Chapter 4
Julian goes to see Lexie. Fox lets Whitney in on his plans for John.
Awhile later, Whitney and Teresa were greeted by Sandy/Alistair again. While the maid went to go find Eve, they spoke of what they had witnessed at the hospital.
'Isn't Simon Cowell dating some woman named Terri?' Whitney asked.
Teresa nodded.
'Well, so they say. I've seen pictures of the woman. She's young and pretty. I guess she works as a correspondent for 'Entertainment Tonight'.'
'What do you mean 'so they say'?' Whitney asked.
'Oh come on, Whit! You saw the way he looked at Ethan! I think Simon swings both ways!'
Whitney shook her head.
'Okay, so you don't think it's possible that he could actually care for Ivy?'
Teresa shrugged.
'I don't know. Simon never struck me as the type to care for anyone really. But the two of them probably go way back. Why?'
Whitney folded her arms.
'I mean the man has other responsibilities...things to do. But he stops in small town Harmony to see a comatose woman, that he may, or may not have a thing for? Teresa, I'm thinking about how Fox is going to take it, when he finds out that Simon is sitting perched at his mother's bedside! He hates Simon!'
'Yeah, and you never told Fox about what we saw, did you?'
'That we saw Simon and Ivy having sex in L.A.? No! There's no way! He only knows about what Ivy had Simon try and do to me.'
Teresa nodded.
'So, do you think that maybe if Ivy did wake up, he'd be willing to make an honest woman out of her?' Teresa asked.
Whitney smiled.
'I think he'd like to make an honest woman out of Ethan!'
Before Teresa could comment on that, Eve came downstairs. She smiled at both Whitney and Teresa, then hugged them both.
'Whitney, Teresa, what a nice surprise! Teresa, how is your mother?'
'She's doing better. She's finally beginning to accept my father's death, though we all would like to know just what happened.'
Whitney looked at Teresa.
'Didn't Ivy's family used to live there, in that house where they found his...?'
Teresa gave Whitney a look.
'You can say it. Where they found his finger. Yes, they did. Mother has been trying to get a straight answer out of the FBI, as to what exactly my father was working on back then.'
'And now Simone lives there with Tony.' Eve said quietly.
Whitney touched her mother's hand.
'We saw Simone this morning, Teresa and I.' she announced.
Eve looked from Whitney to Teresa.
'You did? God, tell me how she is! Come, let's go in the study!'
Eve grabbed Whitney's hand and pulled her into the study. Teresa followed. Eve sat down in a nearby chair, while Whitney and Teresa settled in on the sofa.
'We were going to tell you earlier, but Julian said he really needed to talk to you. Is everything alright?' Whitney asked.
Eve struggled to repress the memory of her 'send-off' she gave Julian in the back of the limo! That and she knew that he had been worried about her, and not just because of a night of bad sex. Eve suspected that he was more unhappy about her quitting her job at the hospital, than he had let on. Eve knew she had to pull herself together, if she was ever going to stop Tony from hurting Simone, and keep Julian from worrying about her.
'Yes,' Eve answered, 'everything is fine. But tell me, how did Simone look?'
Whitney looked to Teresa, who shrugged.
'I thought she looked fine.' Teresa answered.
'Yes, and she wants to plan a dinner party, Mom. I think she's going to be calling to invite Julian and you.'
Eve's eyes widened.
'A dinner party? Why? Was this her idea or Tony's?'
'I don't know, Mom. But I do think that she wants to prove to everyone that this marriage is not a fluke. That she and Tony actually have a life together.'
'They don't!' Eve snapped, standing up. 'Whitney, I couldn't go to a dinner party there! I just couldn't!'
Teresa stood up.
'I hope you don't mind me saying this Dr. Russ...Dr. Crane, but I think if you don't go, you'll be showing Tony, and Simone, that they are getting to you.'
Eve didn't say anything. Simone had married Tony DiMera to get back at her, and John Hastings. Tony had married Simone to get back at her. God! The man actually thought she was jealous of the marriage! Teresa was right. If her and Julian did not show up at this 'dinner' and act as if everything was normal, she's be giving her daughter and 'son-in-law', the thrill of their lives!
Whitney's cell phone rang. She pulled it out of her purse, looked at the number, then answered it.
'Hello?'
'Honey, it's me.' Fox said.
Whitney smiled and stood up as well.
'Hi, honey. Are you calling from the office?'
'No, actually I'm at the cottage. And I need for you to get over here right away.'
'What's wrong?' Whitney asked. Eve and Teresa looked at her.
'Nothing. I just need to see you right now...alone!'
Whitney knew that was Fox's code for 'without Teresa'.
'I'll be right over. Bye.' Whitney said, before hanging up. God! What would she find when she got to the cottage? She hoped Fox hadn't heard about Simon Cowell being in town, and at his mother's bedside!
'Is everything alright?' Eve asked with concern.
'Everything's fine, Mom. I'll be right back.'
Whitney then turned to Teresa.
'I'll be right back to drop you back home. Talk to my mother about your idea, okay?'
Teresa nodded, and both Eve and her watched, as Whitney left through a side door in the study. Eve then turned to Teresa.
