Chapter 2
Julian and Fox come up with a plan. Tony pays Eve a visit.
Julian leaned back in his chair, in his office at Crane Industries. Last night was not to be believed.
First and foremost, Eve had been a total zombie during sex, the previous night. She just laid there, as if she was waiting for him to hurry up and finish with her, so she could go back to moping about Simone! That was when he decided he had had enough of this situation. Eve was so unhappy, that she had quit her job at the hospital!
Not that Julian minded that, exactly. But Eve had done it for all of the wrong reasons. His wife was giving up and giving in. Her behavior was going to have to change.
Julian then came up with an idea, one that might give Eve some peace, and help her recoup.
There was a quick knock on the door, and Fox peeked in. Julian gestured him in, then stood up. Fox handed him a report. He watched his father as he looked it over.
'You don't look as if you got much sleep.' Fox noted.
'No, I watched Eve finally drift off to sleep.'
'Ah, your wife has been awake worrying about the 'Countess' as well, hey?'
Julian slammed the report over onto his desk!
'Fox, that girl has been impossible from day one! Simone has been like the one small irritant, the one person in Eve's life, that just absolutely won't bend when it comes to our new life!'
Fox raised a brow. Julian looked at him.
'What?' he asked, his tone surly.
Fox shrugged.
'I feel for Eve and my wife. But I told Whitney this morning, that I really think everyone is underestimating how much this crap Mother pulled, hurt everyone involved. As usual, Ivy Winthrop takes the easy way out. She's in a coma and not really paying for what she did.'
'How is Sunny Von Bulow these days?' Julian asked darkly.
'I went by the other day. Ethan was sitting by her bedside, talking to her.
'Yes, well, I'm sorry for him. He does love her so.' Julian murmured.
'Yeah, well, he can have her! My point is, that Simone and John Hastings were completely blindsided here. Simone just reacted...I have no doubt, that she now regrets like hell, being married to DiMera.' Fox predicted.
Julian stroked his chin.
'I wonder what happened between the Hastings boy, and Simone, to make her go running off with DiMera to Vegas to get married, in the first place?'
'Oh come on, Father! Hastings obviously blames Simone for Eve's deeds. The poor slob!'
'Why do you say that?' Julian asked.
'Have you seen the guy lately? I heard he was failing most of his classes at Harmony U. and drinking like a fish! I'm telling you, I bet you he wishes he could turn back the hands of time.'
Julian folded his arms, then began pacing. He then stopped and looked at Fox.
'That's it!'
'What's it?' Fox asked.
'If we want to make our wives happy here, and keep them happy, we need to get John Hastings and Simone Russell, back together!'
Fox thought about that. Yeah, while it sounded good, realistically, how the hell was John going to compete with Tony? It's not like he had DiMera's bank account!
Fox sat down.
'Alright, I mean I think it's a plan, but Hastings looks like a real loser now, compared to DiMera. I mean, if we really want this to work, we may have to bankroll him.' Fox suggested.
Julian waved a hand.
'Whatever it takes to get my love life with Eve back on track! And...'
'And what?' Fox smirked.
Julian's expression turned serious.
'Eve mentioned Liz last night. She told me that she was afraid Simone would end up like Liz.'
'Oh.'
'Fox, I told her that would never happen, but come on! Simone is DiMera's wife now. None of us have any control over what's happening in that house, or where they go...I could never really guarantee to Eve, that nothing bad would happen to Simone being married to a DiMera.'
'I sense that you have a plan?'
Julian nodded at his son.
'I think that Eve might feel somewhat better, if she knew that someone was looking out for Simone.'
Fox stood up.
'You mean what? If someone was living there like a chaperone or something?'
Julian nodded again. Fox's eyes widened!
'Oh come on, Father! Nice idea, but first of all, this is Tony DiMera we're talking about! He's not going to let some stranger come in and watch him and his wife! And he's definitely not going to let some outsider have access to his house! How would you pull this off?'
Julian walked back over to his desk and sat down. He leaned back and looked up at Fox.
'It won't be a stranger. I plan to ask Lexie Carver to mend fences with her brother, then ask to move in with him.'
Fox began to laugh. He stopped when he saw that Julian was serious.
'Tell me you're kidding?'
'No, son, I'm not. And she's the perfect person to undertake this task.'
'Father! Simone and Whitney cut off her hair! Lexie probably has no love for Simone!'
'No, maybe not. But she does love T.C. Russell.'
