Chapter 20
Alistair and Stefano's trials begin.
Three months later, in the middle of winter, the trials of Alistair Crane and Stefano DiMera began, at the same time.
Stefano, who had been on the run, actually surrendered himself to the police, accidentally. In what turned out to be one of the strangest tales yet, Stefano DiMera ended up actually being RESCUED by the police!
Days later, after his escape, Stefano DiMera was found, naked and chained, in a cabin. He was wearing a leather hood. What the police discovered, was that he was supposed to be in that position, and that it was his 'partner' that had left him in this embarrassing situation.
For it turned out, that one of the guards at the Salem Police station, had helped orchestrate DiMera's escape, and had driven the getaway car. The guard was a woman, Noelle Perkins. But a more extensive background check, showed that the woman's name was really Alicia Sheffield, or was better known to the residents of Harmony, as the woman, who for a brief period of time, impersonated Dr. Eve Crane. She was also the late Chad Harris's mother. Chad, a child who had been fathered by Stefano DiMera.
Alicia, apparently was still ticked off by her mistreatment at Stefano's hands, only pretended to be his puppet again. For once she helped him escape, and he got into her car, Alicia hit him with a stun gun, then drove for hours to the remote cabin she had rented. Every once and awhile, she would stun Stefano again, whenever he seemed to get his bearings.
Once she dragged him into the cabin(police, and interested observers noted that that couldn't have been no small feat), he was stripped and chained, then used for sexual pleasure, though, Stefano himself, didn't quite see it that way. He claimed she would not have had to chain him up, and that he would have willingly serviced her, if for no other reason, as a reward, for helping him escape from jail.
According to Stefano, Alicia wanted another baby, one that she could name Chad, and raise herself. Once the deed was done, Alicia refused to unchain him, and left him there for four days, without access to water, food or heat.
But, police had been tipped off by an anonymous source. The rationale was that it could have only been Alicia Sheffield herself, since no one else knew where they were. By the time they got there, Stefano had a case of pneumonia, and was taken to the nearest hospital.
Meanwhile in Harmony, Alistair had not run anywhere, but had just decided to accept the fact that he was going to trial. Eve, was one of the few people, that just didn't buy this, and continued to wonder what surprises he still had left in him.
The first day of the trials turned out to be quite the social event. There were some people, like Eve and Julian, that not only had to testify in Harmony, but had to get to Salem to testify against Stefano. Most of those witnesses, were made up of everyone that had been kidnapped to that island, over a year ago.
Alistair's witnesses were most of Harmony, many character witnesses for the prosecution, that were going to say that Alistair Crane was capable of murder and much more.
Then there was Ms. Simone Russell DiMera, or, as the newspapers referred to her, 'The Countess'. As Julian predicted, the Crane lawyers were able to get a judge to believe that it was just an accident, and that the Countess had been distraught over her husband's legal problems, thus, she had not been watching the road.
Simone's pregnancy was then revealed, and her lawyers insisted that she and the unborn child could have been killed as well. The D.A. mysteriously, decided not to prosecute.
Ethan and Rebecca were appalled! Ethan, who had recovered, but still had no real memory of the accident, could not believe that Simone would hide behind the Crane money, something she always claimed to despise.
Rebecca was a little more vocal. She called Simone a little tramp, no better than Teresa Lopez-Fitzgerald! She also vowed to sue Simone personally, for pain and suffering.
Simone took all of this very hard. She knew what she had done was wrong, yet, she couldn't be sorry she wasn't going to prison. But she was sorry she was still living in Harmony.
The stares and vulgar comments she got, were unlike anything she had ever went through in her life. Simone had actually renewed her friendship with Kay Bennett, who strangely enough, knew what it felt like to be treated like a pariah in this town.
Simone welcomed her renewed friendship with Kay, but warned her to stay away from John.
And as for John Hastings and Simone, things were going well in that department, except for one thing: Tony, and his plane, had seemingly disappeared. The plane had just dropped off of the radar, so no one knew if the annoying Count DiMera, was alive or dead.
****
Julian and Eve held hands as they stood outside the courtroom. There were reporters, but none of them seemed interested in speaking with either one of them. They were too busy asking Ivy about her new 'daughter'.
