Chapter 18
Ivy's true condition becomes public knowledge. Julian gives Eve an ultimatum.
Grace insisted on accompanying Sam to the Crane estate, once the news broke that the Sasquatch had not only been spotted again, but, had kidnapped Ivy Winthrop, former Governor Harrison Winthrop's daughter, and the ex-wife of Julian Crane.
Grace didn't say anything, but she actually felt bad for Ivy. She had moved back onto the estate, to live with Fox and Whitney, and to make amends while she was fighting for her life. The woman had cancer, for God's sakes, and now was at the mercy of some wild beast! Even though Ivy Winthrop had to be her least favorite person in the whole world, Grace would not have wished this on her. What would happen to Ivy if she missed her chemo appointments?
When they arrived, Luis and Sheridan were already there, along with many, uniformed officers. Grace was also surprised to see her son John, and Simone Russell there, as well. She hugged John.
'Honey, what are you doing here?' she asked.
'Simone wanted to see how her mother was. I'm glad...I know she was worried about her when she was kidnapped.'
Grace rubbed his shoulder.
'Well, honey, I know you have said in the past that you thought Simone was a little rough on her mother. I agree, but I really admire how you took into account Simone's feelings as well. I mean, I certainly don't blame her for being slow to accept her mother's marriage to Julian. That fact alone, is the very reason Eve and I don't spend as much time together as we used to.'
John nodded. He looked over at Julian, who was speaking to a police officer.
'I know that guy has his problems, Mom, but he was very helpful in keeping Tony DiMera away from Simone. I think he cares about Simone, but just doesn't know how to forge a relationship with her. Julian just figures maybe it's best to keep his distance.'
Grace raised a brow. She guessed that could be true.
'Have you been by to see T.C.?'
'Oh, God yes! Mom, Mr. Russell and Lexie Carver are back together!'
Grace's eyes widened!
'No! After she went on TV like that? How could T.C. take her back?'
'I don't know, but it's a sore spot for Simone and Whitney. I can't say that I blame them. The few times I've been around Lexie, since she betrayed Mr. Russell, she's been like a different person. Someone I would not like to spend holidays with.'
Grace smiled.
'So, I take it you may be thinking of a future with Simone?'
John smiled shyly.
'Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Mom. I was just thinking out loud.'
Grace touched his face tenderly.
'Alright, alright. I'll back off, for now. I'm going to go over and talk to Eve and find out what's going on.'
John nodded. Sam was with Luis and Sheridan. Grace walked over to where Simone and Eve were talking.
'I still don't understand, why Abe would break in here?' Grace heard Simone asking Eve.
Eve shrugged nervously. Grace got the impression her friend knew more than she was saying.
Eve touched some of Simone's hair.
'I'm glad you're here.'
Simone smiled.
'I am too.'
'You know, honey, I would love for John and you to get to know Evan and Erin. Maybe you could babysit?'
Simone's facial expression grew dark.
'I'm glad you're alright, Mom. I need to get back over to John.' she then turned and walked back over to where John stood. He put an arm around her. Eve looked at Grace sadly.
'I was so sure that her coming over here tonight, was her way of trying to repair our relationship.'
'It was, Eve.'
'You saw her just now. Simone does not want anything to do with Evan and Erin, much less Julian. Every special occasion that I've celebrated, where I wanted family around, has been missing Simone's presence. I can't stand the thought of this going on for the rest of our lives.'
Grace rubbed her arm.
'It won't. Simone will come around.'
Eve nodded, then stared at Grace, as if she were seeing her for the first time.
'What are you doing here?'
Grace shrugged.
'When I heard about Ivy, I felt a bit guilty. I mean I'm not going to lie to you, Eve, I really wondered if Ivy had cancer at all! Now, not only does it look like she does, but now she's God knows where, fighting for her life not only from a terrible disease, but a monster as well.'
Eve rolled her eyes! Grace did a double take. She thought that was a funny reaction.
'What is it?' Grace asked.
Eve looked around.
'Look, Julian and I agreed not to say anything until we talked with Fox and Whitney. But, I spoke with Ivy's doctor. As of a couple of days ago, her cancer was in remission. And of course, Ivy being Ivy, she had no intention of saying a word to Fox or Whitney.'
Grace gasped loudly! Sam and Luis looked over at her. Grace looked at Sam briefly, before returning her attention back to Eve.
'Fox and Whitney, would've never taken her in if they had known the truth!' Grace hissed under her breath.
'You don't have tell me! You should have seen the woman, Grace. She was unapologetic about what she had done.'
'Typical Ivy.'
