Chapter 10
Eve finds Julian's note. Lexie arrives in Harmony.
Teresa passed by the nursery, then walked backwards until she stood in the doorway. She couldn't believe her eyes!
Julian had just finished hugging Little Ethan, who wriggled away from him. Rebecca then picked up Erin for Julian to hold. Teresa walked into the room.
'What's going on in here?' she asked.
Rebecca rolled her eyes.
'What does it look like? I'm helping Julian bond with his children.'
Teresa crossed her arms.
'Why?' she asked.
'Because I feel like it!' Rebecca snapped. 'Now get out of here and go do whatever it is Eve is paying you to do!'
Teresa slowly came into the room.
'What Mrs. Crane is paying me to do, is look after her children. A woman crying rape, is not a good influence on the twins, or my son!'
'Teresa!' Julian hissed. 'You apologize to Rebecca this instant!'
But Teresa was cool.
'I don't work for you, Julian, I work for your wife.'
'You most certainly do work for me! And I will not have you speaking to Rebecca like that, not after what she's been through!'
Rebecca rubbed Julian's arm.
'It's alright, Pookie. You know how Teresa is.'
'What I know is, I never bought your cock and bull story about Tony and Stefano breaking into your apartment! And even if they did, why you?'
Rebecca was about to say something, when Julian reached for her hand.
'For God's sakes, Rebecca, don't say anything! For all you know, DiMera's lawyer may call her to testify, just so they could use your words against you!'
Rebecca had not thought of that. She eyed Teresa. Teresa smiled, then pulled out the letter that Julian had left Eve downstairs. It was addressed to Eve in sealed envelope, with her name on the front. Rebecca had helped write it.
Rebecca gasped!
'Julian! She has the letter you left for Eve!'
'Put it back, Teresa!' Julian snarled.
Erin and Little Ethan began to cry. Evan just watched everyone.
Teresa rolled her eyes with disgust, as she began to walk towards her son and Erin. Rebecca blocked her way.
'Give that back!' she ordered.
Julian, for his part, was astounded at what his senses picked up. He could hear the biting anger in both women's voices. And he suspected that was what was scaring the children. he could also smell that God awful perfume Teresa always wore!
'Rebecca, leave us. Wait for me down in the limo.' Julian said.
'But Pookie...'
'Please. I will be right along.'
Teresa smiled as Rebecca glared at her, trying to make one last grab for the letter. Teresa kept it behind her back, then watched as Rebecca stalked from the room. Teresa then went over to Little Ethan and picked him up. Once done, she peeked into Erin's crib.
'You know, you shouldn't keep indulging our son like that.' Julian said quietly.
Teresa gave him a sideways glance, once both children were calmed down.
'What would you know about child rearing, Julian? Huh? Nothing, that's what!'
'I was just suggesting...'
Teresa set Little Ethan down. He walked over to a corner to play with some toys.
'I read your letter, Julian.'
'You did what?! Why the nerve...'
'Oh, shut -up! You're the one with a lot of nerve! Tell me, is Rebecca going with you?'
Julian sniffed.
'Not that it is any of your concern, but, yes, she will be coming with me for a short while, just until I get settled in with specialists and such. It's not like I can go off alone in my condition.'
'You could if you had just given one of those teachers your wife brought here, half a chance. Then again, I don't know why I'm surprised you're running out on Dr. Russell.'
'I'm not running out on her! And she is Dr. Crane to you!'
'But after this is over, she'll go back to being Dr. Russell, or whatever her maiden name was before she met Coach Russell. Because you see, that stupid letter you're leaving her, isn't going to cut it. And it's only going to get worse when 'Dr. Crane' discovers that the only person in the world her husband can turn to in his time of need, is his aging, ex cow of a wife!'
Evan and Erin were now watching the two of them. Little Ethan was playing with a toy car on the floor.
'Eve will understand that I had to do what I had to do. And she will be waiting for me when I get back. What choice will she have? We have children together and...why am I bothering explaining any of this to the likes of you? Put that letter back where my wife can see it, do you understand?' Julian asked coldly.
Teresa shook her head, looking him up and down.
'Did you even stop to think how this thing is affecting Little Ethan? Or the twins? Babies can sense things you know!'