'Okay. I heard Whitney say you wanted to talk to me about something. What is it?'
Teresa clasped her hands together.
'Okay, uh, Whitney told me that you've been looking for a nanny. I would love it if you would consider me for the position. I love Evan and Erin, and they could spend more time with little Ethan and...'
'Oh, Teresa,' Eve interrupted gently. 'I like the idea. I actually love it. But, I've resigned from the hospital, so I won't be needing one. I'll be home to care for the twins.'
Teresa tilted her head to one side.
'You quit your job? Why?'
'Well, I wanted to spend more time with Evan and Erin, that's all.'
Teresa said nothing. Eve had the feeling that was not because she didn't want to.
'Alright, Teresa. Just tell me what you're thinking.'
Teresa took a deep breath.
'Look, I know things haven't been easy for your family for a long time now. Believe me, they've been kind of lousy for my family as well. But you have to keep your head up. Hiding won't do anyone any good.'
Eve blinked hard!
'You know, Julian accused me of the same thing earlier! I'm not 'hiding'!'
'Oh really?'
'Yes, Teresa! Really! But the hard core truth is that no one trusts me to be their doctor anymore. And I can't say that I blame them.'
Teresa regarded her for a moment, before speaking again.
'You know, these past two years have really been eventful around here. I mean, no one would've thought that you would've ended up with Julian Crane! And the fact that you two kept your past from everyone...like I said, most people in this town, wouldn't have guessed that you two had ever had anything going on. But I'm the last person to judge anyone. Even if you don't want to work at Harmony Hospital, or any other hospital, you are still Mrs. Julian Crane.'
'Meaning?' Eve asked
'Meaning that with that name, comes responsibility. The same ones that Ivy used to have. Chairing committees, planning parties, balls, the works! Because of who you are married to now, you just won't have the luxury of being with Evan and Erin 24/7. Let me take some of the pressure off. Plenty of women that don't work, still have nannies. And like I said, I would love for Little Ethan to get to know his baby brother and sister.'
There was a small part of Eve, that couldn't shake the feeling that it was odd for Teresa to want to be a nanny. Especially in this house. Especially when she would have to look at Julian...alot!
But, having Teresa here would save her from having to interview people she did not know. And she knew and trusted Teresa.
'Let's give it a trial run. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out. Okay?'
Teresa grinned, then threw her arms around Eve!
'Thank you! Believe me, everything is going to work out, you'll see!'
****
Whitney opened the door to the cottage on the estate, closed the door, then sniffed the air. Something reeked! She hoped like hell Fox wasn't trying to cook or something!
'Fox? Fox where are you? What died in here?'
Fox came out from one of the back hallways and pulled her into his arms, giving his wife a big kiss. Whitney would've loved for it to linger on, but that damned smell was really nauseating! She pushed Fox away gently. She could hear the shower running.
'Fox, what is that reek? Where have you been?'
'The reek is not me. It's John.'
'John who?'
'John Hastings.' Fox answered, watching her closely.
Whitney dropped her purse down on a nearby table, then peered down the hallway. She then turned and looked at Fox again.
'John Hastings is using our shower?' she asked.
'Yes.'
'Why? What happened?'
Fox grabbed her hand and pulled her down onto the couch.
'Father and I put our heads together, and decided that the best way to get Simone to leave Tony DiMera, is to give her a reason to leave.'
Whitney stared at him for a moment, before what her husband was trying to say, finally dawned on her.
'You want to try to get John and Simone back together, don't you? Honey, I think it's a great idea, but...'
'But what?'
'Teresa and I went to see Simone this morning. She told us that she caught John in bed with Kay Bennett!'
Fox jumped up! 'That's what John had been blubbering about, when he said 'I messed up bad'. No wonder your sister went off the deep end and married DiMera. God! I still can't help but think of Kay and John as brother and sister!'
Whitney stood up as well.
'I know. Simone said John said he had always wanted Kay. I don't know, Fox. Until Simone can get past that, I don't see the two of them getting back together.'
Fox began to pace. Whitney looked back down the hallway.
'Why does he smell, Fox? I mean, I'm assuming he's responsible for this rancid odor!'
Fox stopped pacing.
'Hastings dropped out of school. I guess he was so depressed about Simone, Grace not being his mother and his father's betrayal of him, it all got to be too much. I found him living in a box, in an alley, next to a liquor store in a really seedy part of town.'
Whitney gasped and put a hand over her mouth.
'Oh my God! And neither Grace or Sam did anything to help him? How could they let him fall so low? It wasn't his fault he didn't turn out to be related to Grace?'
'Honey, I don't think that Sam, Grace or anyone that cares about him, knew. I mean, I know that Grace picked up his stuff, but I wouldn't even known where he was, if I hadn't paid a guy to tell me!'
Whitney shook her head.
'Fox, I don't know. I mean what is his mind set here? If he's been living in a box, and probably drinking or doing drugs, what makes you think that he can take on Tony DiMera?!'
'Because I love Simone, and I've going to fight for her with everything I have in me.'