'Ah. Now I think I'm beginning to see where you're going with this.'
'Yes, though I will probably have to put up with some guff from T.C. as well.'
'Oh, of course.'
'Still, it will be worth it, anything to make Eve happy again. Did you know that she had quit her job at the hospital? I didn't know anything about it, until I noticed she wasn't dressed for work, like usual. She told me that she wanted to stay home with the twins, but...'
'But what?'
'I think that stuff with Sam and Grace Bennett got to her. I don't completely blame them for wanting Eve gone from the hospital, and Eve knows she was wrong. I mean, I remember how I felt, when I realized Ivy had lied to me about Ethan. But Eve's happiness is my first priority. I thought she was willing to fight for her job. It makes me think that this thing with Simone is really beginning to take over our life.'
Fox straightened his tie.
'You know, I think I'm going to bring Whitney in on this.'
'Whitney?'
'Yeah. She would want John back with her sister. Together, we'll clean him up, come up with a cover story as to where he suddenly got money, the works! It might help her too, if she could see a little light at the end of the tunnel.'
Julian sighed.
'It would be nice if we could have Simone divorced from DiMera by Christmas.' he said.
****
Tony eyed Simone, as she ate a small bit of toast. She looked a bit unwell.
'Simone? Are you feeling alright?'
Simone smiled over at him.
'I'm fine. I guess I'm just feeling...I don't know...sluggish.'
Tony reached out and covered his hand with her own.
'Have you given any thought to what we spoke about the previous night?'
Simone set down her toast.
'You mean about throwing a party to celebrate our marriage?'
'Yes. Simone, darling, I know that you've been feeling alone and isolated here. Let's invite some people here and show everyone that we did not get married to get back at ex loves.'
At the thought of John, Simone looked away. Tony stood up and walked around to the back of her chair. He then began giving his wife, a light shoulder massage.
'I wouldn't want people to think that you were ashamed of me, Simone.'
Simone pulled away, getting up from her chair. She then faced him.
'I'm not, Tony, really, I'm not. It's just that...'
The doorbell rang just then. Tony and Simone walked out into the other room, and watched as Petra let Whitney and Teresa Lopez-Fitzgerald in. Tony smiled at them, then looked at Simone.
'There, now you see? You can begin by inviting your sister and friend here.'
Simone did not answer him, but watched as Whitney and Teresa were escorted into the room by Petra. Whitney walked past Tony and hugged Simone. Simone, reluctantly hugged her sister back. Teresa gave Tony a luke-warm smile.
'Hello, Teresa. My, you look pretty today.'
It was all Teresa could do, not to roll her eyes! She was wearing jeans and a gray hooded sweatshirt! Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. So, she really didn't think she looked that good.
But she put on a front.
'Thanks, Mr. DiMera.'
'Oh, please, call me Tony.'
Whitney let go of Simone and turned to him.
'I hope you've been treating my little sister here right.' Whitney said with clenched teeth.
Tony smiled at her.
'Always. I have to run. Simone, you will think about we discussed?'
Simone nodded. Tony walked past Whitney and kissed Simone. Teresa coughed/choked! Whitney looked away, totally repulsed!
Once the pair came up for air, Tony gave Whitney and Teresa hard looks. He had heard the coughing that was going on behind his back, and had not appreciated it! But, he did not comment on it.
'It was nice seeing the both of you. Whitney, I do hope we'll be seeing you around more. And maybe Fox?'
'Yes.' was all Whitney said. Tony eyed her, then Teresa, before leaving the room. Once they heard the front door slam, Teresa looked at Simone.
'So, was his tongue half-way down your throat there?' she asked slyly.
'Shut-up, Teresa! What are you doing here anyway?'
Teresa shook her head.
'I really don't know. I came with Whitney because she was worried about you. My mother is as well.'
Simone looked down. She cared about Pilar, and was sorry that she had worried her. Simone turned away. Whitney and Teresa looked at one another. Whitney then stepped forward.
'Simone, this can't be what you want. I mean, you know what happened to Liz...'
Simone turned around.
'Oh please! Liz was killed by some Sasquatch in the Himalayas! And Liz was married to Stefano, not Tony. Nothing is going to happen to me.'
'Yes, but Stefano is now your father-in-law. I'm sure you'll be seeing him sometime soon.' Whitney reminded her.
Simone did not answer that. Probably because she didn't want to think about the possibility. She changed the subject.
'I'm planning on having a dinner party.' she announced.
Whitney eyed Teresa.