'If my eyesight is restored, I will be back and everything will be fine. But if I find out I will never be able to see again...'
Teresa's mouth dropped open!
'You'll what? What? Never return or something?'
Julian said nothing, but hung his head. Teresa snorted.
'I'm calling your wife. She has bent over backwards to help you and this is how you repay her?!'
'Teresa, it will be better if she finds me gone...'
'Better for who? You? So that you don't have to face her?!'
'I can't see her, so I won't have to face her!'
'Julian! You know, you are an ass^^%$ in every other aspect of your life, but I have seen you with your wife, and I have seen you with your youngest children. I know you love them. Whitney loves you, something I never thought I would see happen. So I know you must be showing them something good. You cannot just leave your wife a letter like this, then go without telling her where you're off to, or when you will be back. And you definitely can't go with an ex-wife! I didn't think Rebecca could leave town anyway, you know, with the trial coming up.'
'The DiMera's are the criminals, not Rebecca. I'm sure just as long as she's back here at the start of her trial, her going with me will be no problem. Now, I want you to put that letter back, Teresa and...Teresa?'
Julian could feel her rush past him. Julian turned and began to feel his way out of the nursery.
Meanwhile, Teresa ran into Rebecca on the landing.
'Give me back that letter, you little tramp!' Rebecca yelled.
'Get out of my way! You're helping Julian run away and my son needs his father too!'
'Oh please, Teresa! You've never cared before if Julian and that little brat of yours bonded! Why now? What? Is it because you're afraid Little Ethan may not get his slice of the pie? After all, with Evan and Erin here, there will be less for your child, won't there?'
'Shut-up and get out of my way!' Teresa spat.
Rebecca reached for the letter, and managed to snag part of it! Teresa kept a good hold on the other half!
'Let go!' Teresa screamed, as she realized she was about to lose her footing.
But Rebecca could see that Teresa was going to go tumbling down the stairs as well! She quickly looked behind her at Julian, who was feeling his way into the area, then gave Teresa a shove down the stairs! There! That was for her Gwenie, and all of the unhappiness this little slut had brought into all of their lives!
Teresa screamed as she hit each step. Rebecca stood at the top, breathing hard. She looked back at Julian, then looked again.
Julian had removed his sunglasses and was gaping at Rebecca!
'Pookie? Why are you looking at me like that? Why are you looking at me at all?'
Julian stared at her, wild-eyed.
'Rebecca, I can see...my sight came back, just as I saw you push Teresa down the stairs!'
****
Tony slammed the door as he walked into the foyer. He gave his mail a cursory glance, then dropped it back on a table stand. He then sighed and walked into his sitting room. Tony then stopped short.
'Alexandra! My darling sister...I didn't see your car in the drive?'
Lexie stood up from the chair she was sitting in.
'That's because I parked up the road.'
'Why?'
Lexie rolled her eyes.
'Why do you think? My brother and father have been accused of raping some tramp!'
Tony ignored the insult.
'How is our father faring in jail? You know he catches cold so easily...'
Lexie shook her head.
'They've been strip searching him, Tony.'
Tony sucked in a breath!
'No!'
'Yes. I guess he's just escaped so many times, they don't want to take any chances.'
'Still, that is such a grievous invasion of privacy!' Tony snapped, truly revolted.
Lexie nodded, looking around the mansion. Tony interrupted her visual critique.
'But have you seen our father?'
'Of course not, Tony! After what he did to Abe...'
'Of course. I forgot.'
'I'm sure you did, since you never liked Abe anyway.'
'No, I did not. But I would've never seen my nephew's father turning into some monster! That's why when I found out, I brought back a cure right away. But, Abe left or disappeared. Have you heard from him?'
Lexie sniffed, shaking her head. She then began to bawl! Tony walked over to her, closing the distance between them, and put his arms around her.
'Come, let's sit down over here.'
Lexie sniffed again, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. Tony offered her a handkerchief from inside his suit pocket. They sat down on a sofa. Lexie blew her nose loudly, then decided to hang onto the hankie. She suspected Tony would not want it back.
'Look, Tony, I've decided to come and lend you my support. You're going to need it.'