Whitney, who had been facing Fox, and had had her back towards the hallway, gave Fox a dirty look for not warning her that John was now right behind her. Fox gave her an amused smile in return. Whitney realized that the shower WAS off now.
'John...you look...clean.' Whitney allowed, eyeing the robe he was wearing. It was one of Fox's good ones.
John moved around her to stand next to Fox.
'Why do I get the feeling that you're not as enthused as Fox, about my getting Simone back? Don't tell me it's because you honestly think Tony DiMera will make her a good husband?'
'Of course not!' Whitney snapped. 'But since you were eavesdropping, then you know about what Simone told Teresa and I earlier. Frankly, I think we'd be better off fixing my sister up with a total stranger, that a guy that slept with his sister!'
'Whitney!' Fox cried out, more than a bit appalled by his wife's rudeness! He'd never seen Whitney act like this. He had thought she would like the idea of reuniting John and Simone. Now, he was wondering if maybe he should have just left her out of it!
'Kay is not my sister!' John answered tightly.
'But you thought of her as one! And what was that crap you told Simone about 'always being attracted to her?' That's really sick!'
John took a step forward towards Whitney.
'I said that to hurt Simone. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't wish I could take it back...all of it! I was angry and hurt at my father and your mother! I took that anger out on Simone...and on Kay. I didn't care if Simone caught me that morning or not. Now I wished I would've used my head a little. Then Simone wouldn't be married to that monster.'
Whitney looked from John to Fox, who raised a brow. Finally, Whitney looked at John again.
'I'm not the one you need to be telling all of this stuff. Simone is.' she answered. She then walked around John and up to Fox, pulling on his shirt collar teasingly.
'Alright, Cupid Crane. Tell me what your plan is. Because if you do indeed have one, I know when we can start.'
Fox eyed John, who looked puzzled. He then looked at Whitney again.
'Meaning?'
'Meaning that my sister wants to throw a dinner party to celebrate her new marriage. I think we should bring her old boyfriend, to her new husband's home.'
Fox nodded, then looked at John, who nodded as well. Whitney smiled at them both, but still felt uneasy about whether John was up to this enormous task. This dinner would show Whitney, and Tony, what John Hastings was made of.
****
SALEM
Julian stepped off of the elevator at Salem University Hospital. He then got directions to Dr. Lexie Carver's office.
Julian had come from a nearby condo, one that was owned by the Crane Corporation. He used to use it years ago, when he'd come here on business...usually with some secretary he was sleeping with behind Ivy's back!
But this visit, he had only used it to shower and change clothes, before meeting with Lexie. And he would use it to stay in, in case Lexie refused his request. Because he was not leaving Salem until she agreed to his demand.
While walking towards her office, Julian tried to push his earlier limo romp out of his mind. It just made him miss Eve all the more! That's why he prayed that this mission would not keep him out of town even one night! He wanted to get back to his wife and children, as soon as possible!
He found her office and knocked. He heard a curt 'come in' and smiled. Lexie sounded surly today. That would make this thing he needed to do, all the more of a challenge.
Julian opened the door, strode in and slammed the door behind him. Lexie looked up when the door slammed. She then slowly stood up as well.
'What the hell are you doing here?'
Julian appraised her. Her hair had grown back some, after that forced assault that Whitney and Simone had perpetrated upon her.
'Hello, Lexie. It's nice to see you too.'
'I asked you what you wanted, Julian? I'm very busy.'
'You don't look busy.'
'Well I am!' she snapped.
Julian looked up at the ceiling and began chanting in a sing song voice.
'What do I want? What do I want from Lexie Carver? Hmmmm...'
'Julian!'
Julian looked directly at her.
'I want you to re-connect with your dear brother. In fact, I want you to ask him if you and your son, can move in with him.'
Lexie stared at him for a moment, before she began to snicker!
'This is about Simone, right? I mean, I can't imagine how my moving in with Tony could help that sick situation, but, I do know that Eve must be losing her mind right now. Good!'
'Is it good that T.C. is losing his mind as well?'
Lexie looked away guiltily.
'You know I'm sorry if T.C. is going through any pain. I tried to call him, once the news hit about my brother and Simone, but all I got was his answering machine. Look, I don't know what you're thinking I can do...'
Julian walked up to her desk.
'I want you to move in and report to me what you see going on there.'
Lexie shook her head.
'No.'
'Lexie, if this is about Eve...'
'Oh, everything is about Eve! It has been since the day my brother plucked her out of the damned Salem River!'
'Why must you persist in your hostility against my wife? Surely, you can see that Eve is as much a victim in all of this, as anyone? I mean your father killed her father, indirectly killed her sister, not to mention all that your brother has done! For the life of me, I will never understand how any of that is Eve's fault!'
'Of course you don't, Julian! And you don't because you wear blinders when it comes to that woman! So does Tony! Hell, I was even expendable, in order for you to save the lovely Eve!'
Julian took a deep breath.
'I don't know how many times I can apologize for my part in your kidnapping. I'm sorry. I knew I was wrong when I was doing it. And for your information, when Eve found this out, it caused a great deal of trouble between us.'
'But not enough to make her go to the police?' Lexie sniped.