Eve felt Julian's hand tighten, and she looked over at him.
'Julian, I'm sorry you have to see her.'
Julian looked over at her.
'Why? Eve, my marriage to her never meant anything. I'm fine.'
'I know you are. But I remember how hurt you were, when you found out about Ethan.'
Julian squeezed her hand.
'Yes, I was. But this is different. I didn't raise a daughter, thinking that she was my flesh and blood. I guess I'm just so appalled that Ivy, and that Cowell character, went to the lengths they did to cover their hides. Ivy goes to Europe for six months, acting as if she needs time apart from me... and the children. I remember being somewhat surprised that she would even think of leaving Ethan for that long.'
'She left when she was beginning to show.' Eve murmured, thinking.
'Now to know that she had another baby, by another man...I wonder how I survived in that marriage as long as I did.'
'Julian,' Eve began gently, 'if Ivy had told you the truth, would you have raised her daughter as your own?'
Julian smiled at her.
'No. I would've used it as an excuse to divorce her, so I could be with my true passion.' he said grinning at her.
Eve smiled back, but secretly, she knew her husband had been hurt when the news of Ivy's latest deception, came out. For no matter how bad Julian and Ivy's marriage was, for her to have had another child, with yet another man, was a painful reminder to Julian, of how lonely and unhappy his first marriage had really been.
She was also worried about her hubby for other reasons. Julian was recovering from a cold that had kept him in bed for two weeks. Fox had taken up the slack at Crane Industries, while Eve doted on him at home.
Eve suspected that the cold had developed due to stress. And the stress she suspected Julian was going through, was from having to betray Rebecca and Ethan.
After Simone had gotten off, Julian, Eve, Fox, Whitney, John and Simone, had celebrated at one of Julian's favorite restaurants. They had rented the private dining room. Eve had been so relieved for Simone, and happy for her. John Hastings would make a great father. That was all ruined by Rebecca's arrival.
Rebecca had actually been suffered a double whammy that week. Teresa, who now just walked with a cane, and was almost through with that, had renewed her 'friendship' with Ethan, now that he was vulnerable and lonely. It broke Rebecca's heart whenever she thought of how her Gwenie would react to that! Teresa was the last person she would want to see Ethan with!
Then Simone got away with killing her daughter.
Rebecca had barged into the private dining room, picked up the first pitcher of something liquid, and flung it in Julian's face! Fox jumped up to restrain her, while Eve grabbed napkins and began helping Julian wipe off his face...and suit.
Rebecca told him that she would NEVER forgive him for getting his trampy step-daughter off for murdering Gwen! She also told him to watch his back, because he was going to be very sorry!
She had then pulled away from Fox and left, leaving their celebratory dinner, in shambles. Eve remembered thinking they really didn't have anything to celebrate anyway. After all, someone was dead.
Ever since that night, Eve had sensed a sadness in her husband. Rebecca had been one of his relatively true friends, and now she was gone because he chose to help Simone. Ethan refused to speak to him at all. And Eve knew that Julian had been proud to be Ethan's father. She also suspected that he had hoped that one day, he and Ethan could at least be friends.
Shortly after that, Julian caught a cold that seemed to linger. That was when Eve suspected it was from stress...and sadness.
Eve had been determined to make the holidays as wonderful for husband, as possible. She was also determined not to do anything that would displease him. He had brought Simone back to her, and Eve really wanted to do anything and everything to make Julian happy.
So, when Dr. Parks asked her to join a panel of doctors that were working on a cure for Abe Carver, Eve was forced to decline. Yes, she had wanted to do it! Abe had been caught and hospitalized, and was at this moment, quarantined, along with Antonio Lopez-Fitzgerald. But, knowing how Julian felt about Abe, Eve declined.
Then the story about Ivy's love child with Simon Cowell was revealed. Julian now watched Ivy fend off the reporters pesky questions. Eve looked at him, then kissed his cheek.
'Forget that woman. The man that is responsible for our years apart, is finally going to get his. So, let's go and get a seat, okay?'
Julian nodded. They began to head towards the door, when they noticed Ivy walking towards them. She was wearing a two piece ivory suit, and wore her hair up. She looked at the two of them, but this time, did not smirk or glare. This time, Ivy looked distinctly uncomfortable.
