Chapter 10
Fox and Julian are anxious to see Alistair's will.
Whitney jumped out of her car, sure that she would get a ticket, since she was parked illegally. But, she would gladly pay whatever the cost. Her parents were back...safe and alive.
Word was already leaking out that someone from Salem had been killed...a police officer. It made Whitney think how easily that could have been one of her parents, Pilar or Teresa. She just thanked God everyone else was okay.
Fox met her near the ticket counter. She hurried over to him, then threw her arms around his neck.
Fox raised a brow.
'You're in a good mood!'
'I am! We are about to see our loved ones again, and...'
Whitney removed her arms from around his neck, and stuck out the hand with the ring on it. Fox gaped.
'You saw Chad then?' he asked.
Whitney's expression changed. Fox put his arms around her.
'I know that that had to have been hard.' he whispered against her hair.
Whitney pulled away.
'Yes and no. Chad just made me realize what I knew the whole time. I love you, Fox.'
Fox could hardly believe he was hearing those words come out of her mouth.
'I love you too, Whitney, I always have.' he answered, before claiming her mouth for his own, with a kiss.
But they were interrupted by very loud noises coming from the upper level. Whitney and Fox stared up there.
'That has to be everyone getting in.' Fox murmured, not understanding why everything was so loud!
'Fox, it sounds like trouble!'
Fox grabbed Whitney's hand, and together they rushed up the escalator, two at a time. When they reached the top, the couple gaped at the sight before them.
Liz was on the ground, screaming about how her ankle was twisted! Luis, Sam and another man, were trying to keep Julian apart from Tony DiMera(Fox now knew who he was, since he decided to start reading the newspapers, as his father had suggested), who was clawing at Julian. Dr. Russell was standing next to Simone, Grace, Sheridan and John Hastings, watching the whole thing.
But that was not the worst part. T.C. Russell was standing next to a sad looking woman. Behind her, another woman was carrying a baby. The sad looking woman, looked at Tony DiMera, then ran towards him, jumped in the air, and karate kicked him in the face!
Julian, Sam, Luis and the other man, lunged backwards, as if to not get kicked themselves! Fox looked at Whitney.
'Stay here! Things look really wild over there!'
'Fox, no! Our parents are over there. If we circle the perimeter here, we can get over there safely.'
Fox nodded, took her hand, and together, they began to work their way through the swarm of press, photographers and just plain gapers.
****
The sight of her brother was the breaking point for Lexie Carver. People forgot that before she was a doctor, she had been a cop...and damned good one! Just like Abe!
Lexie broke away from T.C. and focused in on her target, whipping past people as she leapt off of the ground, and kicked her legs and feet out towards Tony's damned face!
Tony went flying onto the ground! Lexie saw no one else as she jumped on top of him and began pummeling him with her fists!
'YOU KILLED ABE!!! YOU KILLED ABE!!!'
T.C. hurried after her, and together with Bo Brady, pulled Lexie off of him. Tony looked stunned and hurt. Lexie's hair was covering her eyes, as T.C. held her tightly.
'Lexie, let it go! Let it go!'
But Lexie moved the hair off of her eyes and pointed at her brother.
'I don't ever want to see you again! Ever!' she hissed.
Tony took a shaky breath.
'Alexandra please! Listen to me, it was all Stefano! I would have never done anything to hurt your family...'
'You were the one that had us kidnapped!!!' Lexie screamed again. Tony looked around. The press was swarming around them, picking up every word. He looked past Lexie to Celeste, who was holding Theo.
But T.C. began pulling her away from him.
'Baby, it will be alright. It will be alright. Just let's get out of here, okay?'
Lexie seemed to calm down slightly. She tore her eyes away from Tony and nodded. Bo glared at Tony, but kept watch out of the corner of his eye for Lexie or anyone else that decided to make any sudden moves.
Meanwhile, Julian made his way back to Eve. Simone looked at her mother.
'Mom, who is that woman Daddy is with?'
Eve took a deep breath.
'Honey, she's Tony DiMera's sister. Her husband was killed on the island.'
'Coach Russell seems to care for her very much.' John noted, his arm around Simone again. Eve eyed the boy. John was acting more like a boyfriend than a friend. She had missed a lot in her daughters lives during her absence.
Eve then looked at Julian, who's eye was beginning to swell. She smiled weakly and reached up to touch it.
'Let's go somewhere so I can put something on that eye.' she suggested.
'That would be home...my home.' Julian answered.
Simone looked away from T.C. and back at Julian and Eve.
'Uh no, it wouldn't be! Mom, you need to come home with Daddy and me.'
Eve sighed and let go of Julian. She looked at Simone.
'Honey, you need to speak to your Daddy. Because that woman that he is with over there, is very important to him.'
'What?!'
But John put both hands on Simone's shoulders.
'Simone, let's go and see how your father is doing, okay?'
Celeste turned back towards them. She was still holding Theo, who seemed very calm, despite the melee.