'Alexandra, Rebecca is a slut and a liar. Once the facts come out, this unpleasantness will end and Simone will come back here.'
Lexie gave him a look.
'Yeah, about Simone, what in the living hell were you thinking?!'
'What?' Tony asked innocently.
'You know what? You obviously married Simone in order to get back at Eve in some way. You know that's why Celeste was here, don't you?'
Tony raised a brow.
'What do you mean?'
'You have seen my mother here, haven't you?' Lexie asked.
'Well, yes, she was here the night Rebecca made those preposterous accusations...that was no coincidence, was it?'
'No. I overheard my mother talking with Julian Crane. As a favor to Eve, he wanted ME to move in here and keep any eye on you and Simone.'
Tony became irritated!
'Good Lord, why? What did they think I was doing to my own wife?'
Lexie peered at her brother.
'While I am no fan of Eve's or either of her daughters, let's not be cute here, Tony. After what happened to Liz, and Eve's father, I could see why there would be some concern for Simone.'
'You wound me to the quick!'
'Yeah, well you're about to be wounded some more then! I just heard from a lawyer that I know, that the A&E Channel is doing a special called 'House of DiMera', featuring our paternal grandparents, Stefano, every woman he has been involved with and all of his children. They're going to add Simone in. T.C. will be livid.'
'Well I'll call my lawyer and see if we can get the release date pushed back. The last thing I need, with this trial coming up, is something like that running on cable!'
'Well, now let's get back to this rape thing. I don't have to ask if you did it, because Rebecca's story sounds shiftier than hell!'
'It is that and more, Alexandra. I will tell you all about it in good time. But for now, I don't want to even think about such a distasteful thing. Tell me more about Celeste. What was her goal in coming here?'
'To get Simone to invite her to live here. I guess she was supposed to report to Julian.'
That SOB! Tony thought resentfully. And Celeste? What an ingrate she was turning out to be! And after all the DiMera family had done for her!
'You know, Alexandra, maybe it would be best if you returned to Salem.'
'Why?'
'Oh...I just don't think that you need the stress of this trial on your shoulders.'
Lexie looked at him suspiciously.
'I can take it. Besides, I want Rebecca, and others, to see that someone believes in you.'
'Well thank you, you are too kind. But, I'm just concerned about you, that's all.'
'Why?' Lexie asked, wondering when her brother was going to stop beating around the bush.
'I just think that seeing T.C. Russell again might be painful for you...you know he resents me terribly, you know.'
'Of course he does, Tony! You married his 20 year old daughter!'
'Yes...I suppose I can understand that somewhat. I guess you're probably happy that Celeste has taken such a personal interest in him. Since you have no feelings left for him yourself.'
Lexie just stared at Tony.
'What the hell are you talking about?' she snapped, not liking the direction of the conversation. Even worse, she had allowed her brother to move their talk to this unseemly point!
'Just say whatever it is you're trying to say, Tony!'
Tony took a deep breath, carefully choosing his tone and words.
'Alexandra, I went by the Russell home today to see Simone. She wouldn't see me, of course. Anyway, T.C. opened the door and yelled at me, like he usually does...but...in the background, behind T.C....well...I saw your mother, wearing a man's shirt and nothing else. I figured you knew...I mean...surely Celeste would not just take up with a man her own daughter was once in love with, unless she had her daughter's approval, right?'
Lexie slowly stood up.
'You're lying! I don't know why I even bothered to come here! My mother would not do this! Besides, T.C. isn't even her type!'
Tony stood up as well.
'Alexandra, I couldn't make up anything so sordid! And T.C. didn't seem to care, or maybe he didn't know that I had seen your mother inside...my point is, haven't you wondered why Celeste was so quick to come to Harmony and help out with Simone? It wasn't for Eve or Julian, but it was so she could get in good with T.C..'
Lexie pointed a finger at him.
'I'm going over there! And if they deny it...'
'Of course they're going to deny it, Alexandra. My, I wonder how long this little affair of theirs has been going on? I would just be devastated if you discovered that T.C. and your mother had been 'close' while you were involved with him.'