Sam made his way over to the two of them. He couldn't believe that once again, he was in the Crane mansion, investigating a crime in this part of the house...the same part that Chad Harris had killed himself in, and where the fire had started. He looked his wife and Eve over.
'What's going on over here? Eve, is there something you haven't told the policemen here?'
Eve said nothing, but looked over at Julian, who had just finished up with an officer. He then looked over at Eve as well. Sam caught the look between them.
'Damnit, Eve! If I didn't know any better, I would swear you were more interested in protecting Abe Carver than finding Ivy!'
'Sam!' Grace cried out.
But Eve didn't even blink.
'Abe is a victim in all of this. Before he was kidnapped, he obviously wasn't turning into a creature. I'm sure Ivy is fine.'
'Ivy is not fine, Eve! She has cancer! She probably has chemo treatments she needs! How can you be so cool about this? And why was Abe on the grounds in the first place?!'
Julian made his way over to the group. He put an arm around Eve.
'We already explained that to your officers, Chief Bennett. We were shocked to come home and find Abe trolling about here. He obviously broke in.'
Sam glared at Julian. Obviously, he didn't give a damn about Ivy either! Sam looked at Eve again.
'One of the officers spoke with some of your servants...specifically your chauffeur. He said that when he brought you home from Luis and Sheridan's, earlier today, he dropped you off outside of this part of the house. You didn't happen to see Abe then, did you? I mean, surely, you would've called us if he had been here, wouldn't you?'
Eve felt Julian's arm tighten around her. She nodded.
'Of course I would have, Sam. And I was here earlier. I wanted to check the damage from the fire. I didn't see anyone then.'
Sam looked the room over. The officers had already bagged two Sprite cans and wrappers from a local sandwich shop. He looked at Eve again.
'We'll be checking this shop, to see if anyone remembers Commander Carver, Ivy or anyone else, purchasing food from this store in the past 24 hours. Once again, are you sure there's nothing either one of you wants to tell me?'
Julian let go of Eve, and glared at Sam.
'I don't like your tone, Chief Bennett! I mean, it's insulting enough, that no one on this police force, bothered to investigate our disappearances, and now you're hinting that we've been harboring some half-man/half creature thing in our home! If you were doing your job, the thing wouldn't be hiding in people's houses, waiting to make off with people! Now, I suggest you gather up your officers and leave the premises, immediately! And neither my wife or I, will be answering anymore questions without a lawyer present!'
Before Sam could respond to Julian's rude speech, Whitney and Fox made their way through the rubble, and into the study. Fox went over to Julian.
'What happened? That thing got Mother?'
Before Julian could respond, Fox turned from him to Sam.
'She has a chemo appointment tomorrow, Chief Bennett! We have to find her!'
Julian eyed Eve, as Sam put a hand on Fox's shoulder.
'Believe me, Fox, I'm just as concerned about your mother as you are. I have reason to believe that your father and step-mother, know more then they're telling.'
Fox looked at Julian and Eve, before settling his gaze on Julian.
'Look, Father, I understand that Mother and you will never be bosom buddies, but you can't just let her die! I mean, let's hope the creature hasn't done anything to her, but if she doesn't take her chemo...'
Whitney hurried over to him, as he began to look as if he were going to breakdown. She put her arms around him and held him tight. She then looked at her mother and Julian.
'Is Chief Bennett right? Do you know where Ivy is?'
'Honey, no. If either one of us did, then we'd be the first to tell you.' Eve said.
Fox looked over at her.
'Then what is Chief Bennett talking about?' he asked.
Grace had had enough of her husband's concern for that lying bitch! She looked at Eve.
'Eve, I know you said that Julian and you wanted to wait to tell Fox and Whitney here, but I think my husband should know right now.'
Julian looked at Eve. Eve shrugged, then looked at a puzzled Fox and Whitney. They were now looking at Grace.
'Mrs. Bennett? What is it? Will someone please tell us what's going on?!' Fox began to yell. Whitney rubbed on his arm.
'Please, Mom, Julian? Can't you see how worried we are?'
Grace folded her arms and looked at Eve and Julian. Eve looked at Julian, he then nodded. Eve began to speak.
'I checked with Ivy's doctor today. She's been in remission for a couple of days now.'
Fox just stared at Eve. Whitney was not so shell shocked. She stepped forward.
'You mean she's no longer dying?'
Eve shook her head.
'Her doctor told me that she gave Ivy the news the other day. That means...'
'That she knew when we brought her home here.' Fox said quietly. He then turned and stalked out of the house. Whitney started to go after him, but Julian put a hand on her shoulder.
'Let me.' he said quietly. Julian then sighed, and headed out after his son.
Meanwhile, Grace stared at Sam.
