Chapter 12
Julian confesses to Eve. Luis discovers something shocking.
Julian pushed the double baby stroller off of the elevator at Harmony Hospital, while holding Little Ethan's hand. Now he knew why people had nannies!
First of all, after Alistair had slipped out of the house, again, Julian went back downstairs and fired all of the remaining staff! They hemmed and hawed, claiming that they didn't know how Alistair got into the house in the first place, but Julian didn't want to hear it! He told them to ge their stuff and get out right away!
Julian then went back upstairs to get the kids ready. Little Ethan was already dressed, but the twins were not. Julian knew enough to know, that he should put some clothes on them. That meant he had to look around to see what looked girl like, and what seemed appropriate for a boy. Then he had to get them on them.
Needless to say, Julian was appalled to find that Evan needed a diaper change! The hell if he knew how to change a diaper! So, he told his son that he would just have to wait until they got to he hospital. Maybe Eve could do it, or better yet, he could force a nurse to. After all, he was on the board!
And Erin! All of the kicking and wriggling around she did! Usually he could charm her into being still, but he suspected that she was still frightened from her encounter with Alistair. Julian made a mental note to make his father pay dearly, after he dropped the charges. But first, he had to get to the hospital and stop Eve from reading that letter!
Julian rustled up car seats, which he hurried down the stairs with. As he was going out the door, he stopped and looked at a wall behind him. Someone, and Julian suspected it was one of the fired servants, had spray painted in red, JULIAN CRANE SUCKS AZZ! Julian had squinted, wondering if the servant was just a poor speller, or if that was some sort of new spelling of 'ass' in pop culture?
Julian then hurried outside towards the limo driver, Leo. Leo had not been fired, but was asking a lot of questions about the others. Julian did not have time to indulge him, and rudely told him so!
He then hurried back inside to get the children. He made two trips, bringing Evan down first. The fumes from his diaper were almost unbearable! And worse yet, Julian would have to crack a window in the back of the limo, just to get fresh air! And it was fall!
When Julian got to the limo with Evan, he gasped! Leo's hat was on top of the vehicle. The chauffeur himself, was nowhere in sight! Damn! He must've quit too!
Julian then made the heartbreaking decision to drive the limo himself! He put Evan in the back, strapping him in, while holding his breath!
He then ran back inside the house, running into a servant! He confronted the young woman, asking her about the graffiti on the wall there. She turned and ran down a back hallway. Julian then heard a door slam!
Julian hurried up the stairs, found a package of diapers, grabbed Erin and held Little Ethan's hand. They then walked down the steps, through the hallway and out of the door. It seemingly took forever to get them settled in next to Evan, but, he finally did it!
Julian then cracked a window slightly in the back for Little Ethan, since he began to sniff in a pronounced manner, once he was inside with his little brother. Julian then hurried up to the front, got inside and put the partition up. God knows he hated doing that, but Evan was just too ripe for concentration. But he did make it a point to check the rearview mirror, to make sure everything looked alright in the back.
As he pulled off, Leo's hat fell off of the car.
****
By the time Julian stepped off of the elevator at Harmony Hospital, two other people that had been on board, hurried from it first, covering their noses with handkerchiefs! Julian saw Whitney and Fox, sitting in waiting room chairs and made his way over to them with the kids. Julian was pushing the twins in a double stroller, while holding Little Ethan's hand.
'Oh thank God!' Julian cried out, as he neared them.
Fox suddenly jumped up!
'What the hell?!' he croaked, putting his whole arm over his nose.
'Oh for God's sakes, Fox! Have you never smelled poo before?' Julian asked in annoyed tone.
Whitney grinned.
'Poo?' she asked, waving at the twins.
'Yeah, Father,' Fox cracked, 'like that's what you really call it! What happened?! Jesus, which one of them is that?!'
A few people sitting next to them, got up to leave. Evan clapped his hands together. Whitney stood up.
'Let me take the twins to the bathroom. I will change their diapers.'
'Oh God bless you, Whitney dear, thank you.' Julian said, eternally grateful. Fox brought his arm away from his nose, as Whitney wheeled the twins away. Fox looked down at Little Ethan.
'Maybe you'd better take him to see Pilar and the others.' Fox suggested.
'Yes, maybe you're right. You know I had to fire all of the servants.'
'What???' Fox asked, disbelieving.
'When I got home, Alistair was in the nursery, holding Erin! Needless to say, the poor child found it unsettling as hell! I need to think of a way to keep him out of our lives, permanently. As for now, you're right, I think I will take Little Ethan to find his mother.'
'Wait a minute! What did Alistair want this time?' Fox asked.
Julian did not answer. He had involved Fox enough in his schemes.
'Look, we'll discuss that later. Let me just find Teresa and Eve.' Julian then looked down at his son.
'Come on, let's find out how your mother is doing.' he said to Little Ethan. They began to walk down a hallway.
Fox stared after him. The fact that Alistair had dared to come near the twins again, meant that he wanted something from Julian. And for some reason, Alistair had to pretty sure he would get it.
****
Just as Eve was unfolding the letter to read it, her eyes connected with Julian's. He was coming down the hall with Little Ethan. She turned to look at Teresa, Pilar, Luis and Antonio, who were comforting Teresa. She then set the letter down next to her purse, and walked out to meet Julian.
But Antonio had been secretly watching Eve, when she thought he wasn't looking. His eyes went to the letter she had set down, and quick as lightening, he walked over to it, picked it up and began to silently read it.
'Oh good God!' Antonio cried out. He then looked out in the hallway, where Eve, Julian and Little Ethan stood. Antonio then moved back over to the bed with the others.
Luis eyed the paper in his brother's hand.
'What is that?'
But Antonio waved it in front of his sister.
'Is this the letter you were talking about? The reason Rebecca Hotchkiss pushed you down the stairs?'
Teresa was flat on her back, Pilar and Luis fluffed some pillows behind her, so she could sit up. Antonio handed her the letter and she skimmed it.