'A dinner party?'
'Yes. You know, Tony, me, you and Fox, Teresa and whoever you want to bring...'
'What about Mom?' Whitney asked.
Simone rolled her eyes.
'I don't know who it would hurt me to look at more, mom or Julian!'
Whitney did not rise to the bait. She didn't want to get into another argument about how Julian was not so bad. Simone would have to find that out for herself one day.
'Okay, well I'll help you with it. Maybe you can ask Kay to help as well.' Whitney suggested.
'Uh, no. Kay and I are no longer friends.' Simone said.
Teresa eyed Whitney, before looking at Simone.
'Why? Did she blame you for what your mother did?' Teresa asked.
Simone took a deep breath.
'I guess there's no reason why I can't tell you. I caught John and Kay in bed together in his dorm room.'
Teresa made a face! Whitney's mouth dropped open.
'That is so wrong!' Whitney cried out. 'I mean, they had thought they were sister and brother! How could they suddenly be sleeping together?!'
'John told me that he had always been attracted to Kay.'
'So, after hearing that, you married Tony, hey?' Teresa asked quietly.
Simone changed the subject again.
'The point is, John is the past. I want everyone to know that I am determined to make this marriage work. So, you'll help me with the dinner?' she asked her sister.
It was on the tip of Whitney's tongue to be flip, and add something about helping her sister stay alive as well! But, she bit back any sarcasm that might've wanted to come out. She then walked over to Simone and hugged her.
'Of course I'll help you.' she answered, giving Teresa a worried look over her shoulder.
Simone then let go of her.
'I'm going to go get a pad and some paper, and maybe we can start writing up a guest list now or something, okay?'
Whitney nodded again, then watched as Simone left the room to get some paper and a pencil. She then looked over at Teresa.
'What do you think?' she asked her friend.
'I think that there isn't much any of us can really do, except keep our eyes and ears open. Listen, while Simone is out of the room, there's something I want to run past you.'
'Okay, what?'
'You said your mother was looking for a nanny for Evan and Erin, right?'
'Uh, yeah. I think she's interviewing today.'
'Do you think she'd hire me?'
Whitney blinked.
'I don't see why not. One of the reasons my mother never hired one before, was because she was kind of choosy about who she let take care of the twins. Now that I think about it, I think that would be a great idea!'
'Yeah! I mean, your mother could have someone she knows and trusts take care of her babies, we could see each other all of the time, and maybe little Ethan could spend some time there too. It's been hard getting him over there to see Julian.'
Whitney nodded. The more she thought about it, the better she liked the sound of it.
'When we leave here, we'll go by the mansion. Hopefully, Mom hasn't hired anyone yet.'
****
Eve sat on the study floor, wrapping gifts. She knew it was early, but she figured thinking about Christmas might help cheer her up.
She knew she had to pull herself together for the family that she had left. The people that still loved her. One of them being her husband.
Eve knew that last night, she hadn't really participated during sex with Julian. And she knew that her husband was worried about her. She still remembered the look on his face this morning, when she told him she had resigned from the hospital. And he hadn't seemed placated by her assertion that she wanted to spend more time with Evan and Erin.
She missed Grace and Sam. Grace would've told her that everything was going to be alright, and that Simone would come to her senses.
Evan and Erin were crawling around on the floor. Twice, she had caught Erin trying to put a bow in her mouth! Finally, Eve placed them both in the playpen, set up in front of Julian's desk, then went back to wrapping gifts.
Sandy walked in. Eve looked up at her, noting the woman's varicose veins.
'You have a visitor, Mrs. Crane.'
Eve put aside a box, then stood up.
'Who is it?' she asked, feeling kind of churlish. She really didn't mean to be short with Sandy, but she really didn't feel like company.
Tony then walked into the room. Eve looked at Sandy.
'You let him in?' she asked.
'Well, he is your son-in-law, isn't he?' Sandy asked.
Eve eyed the woman. Was this maid crazy or what?! Everyone in Harmony, knew good and damned well, that her and Tony did not get along!
But, not wanting a smiling Tony, to see that his mere presence was getting to her, Eve gave Sandy a wan smile, then thanked her. She watched until the maid left the study, closing the doors behind her, before she spoke.
'What do you want?!' Eve hissed.
Tony walked past her to peek down into the crib and look at the twins. As soon as Evan saw him, he began to cry! Erin just stared up at him, not smiling.
Eve walked over there and picked up Evan, rubbing his back and telling him that it would be alright, and that the scary man would be leaving soon! She then turned her attention back to Tony.