'Darling, do you remember me?'
Simone eyed her.
'Yes, you came to the hospital to visit Daddy.'
Celeste nodded.
'That woman that your father is with is my daughter, Alexandra. In a way, she is your aunt...only... a good one...and a prettier one than some.'
When Celeste said that last part, she turned and locked eyes with Liz, who was being supported by Antonio. Liz glared at everyone, before Antonio turned her away and began helping her out of the airport.
Julian, for his part, was somewhat pleased to see that T.C. Russell's interests lay elsewhere, and that Eve had accepted that. It was Tony DiMera that bothered him.
Why in God's name was he in Harmony?! And why had he thought it would be alright to kiss Eve, after all he had done?!
Sheridan eyed Julian and Eve. Even though her brother had told her he loved Eve, it still seemed odd to see them together. Probably because he was acting so human, and lovey dovey with her. It was nice to see. She smiled, before standing in front of them.
'I have to go find Luis. It is nice to have you back, big brother.'
Julian reached down and put his arms around her. Eve watched them, and realized that she hadn't thought the two of them were close at all. Something must have changed during her absence.
'We need to plan Father's funeral.' Sheridan reminded him.
'Oh, yes. I don't suppose Luis has any suspects?'
Sheridan bit her lip.
'To be honest, Father's murder was put on the back burner until you all were found.'
Julian peered at her.
'I take it you're not mourning for him?'
'Are you?'
Julian snorted.
'Darling, we are finally free. And to tell the truth, his being alive would have been just one more obstacle Eve and I would have had to deal with. Listen, I will make all of the arrangements.'
'Julian, you just got back! I'll take care of everything, you should rest.'
'I'll rest, when I know that Eve and I can live the rest of our lives free of that man.'
Sheridan nodded slightly, understanding. She looked over at Lexie and T.C.
'Look, the press is preoccupied with what's going on over there, but it won't be long until they begin inching over to Eve and you. I had originally arranged for a room here...you know, for the families. But everything happened so fast...the point is, I think that you should take Eve and everyone over into the room, just to get away from the press.
Julian nodded.
'Good idea.'
'I'm full of them!'
'I know. I wish I had known it years ago.' Julian said with regret.
Sheridan hugged him.
'None of that! We're finally free of Alistair and living our lives with the people we love. Let's just get everyone over to that room, okay?'
Julian nodded, marveling at his sister's gift of forgiveness.
****
Teresa and Austin walked out into the waiting area. Teresa turned to see if her mother was coming.
'I know that package she was holding, has to do with my father!'
Austin nodded.
'Well, your mother never made it a secret that she thought Stefano knew the truth. I just hope that what is inside that envelope brings your family peace.'
Teresa looked up at him. touched by his words. He meant that, even after she had rejected him on the island.
Rebecca whipped past them, and hurried over to Ethan and Gwen. Gwen hugged her mother. Ethan watched Austin and Teresa. Teresa was staring up at that Reed character in such an adoring fashion...
Gwen noticed her husband's fascination with Teresa and that other man. For once, she was pleased. She pulled her mother away from Ethan.
'So, tell me, can I finally relax?' she asked Rebecca.
Rebecca looked back at Teresa and Austin.
'Uh, I don't know. While they looked close, I got the sense that there some kind of rift between them on the island. Who knows? Listen dear, I'm divorcing Julian and moving to Salem.'
Gwen's eyes widened.
'What?! I don't understand....'
'There's nothing for you to understand, Gwen. I'm moving to Salem.'
Gwen crossed her arms.
'Which man lives there, Mother?'
Rebecca rolled her eyes.
'Why does my wanting to leave Harmony, automatically have to be about some man?'
'Because I know it does.' Gwen replied, eyeing Ethan nervously. He had walked over to Teresa and Austin.
****
Teresa sensed Ethan's presence nearby, and turned to look at him. She then looked back at Austin.
'Thank you. Thank you for everything.'
Austin sensed he was getting the kiss off, now that Ethan Winthrop was practically hovering over them!
But Austin smiled down at her.
'It was nothing.' he said. He then looked at Ethan and stuck out his hand towards him.
'Austin Reed.'
Ethan returned the handshake.
'Ethan Winthrop.' he replied.
Suddenly, Gwen and Rebecca made their way over as well. Gwen linked her arm through Ethan's.
'Teresa, we're so glad you're alright. Let's go Ethan!'
Gwen pulled Ethan away from Teresa. Rebecca smirked and followed after them. Teresa glared after Gwen.
Kate Roberts and Roman Brady made their way towards them. Austin smiled when he saw them. Kate opened her arms wide.
'Honey!' she squeaked, as she held him.
Teresa eyed Austin's mother. She was very pretty, and rich looking. She then looked at the man beside her, who hugged Austin as well.
'Mom. Roman, this is Teresa Lopez-Fitzgerald. She was on the island as well.'