'You're kind of quiet.' she noted, not wanting to rub anything in. She had sensed Ivy's sudden personality transformation was a crock of %%$$! But, she had been unable to prove it. Now, finally, maybe she could not have to hear the woman's name ever again!
Sam, for his part, was truly appalled. How could Ivy do something like that??? And why didn't she tell anyone she was in remission? Why did she still want people to think she had cancer?
Sam looked at his wife.
'What Ivy did was wrong. But she's still missing, like Alistair. We need to find them both. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go look around the grounds.'
Sam turned and walked out. Grace's jaw tightened. Her husband was hurt over Ivy's deception, when he should've known all along, that the woman was a liar! Grace knew her husband wasn't going to look for clues, so much as mope. And that bothered her.
****
Fox stood under a tree. The grounds were still wet from the storm, and occasionally, water from the branches, dripped down on him.
Julian walked up beside him.
'If it's any consolation, I don't think your mother meant any harm.'
Fox whipped his head around to stare at his father.
'How can you say that?'
Julian stared at him.
'She told Eve and I, in a round about way, that she didn't know any other way to build a relationship with you.'
Fox squinted at him.
'What?! She told you that?'
Julian scratched his chin.
'Like I said before, in a round about way. Your mother did say she was planning on telling Whitney and you, eventually.'
'When would that have been? Huh? When she had already thought of a way to hurt Whitney again? Or worse yet, break us up?'
'Son, I'm sure your mother wasn't up to anything. She just wanted to be a part of your life and didn't know how to go about it. Honesty has never been any of our strong suits.'
Fox closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. Julian looked at him with concern.
'Are you alright?'
'I'm fine. I'm just concerned about Whitney. There can be no more third or fourth chances with Mother. I won't put Whitney through the stress of being around someone so untrustworthy.'
Julian didn't answer. He turned and looked behind him. A car had pulled up. It turned out to be Ethan and Gwen. They did not see Julian and Fox, out on the lawn, some feet away, as they walked into the damaged part of the house. Julian turned back to Fox. Fox had been watching Ethan and Gwen as well.
'He can have her. Ethan's the son she always loved anyway. She would've never pulled this crap on him.'
Once again, Julian was at a loss for words. For deep down, he had always known, that Ivy only loved Ethan because she had loved his real father, Sam Bennett. Ivy had never been able to show any love for their other children. Yet, Julian sensed that somewhere, deep down inside, she now regretted that. But, never having been the type to apologize, or be upfront, his ex-wife had decided to use sinister means to insinuate herself into her remaining children's lives.
'So, was Chief Bennett right in there?' Fox asked, interrupting Julian's thoughts.
'Right about what?'
'Do Eve and you know more about this than you're telling?'
Julian sighed.
'The part about your mother's cancer, was the part we weren't telling. We had planned to tell you in private, but I guess Eve must have said something to Grace.'
Fox nodded.
'Well, I don't wish Mother dead or anything. But I am going to have her things sent back to the hotel she was staying at. I don't know what it is, but I just seem to get along better when she's not part of my life. Whitney and I both do.'
Fox then walked back up to the house. Julian shook his head sadly. He began to follow Fox, when yet another car pulled up to the house. This time, Bo Brady and Marlena Black got out of it. They saw him and walked over to him.
'I heard that you saw Abe? How is he?' Marlena asked.
Julian eyed them both.
'He was not well...you know...since he turned back into that creature.'
'Yeah, well that's why we're here. We have an idea and we needed to talk to Eve and you about it.' Marlena said.
Julian didn't like the sound of any of this! For he smelled some sort of plan to drag himself and Eve back into this whole sordid mess! The answer would be a decisive no!
But Julian said nothing, and gestured towards the house. Bo and Marlena hurried towards it, with Julian bringing up the rear.
****
Simone stared over at Whitney and her mother. John noticed this.
'Why don't you go on over there and see what's going on?' he suggested.
Simone looked away quickly and focused in on him.
'No...it sounds like it has something to do with Fox.'
'So?'
'So I don't want anything to do with Crane problems. The only thing I have in common with Whitney and my mother, is my father. That's it.'
John didn't answer. When Simone started talking like that, it was best not to say anything at all. He changed the subject.
'So, have you given any thought to what we talked about?'
Simone smiled up at him.
'Uh, yes. And the idea of moving in together sounds really appealing, especially since Lexie will probably be moving back in with my father.'
'I would hope that Lexie was not the main reason you wanted to move in with me.'
Simone threw her arms around his neck.
'Of course not! Don't think that.' she whispered, kissing him. He broke off the kiss.
'Then why don't we go over and tell your mother and sister the news?' he suggested.