'Well? What are you doing here?'
Tony straightened his tie.
'Eve, I was hoping we could get past our petty differences, and try and come together, for Simone's sake.'
'Really?' Eve asked sarcastically.
'You don't believe me? I mean, you really don't believe that I love Simone? That I could actually care for someone other than you?'
'Oh, I wish you would 'care' for someone besides me! I mean your 'caring' includes being kidnapped once a year and some near death experience! I wonder what surprises you have in store for my daughter!'
Tony didn't answer right away. Eve took that moment to kiss Evan's cheek, then put him back down in his playpen next to his sister. She then turned to face Tony again. He spoke.
'I was telling Simone, just this morning, that we should have Julian and you over...maybe T.C.. Then maybe seeing how happy and in love we are, might put your mind to rest.'
'I will never 'rest' until my daughter is free of you.'
'Oh, Eve! Why must you take this horrible attitude? I mean, surely if I can forgive you for leaving me to die in the Himalayas, you can forgive me for falling in love with your daughter?'
Eve backed away a bit, looking him up and down.
'Is that what this is all about? You think I left you to die?'
Tony said nothing, for he was hoping against hope, that Eve would tell him that she had wanted to go back for him, but that Julian had prevented her from doing so! Anything, but that she had just callously and cruelly left him at the mercy of that Sasquatch!
Eve could see his eyes go soft. She walked over to him, touched his face, then pulled him to her. Tony began to kiss her passionately, before her sharp teeth biting into his tongue!
'Christ!' Tony hissed. But that wasn't all. As soon as he pulled back, Eve slapped him across the face for good measure!
'Married, huh?! Happy and in love with Simone, yeah right! Get the hell out of here! If I wasn't sure before, I'm damned certain of it now! You're using my daughter to get back at me, and you won't win! I will get Simone to come to her senses and leave you!'
Tony backed away from her a bit, then smiled, wagging his finger.
'I just love your jealousy, Eve. It's absolutely precious. Have a nice day.' he said to her. Then he looked over at the play pen.
'Bye Evan and Erin! You have a nice day too!'
Evan began to cry again at the sound of his voice. Erin, who for sometime, had been able to pull herself up a bit, peeked out at him, expressionless.
Eve stared after Tony angrily, as he sauntered out into the hallway, and showed himself out. She then turned away.
Sandy slipped back into the room. Eve walked over to Evan again and picked him up. She turned and was startled to see her.
'Sandy, I thought you would've known that that man, is NEVER welcome here!'
'I'm sorry Mrs. Crane. Like I told you before, I thought he was your son-in-law...'
'He's nothing to me, Sandy. Please don't let him in here again.'
'I'm sorry Mrs. Crane. I didn't mean to upset you. Why don't you let me put the twins down for their naps?'
'No! I mean, I'll do it. Thank you anyway.' Eve said coldly. She didn't know what it was about Sandy she didn't like, but she couldn't shake the feeling, that the woman was trying to be funny! She knew good and damned well that Tony DiMera was not welcome in this house! Eve watched as Sandy turned and walked out of the room.
****
Sandy went in to her first floor room and closed the door behind her. She grinned, then spit out her fake set of teeth!
'Sandy' then walked over to her dresser drawer mirror, and began removing some of the plastic off of her face. Then, 'Sandy' took off her fake middle finger!
The fat suit Alistair had been wearing, was murder to drag around! The whole disguise had been!
How he had managed to escape that damned beast, he would never know to this day! He had awakened in the swamp alone, after passing out from fright, when the creature had spirited him away from that nursing home.
Alistair knew then, that if he ever wanted to see his goals achieved, he would have to try a different tactic. And first on his list, was removing Dr. Eve Russell from his home!
Alistair sat down in the chair in front of his mirror. His plan was perfect, if he could ever begin to execute it. For while Eve's being home all of the time now, would make what he wanted to do, all the more difficult, in many ways, it would also make it all the more easier for him to blame her for the crime. The unspeakable deaths, of Evan and Erin Crane. If Eve had just let him put the little bastards down for their naps, just now, Alistair had had every intention of smothering them! Julian would be home soon, and when Eve wasn't moping around here over her wayward daughter, Simone, Julian was spending most of his time with them. God, the way his son fawned over those babies was just so unmanly! Very much NOT how he raised him to be. It was definitely not how Crane men were supposed to act.
Alas, Alistair thought, there was always tomorrow.