Kate smiled thinly at her. She had asked around about this Ms. Lopez-Fitzgerald, and had not liked the answers she had received. Somehow, she sensed her son had latched on to another Sami Brady....just with dark hair!
****
Pilar was the last off of the plane. Spence walked with her up the ramp.
'Pilar, please, keep in mind what a liar DiMera is!'
Pilar looked at him, while still clutching the package Stefano had left for her.
'Spence, if there is anything in here that will help you catch him, I will turn it over right away. But I need to go home...to Martin's and my home, to look at this. I need to see for myself if I should get my children's hopes up.'
Spence clamped his lips shut. Pilar was going to have to do what she needed to do. But he didn't like it. DiMera is running for his life and freedom, yet, he stops to leave Pilar the one thing she has craved all of these years? No, it didn't fit! Not from a man who had his daughter's husband murdered.
Pilar began walking away from Spence and began looking around. Luis and Sheridan saw her and ran over to her to hug her. Sheridan saw the package.
'Pilar? Do you want me to hold that for you?' she asked.
Pilar quickly shook her head.
'Uh, no. Listen, what's in here may finally tell us what happened to your father, Luis.'
Luis eyed the package with suspicion.
'Says, who Mama?'
'Says Stefano DiMera.'
Luis took a deep breath and looked at Sheridan. Sheridan rubbed his arm.
****
Whitney had found her mother in a small waiting room. She hugged her as if she didn't want to let go. When she finally did, the glint of her engagement ring caught her mother's eye. Eve was stunned.
'Honey, is this from Fox?'
'Yes!'
'Okay, well, what happened to Chad?'
Whitney frowned.
'Mom, we just grew apart after we thought you had died. Julian and Fox were nice enough to see that I needed time to mourn you, away from all of the pressures.'
'Pressures?' Eve asked.
Whitney looked around her briefly, before answering her.
'Daddy was not the most understanding after your 'funeral'.'
Eve shook her head slightly.
'I don't understand.'
'He basically disowned me until I agreed to come around to his way of thinking. Chad was on me to leave for L.A....I just needed to rest.'
'At the Crane mansion?'
Whitney nodded.
'It's where I realized I loved Fox.'
Eve hugged her daughter, but stared over at Julian, who now being joined by Fox. Those Crane men were slick! She couldn't help but worry about Whitney marrying Fox. Eve didn't know him very well, and as much as she loved Julian, she knew he hadn't been a very good parent to the boy. Eve just hoped that Fox sincerely loved Whitney, and that her daughter wasn't some passing fancy for him.
She let go of Whitney.
'We'll deal with your father and sister's reactions together, okay?'
Whitney nodded and hugged her again. It was good to have her mother back.
****
Julian pulled Fox into an unexpected hug. Fox was stunned. He didn't think he'd ever received one from him before. Fox pulled away.
'What's that for?'
'I can't be happy to see one of my children? That and I can see Whitney's ring from here! Congratulations my boy!'
Fox grinned.
'Thank you, Father. I just gave it to her today. She also gave Harris the bum's rush.'
Julian raised a brow.
'Really?'
'Yes, and the best part of that of course, was that it was MY idea for her to go see him.'
'Why?' Julian asked.
'Oh you know that saying, 'set something or someone free, and if it comes back to you, it's yours, if it isn't, it never was yours to begin with.' ? You've heard of it?'
Julian looked him up and down.
'I've heard the saying on TV! I don't believe in that crap! What's mine is mine and no one else's, that's what I believe, and you should too! That was very risky!'
'Yeah, I know. But it all worked out. I take it things are going similarly as well with Dr. Russell?'
Julian nodded, looking over at Eve and Whitney.
'They are indeed. Listen, what is really going on with your Grandfather's murder investigation? I asked Sheridan, but I didn't really expect her to know anything.'
Fox shrugged.
'You know everyone hated Grandfather's guts! The authorities have been slow to investigate.'
'Well, whoever shot him should be given a medal! Do you know that he had the nerve to call while we were on the island? I heard the shots over the phone.'
'Really?'
Julian nodded somberly.
'Anyway, Sheridan and I are planning the funeral. I want it done as soon as possible so we can get to the will.'
Fox looked uncomfortable. Julian looked at him.
'What?'
Fox took a deep breath.
'Aren't you just a little worried at how well things have been going?'
Julian crossed his arms.
'I don't know what you mean?'
'I mean, I guess I won't really be able to relax, until I know that Alistair has not disinherited us.'
Julian had never thought of that.
'He didn't have time to, Fox. I'm sure everything will be fine. Sheridan and your sisters will get a small stipend I'm sure...though I can't really be sure about Sheridan. Father was angry about her marrying into the Lopez-Fitzgerald family.'
'And he was angry about Whitney and her mother, Father. Look, I don't mean to jinx everything, but I would like to know if I will be able to support Whitney in the style that I've lived in, all of my life.'