Simone shrugged.
'Why?'
'Simone...'
'John, my father is the only person's opinion I care about. My mother and sister married scummy, Crane men. I could give a damn what they think about who I live with.'
John wrapped his arms around her again.
'Fine. We'll talk to your father tomorrow.'
Meanwhile, Marlena, Bo and Julian approached Eve and Whitney. Whitney excused herself to be by Fox's side. Grace was staring out of the broken doors, watching Sam look around in the semi-darkness. Luis and Sheridan were outside as well, along with Ethan and Gwen. Eve smiled at Marlena and Bo.
'I got a chance to see Abe transform. We really need to help him.' she said quietly.
Marlena nodded.
'I agree. That's why I...Bo and I, came up with an idea.'
Bo looked grim. Julian noted this.
'You don't seem to think it's a good idea, do you Officer Brady?' Julian asked.
'No...but it's the only way I can think to cure Abe.' he answered.
Eve tilted her head.
'What is it?' she asked.
'Well,' Marlena began, 'I think we need to return to the compound and make Stefano give us the cure.'
Julian burst out laughing! Eve looked embarrassed.
'Excuse my husband...'
'No, darling, don't apologize for me! It's a stupid idea. I told Officer Brady here, during my stint in jail, that we don't even know if the man is still alive! And how would you 'make' him do anything, Marlena?' Julian almost sneered.
Marlena looked Julian in the eye.
'Stefano will always want me. I would offer myself in exchange for Abe's cure.'
'Oh God!' Eve cried out. She shook her head.
'Marlena, I care about Abe as much as the rest of you...'
'Then you'll see why this is the only way.' Marlena answered.
'Marlena, that man let a Sasquatch murder my sister, when he didn't get his own way! I don't think Abe would want you to resign yourself to a life with him! Why don't we get Lexie to do it? Maybe she could make her father give Abe the cure?'
Bo cleared his throat.
'We can't find Lexie, and we're running out of time.'
Eve eyed Simone from across the room.
'What do you mean you can't find her?'
Bo shrugged.
'We went by your ex-husband's hospital room. He said she had left, promising to be back hours ago. He was actually kind of worried about her.'
Eve felt Julian's eyes on her, but did not look at him. Had Lexie run off, when her time had been up earlier? That tape Eve had of her confession, was still in her hospital coat pocket.
Julian had had enough of all of this talk! What he wanted to do, was get the twins from Luis and Sheridan, take them and Eve on a trip somewhere, and begin a new life!
'Actually,' Bo continued, 'we wouldn't let Marlena stay with him. It would just be a ruse.'
'What is it you're asking of Eve and I?' Julian asked sharply.
Marlena looked at them both. She then focused in on Eve.
'I want you to come with me. Tony is probably still there too and...'
That was it! Julian walked up to Marlena.
'Get the hell out of here!'
'Julian!' Eve cried out.
'No, Eve, I am so sick and tired of people suggesting that you prostitute yourself, just because they are TOO STUPID TO DO THEIR JOBS!'
'Fine!' Marlena snapped and began walking out of the house. The whole room was watching. Bo pointed at Julian, before leaving as well.
Julian tried to calm down, but couldn't! He absolutely refused to allow Eve to endanger herself one more damned time, for anyone that was not immediate family! And she for damned sure wasn't going to do it for the likes of Abe Carver!
Eve pulled on Julian's arm, smiling at everyone calmly, before pulling him outside in the front. They watched as Bo and Marlena got into a car and drove off. Eve met Marlena's eyes before the car took off. She then faced Julian.
'Julian, if we can help Abe in anyway...'
'We can't. But what we can do is help ourselves. I want to take the twins and you on a vacation...just until this mess is cleared up.'
'Stefano is probably the only one that knows how to cure Abe.'
Julian stared at her hard, for the longest while. Eve began to get irritated.
'Julian, I can't just sit back...'
'Oh yes you can, darling, and you will!'
'Meaning?'
'Meaning I'm going to have the pilot charter a course for us! We'll be leaving tomorrow morning, you, me, Evan and Erin. You will not even consider returning to that compound with Marlena.'
'And if I do?'
'Then you'll have told me that Abe Carver means more to you than your family!'
'Julian!'
'And if you do go Eve, don't come back here, and don't come back to me or the twins! Sleep on that, dear!' he snapped, before stalking off towards the good part of the house.
Eve's mouth hung open. Julian had never, ever spoken to her like that! She had never heard him sound so angry! She looked down. If she helped Abe, Julian would leave her and take the twins?! How could she not help someone not turn into a monster? How would she sleep at night if she did nothing?
Yet, how would she sleep, if she did it alone?