'She didn't have the chance to, dear, before you had her abducted! Look, think about T.C.. If he knew you were doing this, it might go a long way in getting him back.'
'Who says I want him back? Leave, Julian. I'm sorry for Simone. She's made one hell of a stupid mistake, but my moving in and watching over her isn't going to do anyone any good.'
Julian turned to leave. He had hoped that any residual feelings Lexie may have for T.C., would be the driving force that would get her to help them. But now that seemed to have a been a long shot. What to do?
Julian opened Lexie's office door and walked out. He closed it behind him, without looking back. He was standing outside, contemplating his next course of action, when Celeste stepped in front of him.
'Celeste? Hello. I was just visiting your daughter. Not a very productive meeting.'
'I know.' she answered.
Julian raised a brow.
'You know?'
Celeste nodded.
'I was about to knock on Alexandra's door, and had opened it a bit, when I overheard your conversation. The last couple of months have been very hard on my daughter. She is raising a baby alone. Her husband is God knows where, so we can't get the cure to him. And she did care for T.C.'
'So, are you saying there's a chance she may still help?' Julian asked.
Celeste shook her head.
'No. But I could.'
Julian shook his head slightly.
'I don't understand.'
'I mean, that I will find a way to get Tony and Simone to agree to take me in. I will watch out for her.'
Julian was stunned! That could work...though he couldn't see how Celeste would pull it off? Celeste was not Tony's mother, or Simone's.
'You're wondering how I'm going to accomplish this?' Celeste asked knowingly.
Julian smiled at her.
'My, you are psychic. Yes, I was wondering that indeed.'
Celeste took a deep breath.
'The key to getting into the house is not Tony, but Simone. She's a young Countess with many responsibilities, that I have no doubt, she is ill-equipped to handle. I have known the DiMera's for too long. Tony will be glad to have me there, if for no other reason, so that his wife doesn't make a fool of herself.'
Julian moved even closer to her.
'I would expect full reports. I need to reassure Eve that her daughter will be alright.'
Celeste shrugged.
'Simone is a DiMera now. She may never be alright again.'
Julian knew Celeste was right. But he certainly couldn't go to his wife with that kind of logic!
'Alright. Let's do this. I want you to come back to Harmony with me...tonight.'
'I'll go home and pack a bag now.' Celeste answered. She then started to turn away from him, when Julian reached out and grabbed her arm.
'Why are you agreeing to help me? And Eve?' he asked.
Celeste eyed his hand on her arm and Julian let her go.
'I care for Eve, and her family, very much. And I want to do something, to make for my not being upfront about her father's murder.'
'Eve is not one to hold grudges. I'm sure in time, she would have forgiven you, if she hasn't already.'
Celeste nodded.
'Nevertheless, Eve's fears for Simone's safety are not for naught. And I wouldn't want to see anything happen to her either. So, I'll go home and pack a bag...'
'Then I will meet you at your place. Say in a half an hour?'
Celeste nodded and began to walk away. But Julian called out to her. She stopped and looked back at him.
'Thank you, Celeste. Both Eve and I thank you.'
Celeste smiled at him.
'Thank me when Simone's last name goes back to being Russell.' she answered, then turned and walked down the hallway. Julian watched her for a bit, then walked down the other hallway. Neither of them noticed Lexie's door close.
****
Simone sat on the couch in the front room, and looked over her dinner list. She then threw down the notepad. The people were not the problem. It was the dinner itself!
Why did she agree to do this? Because Tony had been badgering her so much about it!
Simone shook her head. It really wasn't fair to blame Tony. He had just been trying to help. And it wasn't exactly a bad idea. Maybe if people in this town saw how happy the two of them were, all of the gossip would stop!
Hugo walked into the room. Simone looked up.
'Hey, Hugo!'
'Hello, Countess.'
Simone rolled her eyes and stood up.
'Hugo, please, just call me Simone.'
'The title embarrasses you?' he asked.
Simone shrugged.
'It does seem to be a bit much.'
'Oh. Well, I just wanted to know if you needed to go anywhere today? Otherwise, I'm taking off.'
'Oh. Well, no, but if anything comes up, I'll just take my own car. Thanks though.'
Hugo nodded.
'Alright then. Have a nice day then Count...Simone.'
Simone smiled up at him.
'You too, Hugo.'
Hugo nodded and walked out of the room. He then opened the front door, walked out, closed it behind him, then hurried over to the driver's side of the limo. Hugo then looked around.
He then proceeded to peel off some plastic back from his face! God, Stefano thought, this crap really itched! He looked in his rearview mirror, and saw that his face was already pinking up, probably from some sort of allergic reaction!
What the hell was Tony thinking, marrying a girl so young?! Stefano had nothing against Simone, but the poor child was not up to being a Countess. He supposed in time, she could learn how to carry herself and such, but still...
He almost felt sorry for the poor child. Almost. For Simone had no idea that her husband was already sharing his bed Rebecca Hotchkiss. In fact, Tony was with her now. Stefano had followed his son, as he left the Crane estate earlier, only to arrive at Rebecca's apartment. Rebecca. Stefano decided that he would pay his former accomplice a visit, like today!