Julian nodded, then stroked his chin. He hated to admit it, but his son did have a point. It was possible that Alistair could have a surprise waiting for them. But then again, if he did not leave the fortune to himself or Fox, who else was he going to leave it to? Some outsider?
No, the chances of that happening were next to none!
Julian clapped Fox on the shoulder.
'Let's take our future brides home.'
Fox nodded, then held up a hand.
'One more thing: Mother is at the mansion.'
Julian's eyes widened.
'What in the living hell for?'
'She was scared when everyone was getting kidnapped....Whitney asked me to take her in, so I did it for her. I think Whitney now is more sorry she's staying there, than I am.'
Julian smiled.
'That's alright son. I'll be happy to ask her to leave myself. Let's go.'
Julian and Fox walked over to Eve and Whitney. Fox took Whitney's hand and they began to leave the room, when they ran into Teresa. They both hugged her. Teresa then looked at the ring on Whitney's finger.
Eve watched the goings ons between the girls, then looked at Julian.
'What's the matter?' he asked.
'Whitney's engagement is sudden.'
Julian clasped her hand.
'We can have a double wedding then. What do you think?'
Eve smiled and patted his cheek. She tried not to let him see her unease. But her mind was back on Tony. She hoped he had left town and returned to Salem. He had hurt enough people around here as it was.
****
Tony entered his hotel room and slammed the door behind him! That had been a bloody disaster!
He would have to find a way to repair his relationship with his sister. The idea of Alexandra hating him was unacceptable. He had to get her to believe that all of this REALLY was Stefano's fault!
Though Abe's death had taken care of one trouble that Tony had worried about: T.C. Russell. It was apparent that he was more than just devoted to Lexie. He would be one less competitor on his quest to make Eve his own.
Tony fixed himself a drink, sipped it, and began to calm down. He still remembered the look of horror on Eve's face after he kissed her, the way she had wiped her lips, as if to rid herself of the taste of him. That was Julian Crane's fault!
But, there had been other things he had observed. Like Eve's youngest daughter, Simone. He had done enough research to know, that things were not good between herself, and her older sister, Whitney.
Tony discovered that Julian had forged a fatherly relationship with Whitney, as a way to get close to Eve. Tony realized that the same could be done with Eve's youngest daughter as well. For being in Eve's childrens lives, was a way to stay in Eve's life.
Tony pulled out his cellphone, and dialed the number for the realtor he had been dealing with here. There was a nice property, a couple of estates away from the Crane one. That would have to do, for now.
****
T.C. hugged Simone, and together, they walked into the waiting room area that everyone else was in. Julian and Eve were still in there. Simone looked at T.C..
'You are not going to let Mom leave with him, are you?'
T.C. looked over at Julian and Eve. He then saw Whitney, Fox and Teresa. Teresa was looking at a ring on Whitney's finger. T.C. frowned and moved closer. He then looked at Simone.
'Honey, what do you know about that ring on your sister's finger?'
Simone squinted.
'Nothing. The last time I saw her she wasn't wearing one.' Simone peered at Fox. Did he give Whitney an engagement ring? Good God! That meant that Chad was free!
She tried to shut John Hastings out of her mind, but couldn't. He had been her rock these past few weeks. Chad had not come to see her even once.
T.C. eased over to the trio. Teresa looked up and saw him.
'Uh oh, Whit!'
Whitney and Fox turned around. Julian tensed up from afar.
'Eve darling, I think T.C. is about to explode...again!'
Eve walked over there. T.C. snatched Whitney's hand away from Teresa's.
'Tell me Crane here didn't give this to you?!'
Eve stepped in front of Whitney and Fox.
'T.C., now is not the time...'
T.C. looked at Julian.
'You sonofabitch! First you steal my wife...and now you think you're going to take my daughter away to pawn off on your son! You can forget it! I'd rather see her with that punk, Chad!'
'Daddy!' Whitney began to cry.
Fox had had it with this guy! Why couldn't Coach Russell let bygones be bygones?!
'Stop it, T.C.!' Eve yelled.
'This is your fault!' he yelled at Eve accusingly. 'If you had been any kind of wife or mother, Whitney wouldn't be headed down the same slutty path as you!'
'T.C.!' Eve hissed.
'Hell, neither one of these punks are going to marry either one of you! And you both will find that out when they've had their fun with you and...'
'T.C.!'
T.C. stopped yelling and turned around. So did everyone else.
Lexie walked into the room, carrying baby Theo.
'Now is not the time! I have to go back to Salem and bury my husband...so either you're going with me...or you can stay here and cause trouble!'
T.C.'s whole demeanor changed.
'No, no! I'm coming with you!'
He turned to look at Simone.
'Honey, I'll be back in a couple of days...we'll talk when I get back, okay?'
T.C. hugged Simone, who let go of him and eyed Lexie. T.C. then took Theo from her and followed her out of the room. Everyone's mouth was open.
'My God!' Fox said, 'they're not even married and already she had the coach whipped!'