Ivy's true condition becomes public knowledge. Julian gives Eve an ultimatum.
Grace insisted on accompanying Sam to the Crane estate, once the news broke that the Sasquatch had not only been spotted again, but, had kidnapped Ivy Winthrop, former Governor Harrison Winthrop's daughter, and the ex-wife of Julian Crane.
Grace didn't say anything, but she actually felt bad for Ivy. She had moved back onto the estate, to live with Fox and Whitney, and to make amends while she was fighting for her life. The woman had cancer, for God's sakes, and now was at the mercy of some wild beast! Even though Ivy Winthrop had to be her least favorite person in the whole world, Grace would not have wished this on her. What would happen to Ivy if she missed her chemo appointments?
When they arrived, Luis and Sheridan were already there, along with many, uniformed officers. Grace was also surprised to see her son John, and Simone Russell there, as well. She hugged John.
'Honey, what are you doing here?' she asked.
'Simone wanted to see how her mother was. I'm glad...I know she was worried about her when she was kidnapped.'
Grace rubbed his shoulder.
'Well, honey, I know you have said in the past that you thought Simone was a little rough on her mother. I agree, but I really admire how you took into account Simone's feelings as well. I mean, I certainly don't blame her for being slow to accept her mother's marriage to Julian. That fact alone, is the very reason Eve and I don't spend as much time together as we used to.'
John nodded. He looked over at Julian, who was speaking to a police officer.
'I know that guy has his problems, Mom, but he was very helpful in keeping Tony DiMera away from Simone. I think he cares about Simone, but just doesn't know how to forge a relationship with her. Julian just figures maybe it's best to keep his distance.'
Grace raised a brow. She guessed that could be true.
'Have you been by to see T.C.?'
'Oh, God yes! Mom, Mr. Russell and Lexie Carver are back together!'
Grace's eyes widened!
'No! After she went on TV like that? How could T.C. take her back?'
'I don't know, but it's a sore spot for Simone and Whitney. I can't say that I blame them. The few times I've been around Lexie, since she betrayed Mr. Russell, she's been like a different person. Someone I would not like to spend holidays with.'
Grace smiled.
'So, I take it you may be thinking of a future with Simone?'
John smiled shyly.
'Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Mom. I was just thinking out loud.'
Grace touched his face tenderly.
'Alright, alright. I'll back off, for now. I'm going to go over and talk to Eve and find out what's going on.'
John nodded. Sam was with Luis and Sheridan. Grace walked over to where Simone and Eve were talking.
'I still don't understand, why Abe would break in here?' Grace heard Simone asking Eve.
Eve shrugged nervously. Grace got the impression her friend knew more than she was saying.
Eve touched some of Simone's hair.
'I'm glad you're here.'
Simone smiled.
'I am too.'
'You know, honey, I would love for John and you to get to know Evan and Erin. Maybe you could babysit?'
Simone's facial expression grew dark.
'I'm glad you're alright, Mom. I need to get back over to John.' she then turned and walked back over to where John stood. He put an arm around her. Eve looked at Grace sadly.
'I was so sure that her coming over here tonight, was her way of trying to repair our relationship.'
'It was, Eve.'
'You saw her just now. Simone does not want anything to do with Evan and Erin, much less Julian. Every special occasion that I've celebrated, where I wanted family around, has been missing Simone's presence. I can't stand the thought of this going on for the rest of our lives.'
Grace rubbed her arm.
'It won't. Simone will come around.'
Eve nodded, then stared at Grace, as if she were seeing her for the first time.
'What are you doing here?'
Grace shrugged.
'When I heard about Ivy, I felt a bit guilty. I mean I'm not going to lie to you, Eve, I really wondered if Ivy had cancer at all! Now, not only does it look like she does, but now she's God knows where, fighting for her life not only from a terrible disease, but a monster as well.'
Eve rolled her eyes! Grace did a double take. She thought that was a funny reaction.
'What is it?' Grace asked.
Eve looked around.
'Look, Julian and I agreed not to say anything until we talked with Fox and Whitney. But, I spoke with Ivy's doctor. As of a couple of days ago, her cancer was in remission. And of course, Ivy being Ivy, she had no intention of saying a word to Fox or Whitney.'
Grace gasped loudly! Sam and Luis looked over at her. Grace looked at Sam briefly, before returning her attention back to Eve.
'Fox and Whitney, would've never taken her in if they had known the truth!' Grace hissed under her breath.
'You don't have tell me! You should have seen the woman, Grace. She was unapologetic about what she had done.'
'Typical Ivy.'