Julian goes to see Lexie. Fox lets Whitney in on his plans for John.
Awhile later, Whitney and Teresa were greeted by Sandy/Alistair again. While the maid went to go find Eve, they spoke of what they had witnessed at the hospital.
'Isn't Simon Cowell dating some woman named Terri?' Whitney asked.
Teresa nodded.
'Well, so they say. I've seen pictures of the woman. She's young and pretty. I guess she works as a correspondent for 'Entertainment Tonight'.'
'What do you mean 'so they say'?' Whitney asked.
'Oh come on, Whit! You saw the way he looked at Ethan! I think Simon swings both ways!'
Whitney shook her head.
'Okay, so you don't think it's possible that he could actually care for Ivy?'
Teresa shrugged.
'I don't know. Simon never struck me as the type to care for anyone really. But the two of them probably go way back. Why?'
Whitney folded her arms.
'I mean the man has other responsibilities...things to do. But he stops in small town Harmony to see a comatose woman, that he may, or may not have a thing for? Teresa, I'm thinking about how Fox is going to take it, when he finds out that Simon is sitting perched at his mother's bedside! He hates Simon!'
'Yeah, and you never told Fox about what we saw, did you?'
'That we saw Simon and Ivy having sex in L.A.? No! There's no way! He only knows about what Ivy had Simon try and do to me.'
Teresa nodded.
'So, do you think that maybe if Ivy did wake up, he'd be willing to make an honest woman out of her?' Teresa asked.
Whitney smiled.
'I think he'd like to make an honest woman out of Ethan!'
Before Teresa could comment on that, Eve came downstairs. She smiled at both Whitney and Teresa, then hugged them both.
'Whitney, Teresa, what a nice surprise! Teresa, how is your mother?'
'She's doing better. She's finally beginning to accept my father's death, though we all would like to know just what happened.'
Whitney looked at Teresa.
'Didn't Ivy's family used to live there, in that house where they found his...?'
Teresa gave Whitney a look.
'You can say it. Where they found his finger. Yes, they did. Mother has been trying to get a straight answer out of the FBI, as to what exactly my father was working on back then.'
'And now Simone lives there with Tony.' Eve said quietly.
Whitney touched her mother's hand.
'We saw Simone this morning, Teresa and I.' she announced.
Eve looked from Whitney to Teresa.
'You did? God, tell me how she is! Come, let's go in the study!'
Eve grabbed Whitney's hand and pulled her into the study. Teresa followed. Eve sat down in a nearby chair, while Whitney and Teresa settled in on the sofa.
'We were going to tell you earlier, but Julian said he really needed to talk to you. Is everything alright?' Whitney asked.
Eve struggled to repress the memory of her 'send-off' she gave Julian in the back of the limo! That and she knew that he had been worried about her, and not just because of a night of bad sex. Eve suspected that he was more unhappy about her quitting her job at the hospital, than he had let on. Eve knew she had to pull herself together, if she was ever going to stop Tony from hurting Simone, and keep Julian from worrying about her.
'Yes,' Eve answered, 'everything is fine. But tell me, how did Simone look?'
Whitney looked to Teresa, who shrugged.
'I thought she looked fine.' Teresa answered.
'Yes, and she wants to plan a dinner party, Mom. I think she's going to be calling to invite Julian and you.'
Eve's eyes widened.
'A dinner party? Why? Was this her idea or Tony's?'
'I don't know, Mom. But I do think that she wants to prove to everyone that this marriage is not a fluke. That she and Tony actually have a life together.'
'They don't!' Eve snapped, standing up. 'Whitney, I couldn't go to a dinner party there! I just couldn't!'
Teresa stood up.
'I hope you don't mind me saying this Dr. Russ...Dr. Crane, but I think if you don't go, you'll be showing Tony, and Simone, that they are getting to you.'
Eve didn't say anything. Simone had married Tony DiMera to get back at her, and John Hastings. Tony had married Simone to get back at her. God! The man actually thought she was jealous of the marriage! Teresa was right. If her and Julian did not show up at this 'dinner' and act as if everything was normal, she's be giving her daughter and 'son-in-law', the thrill of their lives!
Whitney's cell phone rang. She pulled it out of her purse, looked at the number, then answered it.
'Hello?'
'Honey, it's me.' Fox said.
Whitney smiled and stood up as well.
'Hi, honey. Are you calling from the office?'
'No, actually I'm at the cottage. And I need for you to get over here right away.'
'What's wrong?' Whitney asked. Eve and Teresa looked at her.
'Nothing. I just need to see you right now...alone!'
Whitney knew that was Fox's code for 'without Teresa'.
'I'll be right over. Bye.' Whitney said, before hanging up. God! What would she find when she got to the cottage? She hoped Fox hadn't heard about Simon Cowell being in town, and at his mother's bedside!
'Is everything alright?' Eve asked with concern.
'Everything's fine, Mom. I'll be right back.'
Whitney then turned to Teresa.
'I'll be right back to drop you back home. Talk to my mother about your idea, okay?'
Teresa nodded, and both Eve and her watched, as Whitney left through a side door in the study. Eve then turned to Teresa.