Julian and Fox come up with a plan. Tony pays Eve a visit.
Julian leaned back in his chair, in his office at Crane Industries. Last night was not to be believed.
First and foremost, Eve had been a total zombie during sex, the previous night. She just laid there, as if she was waiting for him to hurry up and finish with her, so she could go back to moping about Simone! That was when he decided he had had enough of this situation. Eve was so unhappy, that she had quit her job at the hospital!
Not that Julian minded that, exactly. But Eve had done it for all of the wrong reasons. His wife was giving up and giving in. Her behavior was going to have to change.
Julian then came up with an idea, one that might give Eve some peace, and help her recoup.
There was a quick knock on the door, and Fox peeked in. Julian gestured him in, then stood up. Fox handed him a report. He watched his father as he looked it over.
'You don't look as if you got much sleep.' Fox noted.
'No, I watched Eve finally drift off to sleep.'
'Ah, your wife has been awake worrying about the 'Countess' as well, hey?'
Julian slammed the report over onto his desk!
'Fox, that girl has been impossible from day one! Simone has been like the one small irritant, the one person in Eve's life, that just absolutely won't bend when it comes to our new life!'
Fox raised a brow. Julian looked at him.
'What?' he asked, his tone surly.
Fox shrugged.
'I feel for Eve and my wife. But I told Whitney this morning, that I really think everyone is underestimating how much this crap Mother pulled, hurt everyone involved. As usual, Ivy Winthrop takes the easy way out. She's in a coma and not really paying for what she did.'
'How is Sunny Von Bulow these days?' Julian asked darkly.
'I went by the other day. Ethan was sitting by her bedside, talking to her.
'Yes, well, I'm sorry for him. He does love her so.' Julian murmured.
'Yeah, well, he can have her! My point is, that Simone and John Hastings were completely blindsided here. Simone just reacted...I have no doubt, that she now regrets like hell, being married to DiMera.' Fox predicted.
Julian stroked his chin.
'I wonder what happened between the Hastings boy, and Simone, to make her go running off with DiMera to Vegas to get married, in the first place?'
'Oh come on, Father! Hastings obviously blames Simone for Eve's deeds. The poor slob!'
'Why do you say that?' Julian asked.
'Have you seen the guy lately? I heard he was failing most of his classes at Harmony U. and drinking like a fish! I'm telling you, I bet you he wishes he could turn back the hands of time.'
Julian folded his arms, then began pacing. He then stopped and looked at Fox.
'That's it!'
'What's it?' Fox asked.
'If we want to make our wives happy here, and keep them happy, we need to get John Hastings and Simone Russell, back together!'
Fox thought about that. Yeah, while it sounded good, realistically, how the hell was John going to compete with Tony? It's not like he had DiMera's bank account!
Fox sat down.
'Alright, I mean I think it's a plan, but Hastings looks like a real loser now, compared to DiMera. I mean, if we really want this to work, we may have to bankroll him.' Fox suggested.
Julian waved a hand.
'Whatever it takes to get my love life with Eve back on track! And...'
'And what?' Fox smirked.
Julian's expression turned serious.
'Eve mentioned Liz last night. She told me that she was afraid Simone would end up like Liz.'
'Oh.'
'Fox, I told her that would never happen, but come on! Simone is DiMera's wife now. None of us have any control over what's happening in that house, or where they go...I could never really guarantee to Eve, that nothing bad would happen to Simone being married to a DiMera.'
'I sense that you have a plan?'
Julian nodded at his son.
'I think that Eve might feel somewhat better, if she knew that someone was looking out for Simone.'
Fox stood up.
'You mean what? If someone was living there like a chaperone or something?'
Julian nodded again. Fox's eyes widened!
'Oh come on, Father! Nice idea, but first of all, this is Tony DiMera we're talking about! He's not going to let some stranger come in and watch him and his wife! And he's definitely not going to let some outsider have access to his house! How would you pull this off?'
Julian walked back over to his desk and sat down. He leaned back and looked up at Fox.
'It won't be a stranger. I plan to ask Lexie Carver to mend fences with her brother, then ask to move in with him.'
Fox began to laugh. He stopped when he saw that Julian was serious.
'Tell me you're kidding?'
'No, son, I'm not. And she's the perfect person to undertake this task.'
'Father! Simone and Whitney cut off her hair! Lexie probably has no love for Simone!'
'No, maybe not. But she does love T.C. Russell.'
'Ah. Now I think I'm beginning to see where you're going with this.'