Sam made his way over to the two of them. He couldn't believe that once again, he was in the Crane mansion, investigating a crime in this part of the house...the same part that Chad Harris had killed himself in, and where the fire had started. He looked his wife and Eve over.
'What's going on over here? Eve, is there something you haven't told the policemen here?'
Eve said nothing, but looked over at Julian, who had just finished up with an officer. He then looked over at Eve as well. Sam caught the look between them.
'Damnit, Eve! If I didn't know any better, I would swear you were more interested in protecting Abe Carver than finding Ivy!'
'Sam!' Grace cried out.
But Eve didn't even blink.
'Abe is a victim in all of this. Before he was kidnapped, he obviously wasn't turning into a creature. I'm sure Ivy is fine.'
'Ivy is not fine, Eve! She has cancer! She probably has chemo treatments she needs! How can you be so cool about this? And why was Abe on the grounds in the first place?!'
Julian made his way over to the group. He put an arm around Eve.
'We already explained that to your officers, Chief Bennett. We were shocked to come home and find Abe trolling about here. He obviously broke in.'
Sam glared at Julian. Obviously, he didn't give a damn about Ivy either! Sam looked at Eve again.
'One of the officers spoke with some of your servants...specifically your chauffeur. He said that when he brought you home from Luis and Sheridan's, earlier today, he dropped you off outside of this part of the house. You didn't happen to see Abe then, did you? I mean, surely, you would've called us if he had been here, wouldn't you?'
Eve felt Julian's arm tighten around her. She nodded.
'Of course I would have, Sam. And I was here earlier. I wanted to check the damage from the fire. I didn't see anyone then.'
Sam looked the room over. The officers had already bagged two Sprite cans and wrappers from a local sandwich shop. He looked at Eve again.
'We'll be checking this shop, to see if anyone remembers Commander Carver, Ivy or anyone else, purchasing food from this store in the past 24 hours. Once again, are you sure there's nothing either one of you wants to tell me?'
Julian let go of Eve, and glared at Sam.
'I don't like your tone, Chief Bennett! I mean, it's insulting enough, that no one on this police force, bothered to investigate our disappearances, and now you're hinting that we've been harboring some half-man/half creature thing in our home! If you were doing your job, the thing wouldn't be hiding in people's houses, waiting to make off with people! Now, I suggest you gather up your officers and leave the premises, immediately! And neither my wife or I, will be answering anymore questions without a lawyer present!'
Before Sam could respond to Julian's rude speech, Whitney and Fox made their way through the rubble, and into the study. Fox went over to Julian.
'What happened? That thing got Mother?'
Before Julian could respond, Fox turned from him to Sam.
'She has a chemo appointment tomorrow, Chief Bennett! We have to find her!'
Julian eyed Eve, as Sam put a hand on Fox's shoulder.
'Believe me, Fox, I'm just as concerned about your mother as you are. I have reason to believe that your father and step-mother, know more then they're telling.'
Fox looked at Julian and Eve, before settling his gaze on Julian.
'Look, Father, I understand that Mother and you will never be bosom buddies, but you can't just let her die! I mean, let's hope the creature hasn't done anything to her, but if she doesn't take her chemo...'
Whitney hurried over to him, as he began to look as if he were going to breakdown. She put her arms around him and held him tight. She then looked at her mother and Julian.
'Is Chief Bennett right? Do you know where Ivy is?'
'Honey, no. If either one of us did, then we'd be the first to tell you.' Eve said.
Fox looked over at her.
'Then what is Chief Bennett talking about?' he asked.
Grace had had enough of her husband's concern for that lying bitch! She looked at Eve.
'Eve, I know you said that Julian and you wanted to wait to tell Fox and Whitney here, but I think my husband should know right now.'
Julian looked at Eve. Eve shrugged, then looked at a puzzled Fox and Whitney. They were now looking at Grace.
'Mrs. Bennett? What is it? Will someone please tell us what's going on?!' Fox began to yell. Whitney rubbed on his arm.
'Please, Mom, Julian? Can't you see how worried we are?'
Grace folded her arms and looked at Eve and Julian. Eve looked at Julian, he then nodded. Eve began to speak.
'I checked with Ivy's doctor today. She's been in remission for a couple of days now.'
Fox just stared at Eve. Whitney was not so shell shocked. She stepped forward.
'You mean she's no longer dying?'
Eve shook her head.
'Her doctor told me that she gave Ivy the news the other day. That means...'
'That she knew when we brought her home here.' Fox said quietly. He then turned and stalked out of the house. Whitney started to go after him, but Julian put a hand on her shoulder.
'Let me.' he said quietly. Julian then sighed, and headed out after his son.
Meanwhile, Grace stared at Sam.