'Yes. Julian was going to leave Dr. Russell and Rebecca was going with him. Rebecca stopped me before I could leave to find Dr. Russell. She tried to take the letter from me, then shoved me down the stairs.'
Pilar looked at Luis.
'Julian didn't say anything about Rebecca being in the house, did he?' she asked.
Luis shook his head.
'Not a damned word. Did he know, Teresa?'
Teresa nodded.
'Rebecca wrote the letter for him! Where is Dr. Parks, Mama?!'
Pilar hugged her daughter.
'She's on her way...here she comes now.'
Dr. Parks walked in, smiling at Teresa. Luis and Pilar watched as the doctor examined Teresa. Antonio watched Eve and Julian outside of the room. He was still holding the letter.
****
'Julian, she says Rebecca shoved her down the stairs! Was Rebecca in our house?' Eve asked in a demanding tone.
Julian looked down at Little Ethan.
'Eve, darling, this is not an appropriate conversation to have around the boy here.'
Little Ethan began to cry. Teresa could be heard calling for him. Eve picked him up and took him in the room, giving her husband a warning look that clearly said, 'this conversation is not over'!
Julian turned and walked down a hallway, then hurried out onto one of the terraces outdoors. He then pulled out his cell phone and called Rebecca. She picked up right away.
'Pookie? What's going on?'
'What's going on is that it is over. I can't cover for you anymore.'
'What do you mean?!' Rebecca squeaked in disbelief.
'What I just said! Eve has the letter! Worse yet, Alistair knows what you did as well!'
'Alistair? How did he...oh Julian! I thought you said you got rid of all of those cameras!'
'I thought I had! The point is, either I drop the charges against him for attempted murder, or he goes to the police with what he saw. Rebecca, I've already lied! I never told anyone about you being there. I'm going to be in a great deal of hot water with my wife now...I can't help you! I won't lose Eve over this.'
'Julian!' Rebecca cried out.
'Listen to me, Becky. I never said I saw you push Teresa down the stairs. As far as anyone knows, it is your word against Teresa's. But you are on your own now. Goodbye and good luck!'
Julian hung up his cell phone before Rebecca could whine again. He then took a deep breath and went back inside the hospital to face the music.
****
Pilar was holding Little Ethan. Dr. Parks asked that they all leave the room, until she could confer with someone else about Teresa's paralysis. Pilar decided to take Little Ethan to the cafeteria. She gave Eve a pointed look before walking off. Luis and Antonio, looked at Eve. Antonio waved the letter at her.
'Eve, you need to see this.'
Eve's eyes widened!
'I left that next to my purse!' she cried, snatching it from his hand. But Antonio still had a good grip on it. The letter then ripped in half!
'Oh great! What is the matter with you?!' Eve asked Antonio, more annoyed with his presence with each passing moment.
Luis touched Antonio's arm.
'Look, cool it. I'm going to go tell Sam about what Teresa said. Then we're going over to Gwen's house to question Rebecca.'
Eve looked at Antonio.
'As you should, Luis, since REBECCA is the one that hurt Teresa, not Julian!'
'Eve, Rebecca helped your husband write that letter to you! He was getting ready to run out on you and the twins! My sister didn't think he should slither off and when she tried to get away, Rebecca shoved her down the stairs! Julian has to know what Rebecca did!' Antonio yelled.
Luis pushed Antonio back!
'Go somewhere and cool off, okay?!' Luis yelled at his brother. Antonio shook his head and walked off towards the cafeteria to find Pilar and his nephew. He hoped Luis handled this thing right! Otherwise, Rebecca and Julian would get away with turning their little sister into a cripple!
Luis then touched Eve's arm.
'Eve, I need for you to listen to me. I read that letter too. I don't know or couldn't imagine how Julian was feeling when he was blind, but it sounded like he was in a lot of turmoil. Turmoil that he didn't feel you could help with. Rebecca wrote this letter for your husband, then somehow, Teresa saw it and read it. She confronted Julian, then planned to find you and warn you about what was in it. Rebecca stopped her at the top of the stairs and pushed her down. Now Teresa can't walk! I find it hard to believe that Julian didn't hear something! And I find it even more interesting that he never mentioned his ex-wife being in the house either. Eve, you need to get the truth out of your husband...our families go way back...'
Eve nodded quickly, trying to keep tears from forming in her eyes.
'Fine. You're right Luis. I will talk to Julian.'
Julian walked up just then. He looked at the ripped letter that was in Eve's hand. Why was it ripped?
Luis looked at him, but was speaking to Eve.
'The letter is only ripped in half, Eve. You can still read it, if you can.' he said, before he too turned and walked off towards the cafeteria.
Julian gave Eve a nervous smile.
'I see that you found my letter...have you read it?'
'No. Not yet. Actually, I've been concerned about Teresa. She's paralyzed, you know.'
Julian sucked in a breath!
'Good God! No, I didn't know...how would I know? Look, darling, let's go someplace and talk.'
Eve looked around her.
'There's no one around now. Tell me what's in this letter here? Tell me that Antonio wasn't right? Tell me that you weren't about to leave me?!'
Julian tried to put his hands on her shoulders, but Eve backed away, glaring at him. Her eyes were shiny with tears.
'Alright,' Julian began, 'what you're holding in your hand was a goodbye letter, of sorts. I was only planning on staying away until I got my sight back. Eve, I was no good to our family the way I was! I was feeling more and more depressed...I just wanted to spare you, or any of my children, the pain of seeing me like I was.'
Eve said nothing to that, but looked away, wiping away a tear. Julian forged on with his confession.
'Anyway, Rebecca showed up, out of the blue, right after our fight over our son. I had already decided by then, that my leaving was the best course of action, and asked her to write your goodbye letter. To her credit, Rebecca disagreed with me wholeheartedly. She did not think you would understand my leaving. I now know she was right.'
'Now that you have your sight back?' Eve asked, in almost jeering tone. Julian had never heard her sound that way, and was a bit taken aback.
'Eve...'
'Go on, Julian. Tell me where Teresa fits into all of this? Tell me how shoving the mother of one of your children down some stairs, was easier than telling me the truth?!' Eve cried, now openly weeping.
