(A/N: This is not my favorite chapter, and is quite perfunctory at times. However, it gets the job done and moves the story along, and I really wanted to get a lot of the tedious canon out of the way so that I could really get going. I admit this is rather awkward at parts, but I really wanted to move my fanfic forward. Hopefully, I'll eventually come back and revise it a bit, but this is it for now. Thank you to my reviewers for the encouragement to keep going; it really gave me a lot of momentum.)
"I'm so sorry about this. I have no idea what I'd do in this situation, but at least you'll know, one way or the other, some time tomorrow," Dr. Eve told a distraught Sam and Grace after she had finished taking blood tests for the three. Kay, more annoyed by the Bennetts' too late concern for her than anything else, was eager to leave Dr. Russell's office and see what was going on, though she didn't know how to act around Julian and Ivy.
Before she could think any further, a nurse rushed in, looking for Eve. "You'll never believe this, Doctor, but we have another patient for you, Antonio Lopez-Fitzgerald!"
"Pilar's missing son? He's back in Harmony! Well, what a wonderful night for her family, unless his condition is serious. What's wrong with him?"
As Eve rushed towards the door, followed by Sam, Grace, and Kay, the nurse answered hurriedly. "Apparently, he just collapsed, but that's not even the amazing part. You see, the woman who came with him is—"
Dr. Eve suddenly gasped at the scene in the lounge.
". . . Sheridan Crane," the nurse finished with a sigh of defeat.
Eve's shock was not unique. Everyone in the room stood gaping at the sight of Sheridan, standing before them, accompanied by an extremely upset-looking Luis. Eventually, everyone was able to react, and greeted Sheridan, who explained everything that happened. The last person to approach her was Julian, smiling smarmily and saying, "My dear sister! I simply can't express how delighted I am to have you back. I can't tell you what I went through, thinking you were dead."
Sheridan glared at her elder brother disgustedly, and Luis, already wanting to hit something because of Antonio, became twice as furious upon seeing the man he believed tried to have Sheridan killed. He rammed Julian against the wall, and, like TC, had to be forcibly restrained. "Bastard!" Luis shouted at the top of his lungs. "Pretending you care about Sheridan! I know you were behind the boat explosion!"
Although Julian began perspiring profusely, he maintained a calm tone of voice, and insisted he had no idea what Luis was yelling about. Luis was about to attack Julian again, when Chad, Simone, and Whitney came in, and ran right up to Theresa. She and Whitney alternately cried and hugged, and Chad smiled at Theresa. "Wow, Theresa, you really did it, you actually got yourself out of this jam."
"It's a miracle," Ethan agreed, practically beaming, holding Ethan-Martin, while Theresa and Whitney reunited. He was totally absorbed with the baby, fascinated by the child's every movement. Gwen, meanwhile, was obviously having a great deal of trouble retaining her composure.
Chad frowned. The situation with Ethan and Theresa was getting ridiculous. There was no alternative: he had to talk with his friend and pound some sense into him. "Uh, man, can we talk for a minute?"
"Oh sure," Ethan replied happily and followed Chad a little ways, still holding the baby. When they were out of the immediate range of the group, Chad smacked him upside the head.
"Ow! Say, what was that for?"
"What's wrong with you? It's obvious that you're still in love with Theresa, and she's certainly proven that she REALLY loves you, but you keep lying to yourself."
"You really should listen to Chad, Ethan," Hank, who was standing nearby, joined in.
"Hey, Theresa lied to me, and relationships should be built on trust, and anyway, I'm with Gwen now."
"And she deserves someone who really loves her, and wouldn't rather be with someone else but is too stubborn to admit his feelings," Hank argued.
"Yeah, and unless you can honestly tell us that you don't love Theresa anymore, you shouldn't be with anyone else," Chad added.
Ethan thought about what his friend and his uncle were saying. He did care about Gwen, and had feelings for her, but if he was totally truthful to himself, he had to admit that Theresa would always be his true love. "Maybe you're right, guys, but it's still over between Theresa and me. She knew how important honesty was to me, but she just kept lying!"