Eve, sensing that the two of them had unfinished business, excused herself. She looked at Julian.
'I'll be right in there if you need me.' she said softly, before opening the door and walking into the courtroom. That left Julian and Ivy alone. His eyes swept over her.
'My, you could wear that to your daughter's wedding. Oh, I forgot, there isn't going to be one, is there?'
Ivy scowled at her ex. No, there was not going to be a wedding now. Not for Amanda Cowell. For that damned tabloid reporter's story, made it appear as if the Cowell's in general, were trying to hide Amanda's true parentage from the Royals(which was sort of true).
Apparently, Amanda had been ready for the story. Her fiancee had not been, and did not take it well, nor did he care that Amanda herself, had just learned of it. The marriage was called off.
Thus, Ivy and Simon got most of the blame. Simon had done an interview with Barbara Walters. He told her, and the world, that he loved his daughter and always had. He said he knew he was not fit to raise Amanda, but that his brother and sister-in-law were childless, and would raise his daughter right.
He then admitted that he was known to her as 'Uncle Simon' and did have a relationship with her. Then, Barbara, turned the questioning towards Ivy herself.
Simon was his usual, brutally frank self. He told Barbara Walters that Ivy had been desperate for good sex, since her husband provided none! And that she had been hopelessly in love with another man, all of the years that she was married to Julian Crane(which was common knowledge).
Simon then went on to insult Julian. He admitted he didn't know him that well, but he knew he would nail anything that was not moving, and that included maids and vermin! Simon also suspected that Julian had probably cheated on his current wife, or would do so in the near future!
'What do you want from me, Julian? You don't think my life is hell enough as it is? Ethan is profoundly disappointed in me, and actually wants to get to know his 'sister'! Fox and the girls aren't speaking to me at all. But of course, why don't you just kick me when I'm down?! That is your m.o. isn't it? You know I...'
Julian grabbed her arm tightly, then pulled her into a nearby janitorial closet! He closed the door behind them. The media had looked very interested in what they were saying to one another, and Julian had not been in the mood to fend them off!
'You know nothing about me, Ivy. You never did.'
Ivy snorted!
'I learned all about you on our wedding night! When I overheard you telling your damnable father, that you never loved me! How could I get to know someone like that? Huh? You tell me!'
Julian smiled crookedly at her.
'Let's get back to the way you referred to your daughter just now. You said Ethan wanted to get to know his 'sister'. What is so wrong with that? Maybe he could use the distraction right now?'
'What Ethan needs or doesn't need, is none of your concern anymore! Ethan hates you, you know? For helping that little witch, Simone, get away with killing Gwen.'
Julian decided to just say what he needed to say, and get the hell out of this closet!
'You know what I find ironic? Is that rarely a day went by, when you weren't telling me how much you hated and loathed me. Yet, you willingly parted your legs for a man like Simon Cowell, but froze me out of your bedroom for years.'
Ivy shrugged.
'I don't see your point, Julian. Probably because there isn't one. I'm getting out of this God awful closet!'
But Julian blocked her way.
'What I'm asking you, Ivy dear, is what did you see in a man that had almost the exact same qualities, that you swore you loathed in me?'
Ivy smirked.
'Are you asking why Simon over you, Julian? Oh, poor baby!'
'Then again,' Julian continued, 'now that I think about it, with the exception of sex, you really didn't act any differently.'
'What does that mean?' Ivy asked impatiently.
'It means that you had another child with a man you didn't love, and couldn't stomach to look at her, thus you just gave her away. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Isn't that why you sent our children away to boarding school?'
'How dare you! Giving Amanda up was the hardest thing I ever had to do! And if you didn't want the kids to go away to school, you should've said something! But you didn't, because you were every bit the lousy father yourself!'
'So if giving up your daughter was the hardest thing you ever had to do, what was lying to Sam and me?'
Ivy smiled again.
'The only part that hurt about that, was lying to Sam.'
'Ah.' Julian nodded. 'You see, Ivy, the reason our son and daughters aren't speaking to you, is because they can relate to poor Amanda. When you don't love the father of your children, you have the tendency to blame those children, instead of yourself. I think Fox and the girls know what it's like to just be thrown away and abandoned by their mother. You have a nice day now.'