'Okay. I heard Whitney say you wanted to talk to me about something. What is it?'
Teresa clasped her hands together.
'Okay, uh, Whitney told me that you've been looking for a nanny. I would love it if you would consider me for the position. I love Evan and Erin, and they could spend more time with little Ethan and...'
'Oh, Teresa,' Eve interrupted gently. 'I like the idea. I actually love it. But, I've resigned from the hospital, so I won't be needing one. I'll be home to care for the twins.'
Teresa tilted her head to one side.
'You quit your job? Why?'
'Well, I wanted to spend more time with Evan and Erin, that's all.'
Teresa said nothing. Eve had the feeling that was not because she didn't want to.
'Alright, Teresa. Just tell me what you're thinking.'
Teresa took a deep breath.
'Look, I know things haven't been easy for your family for a long time now. Believe me, they've been kind of lousy for my family as well. But you have to keep your head up. Hiding won't do anyone any good.'
Eve blinked hard!
'You know, Julian accused me of the same thing earlier! I'm not 'hiding'!'
'Oh really?'
'Yes, Teresa! Really! But the hard core truth is that no one trusts me to be their doctor anymore. And I can't say that I blame them.'
Teresa regarded her for a moment, before speaking again.
'You know, these past two years have really been eventful around here. I mean, no one would've thought that you would've ended up with Julian Crane! And the fact that you two kept your past from everyone...like I said, most people in this town, wouldn't have guessed that you two had ever had anything going on. But I'm the last person to judge anyone. Even if you don't want to work at Harmony Hospital, or any other hospital, you are still Mrs. Julian Crane.'
'Meaning?' Eve asked
'Meaning that with that name, comes responsibility. The same ones that Ivy used to have. Chairing committees, planning parties, balls, the works! Because of who you are married to now, you just won't have the luxury of being with Evan and Erin 24/7. Let me take some of the pressure off. Plenty of women that don't work, still have nannies. And like I said, I would love for Little Ethan to get to know his baby brother and sister.'
There was a small part of Eve, that couldn't shake the feeling that it was odd for Teresa to want to be a nanny. Especially in this house. Especially when she would have to look at Julian...alot!
But, having Teresa here would save her from having to interview people she did not know. And she knew and trusted Teresa.
'Let's give it a trial run. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out. Okay?'
Teresa grinned, then threw her arms around Eve!
'Thank you! Believe me, everything is going to work out, you'll see!'
****
Whitney opened the door to the cottage on the estate, closed the door, then sniffed the air. Something reeked! She hoped like hell Fox wasn't trying to cook or something!
'Fox? Fox where are you? What died in here?'
Fox came out from one of the back hallways and pulled her into his arms, giving his wife a big kiss. Whitney would've loved for it to linger on, but that damned smell was really nauseating! She pushed Fox away gently. She could hear the shower running.
'Fox, what is that reek? Where have you been?'
'The reek is not me. It's John.'
'John who?'
'John Hastings.' Fox answered, watching her closely.
Whitney dropped her purse down on a nearby table, then peered down the hallway. She then turned and looked at Fox again.
'John Hastings is using our shower?' she asked.
'Yes.'
'Why? What happened?'
Fox grabbed her hand and pulled her down onto the couch.
'Father and I put our heads together, and decided that the best way to get Simone to leave Tony DiMera, is to give her a reason to leave.'
Whitney stared at him for a moment, before what her husband was trying to say, finally dawned on her.
'You want to try to get John and Simone back together, don't you? Honey, I think it's a great idea, but...'
'But what?'
'Teresa and I went to see Simone this morning. She told us that she caught John in bed with Kay Bennett!'
Fox jumped up! 'That's what John had been blubbering about, when he said 'I messed up bad'. No wonder your sister went off the deep end and married DiMera. God! I still can't help but think of Kay and John as brother and sister!'
Whitney stood up as well.
'I know. Simone said John said he had always wanted Kay. I don't know, Fox. Until Simone can get past that, I don't see the two of them getting back together.'
Fox began to pace. Whitney looked back down the hallway.
'Why does he smell, Fox? I mean, I'm assuming he's responsible for this rancid odor!'
Fox stopped pacing.
'Hastings dropped out of school. I guess he was so depressed about Simone, Grace not being his mother and his father's betrayal of him, it all got to be too much. I found him living in a box, in an alley, next to a liquor store in a really seedy part of town.'
Whitney gasped and put a hand over her mouth.
'Oh my God! And neither Grace or Sam did anything to help him? How could they let him fall so low? It wasn't his fault he didn't turn out to be related to Grace?'
'Honey, I don't think that Sam, Grace or anyone that cares about him, knew. I mean, I know that Grace picked up his stuff, but I wouldn't even known where he was, if I hadn't paid a guy to tell me!'
Whitney shook her head.
'Fox, I don't know. I mean what is his mind set here? If he's been living in a box, and probably drinking or doing drugs, what makes you think that he can take on Tony DiMera?!'
'Because I love Simone, and I've going to fight for her with everything I have in me.'