"And she also died for you!" Chad argued. "At least from her point of view, anyway. Plus, she's a lot younger than you. C'mon, she's only nineteen now, and she did some stupid things out of love, but it was all for you."
Ethan couldn't deny that everything his friend was saying was true. He truly believed that Theresa loved him, and it was rather stupid for both of them to live their lives without each other because of his stubbornness. "You're right; I will give her another chance, but I have to tell both of them right now! I can't keep stringing Gwen along."
Taking a gulp, Ethan walked back to the Theresa, Gwen, and Whitney. "Theresa, Gwen, I have something to tell the both of you..."
*****
At the other end of the lounge, Sam and Grace continued to fret over Kay, while Jessica fawned over her, crying at the thought of losing Kay as a sister.
Kay had had enough. "Cut it out, Jessica! You should be glad, all any of you have ever done is make it clear that I'm not as good as everyone else in the family. Good news, the Bennett bunch is still untarnished by someone like me. Now, why don't you just go and see how wonderful, perfect Charity is doing?"
Kay's harsh words stung her "family." Grace immediately started crying again. "Kay, how can you say that? You know we all love you, and always will, no matter what."
"Whatever you say, Grace," Kay replied disdainfully, emphasizing her name. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to say hello to my Aunt Sheridan and my parents." With that, she walked purposefully away, so intent upon upsetting her former family that she didn't even feel nervous addressing the Cranes. She approached Sheridan and extended her hand. "It's good to have you back."
Sheridan smiled a bit awkwardly, shaking the girl's hand. "Uh, thank you. You're Chief Bennett's daughter Kay, right?"
Kay smiled sardonically. "Then no one's told you yet? I'm Kay, alright, but I'm not Chief Bennett's daughter. I'm your niece."
Sheridan was somewhat taken aback, not knowing what to say. "I'm really sorry, but I don't know what you're talking about."
Julian, trying to save face and do what he figured his father expected of him. "It's true, Sheridan. Laura's been in an accident, and had to get her blood tested. Apparently, the results showed that she isn't my daughter at all, and Dr. Russell believes that she was switched at birth with Kay."
Sheridan gasped at the news. "Oh my God, first Ethan and now Laura? How awful!"
"Yes, it is," Julian agreed. "But the fact remains that young Kay here is most likely now part of our family, and entitled to everything that comes with being a Crane." He turned to Kay to address her. "I realize this must be very hard on you, but if you are our daughter, Ivy and I will want a chance to become acquainted with you. Depending upon the test results, perhaps you will want to move into our mansion tomorrow?"
Sam, who had come over to reason with Kay, had heard everything that Julian said. "She most certainly will not, Julian! I don't care what the results say, she's our daughter, and she's staying with us! WE don't throw out family that easily."
He put his arms around Kay, but she shrugged him off. "I believe that's my decision to make. I'm eighteen now, though I'm sure none of you noticed, what with Charity's birthday and all." Looking at Julian, she added, "And yes, father, if the DNA test proves I'm your daughter, I'd be happy to move in!"
*****
Theresa couldn't believe it. Earlier this same day, she had been on death row, and now Ethan was telling her he wanted to marry her and help raise Ethan-Martin! She hadn't actually expected him to come around so soon, but he had, and they would now be together, a family, forever! It was fate, and nothing could stop it now: Theresa would discuss a quick divorce with Julian tomorrow, and everything would work out exactly the way it was supposed to.
*****
More than anything, Gwen felt drained. So, this was where all of her hopes, all of her planning, all of the violations of her moral code that her mother had convinced her to make had gotten her. She listened halfheartedly as Rebecca frantically hatched scheme after scheme that would certainly get Ethan to leave Theresa, but knew that nothing would do any good. In a way she was actually glad of this. At least all of her anxiety was finally over. If he really loves that little psychopath so much that he'll forgive her for just about anything, then let him have her. Gwen Hotchkiss would no longer play the fool watching silently while he stared adoringly at that baby, the consolation prize that he didn't really want, but accepted in the absence of his first choice. What she would do from here, Gwen didn't really know, but she was certain of one thing: she would never lower herself to trying to get Ethan back again.