Julian then reached over and opened the door to the closet. He slammed it behind him, with Ivy still inside. She just stared at the door.
****
Eve sat next to Fox and Whitney. The three of them looked up, when T.C. and Celeste walked in, holding hands. Eve's mouth dropped open! Whitney looked at her.
'Did you know they were a couple?' Whitney asked her.
Eve just shook her head.
'Uh, no. I mean, I don't ever see your father anymore. I would have no idea who he was seeing.'
'Yeah, it's the same for me.' Whitney said.
'That's because he can't stomach the sight of me.' Fox chimed in. Whitney linked her arm through his.
'Well until my father learns to get over his hang ups about the Crane men, then Celeste is all he will have to keep him company.' Whitney answered.
Fox raised a brow.
'I don't know, honey. That might not be such a bad thing.'
Whitney eyed Celeste. She had always thought Celeste was beautiful...but she was Lexie's mother! It just seemed strange to see her father and Celeste together as a couple.
Eve just stared at the two of them. How long had this been going on? Had Celeste wanted T.C. this whole time?
Eve suddenly stood up, with the intention of going over to talk with them, just as Julian was heading her way. She gave him a look of concern.
'Are you alright?' she asked him. Julian nodded.
'Ivy was her usual, sensitive self.' he answered.
At the mention of Ivy's name, Fox and Whitney looked up at Julian and Eve.
'Is mother here?' Fox asked, looking around.
Julian nodded.
'Why?' Whitney asked.
'I think she's being called as a character witness for the prosecution. Whatever her faults, she hates Alistair as much as the rest of us.' Julian answered. His eyes swept the courtroom, then fell upon T.C. and Celeste. He smiled, eyeing Eve, who was staring at them.
'I didn't know they were a couple?' Julian asked, looking at her.
Eve shrugged.
'Neither did I.'
'Does it bother you?' Julian asked, watching her carefully.
Eve looked at him and smiled.
'No...well, no, it's just sort of weird. Celeste, no matter how she looks, has always been more of the motherly type. I just can't see how this developed.'
Simone and John entered the courtroom. John scooted in in front of Eve, Julian, Fox and Whitney. Simone kept going and walked over to T.C. and Celeste. She hugged Celeste, then looked at her father.
T.C. glanced back at Julian and Eve, then got up. Together, he and Simone left the courtroom. Eve watched them, then stood up.
'Eve, she just wants some time with her father. She hasn't seen him in ages.' Julian said, knowing where she was going.
But Eve didn't answer him, and moved out of the row and followed after them. Because what she did not tell her husband, was that she had caught Simone doing something recently. Something that explained Simone's sudden 'change of heart'. And Eve refused to stand for it any longer!
****
'Daddy, I didn't choose to live with Mom, or that creep Julian! I was desperate and in trouble. I didn't want to go to prison. So in order to be able to stay out of prison, I have to live with him and be nice to the both of them! Daddy...he's been working me like a slave! And I'm beginning to show now! I'm practically raising those pissy brats of theirs single handedly...oh Daddy! I just want to come home!' she cried.
'I'll kill that bastard for doing this to you!' T.C. began to rage, as he pulled his youngest daughter into an embrace. His face then changed, when he realized Eve had been standing nearby the whole time. And from the look on her face, it was clear she had overheard everything.
T.C. let go of Simone.
'Honey, your mother is coming this way. So, maybe now is the time to tell her how you feel. By tonight, Celeste and I will have you moved back in.'
Simone almost jumped when she heard that, and turned to face her mother. Eve looked at T.C.
'Leave us.' she ordered in a cold voice.
'Wait a minute, Eve! Now I'm not going anywhere if you plan on bullying our daughter! She's pregnant you know!'
Eve rolled her eyes.
'I am very aware of that! And rest assured, T.C., you will have your daughter, back with you, by the time we leave this court house.'
'Huh?' Simone asked.
'Oh yes, dear! Because we're both going home to pack. And I will drive you over to your father's house...anything....anything, so that Julian doesn't have to look at your ungrateful face!' she snapped, her voice getting louder, as her rage grew!
T.C. pulled Simone back a bit. He then looked down the hallway. It didn't appear that the press had overheard her outburst!