Lexie said nothing, but picked up her purse and turned to walk out. Tony watched her swing open the door and leave, slamming it behind her. Tony then smiled. Take that Celeste! How dare she even think of spying on him for that bastard Crane!
****
Eve's eyes widened, as she saw the ambulance in front of the mansion. What had happened now?! God, don't let anything bad have happened to Erin or Evan...or Julian!
She had just come from trying to see Simone, who would not come downstairs to see her. Eve had accepted a cup of herbal tea from Celeste, whom she noted, looked right at home in her former residence. If T.C. noticed this, he did not comment on it.
T.C. then told her that Tony had come by earlier and that Jon Hastings was making a pest of himself. He then asked her why John was living with Fox and Whitney? Eve had been at a loss, since she knew nothing of this living arrangement.
And as per the norm, the conversation just disintegrated, when Eve commented on John being a positive influence in Simone's life, now that her marriage to Tony was ending. T.C. then yelled at her, hissing that she would approve of a guy for their daughter, that had lived in a box for months!
Needless to say, Eve had known nothing about that either. Celeste ran interference, sending T.C. away to cool off. He left the house to go over to Sam and Grace's house. Eve had then been left alone with Celeste.
It was awkward being alone with her, since the last conversation Eve had had with her former step-mother, concerned the death of her father. But, Eve told Celeste that she had made peace with not only what had happened to her father, but to Liz as well. Celeste told her she was sorry that her and Liz couldn't patch things up, before her death.
Eve shook herself out of her reverie, and ran in the mansion through the open front door. Julian ran to her right away and picked her up, swinging her around! Eve, caught off guard, wriggled out of his arms.
'Julian? You're looking at me!'
Julian grabbed her and pulled her close to him again.
'Yes my darling, I can see again! It happened just like that!'
Eve smiled briefly at him, before looking around him and screaming!
'What happened here?!' she screamed, running over to the paramedics, who had a spinal collar on an unconscious Teresa.
Whitney and Fox came in, and Whitney ran to Teresa! She then looked at Eve and Julian.
'What happened?' she asked fearfully. Fox looked at his father.
'Father? You can see?'
Julian grinned at him!
'That's right! The darkness suddenly ended!'
Eve eyed her husband.
'Julian, I'm happy for you...us...but we really need to know what happened to Teresa here! I have to call Pilar and the rest of her family!'
Julian cleared his throat. Rebecca had already made a getaway. And when Teresa awoke and fingered her, Julian was going to say he was blind and saw nothing, while Rebecca was just going to deny being there at all. Julian had already paid off Lainie, the maid that had let Rebecca in.
'I don't know. I mean, my sight came back, just when I heard a scream. Luckily I could see that Teresa must have tripped and fallen down the stairs.'
'She tripped?' Whitney asked in disbelief. She looked at Fox, who was now staring at Teresa's inert form on the stretcher.
'I suppose, Whitney. How else would you explain it.' Julian said calmly.
'You couldn't see, Father.' Fox said. 'For all we know, Alistair got back in here and did this!'
Eve looked at Fox fearfully.
'He was here.'
'Who?' Whitney asked.
'Alistair. Oh God! Why would he do this? What did Teresa ever do to him?!' Eve cried. Julian hurried over to her and pulled her into his arms.
'It will be alright, darling. You see, the paramedics are taking her away now. We'll follow the ambulance to the hospital, alright?' he suggested gently, caressing her face. When they returned back home, he planned on making up for lost time with his wife in bed!
Eve nodded.
'Alright, meet me in the car and I'll call Pilar and have her meet us there.'
Julian nodded, then walked out with Fox and Whitney. He stopped to look back at Eve, who was punching numbers her cell. God help him for thinking like this, but it would be nice for everyone, if when Teresa awoke, she remembered nothing about her fall at all. This 'accident', was the last thing he, or Rebecca, needed at this time in their lives. Julian then turned and followed Fox and Whitney out.
As Eve waited for Pilar to pick up, she saw an envelope near the bottom of the stairs. It had her name on it. She walked over to the stair it lay on and picked it up. She did not recognize the handwriting. Why was it near where Teresa had lain? Was this from her?
Eve sighed and put the envelope in her purse to look at later, just as Pilar picked up.