Julian hated this! How did one stupid mistake, turn into such a big, horrendous problem?! And he had hurt his beloved...he had to make Eve understand that it was him, not her, and that he had planned to leave because he loved her and their family, not because he had stopped.
'Eve, listen to me. I'm sorrier than you will ever know that I was so cowardly! Teresa read the letter and confronted me in the nursery. But my explanation was about as lame to her, as it is to you now. I felt her rush past me...then I heard a scream. I made my way out on the landing, just as my sight came back. Teresa was lying at the bottom of the steps. Rebecca was kneeling beside her. I don't know if Rebecca pushed Teresa or not! I'm sorry that I didn't tell you about Rebecca being there...I'm sorry for everything...let's just get past this now...'
But Eve turned and threw the letter in the nearest trash can, then walked away. Julian just stood there. He didn't think he could remember ever seeing her this angry. And worse yet, he hadn't had a chance to explain about Alistair!
****
Eve wiped her face and walked out into the waiting area. She stopped short when she saw the twins. She had forgotten that Julian had brought them here.
Fox and Whitney stood up.
'How is Teresa?' Whitney asked. Fox put an arm around her.
Eve took a deep breath and tried to shove Julian from her mind. But, that soon became impossible, when Whitney said, 'hi Julian'.
Eve could feel him standing behind her, but she didn't move or comment on his nearness.
'Teresa is paralyzed.'
Whitney put a hand up to her mouth. Fox shook his head with disbelief. She then turned into Fox's arms.
'It's temporary, isn't it?' Fox asked, while comforting Whitney.
'I hope so.' she answered him.
'We all do, son.' Julian said, putting a hand on Eve's shoulder. She pulled away, then turned to face him.
'I'm going to take the Evan and Erin back home.'
'I'll come with you.'
'No! You need to stay here and explain yourself to Luis...and probably Sam as well. I'd also call your 'confidante' and make sure that you have your lies straight!'
Whitney looked up at Fox, then over at her mother and Julian.
'What's going on here?' Fox asked, sensing something terrible was about to happen.
Eve looked at her daughter and Fox.
'Ask Julian here. He forgot a few details in his original story.' Eve then grabbed the double stroller and began walking towards the elevators. Julian angrily followed her.
'Eve! I don't like scenes and I don't appreciate your walking away from me, not once, but twice!'
'I'm taking the twins home, Julian! I don't want to hear anymore from you!'
The elevator doors opened and Eve wheeled the twins in. Julian jumped in as well. They were all alone.
'Leo quit. I drove the limo here. That means I will be driving you home.'
Eve gaped at him!
'I don't even want to know why a nice man like Leo quit!'
'All of the servants are gone, Eve. I fired them.'
'What?!'
The doors opened and they were on the first floor. Eve wheeled the stroller out. Erin began kicking wildly, as per the norm. When they reached the limo, Julian picked up Erin, while Eve took ahold of Evan.
Once they were strapped in the backseat of the limo, Eve stayed back there with them, while Julian drove. He eyed her through the mirror. It unnerved him how angry she was. Then again, that was probably the reason he hadn't wanted her to know about the damned letter in the first place!
It was quite a silent drive, the only sounds being a few soft coos from the babies. By the time Julian pulled into the drive at the mansion, he decided he needed to tell Eve all of it. She would just be livid if she found out that he had kept anything else from her. It was better to get her tirade over with now.
He stopped the limo and got out. He then walked to the back door on his side, and opened it. Eve got out, then bent down to get the twins out of their seats. She then looked up and around.
There was more graffiti on the house! And it looked as if someone had strewn trash around the lawns. Eve glared at Julian.
'Alright, Julian! What aren't you telling me? Why would you fire all of our servants so close to Christmas? What if they don't find other jobs?'
'And that's my problem?! Listen, I fired those worthless ingrates, because when I came back here to pick up the twins, Alistair was in the nursery!'
Eve gasped, then fell into Julian's arms. Julian held her tightly.
'It's alright. No harm came to any of the children. But he did pick up Erin. She seemed a little distressed, after I finally persuaded the man to put her down.'
Eve pulled away from him and reached in to touch Erin's arm.
'Honey, I am so sorry! You will never have to see that man again, I promise! Mommy loves you!'
Erin was quiet and had stopped kicking to get out of her car seat. It was almost as if she understood what Eve was saying to her. Almost. She then went back to kicking again, while Evan gurgled.
Eve rose up to look at Julian again. He touched her face.
'I just went insane at the idea that he was allowed into this house again! Really, Eve, if they can't at least turn that man away, then we'll never be able to leave the twins alone at home with anyone.'
'Yes, Julian, but for all we know, Alistair broke in and no one saw him here! Why was he here again anyway? Did he try to offer you a deal about our son? Julian, now that you can see, maybe we can take him up on it?'
Julian knew, that all would be forgiven, if he would just say that was what had happened. His mind began to spin. Alistair just wanted the charges dropped. Julian could tell Eve that he had agreed to take Alistair up on his deal, then act as disappointed as she, when Alistair never followed through. It was a terrible thing to do, but somehow, he knew that if he told her he was doing it to protect Rebecca's hide, Eve would probably leave him.
'That's what I wanted to talk to you about, Eve. I didn't want to take him up on anything until I talked with you.'
'Yes! Yes, Julian, do it! We'll hire guards if we have to, to keep him away from the twins, but tell him we'll do it, if he tells us who our son is!'
Julian was thrilled, yet, saddened by the happiness he saw on his wife's face. He vowed to step up his own search for his son. He would hire a new private investigator, one that didn't take all day to get the job done!
Julian then put his arms around Eve and pulled her close to him.
'So, does that mean that all is forgiven?'
Eve frowned, then pulled away slightly, fingering his sweater.
'Julian, I'm hurt that during the worst time of your life, you turned to Rebecca instead of me. If you had even come to me and said you wanted to get away for awhile, I would've been hurt, but at least you wouldn't have snuck off.'
'I know darling, and I'm so sorry for hurting you like that. I never want to see that look on your face again. I'll do whatever I have to, to make it up to you.'