Fox and Julian are anxious to see Alistair's will.
Whitney jumped out of her car, sure that she would get a ticket, since she was parked illegally. But, she would gladly pay whatever the cost. Her parents were back...safe and alive.
Word was already leaking out that someone from Salem had been killed...a police officer. It made Whitney think how easily that could have been one of her parents, Pilar or Teresa. She just thanked God everyone else was okay.
Fox met her near the ticket counter. She hurried over to him, then threw her arms around his neck.
Fox raised a brow.
'You're in a good mood!'
'I am! We are about to see our loved ones again, and...'
Whitney removed her arms from around his neck, and stuck out the hand with the ring on it. Fox gaped.
'You saw Chad then?' he asked.
Whitney's expression changed. Fox put his arms around her.
'I know that that had to have been hard.' he whispered against her hair.
Whitney pulled away.
'Yes and no. Chad just made me realize what I knew the whole time. I love you, Fox.'
Fox could hardly believe he was hearing those words come out of her mouth.
'I love you too, Whitney, I always have.' he answered, before claiming her mouth for his own, with a kiss.
But they were interrupted by very loud noises coming from the upper level. Whitney and Fox stared up there.
'That has to be everyone getting in.' Fox murmured, not understanding why everything was so loud!
'Fox, it sounds like trouble!'
Fox grabbed Whitney's hand, and together they rushed up the escalator, two at a time. When they reached the top, the couple gaped at the sight before them.
Liz was on the ground, screaming about how her ankle was twisted! Luis, Sam and another man, were trying to keep Julian apart from Tony DiMera(Fox now knew who he was, since he decided to start reading the newspapers, as his father had suggested), who was clawing at Julian. Dr. Russell was standing next to Simone, Grace, Sheridan and John Hastings, watching the whole thing.
But that was not the worst part. T.C. Russell was standing next to a sad looking woman. Behind her, another woman was carrying a baby. The sad looking woman, looked at Tony DiMera, then ran towards him, jumped in the air, and karate kicked him in the face!
Julian, Sam, Luis and the other man, lunged backwards, as if to not get kicked themselves! Fox looked at Whitney.
'Stay here! Things look really wild over there!'
'Fox, no! Our parents are over there. If we circle the perimeter here, we can get over there safely.'
Fox nodded, took her hand, and together, they began to work their way through the swarm of press, photographers and just plain gapers.
****
The sight of her brother was the breaking point for Lexie Carver. People forgot that before she was a doctor, she had been a cop...and damned good one! Just like Abe!
Lexie broke away from T.C. and focused in on her target, whipping past people as she leapt off of the ground, and kicked her legs and feet out towards Tony's damned face!
Tony went flying onto the ground! Lexie saw no one else as she jumped on top of him and began pummeling him with her fists!
'YOU KILLED ABE!!! YOU KILLED ABE!!!'
T.C. hurried after her, and together with Bo Brady, pulled Lexie off of him. Tony looked stunned and hurt. Lexie's hair was covering her eyes, as T.C. held her tightly.
'Lexie, let it go! Let it go!'
But Lexie moved the hair off of her eyes and pointed at her brother.
'I don't ever want to see you again! Ever!' she hissed.
Tony took a shaky breath.
'Alexandra please! Listen to me, it was all Stefano! I would have never done anything to hurt your family...'
'You were the one that had us kidnapped!!!' Lexie screamed again. Tony looked around. The press was swarming around them, picking up every word. He looked past Lexie to Celeste, who was holding Theo.
But T.C. began pulling her away from him.
'Baby, it will be alright. It will be alright. Just let's get out of here, okay?'
Lexie seemed to calm down slightly. She tore her eyes away from Tony and nodded. Bo glared at Tony, but kept watch out of the corner of his eye for Lexie or anyone else that decided to make any sudden moves.
Meanwhile, Julian made his way back to Eve. Simone looked at her mother.
'Mom, who is that woman Daddy is with?'
Eve took a deep breath.
'Honey, she's Tony DiMera's sister. Her husband was killed on the island.'
'Coach Russell seems to care for her very much.' John noted, his arm around Simone again. Eve eyed the boy. John was acting more like a boyfriend than a friend. She had missed a lot in her daughters lives during her absence.
Eve then looked at Julian, who's eye was beginning to swell. She smiled weakly and reached up to touch it.
'Let's go somewhere so I can put something on that eye.' she suggested.
'That would be home...my home.' Julian answered.
Simone looked away from T.C. and back at Julian and Eve.
'Uh no, it wouldn't be! Mom, you need to come home with Daddy and me.'
Eve sighed and let go of Julian. She looked at Simone.
'Honey, you need to speak to your Daddy. Because that woman that he is with over there, is very important to him.'
'What?!'
But John put both hands on Simone's shoulders.
'Simone, let's go and see how your father is doing, okay?'
Celeste turned back towards them. She was still holding Theo, who seemed very calm, despite the melee.