Eve finds Julian's note. Lexie arrives in Harmony.
Teresa passed by the nursery, then walked backwards until she stood in the doorway. She couldn't believe her eyes!
Julian had just finished hugging Little Ethan, who wriggled away from him. Rebecca then picked up Erin for Julian to hold. Teresa walked into the room.
'What's going on in here?' she asked.
Rebecca rolled her eyes.
'What does it look like? I'm helping Julian bond with his children.'
Teresa crossed her arms.
'Why?' she asked.
'Because I feel like it!' Rebecca snapped. 'Now get out of here and go do whatever it is Eve is paying you to do!'
Teresa slowly came into the room.
'What Mrs. Crane is paying me to do, is look after her children. A woman crying rape, is not a good influence on the twins, or my son!'
'Teresa!' Julian hissed. 'You apologize to Rebecca this instant!'
But Teresa was cool.
'I don't work for you, Julian, I work for your wife.'
'You most certainly do work for me! And I will not have you speaking to Rebecca like that, not after what she's been through!'
Rebecca rubbed Julian's arm.
'It's alright, Pookie. You know how Teresa is.'
'What I know is, I never bought your cock and bull story about Tony and Stefano breaking into your apartment! And even if they did, why you?'
Rebecca was about to say something, when Julian reached for her hand.
'For God's sakes, Rebecca, don't say anything! For all you know, DiMera's lawyer may call her to testify, just so they could use your words against you!'
Rebecca had not thought of that. She eyed Teresa. Teresa smiled, then pulled out the letter that Julian had left Eve downstairs. It was addressed to Eve in sealed envelope, with her name on the front. Rebecca had helped write it.
Rebecca gasped!
'Julian! She has the letter you left for Eve!'
'Put it back, Teresa!' Julian snarled.
Erin and Little Ethan began to cry. Evan just watched everyone.
Teresa rolled her eyes with disgust, as she began to walk towards her son and Erin. Rebecca blocked her way.
'Give that back!' she ordered.
Julian, for his part, was astounded at what his senses picked up. He could hear the biting anger in both women's voices. And he suspected that was what was scaring the children. he could also smell that God awful perfume Teresa always wore!
'Rebecca, leave us. Wait for me down in the limo.' Julian said.
'But Pookie...'
'Please. I will be right along.'
Teresa smiled as Rebecca glared at her, trying to make one last grab for the letter. Teresa kept it behind her back, then watched as Rebecca stalked from the room. Teresa then went over to Little Ethan and picked him up. Once done, she peeked into Erin's crib.
'You know, you shouldn't keep indulging our son like that.' Julian said quietly.
Teresa gave him a sideways glance, once both children were calmed down.
'What would you know about child rearing, Julian? Huh? Nothing, that's what!'
'I was just suggesting...'
Teresa set Little Ethan down. He walked over to a corner to play with some toys.
'I read your letter, Julian.'
'You did what?! Why the nerve...'
'Oh, shut -up! You're the one with a lot of nerve! Tell me, is Rebecca going with you?'
Julian sniffed.
'Not that it is any of your concern, but, yes, she will be coming with me for a short while, just until I get settled in with specialists and such. It's not like I can go off alone in my condition.'
'You could if you had just given one of those teachers your wife brought here, half a chance. Then again, I don't know why I'm surprised you're running out on Dr. Russell.'
'I'm not running out on her! And she is Dr. Crane to you!'
'But after this is over, she'll go back to being Dr. Russell, or whatever her maiden name was before she met Coach Russell. Because you see, that stupid letter you're leaving her, isn't going to cut it. And it's only going to get worse when 'Dr. Crane' discovers that the only person in the world her husband can turn to in his time of need, is his aging, ex cow of a wife!'
Evan and Erin were now watching the two of them. Little Ethan was playing with a toy car on the floor.
'Eve will understand that I had to do what I had to do. And she will be waiting for me when I get back. What choice will she have? We have children together and...why am I bothering explaining any of this to the likes of you? Put that letter back where my wife can see it, do you understand?' Julian asked coldly.
Teresa shook her head, looking him up and down.
'Did you even stop to think how this thing is affecting Little Ethan? Or the twins? Babies can sense things you know!'