'Anything?' she asked.
'Scout's honor.'
'Then I want you to stay away from Rebecca.'
'Darling, you don't really believe anything is going on between us, do you?'
'No, Julian, I don't. But I don't believe Tony DiMera raped her either.'
Julian eyed her. Alistair had said that as well too!
'Why don't you think so?'
Eve realized she was now going to have to tell Julian something that would displease him.
'I saw Tony at the park.'
'Oh great, Eve! There's no telling what that animal could've done to you!'
'Julian,' she continued on, ignoring his anger, 'Tony said that he and Rebecca were having an affair. He admitted to me that he was cheating on Simone. And when she asked him to leave Simone and marry her, just so she could actually make John Black jealous, that was when things got out of hand. Tony claims Rebecca was filming them, but has now hidden the tape. Now Teresa is accusing her of attacking her. I don't want you involved with her, Julian. She's trouble.'
Julian processed what Eve had just told him. That would be just like Rebecca to blackmail some rich man for something! God knows she had pulled that number on him as well.
'Alright. I will cut my ties with her. And maybe we can pay for Teresa's hospital expenses or something. After all, this unfortunate incident did happen in our house.'
Eve smiled at him, then kissed him. She then pulled away and bent down into the limo to unbuckle the twins. Julian grabbed her around the waist, pulling her back up again.
'So, now that we have that out of the way, I would really like to make up for that week that I was blind, and you refused to give me any...' he whispered the rest of it in her ear.
Eve's eyes widened, and she turned and whacked him across the chest!
'You're the one that moved out of our bedroom. Blind or not, I would've been perfectly willing to oblige you!'
'Then prove it?' Julian asked, grinning at her madly.
Eve pulled Erin out of the car seat and held her. Erin smiled at Julian.
'Help me bring the twins in, get them settled down, then...we can do what you just suggested there. And don't say those type of things out loud in front of the twins.' she said. Eve then began to walk with Erin towards the front door, looking at a roll of toilet paper that hung from a tree, then shaking her head.
Julian reached down and pulled out the freshly diapered Evan. He bounced him up and down.
'Guess what, son? Guess? Your mommy is going to give me a special present! Yes she it! Yes she is indeed!'
****
Rebecca threw the last bit of clothes in her suitcase and slammed it shut. She locked it, then hauled it out towards the living room.
She couldn't believe Julian was just going to betray her like this! All he had to do was keep his damned mouth shut! But no! He cared more about that damned Eve's feelings, than protecting an old friend!
Gwen and Ethan suddenly walked in the front door. Rebecca didn't know where they had been, nor did she have time to care! She had to get the hell out of dodge!
'Mother? What is it? Where are you going?' Gwen asked, looking from Rebecca to Ethan.
'Honey, I have to leave town, just for a bit.'
'You can't leave town, Rebecca. The D.A. said they're moving up your trial. You could be putting that DiMera bastard away as soon as next week!'
'Yes...and I will be back to do so! I just need a little break right now!' Rebecca said, trying to move past them. But Gwen blocked her way, looking at Ethan frantically. He walked up to his mother-in-law.
'What is it, Rebecca? What's happened? Did Tony DiMera contact you in any way? Is he why you're so scared?'
Rebecca dropped her suitcase.
'No. It's not Tony. I went over to see Julian today...he's been feeling so blue...anyway, Eve hired Teresa to be the twins new nanny. Julian and I were just sitting in the study, when she trips and falls down the stairs. We call 911 and get her help, but soon Julian calls and tell me thats she's telling everyone that I pushed her! I didn't, I swear! But I really don't need this right now!'
Rebecca then began to sob. Gwen hugged her. Ethan just watched her carefully. Gwen looked back at him and frowned.
'I take it from that look, that you don't believe my mother?'
'Why would Teresa lie like that?' Ethan asked.
'Because she's a liar, Ethan! Always has been! God! How can you still defend her?!'
'I'm not, Gwen! I just think that it's funny that Teresa trips, then decides to blame Rebecca! I mean, surely Julian, being blind, could back up your story, that the two of you were in the study. I don't see why you're mother is getting so bent out of shape, is all.'
The sound of a car pulling up could be heard. Ethan went over to the window and looked out.
'Yep! It's Dad and Luis.'
Ethan went to open the door. He greeted Sam and Luis, before letting them in. Sam immediately noticed Rebecca's suitcase.
'Going somewhere, Rebecca?' Sam asked, keeping his voice calm.
'Uh...no...I just...'
'Yeah, right!' Luis snapped. 'Let me tell you something, Eve has already gotten your little buddy to crack! So you might as well fess up, because Teresa told us everything!'
'Your sister is a liar, Luis! I wouldn't do something like that! I just wouldn't!' Rebecca whined.
Antonio entered the house as well. When he heard Rebecca's denials, he began to rush towards her! Rebecca squealed and took a step back! Ethan stepped in front of Rebecca.
'Luis! Control your brother there!' he yelled.
'My sister is paralyzed no thanks to you...you lousy...'
Ethan sucked in his breath! Gwen watched her husband's reaction carefully.
Luis pulled Antonio back out of the house.
'Damn man! I told you to stay out in the car! What the hell is the...'
Luis suddenly stopped talking and grabbed Antonio's hand. It was hairier than hell!
'Antonio, man, what's going on here?! What's happening to you?!'
Antonio took a deep breath, before snatching his hand back.
'That night that Abe Carver first turned into that Sasquatch...when I ran past him to tell you all in the police station what was happening, he scratched me.'
'Oh God!'
Antonio nodded.
'Now, when I get angry, it's like I turn a quarter into a damned beast. That's it. But it's been really hard to deal with...it first happened after I found out what happened to Liz, up in the Himalayas. I'm just grateful that it hasn't happened on my job.'
'Yeah, I guess. Where are you working now anyway?'
'Oh, around. Look, I'd better get out of here, before I lose my temper again.'
'Antonio, you're not going anywhere! Tony DiMera has a cure. We're going to make him give it to you, or else!'