Whitney, who had been facing Fox, and had had her back towards the hallway, gave Fox a dirty look for not warning her that John was now right behind her. Fox gave her an amused smile in return. Whitney realized that the shower WAS off now.
'John...you look...clean.' Whitney allowed, eyeing the robe he was wearing. It was one of Fox's good ones.
John moved around her to stand next to Fox.
'Why do I get the feeling that you're not as enthused as Fox, about my getting Simone back? Don't tell me it's because you honestly think Tony DiMera will make her a good husband?'
'Of course not!' Whitney snapped. 'But since you were eavesdropping, then you know about what Simone told Teresa and I earlier. Frankly, I think we'd be better off fixing my sister up with a total stranger, that a guy that slept with his sister!'
'Whitney!' Fox cried out, more than a bit appalled by his wife's rudeness! He'd never seen Whitney act like this. He had thought she would like the idea of reuniting John and Simone. Now, he was wondering if maybe he should have just left her out of it!
'Kay is not my sister!' John answered tightly.
'But you thought of her as one! And what was that crap you told Simone about 'always being attracted to her?' That's really sick!'
John took a step forward towards Whitney.
'I said that to hurt Simone. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't wish I could take it back...all of it! I was angry and hurt at my father and your mother! I took that anger out on Simone...and on Kay. I didn't care if Simone caught me that morning or not. Now I wished I would've used my head a little. Then Simone wouldn't be married to that monster.'
Whitney looked from John to Fox, who raised a brow. Finally, Whitney looked at John again.
'I'm not the one you need to be telling all of this stuff. Simone is.' she answered. She then walked around John and up to Fox, pulling on his shirt collar teasingly.
'Alright, Cupid Crane. Tell me what your plan is. Because if you do indeed have one, I know when we can start.'
Fox eyed John, who looked puzzled. He then looked at Whitney again.
'Meaning?'
'Meaning that my sister wants to throw a dinner party to celebrate her new marriage. I think we should bring her old boyfriend, to her new husband's home.'
Fox nodded, then looked at John, who nodded as well. Whitney smiled at them both, but still felt uneasy about whether John was up to this enormous task. This dinner would show Whitney, and Tony, what John Hastings was made of.
****
SALEM
Julian stepped off of the elevator at Salem University Hospital. He then got directions to Dr. Lexie Carver's office.
Julian had come from a nearby condo, one that was owned by the Crane Corporation. He used to use it years ago, when he'd come here on business...usually with some secretary he was sleeping with behind Ivy's back!
But this visit, he had only used it to shower and change clothes, before meeting with Lexie. And he would use it to stay in, in case Lexie refused his request. Because he was not leaving Salem until she agreed to his demand.
While walking towards her office, Julian tried to push his earlier limo romp out of his mind. It just made him miss Eve all the more! That's why he prayed that this mission would not keep him out of town even one night! He wanted to get back to his wife and children, as soon as possible!
He found her office and knocked. He heard a curt 'come in' and smiled. Lexie sounded surly today. That would make this thing he needed to do, all the more of a challenge.
Julian opened the door, strode in and slammed the door behind him. Lexie looked up when the door slammed. She then slowly stood up as well.
'What the hell are you doing here?'
Julian appraised her. Her hair had grown back some, after that forced assault that Whitney and Simone had perpetrated upon her.
'Hello, Lexie. It's nice to see you too.'
'I asked you what you wanted, Julian? I'm very busy.'
'You don't look busy.'
'Well I am!' she snapped.
Julian looked up at the ceiling and began chanting in a sing song voice.
'What do I want? What do I want from Lexie Carver? Hmmmm...'
'Julian!'
Julian looked directly at her.
'I want you to re-connect with your dear brother. In fact, I want you to ask him if you and your son, can move in with him.'
Lexie stared at him for a moment, before she began to snicker!
'This is about Simone, right? I mean, I can't imagine how my moving in with Tony could help that sick situation, but, I do know that Eve must be losing her mind right now. Good!'
'Is it good that T.C. is losing his mind as well?'
Lexie looked away guiltily.
'You know I'm sorry if T.C. is going through any pain. I tried to call him, once the news hit about my brother and Simone, but all I got was his answering machine. Look, I don't know what you're thinking I can do...'
Julian walked up to her desk.
'I want you to move in and report to me what you see going on there.'
Lexie shook her head.
'No.'
'Lexie, if this is about Eve...'
'Oh, everything is about Eve! It has been since the day my brother plucked her out of the damned Salem River!'
'Why must you persist in your hostility against my wife? Surely, you can see that Eve is as much a victim in all of this, as anyone? I mean your father killed her father, indirectly killed her sister, not to mention all that your brother has done! For the life of me, I will never understand how any of that is Eve's fault!'
'Of course you don't, Julian! And you don't because you wear blinders when it comes to that woman! So does Tony! Hell, I was even expendable, in order for you to save the lovely Eve!'
Julian took a deep breath.
'I don't know how many times I can apologize for my part in your kidnapping. I'm sorry. I knew I was wrong when I was doing it. And for your information, when Eve found this out, it caused a great deal of trouble between us.'
'But not enough to make her go to the police?' Lexie sniped.