'If my eyesight is restored, I will be back and everything will be fine. But if I find out I will never be able to see again...'
Teresa's mouth dropped open!
'You'll what? What? Never return or something?'
Julian said nothing, but hung his head. Teresa snorted.
'I'm calling your wife. She has bent over backwards to help you and this is how you repay her?!'
'Teresa, it will be better if she finds me gone...'
'Better for who? You? So that you don't have to face her?!'
'I can't see her, so I won't have to face her!'
'Julian! You know, you are an ass^^%$ in every other aspect of your life, but I have seen you with your wife, and I have seen you with your youngest children. I know you love them. Whitney loves you, something I never thought I would see happen. So I know you must be showing them something good. You cannot just leave your wife a letter like this, then go without telling her where you're off to, or when you will be back. And you definitely can't go with an ex-wife! I didn't think Rebecca could leave town anyway, you know, with the trial coming up.'
'The DiMera's are the criminals, not Rebecca. I'm sure just as long as she's back here at the start of her trial, her going with me will be no problem. Now, I want you to put that letter back, Teresa and...Teresa?'
Julian could feel her rush past him. Julian turned and began to feel his way out of the nursery.
Meanwhile, Teresa ran into Rebecca on the landing.
'Give me back that letter, you little tramp!' Rebecca yelled.
'Get out of my way! You're helping Julian run away and my son needs his father too!'
'Oh please, Teresa! You've never cared before if Julian and that little brat of yours bonded! Why now? What? Is it because you're afraid Little Ethan may not get his slice of the pie? After all, with Evan and Erin here, there will be less for your child, won't there?'
'Shut-up and get out of my way!' Teresa spat.
Rebecca reached for the letter, and managed to snag part of it! Teresa kept a good hold on the other half!
'Let go!' Teresa screamed, as she realized she was about to lose her footing.
But Rebecca could see that Teresa was going to go tumbling down the stairs as well! She quickly looked behind her at Julian, who was feeling his way into the area, then gave Teresa a shove down the stairs! There! That was for her Gwenie, and all of the unhappiness this little slut had brought into all of their lives!
Teresa screamed as she hit each step. Rebecca stood at the top, breathing hard. She looked back at Julian, then looked again.
Julian had removed his sunglasses and was gaping at Rebecca!
'Pookie? Why are you looking at me like that? Why are you looking at me at all?'
Julian stared at her, wild-eyed.
'Rebecca, I can see...my sight came back, just as I saw you push Teresa down the stairs!'
****
Tony slammed the door as he walked into the foyer. He gave his mail a cursory glance, then dropped it back on a table stand. He then sighed and walked into his sitting room. Tony then stopped short.
'Alexandra! My darling sister...I didn't see your car in the drive?'
Lexie stood up from the chair she was sitting in.
'That's because I parked up the road.'
'Why?'
Lexie rolled her eyes.
'Why do you think? My brother and father have been accused of raping some tramp!'
Tony ignored the insult.
'How is our father faring in jail? You know he catches cold so easily...'
Lexie shook her head.
'They've been strip searching him, Tony.'
Tony sucked in a breath!
'No!'
'Yes. I guess he's just escaped so many times, they don't want to take any chances.'
'Still, that is such a grievous invasion of privacy!' Tony snapped, truly revolted.
Lexie nodded, looking around the mansion. Tony interrupted her visual critique.
'But have you seen our father?'
'Of course not, Tony! After what he did to Abe...'
'Of course. I forgot.'
'I'm sure you did, since you never liked Abe anyway.'
'No, I did not. But I would've never seen my nephew's father turning into some monster! That's why when I found out, I brought back a cure right away. But, Abe left or disappeared. Have you heard from him?'
Lexie sniffed, shaking her head. She then began to bawl! Tony walked over to her, closing the distance between them, and put his arms around her.
'Come, let's sit down over here.'
Lexie sniffed again, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. Tony offered her a handkerchief from inside his suit pocket. They sat down on a sofa. Lexie blew her nose loudly, then decided to hang onto the hankie. She suspected Tony would not want it back.
'Look, Tony, I've decided to come and lend you my support. You're going to need it.'