'Darling, do you remember me?'
Simone eyed her.
'Yes, you came to the hospital to visit Daddy.'
Celeste nodded.
'That woman that your father is with is my daughter, Alexandra. In a way, she is your aunt...only... a good one...and a prettier one than some.'
When Celeste said that last part, she turned and locked eyes with Liz, who was being supported by Antonio. Liz glared at everyone, before Antonio turned her away and began helping her out of the airport.
Julian, for his part, was somewhat pleased to see that T.C. Russell's interests lay elsewhere, and that Eve had accepted that. It was Tony DiMera that bothered him.
Why in God's name was he in Harmony?! And why had he thought it would be alright to kiss Eve, after all he had done?!
Sheridan eyed Julian and Eve. Even though her brother had told her he loved Eve, it still seemed odd to see them together. Probably because he was acting so human, and lovey dovey with her. It was nice to see. She smiled, before standing in front of them.
'I have to go find Luis. It is nice to have you back, big brother.'
Julian reached down and put his arms around her. Eve watched them, and realized that she hadn't thought the two of them were close at all. Something must have changed during her absence.
'We need to plan Father's funeral.' Sheridan reminded him.
'Oh, yes. I don't suppose Luis has any suspects?'
Sheridan bit her lip.
'To be honest, Father's murder was put on the back burner until you all were found.'
Julian peered at her.
'I take it you're not mourning for him?'
'Are you?'
Julian snorted.
'Darling, we are finally free. And to tell the truth, his being alive would have been just one more obstacle Eve and I would have had to deal with. Listen, I will make all of the arrangements.'
'Julian, you just got back! I'll take care of everything, you should rest.'
'I'll rest, when I know that Eve and I can live the rest of our lives free of that man.'
Sheridan nodded slightly, understanding. She looked over at Lexie and T.C.
'Look, the press is preoccupied with what's going on over there, but it won't be long until they begin inching over to Eve and you. I had originally arranged for a room here...you know, for the families. But everything happened so fast...the point is, I think that you should take Eve and everyone over into the room, just to get away from the press.
Julian nodded.
'Good idea.'
'I'm full of them!'
'I know. I wish I had known it years ago.' Julian said with regret.
Sheridan hugged him.
'None of that! We're finally free of Alistair and living our lives with the people we love. Let's just get everyone over to that room, okay?'
Julian nodded, marveling at his sister's gift of forgiveness.
****
Teresa and Austin walked out into the waiting area. Teresa turned to see if her mother was coming.
'I know that package she was holding, has to do with my father!'
Austin nodded.
'Well, your mother never made it a secret that she thought Stefano knew the truth. I just hope that what is inside that envelope brings your family peace.'
Teresa looked up at him. touched by his words. He meant that, even after she had rejected him on the island.
Rebecca whipped past them, and hurried over to Ethan and Gwen. Gwen hugged her mother. Ethan watched Austin and Teresa. Teresa was staring up at that Reed character in such an adoring fashion...
Gwen noticed her husband's fascination with Teresa and that other man. For once, she was pleased. She pulled her mother away from Ethan.
'So, tell me, can I finally relax?' she asked Rebecca.
Rebecca looked back at Teresa and Austin.
'Uh, I don't know. While they looked close, I got the sense that there some kind of rift between them on the island. Who knows? Listen dear, I'm divorcing Julian and moving to Salem.'
Gwen's eyes widened.
'What?! I don't understand....'
'There's nothing for you to understand, Gwen. I'm moving to Salem.'
Gwen crossed her arms.
'Which man lives there, Mother?'
Rebecca rolled her eyes.
'Why does my wanting to leave Harmony, automatically have to be about some man?'
'Because I know it does.' Gwen replied, eyeing Ethan nervously. He had walked over to Teresa and Austin.
****
Teresa sensed Ethan's presence nearby, and turned to look at him. She then looked back at Austin.
'Thank you. Thank you for everything.'
Austin sensed he was getting the kiss off, now that Ethan Winthrop was practically hovering over them!
But Austin smiled down at her.
'It was nothing.' he said. He then looked at Ethan and stuck out his hand towards him.
'Austin Reed.'
Ethan returned the handshake.
'Ethan Winthrop.' he replied.
Suddenly, Gwen and Rebecca made their way over as well. Gwen linked her arm through Ethan's.
'Teresa, we're so glad you're alright. Let's go Ethan!'
Gwen pulled Ethan away from Teresa. Rebecca smirked and followed after them. Teresa glared after Gwen.
Kate Roberts and Roman Brady made their way towards them. Austin smiled when he saw them. Kate opened her arms wide.
'Honey!' she squeaked, as she held him.
Teresa eyed Austin's mother. She was very pretty, and rich looking. She then looked at the man beside her, who hugged Austin as well.
'Mom. Roman, this is Teresa Lopez-Fitzgerald. She was on the island as well.'