Julian confesses to Eve. Luis discovers something shocking.
Julian pushed the double baby stroller off of the elevator at Harmony Hospital, while holding Little Ethan's hand. Now he knew why people had nannies!
First of all, after Alistair had slipped out of the house, again, Julian went back downstairs and fired all of the remaining staff! They hemmed and hawed, claiming that they didn't know how Alistair got into the house in the first place, but Julian didn't want to hear it! He told them to ge their stuff and get out right away!
Julian then went back upstairs to get the kids ready. Little Ethan was already dressed, but the twins were not. Julian knew enough to know, that he should put some clothes on them. That meant he had to look around to see what looked girl like, and what seemed appropriate for a boy. Then he had to get them on them.
Needless to say, Julian was appalled to find that Evan needed a diaper change! The hell if he knew how to change a diaper! So, he told his son that he would just have to wait until they got to he hospital. Maybe Eve could do it, or better yet, he could force a nurse to. After all, he was on the board!
And Erin! All of the kicking and wriggling around she did! Usually he could charm her into being still, but he suspected that she was still frightened from her encounter with Alistair. Julian made a mental note to make his father pay dearly, after he dropped the charges. But first, he had to get to the hospital and stop Eve from reading that letter!
Julian rustled up car seats, which he hurried down the stairs with. As he was going out the door, he stopped and looked at a wall behind him. Someone, and Julian suspected it was one of the fired servants, had spray painted in red, JULIAN CRANE SUCKS AZZ! Julian had squinted, wondering if the servant was just a poor speller, or if that was some sort of new spelling of 'ass' in pop culture?
Julian then hurried outside towards the limo driver, Leo. Leo had not been fired, but was asking a lot of questions about the others. Julian did not have time to indulge him, and rudely told him so!
He then hurried back inside to get the children. He made two trips, bringing Evan down first. The fumes from his diaper were almost unbearable! And worse yet, Julian would have to crack a window in the back of the limo, just to get fresh air! And it was fall!
When Julian got to the limo with Evan, he gasped! Leo's hat was on top of the vehicle. The chauffeur himself, was nowhere in sight! Damn! He must've quit too!
Julian then made the heartbreaking decision to drive the limo himself! He put Evan in the back, strapping him in, while holding his breath!
He then ran back inside the house, running into a servant! He confronted the young woman, asking her about the graffiti on the wall there. She turned and ran down a back hallway. Julian then heard a door slam!
Julian hurried up the stairs, found a package of diapers, grabbed Erin and held Little Ethan's hand. They then walked down the steps, through the hallway and out of the door. It seemingly took forever to get them settled in next to Evan, but, he finally did it!
Julian then cracked a window slightly in the back for Little Ethan, since he began to sniff in a pronounced manner, once he was inside with his little brother. Julian then hurried up to the front, got inside and put the partition up. God knows he hated doing that, but Evan was just too ripe for concentration. But he did make it a point to check the rearview mirror, to make sure everything looked alright in the back.
As he pulled off, Leo's hat fell off of the car.
****
By the time Julian stepped off of the elevator at Harmony Hospital, two other people that had been on board, hurried from it first, covering their noses with handkerchiefs! Julian saw Whitney and Fox, sitting in waiting room chairs and made his way over to them with the kids. Julian was pushing the twins in a double stroller, while holding Little Ethan's hand.
'Oh thank God!' Julian cried out, as he neared them.
Fox suddenly jumped up!
'What the hell?!' he croaked, putting his whole arm over his nose.
'Oh for God's sakes, Fox! Have you never smelled poo before?' Julian asked in annoyed tone.
Whitney grinned.
'Poo?' she asked, waving at the twins.
'Yeah, Father,' Fox cracked, 'like that's what you really call it! What happened?! Jesus, which one of them is that?!'
A few people sitting next to them, got up to leave. Evan clapped his hands together. Whitney stood up.
'Let me take the twins to the bathroom. I will change their diapers.'
'Oh God bless you, Whitney dear, thank you.' Julian said, eternally grateful. Fox brought his arm away from his nose, as Whitney wheeled the twins away. Fox looked down at Little Ethan.
'Maybe you'd better take him to see Pilar and the others.' Fox suggested.
'Yes, maybe you're right. You know I had to fire all of the servants.'
'What???' Fox asked, disbelieving.
'When I got home, Alistair was in the nursery, holding Erin! Needless to say, the poor child found it unsettling as hell! I need to think of a way to keep him out of our lives, permanently. As for now, you're right, I think I will take Little Ethan to find his mother.'
'Wait a minute! What did Alistair want this time?' Fox asked.
Julian did not answer. He had involved Fox enough in his schemes.
'Look, we'll discuss that later. Let me just find Teresa and Eve.' Julian then looked down at his son.
'Come on, let's find out how your mother is doing.' he said to Little Ethan. They began to walk down a hallway.
Fox stared after him. The fact that Alistair had dared to come near the twins again, meant that he wanted something from Julian. And for some reason, Alistair had to pretty sure he would get it.
****
Just as Eve was unfolding the letter to read it, her eyes connected with Julian's. He was coming down the hall with Little Ethan. She turned to look at Teresa, Pilar, Luis and Antonio, who were comforting Teresa. She then set the letter down next to her purse, and walked out to meet Julian.
But Antonio had been secretly watching Eve, when she thought he wasn't looking. His eyes went to the letter she had set down, and quick as lightening, he walked over to it, picked it up and began to silently read it.
'Oh good God!' Antonio cried out. He then looked out in the hallway, where Eve, Julian and Little Ethan stood. Antonio then moved back over to the bed with the others.
Luis eyed the paper in his brother's hand.
'What is that?'
But Antonio waved it in front of his sister.
'Is this the letter you were talking about? The reason Rebecca Hotchkiss pushed you down the stairs?'
Teresa was flat on her back, Pilar and Luis fluffed some pillows behind her, so she could sit up. Antonio handed her the letter and she skimmed it.
'Yes. Julian was going to leave Dr. Russell and Rebecca was going with him. Rebecca stopped me before I could leave to find Dr. Russell. She tried to take the letter from me, then shoved me down the stairs.'