'Alexandra, Rebecca is a slut and a liar. Once the facts come out, this unpleasantness will end and Simone will come back here.'
Lexie gave him a look.
'Yeah, about Simone, what in the living hell were you thinking?!'
'What?' Tony asked innocently.
'You know what? You obviously married Simone in order to get back at Eve in some way. You know that's why Celeste was here, don't you?'
Tony raised a brow.
'What do you mean?'
'You have seen my mother here, haven't you?' Lexie asked.
'Well, yes, she was here the night Rebecca made those preposterous accusations...that was no coincidence, was it?'
'No. I overheard my mother talking with Julian Crane. As a favor to Eve, he wanted ME to move in here and keep any eye on you and Simone.'
Tony became irritated!
'Good Lord, why? What did they think I was doing to my own wife?'
Lexie peered at her brother.
'While I am no fan of Eve's or either of her daughters, let's not be cute here, Tony. After what happened to Liz, and Eve's father, I could see why there would be some concern for Simone.'
'You wound me to the quick!'
'Yeah, well you're about to be wounded some more then! I just heard from a lawyer that I know, that the A&E Channel is doing a special called 'House of DiMera', featuring our paternal grandparents, Stefano, every woman he has been involved with and all of his children. They're going to add Simone in. T.C. will be livid.'
'Well I'll call my lawyer and see if we can get the release date pushed back. The last thing I need, with this trial coming up, is something like that running on cable!'
'Well, now let's get back to this rape thing. I don't have to ask if you did it, because Rebecca's story sounds shiftier than hell!'
'It is that and more, Alexandra. I will tell you all about it in good time. But for now, I don't want to even think about such a distasteful thing. Tell me more about Celeste. What was her goal in coming here?'
'To get Simone to invite her to live here. I guess she was supposed to report to Julian.'
That SOB! Tony thought resentfully. And Celeste? What an ingrate she was turning out to be! And after all the DiMera family had done for her!
'You know, Alexandra, maybe it would be best if you returned to Salem.'
'Why?'
'Oh...I just don't think that you need the stress of this trial on your shoulders.'
Lexie looked at him suspiciously.
'I can take it. Besides, I want Rebecca, and others, to see that someone believes in you.'
'Well thank you, you are too kind. But, I'm just concerned about you, that's all.'
'Why?' Lexie asked, wondering when her brother was going to stop beating around the bush.
'I just think that seeing T.C. Russell again might be painful for you...you know he resents me terribly, you know.'
'Of course he does, Tony! You married his 20 year old daughter!'
'Yes...I suppose I can understand that somewhat. I guess you're probably happy that Celeste has taken such a personal interest in him. Since you have no feelings left for him yourself.'
Lexie just stared at Tony.
'What the hell are you talking about?' she snapped, not liking the direction of the conversation. Even worse, she had allowed her brother to move their talk to this unseemly point!
'Just say whatever it is you're trying to say, Tony!'
Tony took a deep breath, carefully choosing his tone and words.
'Alexandra, I went by the Russell home today to see Simone. She wouldn't see me, of course. Anyway, T.C. opened the door and yelled at me, like he usually does...but...in the background, behind T.C....well...I saw your mother, wearing a man's shirt and nothing else. I figured you knew...I mean...surely Celeste would not just take up with a man her own daughter was once in love with, unless she had her daughter's approval, right?'
Lexie slowly stood up.
'You're lying! I don't know why I even bothered to come here! My mother would not do this! Besides, T.C. isn't even her type!'
Tony stood up as well.
'Alexandra, I couldn't make up anything so sordid! And T.C. didn't seem to care, or maybe he didn't know that I had seen your mother inside...my point is, haven't you wondered why Celeste was so quick to come to Harmony and help out with Simone? It wasn't for Eve or Julian, but it was so she could get in good with T.C..'
Lexie pointed a finger at him.
'I'm going over there! And if they deny it...'
'Of course they're going to deny it, Alexandra. My, I wonder how long this little affair of theirs has been going on? I would just be devastated if you discovered that T.C. and your mother had been 'close' while you were involved with him.'