'You're kind of quiet.' she noted, not wanting to rub anything in. She had sensed Ivy's sudden personality transformation was a crock of %%$$! But, she had been unable to prove it. Now, finally, maybe she could not have to hear the woman's name ever again!
Sam, for his part, was truly appalled. How could Ivy do something like that??? And why didn't she tell anyone she was in remission? Why did she still want people to think she had cancer?
Sam looked at his wife.
'What Ivy did was wrong. But she's still missing, like Alistair. We need to find them both. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go look around the grounds.'
Sam turned and walked out. Grace's jaw tightened. Her husband was hurt over Ivy's deception, when he should've known all along, that the woman was a liar! Grace knew her husband wasn't going to look for clues, so much as mope. And that bothered her.
****
Fox stood under a tree. The grounds were still wet from the storm, and occasionally, water from the branches, dripped down on him.
Julian walked up beside him.
'If it's any consolation, I don't think your mother meant any harm.'
Fox whipped his head around to stare at his father.
'How can you say that?'
Julian stared at him.
'She told Eve and I, in a round about way, that she didn't know any other way to build a relationship with you.'
Fox squinted at him.
'What?! She told you that?'
Julian scratched his chin.
'Like I said before, in a round about way. Your mother did say she was planning on telling Whitney and you, eventually.'
'When would that have been? Huh? When she had already thought of a way to hurt Whitney again? Or worse yet, break us up?'
'Son, I'm sure your mother wasn't up to anything. She just wanted to be a part of your life and didn't know how to go about it. Honesty has never been any of our strong suits.'
Fox closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. Julian looked at him with concern.
'Are you alright?'
'I'm fine. I'm just concerned about Whitney. There can be no more third or fourth chances with Mother. I won't put Whitney through the stress of being around someone so untrustworthy.'
Julian didn't answer. He turned and looked behind him. A car had pulled up. It turned out to be Ethan and Gwen. They did not see Julian and Fox, out on the lawn, some feet away, as they walked into the damaged part of the house. Julian turned back to Fox. Fox had been watching Ethan and Gwen as well.
'He can have her. Ethan's the son she always loved anyway. She would've never pulled this crap on him.'
Once again, Julian was at a loss for words. For deep down, he had always known, that Ivy only loved Ethan because she had loved his real father, Sam Bennett. Ivy had never been able to show any love for their other children. Yet, Julian sensed that somewhere, deep down inside, she now regretted that. But, never having been the type to apologize, or be upfront, his ex-wife had decided to use sinister means to insinuate herself into her remaining children's lives.
'So, was Chief Bennett right in there?' Fox asked, interrupting Julian's thoughts.
'Right about what?'
'Do Eve and you know more about this than you're telling?'
Julian sighed.
'The part about your mother's cancer, was the part we weren't telling. We had planned to tell you in private, but I guess Eve must have said something to Grace.'
Fox nodded.
'Well, I don't wish Mother dead or anything. But I am going to have her things sent back to the hotel she was staying at. I don't know what it is, but I just seem to get along better when she's not part of my life. Whitney and I both do.'
Fox then walked back up to the house. Julian shook his head sadly. He began to follow Fox, when yet another car pulled up to the house. This time, Bo Brady and Marlena Black got out of it. They saw him and walked over to him.
'I heard that you saw Abe? How is he?' Marlena asked.
Julian eyed them both.
'He was not well...you know...since he turned back into that creature.'
'Yeah, well that's why we're here. We have an idea and we needed to talk to Eve and you about it.' Marlena said.
Julian didn't like the sound of any of this! For he smelled some sort of plan to drag himself and Eve back into this whole sordid mess! The answer would be a decisive no!
But Julian said nothing, and gestured towards the house. Bo and Marlena hurried towards it, with Julian bringing up the rear.
****
Simone stared over at Whitney and her mother. John noticed this.
'Why don't you go on over there and see what's going on?' he suggested.
Simone looked away quickly and focused in on him.
'No...it sounds like it has something to do with Fox.'
'So?'
'So I don't want anything to do with Crane problems. The only thing I have in common with Whitney and my mother, is my father. That's it.'
John didn't answer. When Simone started talking like that, it was best not to say anything at all. He changed the subject.
'So, have you given any thought to what we talked about?'
Simone smiled up at him.
'Uh, yes. And the idea of moving in together sounds really appealing, especially since Lexie will probably be moving back in with my father.'
'I would hope that Lexie was not the main reason you wanted to move in with me.'
Simone threw her arms around his neck.
'Of course not! Don't think that.' she whispered, kissing him. He broke off the kiss.
'Then why don't we go over and tell your mother and sister the news?' he suggested.