Pilar looked at Luis.
'Julian didn't say anything about Rebecca being in the house, did he?' she asked.
Luis shook his head.
'Not a damned word. Did he know, Teresa?'
Teresa nodded.
'Rebecca wrote the letter for him! Where is Dr. Parks, Mama?!'
Pilar hugged her daughter.
'She's on her way...here she comes now.'
Dr. Parks walked in, smiling at Teresa. Luis and Pilar watched as the doctor examined Teresa. Antonio watched Eve and Julian outside of the room. He was still holding the letter.
****
'Julian, she says Rebecca shoved her down the stairs! Was Rebecca in our house?' Eve asked in a demanding tone.
Julian looked down at Little Ethan.
'Eve, darling, this is not an appropriate conversation to have around the boy here.'
Little Ethan began to cry. Teresa could be heard calling for him. Eve picked him up and took him in the room, giving her husband a warning look that clearly said, 'this conversation is not over'!
Julian turned and walked down a hallway, then hurried out onto one of the terraces outdoors. He then pulled out his cell phone and called Rebecca. She picked up right away.
'Pookie? What's going on?'
'What's going on is that it is over. I can't cover for you anymore.'
'What do you mean?!' Rebecca squeaked in disbelief.
'What I just said! Eve has the letter! Worse yet, Alistair knows what you did as well!'
'Alistair? How did he...oh Julian! I thought you said you got rid of all of those cameras!'
'I thought I had! The point is, either I drop the charges against him for attempted murder, or he goes to the police with what he saw. Rebecca, I've already lied! I never told anyone about you being there. I'm going to be in a great deal of hot water with my wife now...I can't help you! I won't lose Eve over this.'
'Julian!' Rebecca cried out.
'Listen to me, Becky. I never said I saw you push Teresa down the stairs. As far as anyone knows, it is your word against Teresa's. But you are on your own now. Goodbye and good luck!'
Julian hung up his cell phone before Rebecca could whine again. He then took a deep breath and went back inside the hospital to face the music.
****
Pilar was holding Little Ethan. Dr. Parks asked that they all leave the room, until she could confer with someone else about Teresa's paralysis. Pilar decided to take Little Ethan to the cafeteria. She gave Eve a pointed look before walking off. Luis and Antonio, looked at Eve. Antonio waved the letter at her.
'Eve, you need to see this.'
Eve's eyes widened!
'I left that next to my purse!' she cried, snatching it from his hand. But Antonio still had a good grip on it. The letter then ripped in half!
'Oh great! What is the matter with you?!' Eve asked Antonio, more annoyed with his presence with each passing moment.
Luis touched Antonio's arm.
'Look, cool it. I'm going to go tell Sam about what Teresa said. Then we're going over to Gwen's house to question Rebecca.'
Eve looked at Antonio.
'As you should, Luis, since REBECCA is the one that hurt Teresa, not Julian!'
'Eve, Rebecca helped your husband write that letter to you! He was getting ready to run out on you and the twins! My sister didn't think he should slither off and when she tried to get away, Rebecca shoved her down the stairs! Julian has to know what Rebecca did!' Antonio yelled.
Luis pushed Antonio back!
'Go somewhere and cool off, okay?!' Luis yelled at his brother. Antonio shook his head and walked off towards the cafeteria to find Pilar and his nephew. He hoped Luis handled this thing right! Otherwise, Rebecca and Julian would get away with turning their little sister into a cripple!
Luis then touched Eve's arm.
'Eve, I need for you to listen to me. I read that letter too. I don't know or couldn't imagine how Julian was feeling when he was blind, but it sounded like he was in a lot of turmoil. Turmoil that he didn't feel you could help with. Rebecca wrote this letter for your husband, then somehow, Teresa saw it and read it. She confronted Julian, then planned to find you and warn you about what was in it. Rebecca stopped her at the top of the stairs and pushed her down. Now Teresa can't walk! I find it hard to believe that Julian didn't hear something! And I find it even more interesting that he never mentioned his ex-wife being in the house either. Eve, you need to get the truth out of your husband...our families go way back...'
Eve nodded quickly, trying to keep tears from forming in her eyes.
'Fine. You're right Luis. I will talk to Julian.'
Julian walked up just then. He looked at the ripped letter that was in Eve's hand. Why was it ripped?
Luis looked at him, but was speaking to Eve.
'The letter is only ripped in half, Eve. You can still read it, if you can.' he said, before he too turned and walked off towards the cafeteria.
Julian gave Eve a nervous smile.
'I see that you found my letter...have you read it?'
'No. Not yet. Actually, I've been concerned about Teresa. She's paralyzed, you know.'
Julian sucked in a breath!
'Good God! No, I didn't know...how would I know? Look, darling, let's go someplace and talk.'
Eve looked around her.
'There's no one around now. Tell me what's in this letter here? Tell me that Antonio wasn't right? Tell me that you weren't about to leave me?!'
Julian tried to put his hands on her shoulders, but Eve backed away, glaring at him. Her eyes were shiny with tears.
'Alright,' Julian began, 'what you're holding in your hand was a goodbye letter, of sorts. I was only planning on staying away until I got my sight back. Eve, I was no good to our family the way I was! I was feeling more and more depressed...I just wanted to spare you, or any of my children, the pain of seeing me like I was.'
Eve said nothing to that, but looked away, wiping away a tear. Julian forged on with his confession.
'Anyway, Rebecca showed up, out of the blue, right after our fight over our son. I had already decided by then, that my leaving was the best course of action, and asked her to write your goodbye letter. To her credit, Rebecca disagreed with me wholeheartedly. She did not think you would understand my leaving. I now know she was right.'
'Now that you have your sight back?' Eve asked, in almost jeering tone. Julian had never heard her sound that way, and was a bit taken aback.
'Eve...'
'Go on, Julian. Tell me where Teresa fits into all of this? Tell me how shoving the mother of one of your children down some stairs, was easier than telling me the truth?!' Eve cried, now openly weeping.