Lexie said nothing, but picked up her purse and turned to walk out. Tony watched her swing open the door and leave, slamming it behind her. Tony then smiled. Take that Celeste! How dare she even think of spying on him for that bastard Crane!
****
Eve's eyes widened, as she saw the ambulance in front of the mansion. What had happened now?! God, don't let anything bad have happened to Erin or Evan...or Julian!
She had just come from trying to see Simone, who would not come downstairs to see her. Eve had accepted a cup of herbal tea from Celeste, whom she noted, looked right at home in her former residence. If T.C. noticed this, he did not comment on it.
T.C. then told her that Tony had come by earlier and that Jon Hastings was making a pest of himself. He then asked her why John was living with Fox and Whitney? Eve had been at a loss, since she knew nothing of this living arrangement.
And as per the norm, the conversation just disintegrated, when Eve commented on John being a positive influence in Simone's life, now that her marriage to Tony was ending. T.C. then yelled at her, hissing that she would approve of a guy for their daughter, that had lived in a box for months!
Needless to say, Eve had known nothing about that either. Celeste ran interference, sending T.C. away to cool off. He left the house to go over to Sam and Grace's house. Eve had then been left alone with Celeste.
It was awkward being alone with her, since the last conversation Eve had had with her former step-mother, concerned the death of her father. But, Eve told Celeste that she had made peace with not only what had happened to her father, but to Liz as well. Celeste told her she was sorry that her and Liz couldn't patch things up, before her death.
Eve shook herself out of her reverie, and ran in the mansion through the open front door. Julian ran to her right away and picked her up, swinging her around! Eve, caught off guard, wriggled out of his arms.
'Julian? You're looking at me!'
Julian grabbed her and pulled her close to him again.
'Yes my darling, I can see again! It happened just like that!'
Eve smiled briefly at him, before looking around him and screaming!
'What happened here?!' she screamed, running over to the paramedics, who had a spinal collar on an unconscious Teresa.
Whitney and Fox came in, and Whitney ran to Teresa! She then looked at Eve and Julian.
'What happened?' she asked fearfully. Fox looked at his father.
'Father? You can see?'
Julian grinned at him!
'That's right! The darkness suddenly ended!'
Eve eyed her husband.
'Julian, I'm happy for you...us...but we really need to know what happened to Teresa here! I have to call Pilar and the rest of her family!'
Julian cleared his throat. Rebecca had already made a getaway. And when Teresa awoke and fingered her, Julian was going to say he was blind and saw nothing, while Rebecca was just going to deny being there at all. Julian had already paid off Lainie, the maid that had let Rebecca in.
'I don't know. I mean, my sight came back, just when I heard a scream. Luckily I could see that Teresa must have tripped and fallen down the stairs.'
'She tripped?' Whitney asked in disbelief. She looked at Fox, who was now staring at Teresa's inert form on the stretcher.
'I suppose, Whitney. How else would you explain it.' Julian said calmly.
'You couldn't see, Father.' Fox said. 'For all we know, Alistair got back in here and did this!'
Eve looked at Fox fearfully.
'He was here.'
'Who?' Whitney asked.
'Alistair. Oh God! Why would he do this? What did Teresa ever do to him?!' Eve cried. Julian hurried over to her and pulled her into his arms.
'It will be alright, darling. You see, the paramedics are taking her away now. We'll follow the ambulance to the hospital, alright?' he suggested gently, caressing her face. When they returned back home, he planned on making up for lost time with his wife in bed!
Eve nodded.
'Alright, meet me in the car and I'll call Pilar and have her meet us there.'
Julian nodded, then walked out with Fox and Whitney. He stopped to look back at Eve, who was punching numbers her cell. God help him for thinking like this, but it would be nice for everyone, if when Teresa awoke, she remembered nothing about her fall at all. This 'accident', was the last thing he, or Rebecca, needed at this time in their lives. Julian then turned and followed Fox and Whitney out.
As Eve waited for Pilar to pick up, she saw an envelope near the bottom of the stairs. It had her name on it. She walked over to the stair it lay on and picked it up. She did not recognize the handwriting. Why was it near where Teresa had lain? Was this from her?
Eve sighed and put the envelope in her purse to look at later, just as Pilar picked up.