'What's going on here, Eve?' T.C. asked. Something was a bit off. He rarely, if ever, saw her this angry!
'Ask your precious baby here! Never mind! I'll just say it! No one, not even Julian, was forcing you to make us breakfast everyday!'
'That's not true! He was forcing me to be the nanny and the cook! And I was supposed to be nice to...'
'What, Simone? You were supposed to be nice to me?'
Simone looked away guiltily. T.C. eyed his daughter, but said nothing.
'You know, Simone, I don't care anymore. And you know when I realized I didn't care anymore?'
Simone rolled her eyes in response.
'It would be on one of those days you handed me Julian's breakfast to take up to him, you know, back when he was sick? Anyway, I peeked into the kitchen to see if you needed any help at all, and do you know what I saw?'
Simone looked away guiltily again. T.C. looked at Eve.
'Just tell us, Eve!'
Eve gave T.C. a dirty look!
'I caught our daughter, SPITTING in my husband's food! God knows how long she had been doing it, or if he was the only family member she had done it to! I now wonder if that's where his cold came from! All I do know is that you are getting the HELL up out of our house, this instant!'
T.C. looked at Simone.
'You spit in people's food? Oh, Simone!'
'Daddy is was just Julian Crane! No, I never spit in anyone else's, and yes, I have been doing it, since day one!' she screeched.
Now, the reporters were curious! T.C. pulled on Simone's arm and dragged her towards the nearest exit. Eve followed. They ended up outside. The temperature was 40 degrees, but the outdoors afforded them some temporary privacy. There were patches of hardened ice on the walk, that had not melted yet from the last snow fall.
'Honey, you know I hate Julian's guts. I always will. But he did keep you from going to prison...how could you just spit in his food like that? I mean that's just plain nasty Simone! And unhealthy...I don't know what else to say.' T.C. said with disappointment.
'I do.' Eve said. 'Julian hurt people that he cared about, just to help someone who would spit in his food! And he did that because he loved me! I will not let you abuse him or his generosity not another damned day! We are leaving this instant, and going back to the mansion, where you are packing your things and going back to...'
'Whoa!' T.C. interrupted. 'I don't mean to be rude, but Simone, honey, this spitting thing...there's a breach of trust here.'
Simone squinted up at him.
'What do you mean, Daddy?'
'I mean, that I don't know that you might not pull the same thing on Celeste or I, when you get mad about something! And with you being pregnant and raging hormones, or whatever, I can't take the chance of having you around. Honey, I'm sorry.'
'Daddy!' Simone cried out.
'Honey, doesn't John live with Fox and Whitney? Maybe you can stay with them?'
Eve shook her head.
'They live in a cottage on the Crane property. I don't want her anywhere on the grounds!' Eve insisted.
'Honey, John and you will find a place. I'll help you look.'
Simone began shaking her head!
'I don't believe this! You're turning your back on me again, Mom! All because of that damned Julian Crane!'
'Did I hear my name?' Julian asked coolly, walking towards them. Court had begun and Alistair had walked in with his lawyers. When Eve hadn't returned with T.C. or Simone, Julian became worried that another altercation had taken place.
Eve glared at Simone, then grabbed Julian's arm and pulled him away from Simone and T.C..
'Simone is moving out.' she said firmly.
'Darling, what happened?'
'Never mind that. I just think it would be best if she left the premises.'
'Darling, I'm sure you can work things out. Let's not be too hasty, after all she is pregnant.'
Eve looked at him tenderly. Whatever Julian's many faults, he was a dear and loving man. And it made her SICK that Simone could not see that! Especially after all that he had done on her behalf! Eve did not want him to know about Simone spitting on his food! He would be so hurt and disgusted! She just thanked God that she had caught Simone the other day. Eve had pretended like she hadn't seen it, then took the tray from her.
Eve had then walked upstairs with the tray, then set it down, before peeking back down the stairs. She saw Simone leave the kitchen and walk down a back hallway. Eve had known that she was going over to Fox and Whitney's cottage to see John.
That was when Eve took the tray back downstairs, and made Julian something else.
'Honey,' Eve said gently, picking up his hand and kissing it. 'Everything will be fine now. But I want to thank you for all that you did to try and bring Simone back to me. This decision is best!'