*****
Chad and Whitney stood watching a joyous Ethan and Theresa hugging and kissing each other. "I can't believe I'm actually seeing this," Whitney stated, beaming with joy for her best friend. "I was so certain those two would never get back together, and yet here they are, no more secrets, no more lies."
"Uh, yeah, speaking of that, when are you gonna tell Simone the truth about us?"
Whitney groaned. She knew that she should have told her sister long ago, but she didn't want to hurt her. Plus, she was somewhat afraid of Simone, who had inherited their father's temper. "Soon, Chad, I promise."
"Well, you better, cuz I wanna tell the whole world that I love you, and only you."
"Chad!"
The couple turned around frantically, to find Simone standing right behind them. They looked at one another, panic clearly rising in their eyes. How much had Simone overheard?
"That is soooo sweet of you! You didn't know just how to tell me that you loved me, so you asked Whitney how to say it! But you didn't have to do that; I love you, too, and I'd love any way you said it." With that, Simone grabbed Chad, hugging him so hard he could barely breathe.
Chad had been very patient for a very long time now. He had remained quiet and pretended, just as Whitney had asked him to, and waited around whenever Whitney decided to break up with him to spare Simone. There was no reason that this time should be any different, but something within him finally snapped. He simply couldn't take it any more. "I don't love you, Simone, I've never loved you, and I never will!"
Ignoring the look of shock on Simone's face, Chad continued ranting. "In fact, I don't even like you as a friend; you've gotta be the most obnoxious girl I've ever met. I love Whitney, Simone, WHITNEY, and the only reason I didn't say so from the beginning is that your sister didn't want to hurt you!"
For a second, Simone simply stood there, too devastated to react. She didn't even comprehend half of what her imaginary boyfriend was saying, but she did hear her sister's name. In her frenzied state, the only thought present in her mind was that Whitney took Chad, she had trusted her sister and she had stolen him. With that on her mind, Simone jumped on Whitney, determined to throttle her.
"BITCH! You stole Chad, and turned him against me!" If Chad had not been standing right there, Simone probably would have succeeded, but as it was he was just barely able to pull her off of his girlfriend.
"See, another reason I don't like you. You're completely insane!" Chad immediately regretted his words, though, when he looked at Whitney. She was too upset to even speak, and he felt remorseful that everything came out this way. Still, it was out, and no matter what happened it was better this way.
Simone was quite ready to pounce again, when Kay dragged her away for a little chat. Smiling happily, Kay began speaking. "Oh, that's so sad! All this time, you've been completely oblivious to was happening between Chad and your sister right under your own roof. There must've been sooo many times that you even walked in on something, but were too dense to figure it out. I'd probably do something drastic in your situation, but then again, I'm evil, and I'm sure you're really concerned about doing the right thing now."
Simone could barely speak, but she finally managed to spit out, "Shut up, Kay!"
Ignoring her, Kay kept on speaking. "You know what, I think you should just try and be happy for them. After all, they make SUCH a cute couple and it's really obvious how much Chad truly loves your sister." With that, Kay smiled again, sweetly, and skipped off, leaving Simone to fume and sob.
*****
Exhausted by what had turned out to be one of the strangest and most eventful nights of their lives, the residents of Harmony slowly wandered off, some going to bed, and some remaining with loved ones. Tomorrow they would have to process and work through everything that had happened, but at this moment they were completely saturated, unable to even compute what was happening anymore. The only thing each and every one of them knew was that their lives would never be the same again.
(A/N: Finally, I'm finished with The Night That Doesn't End! Whew, that's a relief! The pace from now on will hopefully be a good deal quicker, as I move away from the Official Passions Storyline into my own turf.)