'Yes, though I will probably have to put up with some guff from T.C. as well.'
'Oh, of course.'
'Still, it will be worth it, anything to make Eve happy again. Did you know that she had quit her job at the hospital? I didn't know anything about it, until I noticed she wasn't dressed for work, like usual. She told me that she wanted to stay home with the twins, but...'
'But what?'
'I think that stuff with Sam and Grace Bennett got to her. I don't completely blame them for wanting Eve gone from the hospital, and Eve knows she was wrong. I mean, I remember how I felt, when I realized Ivy had lied to me about Ethan. But Eve's happiness is my first priority. I thought she was willing to fight for her job. It makes me think that this thing with Simone is really beginning to take over our life.'
Fox straightened his tie.
'You know, I think I'm going to bring Whitney in on this.'
'Whitney?'
'Yeah. She would want John back with her sister. Together, we'll clean him up, come up with a cover story as to where he suddenly got money, the works! It might help her too, if she could see a little light at the end of the tunnel.'
Julian sighed.
'It would be nice if we could have Simone divorced from DiMera by Christmas.' he said.
****
Tony eyed Simone, as she ate a small bit of toast. She looked a bit unwell.
'Simone? Are you feeling alright?'
Simone smiled over at him.
'I'm fine. I guess I'm just feeling...I don't know...sluggish.'
Tony reached out and covered his hand with her own.
'Have you given any thought to what we spoke about the previous night?'
Simone set down her toast.
'You mean about throwing a party to celebrate our marriage?'
'Yes. Simone, darling, I know that you've been feeling alone and isolated here. Let's invite some people here and show everyone that we did not get married to get back at ex loves.'
At the thought of John, Simone looked away. Tony stood up and walked around to the back of her chair. He then began giving his wife, a light shoulder massage.
'I wouldn't want people to think that you were ashamed of me, Simone.'
Simone pulled away, getting up from her chair. She then faced him.
'I'm not, Tony, really, I'm not. It's just that...'
The doorbell rang just then. Tony and Simone walked out into the other room, and watched as Petra let Whitney and Teresa Lopez-Fitzgerald in. Tony smiled at them, then looked at Simone.
'There, now you see? You can begin by inviting your sister and friend here.'
Simone did not answer him, but watched as Whitney and Teresa were escorted into the room by Petra. Whitney walked past Tony and hugged Simone. Simone, reluctantly hugged her sister back. Teresa gave Tony a luke-warm smile.
'Hello, Teresa. My, you look pretty today.'
It was all Teresa could do, not to roll her eyes! She was wearing jeans and a gray hooded sweatshirt! Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. So, she really didn't think she looked that good.
But she put on a front.
'Thanks, Mr. DiMera.'
'Oh, please, call me Tony.'
Whitney let go of Simone and turned to him.
'I hope you've been treating my little sister here right.' Whitney said with clenched teeth.
Tony smiled at her.
'Always. I have to run. Simone, you will think about we discussed?'
Simone nodded. Tony walked past Whitney and kissed Simone. Teresa coughed/choked! Whitney looked away, totally repulsed!
Once the pair came up for air, Tony gave Whitney and Teresa hard looks. He had heard the coughing that was going on behind his back, and had not appreciated it! But, he did not comment on it.
'It was nice seeing the both of you. Whitney, I do hope we'll be seeing you around more. And maybe Fox?'
'Yes.' was all Whitney said. Tony eyed her, then Teresa, before leaving the room. Once they heard the front door slam, Teresa looked at Simone.
'So, was his tongue half-way down your throat there?' she asked slyly.
'Shut-up, Teresa! What are you doing here anyway?'
Teresa shook her head.
'I really don't know. I came with Whitney because she was worried about you. My mother is as well.'
Simone looked down. She cared about Pilar, and was sorry that she had worried her. Simone turned away. Whitney and Teresa looked at one another. Whitney then stepped forward.
'Simone, this can't be what you want. I mean, you know what happened to Liz...'
Simone turned around.
'Oh please! Liz was killed by some Sasquatch in the Himalayas! And Liz was married to Stefano, not Tony. Nothing is going to happen to me.'
'Yes, but Stefano is now your father-in-law. I'm sure you'll be seeing him sometime soon.' Whitney reminded her.
Simone did not answer that. Probably because she didn't want to think about the possibility. She changed the subject.
'I'm planning on having a dinner party.' she announced.
Whitney eyed Teresa.
'A dinner party?'