Kate smiled thinly at her. She had asked around about this Ms. Lopez-Fitzgerald, and had not liked the answers she had received. Somehow, she sensed her son had latched on to another Sami Brady....just with dark hair!
****
Pilar was the last off of the plane. Spence walked with her up the ramp.
'Pilar, please, keep in mind what a liar DiMera is!'
Pilar looked at him, while still clutching the package Stefano had left for her.
'Spence, if there is anything in here that will help you catch him, I will turn it over right away. But I need to go home...to Martin's and my home, to look at this. I need to see for myself if I should get my children's hopes up.'
Spence clamped his lips shut. Pilar was going to have to do what she needed to do. But he didn't like it. DiMera is running for his life and freedom, yet, he stops to leave Pilar the one thing she has craved all of these years? No, it didn't fit! Not from a man who had his daughter's husband murdered.
Pilar began walking away from Spence and began looking around. Luis and Sheridan saw her and ran over to her to hug her. Sheridan saw the package.
'Pilar? Do you want me to hold that for you?' she asked.
Pilar quickly shook her head.
'Uh, no. Listen, what's in here may finally tell us what happened to your father, Luis.'
Luis eyed the package with suspicion.
'Says, who Mama?'
'Says Stefano DiMera.'
Luis took a deep breath and looked at Sheridan. Sheridan rubbed his arm.
****
Whitney had found her mother in a small waiting room. She hugged her as if she didn't want to let go. When she finally did, the glint of her engagement ring caught her mother's eye. Eve was stunned.
'Honey, is this from Fox?'
'Yes!'
'Okay, well, what happened to Chad?'
Whitney frowned.
'Mom, we just grew apart after we thought you had died. Julian and Fox were nice enough to see that I needed time to mourn you, away from all of the pressures.'
'Pressures?' Eve asked.
Whitney looked around her briefly, before answering her.
'Daddy was not the most understanding after your 'funeral'.'
Eve shook her head slightly.
'I don't understand.'
'He basically disowned me until I agreed to come around to his way of thinking. Chad was on me to leave for L.A....I just needed to rest.'
'At the Crane mansion?'
Whitney nodded.
'It's where I realized I loved Fox.'
Eve hugged her daughter, but stared over at Julian, who now being joined by Fox. Those Crane men were slick! She couldn't help but worry about Whitney marrying Fox. Eve didn't know him very well, and as much as she loved Julian, she knew he hadn't been a very good parent to the boy. Eve just hoped that Fox sincerely loved Whitney, and that her daughter wasn't some passing fancy for him.
She let go of Whitney.
'We'll deal with your father and sister's reactions together, okay?'
Whitney nodded and hugged her again. It was good to have her mother back.
****
Julian pulled Fox into an unexpected hug. Fox was stunned. He didn't think he'd ever received one from him before. Fox pulled away.
'What's that for?'
'I can't be happy to see one of my children? That and I can see Whitney's ring from here! Congratulations my boy!'
Fox grinned.
'Thank you, Father. I just gave it to her today. She also gave Harris the bum's rush.'
Julian raised a brow.
'Really?'
'Yes, and the best part of that of course, was that it was MY idea for her to go see him.'
'Why?' Julian asked.
'Oh you know that saying, 'set something or someone free, and if it comes back to you, it's yours, if it isn't, it never was yours to begin with.' ? You've heard of it?'
Julian looked him up and down.
'I've heard the saying on TV! I don't believe in that crap! What's mine is mine and no one else's, that's what I believe, and you should too! That was very risky!'
'Yeah, I know. But it all worked out. I take it things are going similarly as well with Dr. Russell?'
Julian nodded, looking over at Eve and Whitney.
'They are indeed. Listen, what is really going on with your Grandfather's murder investigation? I asked Sheridan, but I didn't really expect her to know anything.'
Fox shrugged.
'You know everyone hated Grandfather's guts! The authorities have been slow to investigate.'
'Well, whoever shot him should be given a medal! Do you know that he had the nerve to call while we were on the island? I heard the shots over the phone.'
'Really?'
Julian nodded somberly.
'Anyway, Sheridan and I are planning the funeral. I want it done as soon as possible so we can get to the will.'
Fox looked uncomfortable. Julian looked at him.
'What?'
Fox took a deep breath.
'Aren't you just a little worried at how well things have been going?'
Julian crossed his arms.
'I don't know what you mean?'
'I mean, I guess I won't really be able to relax, until I know that Alistair has not disinherited us.'
Julian had never thought of that.
'He didn't have time to, Fox. I'm sure everything will be fine. Sheridan and your sisters will get a small stipend I'm sure...though I can't really be sure about Sheridan. Father was angry about her marrying into the Lopez-Fitzgerald family.'
'And he was angry about Whitney and her mother, Father. Look, I don't mean to jinx everything, but I would like to know if I will be able to support Whitney in the style that I've lived in, all of my life.'