'No it isn't best!' Simone sneered. 'None of this is best! All of our problems started, when you took up with that man! I'm glad I did what I did! I'd do it again in a heartbeat!'
Now Julian was more than curious, and getting angry!
'You'd do what again? What?'
'Julian, ignore her! Let's just go!'
'No, Eve! I want to know what your daughter has done! Tell me, Simone! What have you done this time, that would make your mother want you gone from our house?'
T.C. touched Simone's shoulder. Simone glared at Julian.
'Fine! I was spitting in your food, okay? I was angry that you were making me do all of the housework and...'
'No one was making you do any housework, Simone! We had hired a few servants by then, and I was pitching in myself! You spit in my husband's food because you are spoiled and ungrateful! Now, we're going back to the mansion this instant!' Eve yelled.
But Julian stepped forward. He felt sick to his stomach! To actually know that every meal that this girl had prepared, had spit in it! And God knows what else!
He began to move forward towards her. T.C. jumped in his way.
'Lay off, Crane! She said she was sorry!'
No she hadn't! But that wouldn't have appeased Julian anyway! Not after all he had done for this ungrateful, little wench! He had lost Ethan's respect and Rebecca's friendship! Gwen had truly died for nothing!
Julian suddenly felt strength in him, that he never knew he had! He shoved T.C. aside so brutally, that the man went flying over into a snowbank! He then moved in on Simone.
'Julian!' Eve screamed.
Simone began to back away, then turned to run. But she slipped on a patch of ice and fell...hard!
Eve ran to her carefully, so that she did not slip herself. Julian, as if snapping out of his rampage, bent down over her as well. There was blood seeping out from between Simone's legs.
'My baby!' she began to wail. 'I'm losing my baby!'
Alistair and Stefano's trials begin.
Three months later, in the middle of winter, the trials of Alistair Crane and Stefano DiMera began, at the same time.
Stefano, who had been on the run, actually surrendered himself to the police, accidentally. In what turned out to be one of the strangest tales yet, Stefano DiMera ended up actually being RESCUED by the police!
Days later, after his escape, Stefano DiMera was found, naked and chained, in a cabin. He was wearing a leather hood. What the police discovered, was that he was supposed to be in that position, and that it was his 'partner' that had left him in this embarrassing situation.
For it turned out, that one of the guards at the Salem Police station, had helped orchestrate DiMera's escape, and had driven the getaway car. The guard was a woman, Noelle Perkins. But a more extensive background check, showed that the woman's name was really Alicia Sheffield, or was better known to the residents of Harmony, as the woman, who for a brief period of time, impersonated Dr. Eve Crane. She was also the late Chad Harris's mother. Chad, a child who had been fathered by Stefano DiMera.
Alicia, apparently was still ticked off by her mistreatment at Stefano's hands, only pretended to be his puppet again. For once she helped him escape, and he got into her car, Alicia hit him with a stun gun, then drove for hours to the remote cabin she had rented. Every once and awhile, she would stun Stefano again, whenever he seemed to get his bearings.
Once she dragged him into the cabin(police, and interested observers noted that that couldn't have been no small feat), he was stripped and chained, then used for sexual pleasure, though, Stefano himself, didn't quite see it that way. He claimed she would not have had to chain him up, and that he would have willingly serviced her, if for no other reason, as a reward, for helping him escape from jail.
According to Stefano, Alicia wanted another baby, one that she could name Chad, and raise herself. Once the deed was done, Alicia refused to unchain him, and left him there for four days, without access to water, food or heat.
But, police had been tipped off by an anonymous source. The rationale was that it could have only been Alicia Sheffield herself, since no one else knew where they were. By the time they got there, Stefano had a case of pneumonia, and was taken to the nearest hospital.
Meanwhile in Harmony, Alistair had not run anywhere, but had just decided to accept the fact that he was going to trial. Eve, was one of the few people, that just didn't buy this, and continued to wonder what surprises he still had left in him.
The first day of the trials turned out to be quite the social event. There were some people, like Eve and Julian, that not only had to testify in Harmony, but had to get to Salem to testify against Stefano. Most of those witnesses, were made up of everyone that had been kidnapped to that island, over a year ago.