Julian hated this! How did one stupid mistake, turn into such a big, horrendous problem?! And he had hurt his beloved...he had to make Eve understand that it was him, not her, and that he had planned to leave because he loved her and their family, not because he had stopped.
'Eve, listen to me. I'm sorrier than you will ever know that I was so cowardly! Teresa read the letter and confronted me in the nursery. But my explanation was about as lame to her, as it is to you now. I felt her rush past me...then I heard a scream. I made my way out on the landing, just as my sight came back. Teresa was lying at the bottom of the steps. Rebecca was kneeling beside her. I don't know if Rebecca pushed Teresa or not! I'm sorry that I didn't tell you about Rebecca being there...I'm sorry for everything...let's just get past this now...'
But Eve turned and threw the letter in the nearest trash can, then walked away. Julian just stood there. He didn't think he could remember ever seeing her this angry. And worse yet, he hadn't had a chance to explain about Alistair!
****
Eve wiped her face and walked out into the waiting area. She stopped short when she saw the twins. She had forgotten that Julian had brought them here.
Fox and Whitney stood up.
'How is Teresa?' Whitney asked. Fox put an arm around her.
Eve took a deep breath and tried to shove Julian from her mind. But, that soon became impossible, when Whitney said, 'hi Julian'.
Eve could feel him standing behind her, but she didn't move or comment on his nearness.
'Teresa is paralyzed.'
Whitney put a hand up to her mouth. Fox shook his head with disbelief. She then turned into Fox's arms.
'It's temporary, isn't it?' Fox asked, while comforting Whitney.
'I hope so.' she answered him.
'We all do, son.' Julian said, putting a hand on Eve's shoulder. She pulled away, then turned to face him.
'I'm going to take the Evan and Erin back home.'
'I'll come with you.'
'No! You need to stay here and explain yourself to Luis...and probably Sam as well. I'd also call your 'confidante' and make sure that you have your lies straight!'
Whitney looked up at Fox, then over at her mother and Julian.
'What's going on here?' Fox asked, sensing something terrible was about to happen.
Eve looked at her daughter and Fox.
'Ask Julian here. He forgot a few details in his original story.' Eve then grabbed the double stroller and began walking towards the elevators. Julian angrily followed her.
'Eve! I don't like scenes and I don't appreciate your walking away from me, not once, but twice!'
'I'm taking the twins home, Julian! I don't want to hear anymore from you!'
The elevator doors opened and Eve wheeled the twins in. Julian jumped in as well. They were all alone.
'Leo quit. I drove the limo here. That means I will be driving you home.'
Eve gaped at him!
'I don't even want to know why a nice man like Leo quit!'
'All of the servants are gone, Eve. I fired them.'
'What?!'
The doors opened and they were on the first floor. Eve wheeled the stroller out. Erin began kicking wildly, as per the norm. When they reached the limo, Julian picked up Erin, while Eve took ahold of Evan.
Once they were strapped in the backseat of the limo, Eve stayed back there with them, while Julian drove. He eyed her through the mirror. It unnerved him how angry she was. Then again, that was probably the reason he hadn't wanted her to know about the damned letter in the first place!
It was quite a silent drive, the only sounds being a few soft coos from the babies. By the time Julian pulled into the drive at the mansion, he decided he needed to tell Eve all of it. She would just be livid if she found out that he had kept anything else from her. It was better to get her tirade over with now.
He stopped the limo and got out. He then walked to the back door on his side, and opened it. Eve got out, then bent down to get the twins out of their seats. She then looked up and around.
There was more graffiti on the house! And it looked as if someone had strewn trash around the lawns. Eve glared at Julian.
'Alright, Julian! What aren't you telling me? Why would you fire all of our servants so close to Christmas? What if they don't find other jobs?'
'And that's my problem?! Listen, I fired those worthless ingrates, because when I came back here to pick up the twins, Alistair was in the nursery!'
Eve gasped, then fell into Julian's arms. Julian held her tightly.
'It's alright. No harm came to any of the children. But he did pick up Erin. She seemed a little distressed, after I finally persuaded the man to put her down.'
Eve pulled away from him and reached in to touch Erin's arm.
'Honey, I am so sorry! You will never have to see that man again, I promise! Mommy loves you!'
Erin was quiet and had stopped kicking to get out of her car seat. It was almost as if she understood what Eve was saying to her. Almost. She then went back to kicking again, while Evan gurgled.
Eve rose up to look at Julian again. He touched her face.
'I just went insane at the idea that he was allowed into this house again! Really, Eve, if they can't at least turn that man away, then we'll never be able to leave the twins alone at home with anyone.'
'Yes, Julian, but for all we know, Alistair broke in and no one saw him here! Why was he here again anyway? Did he try to offer you a deal about our son? Julian, now that you can see, maybe we can take him up on it?'
Julian knew, that all would be forgiven, if he would just say that was what had happened. His mind began to spin. Alistair just wanted the charges dropped. Julian could tell Eve that he had agreed to take Alistair up on his deal, then act as disappointed as she, when Alistair never followed through. It was a terrible thing to do, but somehow, he knew that if he told her he was doing it to protect Rebecca's hide, Eve would probably leave him.
'That's what I wanted to talk to you about, Eve. I didn't want to take him up on anything until I talked with you.'
'Yes! Yes, Julian, do it! We'll hire guards if we have to, to keep him away from the twins, but tell him we'll do it, if he tells us who our son is!'
Julian was thrilled, yet, saddened by the happiness he saw on his wife's face. He vowed to step up his own search for his son. He would hire a new private investigator, one that didn't take all day to get the job done!
Julian then put his arms around Eve and pulled her close to him.
'So, does that mean that all is forgiven?'
Eve frowned, then pulled away slightly, fingering his sweater.
'Julian, I'm hurt that during the worst time of your life, you turned to Rebecca instead of me. If you had even come to me and said you wanted to get away for awhile, I would've been hurt, but at least you wouldn't have snuck off.'
'I know darling, and I'm so sorry for hurting you like that. I never want to see that look on your face again. I'll do whatever I have to, to make it up to you.'