Julian nodded, then stroked his chin. He hated to admit it, but his son did have a point. It was possible that Alistair could have a surprise waiting for them. But then again, if he did not leave the fortune to himself or Fox, who else was he going to leave it to? Some outsider?
No, the chances of that happening were next to none!
Julian clapped Fox on the shoulder.
'Let's take our future brides home.'
Fox nodded, then held up a hand.
'One more thing: Mother is at the mansion.'
Julian's eyes widened.
'What in the living hell for?'
'She was scared when everyone was getting kidnapped....Whitney asked me to take her in, so I did it for her. I think Whitney now is more sorry she's staying there, than I am.'
Julian smiled.
'That's alright son. I'll be happy to ask her to leave myself. Let's go.'
Julian and Fox walked over to Eve and Whitney. Fox took Whitney's hand and they began to leave the room, when they ran into Teresa. They both hugged her. Teresa then looked at the ring on Whitney's finger.
Eve watched the goings ons between the girls, then looked at Julian.
'What's the matter?' he asked.
'Whitney's engagement is sudden.'
Julian clasped her hand.
'We can have a double wedding then. What do you think?'
Eve smiled and patted his cheek. She tried not to let him see her unease. But her mind was back on Tony. She hoped he had left town and returned to Salem. He had hurt enough people around here as it was.
****
Tony entered his hotel room and slammed the door behind him! That had been a bloody disaster!
He would have to find a way to repair his relationship with his sister. The idea of Alexandra hating him was unacceptable. He had to get her to believe that all of this REALLY was Stefano's fault!
Though Abe's death had taken care of one trouble that Tony had worried about: T.C. Russell. It was apparent that he was more than just devoted to Lexie. He would be one less competitor on his quest to make Eve his own.
Tony fixed himself a drink, sipped it, and began to calm down. He still remembered the look of horror on Eve's face after he kissed her, the way she had wiped her lips, as if to rid herself of the taste of him. That was Julian Crane's fault!
But, there had been other things he had observed. Like Eve's youngest daughter, Simone. He had done enough research to know, that things were not good between herself, and her older sister, Whitney.
Tony discovered that Julian had forged a fatherly relationship with Whitney, as a way to get close to Eve. Tony realized that the same could be done with Eve's youngest daughter as well. For being in Eve's childrens lives, was a way to stay in Eve's life.
Tony pulled out his cellphone, and dialed the number for the realtor he had been dealing with here. There was a nice property, a couple of estates away from the Crane one. That would have to do, for now.
****
T.C. hugged Simone, and together, they walked into the waiting room area that everyone else was in. Julian and Eve were still in there. Simone looked at T.C..
'You are not going to let Mom leave with him, are you?'
T.C. looked over at Julian and Eve. He then saw Whitney, Fox and Teresa. Teresa was looking at a ring on Whitney's finger. T.C. frowned and moved closer. He then looked at Simone.
'Honey, what do you know about that ring on your sister's finger?'
Simone squinted.
'Nothing. The last time I saw her she wasn't wearing one.' Simone peered at Fox. Did he give Whitney an engagement ring? Good God! That meant that Chad was free!
She tried to shut John Hastings out of her mind, but couldn't. He had been her rock these past few weeks. Chad had not come to see her even once.
T.C. eased over to the trio. Teresa looked up and saw him.
'Uh oh, Whit!'
Whitney and Fox turned around. Julian tensed up from afar.
'Eve darling, I think T.C. is about to explode...again!'
Eve walked over there. T.C. snatched Whitney's hand away from Teresa's.
'Tell me Crane here didn't give this to you?!'
Eve stepped in front of Whitney and Fox.
'T.C., now is not the time...'
T.C. looked at Julian.
'You sonofabitch! First you steal my wife...and now you think you're going to take my daughter away to pawn off on your son! You can forget it! I'd rather see her with that punk, Chad!'
'Daddy!' Whitney began to cry.
Fox had had it with this guy! Why couldn't Coach Russell let bygones be bygones?!
'Stop it, T.C.!' Eve yelled.
'This is your fault!' he yelled at Eve accusingly. 'If you had been any kind of wife or mother, Whitney wouldn't be headed down the same slutty path as you!'
'T.C.!' Eve hissed.
'Hell, neither one of these punks are going to marry either one of you! And you both will find that out when they've had their fun with you and...'
'T.C.!'
T.C. stopped yelling and turned around. So did everyone else.
Lexie walked into the room, carrying baby Theo.
'Now is not the time! I have to go back to Salem and bury my husband...so either you're going with me...or you can stay here and cause trouble!'
T.C.'s whole demeanor changed.
'No, no! I'm coming with you!'
He turned to look at Simone.
'Honey, I'll be back in a couple of days...we'll talk when I get back, okay?'
T.C. hugged Simone, who let go of him and eyed Lexie. T.C. then took Theo from her and followed her out of the room. Everyone's mouth was open.
'My God!' Fox said, 'they're not even married and already she had the coach whipped!'