'Yes. You know, Tony, me, you and Fox, Teresa and whoever you want to bring...'
'What about Mom?' Whitney asked.
Simone rolled her eyes.
'I don't know who it would hurt me to look at more, mom or Julian!'
Whitney did not rise to the bait. She didn't want to get into another argument about how Julian was not so bad. Simone would have to find that out for herself one day.
'Okay, well I'll help you with it. Maybe you can ask Kay to help as well.' Whitney suggested.
'Uh, no. Kay and I are no longer friends.' Simone said.
Teresa eyed Whitney, before looking at Simone.
'Why? Did she blame you for what your mother did?' Teresa asked.
Simone took a deep breath.
'I guess there's no reason why I can't tell you. I caught John and Kay in bed together in his dorm room.'
Teresa made a face! Whitney's mouth dropped open.
'That is so wrong!' Whitney cried out. 'I mean, they had thought they were sister and brother! How could they suddenly be sleeping together?!'
'John told me that he had always been attracted to Kay.'
'So, after hearing that, you married Tony, hey?' Teresa asked quietly.
Simone changed the subject again.
'The point is, John is the past. I want everyone to know that I am determined to make this marriage work. So, you'll help me with the dinner?' she asked her sister.
It was on the tip of Whitney's tongue to be flip, and add something about helping her sister stay alive as well! But, she bit back any sarcasm that might've wanted to come out. She then walked over to Simone and hugged her.
'Of course I'll help you.' she answered, giving Teresa a worried look over her shoulder.
Simone then let go of her.
'I'm going to go get a pad and some paper, and maybe we can start writing up a guest list now or something, okay?'
Whitney nodded again, then watched as Simone left the room to get some paper and a pencil. She then looked over at Teresa.
'What do you think?' she asked her friend.
'I think that there isn't much any of us can really do, except keep our eyes and ears open. Listen, while Simone is out of the room, there's something I want to run past you.'
'Okay, what?'
'You said your mother was looking for a nanny for Evan and Erin, right?'
'Uh, yeah. I think she's interviewing today.'
'Do you think she'd hire me?'
Whitney blinked.
'I don't see why not. One of the reasons my mother never hired one before, was because she was kind of choosy about who she let take care of the twins. Now that I think about it, I think that would be a great idea!'
'Yeah! I mean, your mother could have someone she knows and trusts take care of her babies, we could see each other all of the time, and maybe little Ethan could spend some time there too. It's been hard getting him over there to see Julian.'
Whitney nodded. The more she thought about it, the better she liked the sound of it.
'When we leave here, we'll go by the mansion. Hopefully, Mom hasn't hired anyone yet.'
****
Eve sat on the study floor, wrapping gifts. She knew it was early, but she figured thinking about Christmas might help cheer her up.
She knew she had to pull herself together for the family that she had left. The people that still loved her. One of them being her husband.
Eve knew that last night, she hadn't really participated during sex with Julian. And she knew that her husband was worried about her. She still remembered the look on his face this morning, when she told him she had resigned from the hospital. And he hadn't seemed placated by her assertion that she wanted to spend more time with Evan and Erin.
She missed Grace and Sam. Grace would've told her that everything was going to be alright, and that Simone would come to her senses.
Evan and Erin were crawling around on the floor. Twice, she had caught Erin trying to put a bow in her mouth! Finally, Eve placed them both in the playpen, set up in front of Julian's desk, then went back to wrapping gifts.
Sandy walked in. Eve looked up at her, noting the woman's varicose veins.
'You have a visitor, Mrs. Crane.'
Eve put aside a box, then stood up.
'Who is it?' she asked, feeling kind of churlish. She really didn't mean to be short with Sandy, but she really didn't feel like company.
Tony then walked into the room. Eve looked at Sandy.
'You let him in?' she asked.
'Well, he is your son-in-law, isn't he?' Sandy asked.
Eve eyed the woman. Was this maid crazy or what?! Everyone in Harmony, knew good and damned well, that her and Tony did not get along!
But, not wanting a smiling Tony, to see that his mere presence was getting to her, Eve gave Sandy a wan smile, then thanked her. She watched until the maid left the study, closing the doors behind her, before she spoke.
'What do you want?!' Eve hissed.
Tony walked past her to peek down into the crib and look at the twins. As soon as Evan saw him, he began to cry! Erin just stared up at him, not smiling.
Eve walked over there and picked up Evan, rubbing his back and telling him that it would be alright, and that the scary man would be leaving soon! She then turned her attention back to Tony.