'Anything?' she asked.
'Scout's honor.'
'Then I want you to stay away from Rebecca.'
'Darling, you don't really believe anything is going on between us, do you?'
'No, Julian, I don't. But I don't believe Tony DiMera raped her either.'
Julian eyed her. Alistair had said that as well too!
'Why don't you think so?'
Eve realized she was now going to have to tell Julian something that would displease him.
'I saw Tony at the park.'
'Oh great, Eve! There's no telling what that animal could've done to you!'
'Julian,' she continued on, ignoring his anger, 'Tony said that he and Rebecca were having an affair. He admitted to me that he was cheating on Simone. And when she asked him to leave Simone and marry her, just so she could actually make John Black jealous, that was when things got out of hand. Tony claims Rebecca was filming them, but has now hidden the tape. Now Teresa is accusing her of attacking her. I don't want you involved with her, Julian. She's trouble.'
Julian processed what Eve had just told him. That would be just like Rebecca to blackmail some rich man for something! God knows she had pulled that number on him as well.
'Alright. I will cut my ties with her. And maybe we can pay for Teresa's hospital expenses or something. After all, this unfortunate incident did happen in our house.'
Eve smiled at him, then kissed him. She then pulled away and bent down into the limo to unbuckle the twins. Julian grabbed her around the waist, pulling her back up again.
'So, now that we have that out of the way, I would really like to make up for that week that I was blind, and you refused to give me any...' he whispered the rest of it in her ear.
Eve's eyes widened, and she turned and whacked him across the chest!
'You're the one that moved out of our bedroom. Blind or not, I would've been perfectly willing to oblige you!'
'Then prove it?' Julian asked, grinning at her madly.
Eve pulled Erin out of the car seat and held her. Erin smiled at Julian.
'Help me bring the twins in, get them settled down, then...we can do what you just suggested there. And don't say those type of things out loud in front of the twins.' she said. Eve then began to walk with Erin towards the front door, looking at a roll of toilet paper that hung from a tree, then shaking her head.
Julian reached down and pulled out the freshly diapered Evan. He bounced him up and down.
'Guess what, son? Guess? Your mommy is going to give me a special present! Yes she it! Yes she is indeed!'
****
Rebecca threw the last bit of clothes in her suitcase and slammed it shut. She locked it, then hauled it out towards the living room.
She couldn't believe Julian was just going to betray her like this! All he had to do was keep his damned mouth shut! But no! He cared more about that damned Eve's feelings, than protecting an old friend!
Gwen and Ethan suddenly walked in the front door. Rebecca didn't know where they had been, nor did she have time to care! She had to get the hell out of dodge!
'Mother? What is it? Where are you going?' Gwen asked, looking from Rebecca to Ethan.
'Honey, I have to leave town, just for a bit.'
'You can't leave town, Rebecca. The D.A. said they're moving up your trial. You could be putting that DiMera bastard away as soon as next week!'
'Yes...and I will be back to do so! I just need a little break right now!' Rebecca said, trying to move past them. But Gwen blocked her way, looking at Ethan frantically. He walked up to his mother-in-law.
'What is it, Rebecca? What's happened? Did Tony DiMera contact you in any way? Is he why you're so scared?'
Rebecca dropped her suitcase.
'No. It's not Tony. I went over to see Julian today...he's been feeling so blue...anyway, Eve hired Teresa to be the twins new nanny. Julian and I were just sitting in the study, when she trips and falls down the stairs. We call 911 and get her help, but soon Julian calls and tell me thats she's telling everyone that I pushed her! I didn't, I swear! But I really don't need this right now!'
Rebecca then began to sob. Gwen hugged her. Ethan just watched her carefully. Gwen looked back at him and frowned.
'I take it from that look, that you don't believe my mother?'
'Why would Teresa lie like that?' Ethan asked.
'Because she's a liar, Ethan! Always has been! God! How can you still defend her?!'
'I'm not, Gwen! I just think that it's funny that Teresa trips, then decides to blame Rebecca! I mean, surely Julian, being blind, could back up your story, that the two of you were in the study. I don't see why you're mother is getting so bent out of shape, is all.'
The sound of a car pulling up could be heard. Ethan went over to the window and looked out.
'Yep! It's Dad and Luis.'
Ethan went to open the door. He greeted Sam and Luis, before letting them in. Sam immediately noticed Rebecca's suitcase.
'Going somewhere, Rebecca?' Sam asked, keeping his voice calm.
'Uh...no...I just...'
'Yeah, right!' Luis snapped. 'Let me tell you something, Eve has already gotten your little buddy to crack! So you might as well fess up, because Teresa told us everything!'
'Your sister is a liar, Luis! I wouldn't do something like that! I just wouldn't!' Rebecca whined.
Antonio entered the house as well. When he heard Rebecca's denials, he began to rush towards her! Rebecca squealed and took a step back! Ethan stepped in front of Rebecca.
'Luis! Control your brother there!' he yelled.
'My sister is paralyzed no thanks to you...you lousy...'
Ethan sucked in his breath! Gwen watched her husband's reaction carefully.
Luis pulled Antonio back out of the house.
'Damn man! I told you to stay out in the car! What the hell is the...'
Luis suddenly stopped talking and grabbed Antonio's hand. It was hairier than hell!
'Antonio, man, what's going on here?! What's happening to you?!'
Antonio took a deep breath, before snatching his hand back.
'That night that Abe Carver first turned into that Sasquatch...when I ran past him to tell you all in the police station what was happening, he scratched me.'
'Oh God!'
Antonio nodded.
'Now, when I get angry, it's like I turn a quarter into a damned beast. That's it. But it's been really hard to deal with...it first happened after I found out what happened to Liz, up in the Himalayas. I'm just grateful that it hasn't happened on my job.'
'Yeah, I guess. Where are you working now anyway?'
'Oh, around. Look, I'd better get out of here, before I lose my temper again.'
'Antonio, you're not going anywhere! Tony DiMera has a cure. We're going to make him give it to you, or else!'