'She didn't have the chance to, dear, before you had her abducted! Look, think about T.C.. If he knew you were doing this, it might go a long way in getting him back.'
'Who says I want him back? Leave, Julian. I'm sorry for Simone. She's made one hell of a stupid mistake, but my moving in and watching over her isn't going to do anyone any good.'
Julian turned to leave. He had hoped that any residual feelings Lexie may have for T.C., would be the driving force that would get her to help them. But now that seemed to have a been a long shot. What to do?
Julian opened Lexie's office door and walked out. He closed it behind him, without looking back. He was standing outside, contemplating his next course of action, when Celeste stepped in front of him.
'Celeste? Hello. I was just visiting your daughter. Not a very productive meeting.'
'I know.' she answered.
Julian raised a brow.
'You know?'
Celeste nodded.
'I was about to knock on Alexandra's door, and had opened it a bit, when I overheard your conversation. The last couple of months have been very hard on my daughter. She is raising a baby alone. Her husband is God knows where, so we can't get the cure to him. And she did care for T.C.'
'So, are you saying there's a chance she may still help?' Julian asked.
Celeste shook her head.
'No. But I could.'
Julian shook his head slightly.
'I don't understand.'
'I mean, that I will find a way to get Tony and Simone to agree to take me in. I will watch out for her.'
Julian was stunned! That could work...though he couldn't see how Celeste would pull it off? Celeste was not Tony's mother, or Simone's.
'You're wondering how I'm going to accomplish this?' Celeste asked knowingly.
Julian smiled at her.
'My, you are psychic. Yes, I was wondering that indeed.'
Celeste took a deep breath.
'The key to getting into the house is not Tony, but Simone. She's a young Countess with many responsibilities, that I have no doubt, she is ill-equipped to handle. I have known the DiMera's for too long. Tony will be glad to have me there, if for no other reason, so that his wife doesn't make a fool of herself.'
Julian moved even closer to her.
'I would expect full reports. I need to reassure Eve that her daughter will be alright.'
Celeste shrugged.
'Simone is a DiMera now. She may never be alright again.'
Julian knew Celeste was right. But he certainly couldn't go to his wife with that kind of logic!
'Alright. Let's do this. I want you to come back to Harmony with me...tonight.'
'I'll go home and pack a bag now.' Celeste answered. She then started to turn away from him, when Julian reached out and grabbed her arm.
'Why are you agreeing to help me? And Eve?' he asked.
Celeste eyed his hand on her arm and Julian let her go.
'I care for Eve, and her family, very much. And I want to do something, to make for my not being upfront about her father's murder.'
'Eve is not one to hold grudges. I'm sure in time, she would have forgiven you, if she hasn't already.'
Celeste nodded.
'Nevertheless, Eve's fears for Simone's safety are not for naught. And I wouldn't want to see anything happen to her either. So, I'll go home and pack a bag...'
'Then I will meet you at your place. Say in a half an hour?'
Celeste nodded and began to walk away. But Julian called out to her. She stopped and looked back at him.
'Thank you, Celeste. Both Eve and I thank you.'
Celeste smiled at him.
'Thank me when Simone's last name goes back to being Russell.' she answered, then turned and walked down the hallway. Julian watched her for a bit, then walked down the other hallway. Neither of them noticed Lexie's door close.
****
Simone sat on the couch in the front room, and looked over her dinner list. She then threw down the notepad. The people were not the problem. It was the dinner itself!
Why did she agree to do this? Because Tony had been badgering her so much about it!
Simone shook her head. It really wasn't fair to blame Tony. He had just been trying to help. And it wasn't exactly a bad idea. Maybe if people in this town saw how happy the two of them were, all of the gossip would stop!
Hugo walked into the room. Simone looked up.
'Hey, Hugo!'
'Hello, Countess.'
Simone rolled her eyes and stood up.
'Hugo, please, just call me Simone.'
'The title embarrasses you?' he asked.
Simone shrugged.
'It does seem to be a bit much.'
'Oh. Well, I just wanted to know if you needed to go anywhere today? Otherwise, I'm taking off.'
'Oh. Well, no, but if anything comes up, I'll just take my own car. Thanks though.'
Hugo nodded.
'Alright then. Have a nice day then Count...Simone.'
Simone smiled up at him.
'You too, Hugo.'
Hugo nodded and walked out of the room. He then opened the front door, walked out, closed it behind him, then hurried over to the driver's side of the limo. Hugo then looked around.
He then proceeded to peel off some plastic back from his face! God, Stefano thought, this crap really itched! He looked in his rearview mirror, and saw that his face was already pinking up, probably from some sort of allergic reaction!
What the hell was Tony thinking, marrying a girl so young?! Stefano had nothing against Simone, but the poor child was not up to being a Countess. He supposed in time, she could learn how to carry herself and such, but still...
He almost felt sorry for the poor child. Almost. For Simone had no idea that her husband was already sharing his bed Rebecca Hotchkiss. In fact, Tony was with her now. Stefano had followed his son, as he left the Crane estate earlier, only to arrive at Rebecca's apartment. Rebecca. Stefano decided that he would pay his former accomplice a visit, like today!