked into his eyes. Chad, her first love. It was not meant to be.
'Fox was the one that told me to come here. He said that he wanted me to be sure that I didn't still want to be with you, Chad. I just realized, that if we left for L.A. and made a life together, I would spend most of my time thinking about Fox. Pining for him. I'm sorry, Chad.'
Whitney then turned and walked away, leaving Chad standing by their table, devastated. He looked down at the table and saw the check. He picked it up and began ripping it up into little pieces.
Meanwhile, Whitney got into her car, opened her purse and pulled out the ring box. She opened it, picked up the ring and slid it on to her finger. She then opened her glove compartment and placed the box inside, slamming it shut.
Whitney started her car. She was supposed to meet Fox and the other families at the airport. She couldn't wait to see her mother again! Her father, of course, would froth at the mouth when he saw her engagement ring. But, she hoped Fox would be happy when he saw her wearing it.
****
AIRPORT
Luis paced in front of Sheridan, who was sitting in the waiting room area, reading a magazine. Bo and Hope Brady were over by one of the windows, watching the government plane slowly come to a stop.
Antonio cracked his knuckles, as he watched Sam and Grace talk, with their arms around one another. His eyes then fell upon John Hastings and Simone Russell. They looked somewhat cozy as well. John had his arm around Simone and was rubbing her shoulder.
He looked up and saw Liz headed his way. Antonio jumped up out of his chair and hurried to meet her.
'Liz? What are you doing here?'
Liz eyed everyone. Sheridan peered at her over her magazine. Luis watched her as well. Grace and Sam had stopped talking and were looking at her as well. John and Simone were looking out of the window, staring at the plane.
'Antonio, please don't ask me to leave. I have to know that T.C. is alright.'
'He is, Liz. I still think you should leave, though.'
'Antonio!'
'If T.C. wants to see you, he'll call you. I would just give him some room. That and no one wants any trouble between yourself and Eve.'
Liz put up her hands.
'There won't be! I'll be as good as pie!'
'You stick close to me, Liz. I mean it. Don't do anything.'
'I will, Antonio. I swear.'
Simone had turned slightly, and saw Liz. She began walking towards her. John hurried after her. Sam and Grace began to drift over as well.
'What the hell are you doing here, skank?!' Simone hissed. John grabbed one of her arms to keep her back from Liz.
'Simone, honey, I wanted to be here for your parents...'
'You mean for my father! He doesn't want you, so you might as well leave!'
Bo and Hope eyed the commotion with interest. It was as they were looking in that direction, that another person standing a little ways behind Liz caught their eye. Hope looked at Bo. Bo walked over to Luis.
'You see what I see?' he asked with disgust.
Luis looked behind Liz, and saw Tony DiMera, standing some distance away, coolly appraising everyone. He wore dark sunglasses.
Luis nodded to Bo and Hope, and together, the three of them headed in Tony's direction. Sam caught Luis's eye, saw Tony, and he too, drifted over in that direction. Antonio, who was still half watching Liz and Simone, wondered what was going on with Sam and Luis? His eyes fell upon Sheridan, who met his eyes briefly, before looking away.
Tony took off his sunglasses, as he was greeted by Salem and Harmony's finest.
'Well hello, Officer's Brady, Brady and....I'm sorry, I have not been introduced to the two of you.' he said, looking at Luis and Sam.
'It doesn't matter,' Sam said, 'because we know who you are.'
'Mighty convenient, all of that evidence we found in Stefano's lair.' Bo said snidely.
Hope nodded.
'Yeah, you're father isn't usually so careless with evidence.'
'It must be old age.' Tony said brightly. He then looked towards the terminal doors. They opened, and Julian and Eve were the first off of the plane. They were holding hands.
'Mom!' Simone screamed and ran to Eve. Julian let go of Eve's hand, as Eve threw her arms around her youngest daughter. The media then seemed to swarm in out of nowhere! Sam, Luis, Bo and Hope, forgot Tony, and rushed forward, as they waited for the others. Sheridan hugged Julian.
Tony eased through the crowd, just as Eve let go of Simone. Her eyes locked with Tony's. She was clearly shocked to see him there.
'Tony?' she asked.
Julian let go of Sheridan and locked eyes with Tony DiMera, who was standing alarmingly close to Eve. Simone eyed him.
Tony then reached for Eve's face and pulled her into a passionate kiss! The cameras went crazy, as did Julian, as he shouted for Sheridan to give him something to beat Tony off of Eve with! Sheridan handed him her magazine!
And then, Julian balled up the magazine and proceeded to beat Tony down as if he were swatting an oversized fly! The first swat stopped the kiss. Eve wiped her lips and locked eyes with a gleeful looking Liz.
Julian's magazine beat down turned into a fist fight, one that Luis, Antonio and Bo had to jump in and break up! Liz's smile seemed to disintegrate, when she looked past Eve, and watched T.C. come in with his arm around a woman, who looked depressed. Celeste appeared behind them carrying a baby. Who the hell was that that T.C. had his arm around?!
She didn't have time to ponder that, as Tony pushed Julian into her, and she fell onto the floor! Reporters began snapping photos of her on the ground!