Simone shrugged.
'Why?'
'Simone...'
'John, my father is the only person's opinion I care about. My mother and sister married scummy, Crane men. I could give a damn what they think about who I live with.'
John wrapped his arms around her again.
'Fine. We'll talk to your father tomorrow.'
Meanwhile, Marlena, Bo and Julian approached Eve and Whitney. Whitney excused herself to be by Fox's side. Grace was staring out of the broken doors, watching Sam look around in the semi-darkness. Luis and Sheridan were outside as well, along with Ethan and Gwen. Eve smiled at Marlena and Bo.
'I got a chance to see Abe transform. We really need to help him.' she said quietly.
Marlena nodded.
'I agree. That's why I...Bo and I, came up with an idea.'
Bo looked grim. Julian noted this.
'You don't seem to think it's a good idea, do you Officer Brady?' Julian asked.
'No...but it's the only way I can think to cure Abe.' he answered.
Eve tilted her head.
'What is it?' she asked.
'Well,' Marlena began, 'I think we need to return to the compound and make Stefano give us the cure.'
Julian burst out laughing! Eve looked embarrassed.
'Excuse my husband...'
'No, darling, don't apologize for me! It's a stupid idea. I told Officer Brady here, during my stint in jail, that we don't even know if the man is still alive! And how would you 'make' him do anything, Marlena?' Julian almost sneered.
Marlena looked Julian in the eye.
'Stefano will always want me. I would offer myself in exchange for Abe's cure.'
'Oh God!' Eve cried out. She shook her head.
'Marlena, I care about Abe as much as the rest of you...'
'Then you'll see why this is the only way.' Marlena answered.
'Marlena, that man let a Sasquatch murder my sister, when he didn't get his own way! I don't think Abe would want you to resign yourself to a life with him! Why don't we get Lexie to do it? Maybe she could make her father give Abe the cure?'
Bo cleared his throat.
'We can't find Lexie, and we're running out of time.'
Eve eyed Simone from across the room.
'What do you mean you can't find her?'
Bo shrugged.
'We went by your ex-husband's hospital room. He said she had left, promising to be back hours ago. He was actually kind of worried about her.'
Eve felt Julian's eyes on her, but did not look at him. Had Lexie run off, when her time had been up earlier? That tape Eve had of her confession, was still in her hospital coat pocket.
Julian had had enough of all of this talk! What he wanted to do, was get the twins from Luis and Sheridan, take them and Eve on a trip somewhere, and begin a new life!
'Actually,' Bo continued, 'we wouldn't let Marlena stay with him. It would just be a ruse.'
'What is it you're asking of Eve and I?' Julian asked sharply.
Marlena looked at them both. She then focused in on Eve.
'I want you to come with me. Tony is probably still there too and...'
That was it! Julian walked up to Marlena.
'Get the hell out of here!'
'Julian!' Eve cried out.
'No, Eve, I am so sick and tired of people suggesting that you prostitute yourself, just because they are TOO STUPID TO DO THEIR JOBS!'
'Fine!' Marlena snapped and began walking out of the house. The whole room was watching. Bo pointed at Julian, before leaving as well.
Julian tried to calm down, but couldn't! He absolutely refused to allow Eve to endanger herself one more damned time, for anyone that was not immediate family! And she for damned sure wasn't going to do it for the likes of Abe Carver!
Eve pulled on Julian's arm, smiling at everyone calmly, before pulling him outside in the front. They watched as Bo and Marlena got into a car and drove off. Eve met Marlena's eyes before the car took off. She then faced Julian.
'Julian, if we can help Abe in anyway...'
'We can't. But what we can do is help ourselves. I want to take the twins and you on a vacation...just until this mess is cleared up.'
'Stefano is probably the only one that knows how to cure Abe.'
Julian stared at her hard, for the longest while. Eve began to get irritated.
'Julian, I can't just sit back...'
'Oh yes you can, darling, and you will!'
'Meaning?'
'Meaning I'm going to have the pilot charter a course for us! We'll be leaving tomorrow morning, you, me, Evan and Erin. You will not even consider returning to that compound with Marlena.'
'And if I do?'
'Then you'll have told me that Abe Carver means more to you than your family!'
'Julian!'
'And if you do go Eve, don't come back here, and don't come back to me or the twins! Sleep on that, dear!' he snapped, before stalking off towards the good part of the house.
Eve's mouth hung open. Julian had never, ever spoken to her like that! She had never heard him sound so angry! She looked down. If she helped Abe, Julian would leave her and take the twins?! How could she not help someone not turn into a monster? How would she sleep at night if she did nothing?
Yet, how would she sleep, if she did it alone?