'Well? What are you doing here?'
Tony straightened his tie.
'Eve, I was hoping we could get past our petty differences, and try and come together, for Simone's sake.'
'Really?' Eve asked sarcastically.
'You don't believe me? I mean, you really don't believe that I love Simone? That I could actually care for someone other than you?'
'Oh, I wish you would 'care' for someone besides me! I mean your 'caring' includes being kidnapped once a year and some near death experience! I wonder what surprises you have in store for my daughter!'
Tony didn't answer right away. Eve took that moment to kiss Evan's cheek, then put him back down in his playpen next to his sister. She then turned to face Tony again. He spoke.
'I was telling Simone, just this morning, that we should have Julian and you over...maybe T.C.. Then maybe seeing how happy and in love we are, might put your mind to rest.'
'I will never 'rest' until my daughter is free of you.'
'Oh, Eve! Why must you take this horrible attitude? I mean, surely if I can forgive you for leaving me to die in the Himalayas, you can forgive me for falling in love with your daughter?'
Eve backed away a bit, looking him up and down.
'Is that what this is all about? You think I left you to die?'
Tony said nothing, for he was hoping against hope, that Eve would tell him that she had wanted to go back for him, but that Julian had prevented her from doing so! Anything, but that she had just callously and cruelly left him at the mercy of that Sasquatch!
Eve could see his eyes go soft. She walked over to him, touched his face, then pulled him to her. Tony began to kiss her passionately, before her sharp teeth biting into his tongue!
'Christ!' Tony hissed. But that wasn't all. As soon as he pulled back, Eve slapped him across the face for good measure!
'Married, huh?! Happy and in love with Simone, yeah right! Get the hell out of here! If I wasn't sure before, I'm damned certain of it now! You're using my daughter to get back at me, and you won't win! I will get Simone to come to her senses and leave you!'
Tony backed away from her a bit, then smiled, wagging his finger.
'I just love your jealousy, Eve. It's absolutely precious. Have a nice day.' he said to her. Then he looked over at the play pen.
'Bye Evan and Erin! You have a nice day too!'
Evan began to cry again at the sound of his voice. Erin, who for sometime, had been able to pull herself up a bit, peeked out at him, expressionless.
Eve stared after Tony angrily, as he sauntered out into the hallway, and showed himself out. She then turned away.
Sandy slipped back into the room. Eve walked over to Evan again and picked him up. She turned and was startled to see her.
'Sandy, I thought you would've known that that man, is NEVER welcome here!'
'I'm sorry Mrs. Crane. Like I told you before, I thought he was your son-in-law...'
'He's nothing to me, Sandy. Please don't let him in here again.'
'I'm sorry Mrs. Crane. I didn't mean to upset you. Why don't you let me put the twins down for their naps?'
'No! I mean, I'll do it. Thank you anyway.' Eve said coldly. She didn't know what it was about Sandy she didn't like, but she couldn't shake the feeling, that the woman was trying to be funny! She knew good and damned well that Tony DiMera was not welcome in this house! Eve watched as Sandy turned and walked out of the room.
****
Sandy went in to her first floor room and closed the door behind her. She grinned, then spit out her fake set of teeth!
'Sandy' then walked over to her dresser drawer mirror, and began removing some of the plastic off of her face. Then, 'Sandy' took off her fake middle finger!
The fat suit Alistair had been wearing, was murder to drag around! The whole disguise had been!
How he had managed to escape that damned beast, he would never know to this day! He had awakened in the swamp alone, after passing out from fright, when the creature had spirited him away from that nursing home.
Alistair knew then, that if he ever wanted to see his goals achieved, he would have to try a different tactic. And first on his list, was removing Dr. Eve Russell from his home!
Alistair sat down in the chair in front of his mirror. His plan was perfect, if he could ever begin to execute it. For while Eve's being home all of the time now, would make what he wanted to do, all the more difficult, in many ways, it would also make it all the more easier for him to blame her for the crime. The unspeakable deaths, of Evan and Erin Crane. If Eve had just let him put the little bastards down for their naps, just now, Alistair had had every intention of smothering them! Julian would be home soon, and when Eve wasn't moping around here over her wayward daughter, Simone, Julian was spending most of his time with them. God, the way his son fawned over those babies was just so unmanly! Very much NOT how he raised him to be. It was definitely not how Crane men were supposed to act.
Alas, Alistair thought, there was always tomorrow.