Alistair's witnesses were most of Harmony, many character witnesses for the prosecution, that were going to say that Alistair Crane was capable of murder and much more.
Then there was Ms. Simone Russell DiMera, or, as the newspapers referred to her, 'The Countess'. As Julian predicted, the Crane lawyers were able to get a judge to believe that it was just an accident, and that the Countess had been distraught over her husband's legal problems, thus, she had not been watching the road.
Simone's pregnancy was then revealed, and her lawyers insisted that she and the unborn child could have been killed as well. The D.A. mysteriously, decided not to prosecute.
Ethan and Rebecca were appalled! Ethan, who had recovered, but still had no real memory of the accident, could not believe that Simone would hide behind the Crane money, something she always claimed to despise.
Rebecca was a little more vocal. She called Simone a little tramp, no better than Teresa Lopez-Fitzgerald! She also vowed to sue Simone personally, for pain and suffering.
Simone took all of this very hard. She knew what she had done was wrong, yet, she couldn't be sorry she wasn't going to prison. But she was sorry she was still living in Harmony.
The stares and vulgar comments she got, were unlike anything she had ever went through in her life. Simone had actually renewed her friendship with Kay Bennett, who strangely enough, knew what it felt like to be treated like a pariah in this town.
Simone welcomed her renewed friendship with Kay, but warned her to stay away from John.
And as for John Hastings and Simone, things were going well in that department, except for one thing: Tony, and his plane, had seemingly disappeared. The plane had just dropped off of the radar, so no one knew if the annoying Count DiMera, was alive or dead.
****
Julian and Eve held hands as they stood outside the courtroom. There were reporters, but none of them seemed interested in speaking with either one of them. They were too busy asking Ivy about her new 'daughter'.
Eve felt Julian's hand tighten, and she looked over at him.
'Julian, I'm sorry you have to see her.'
Julian looked over at her.
'Why? Eve, my marriage to her never meant anything. I'm fine.'
'I know you are. But I remember how hurt you were, when you found out about Ethan.'
Julian squeezed her hand.
'Yes, I was. But this is different. I didn't raise a daughter, thinking that she was my flesh and blood. I guess I'm just so appalled that Ivy, and that Cowell character, went to the lengths they did to cover their hides. Ivy goes to Europe for six months, acting as if she needs time apart from me... and the children. I remember being somewhat surprised that she would even think of leaving Ethan for that long.'
'She left when she was beginning to show.' Eve murmured, thinking.
'Now to know that she had another baby, by another man...I wonder how I survived in that marriage as long as I did.'
'Julian,' Eve began gently, 'if Ivy had told you the truth, would you have raised her daughter as your own?'
Julian smiled at her.
'No. I would've used it as an excuse to divorce her, so I could be with my true passion.' he said grinning at her.
Eve smiled back, but secretly, she knew her husband had been hurt when the news of Ivy's latest deception, came out. For no matter how bad Julian and Ivy's marriage was, for her to have had another child, with yet another man, was a painful reminder to Julian, of how lonely and unhappy his first marriage had really been.
She was also worried about her hubby for other reasons. Julian was recovering from a cold that had kept him in bed for two weeks. Fox had taken up the slack at Crane Industries, while Eve doted on him at home.
Eve suspected that the cold had developed due to stress. And the stress she suspected Julian was going through, was from having to betray Rebecca and Ethan.
After Simone had gotten off, Julian, Eve, Fox, Whitney, John and Simone, had celebrated at one of Julian's favorite restaurants. They had rented the private dining room. Eve had been so relieved for Simone, and happy for her. John Hastings would make a great father. That was all ruined by Rebecca's arrival.
Rebecca had actually been suffered a double whammy that week. Teresa, who now just walked with a cane, and was almost through with that, had renewed her 'friendship' with Ethan, now that he was vulnerable and lonely. It broke Rebecca's heart whenever she thought of how her Gwenie would react to that! Teresa was the last person she would want to see Ethan with!
Then Simone got away with killing her daughter.
Rebecca had barged into the private dining room, picked up the first pitcher of something liquid, and flung it in Julian's face! Fox jumped up to restrain her, while Eve grabbed napkins and began helping Julian wipe off his face...and suit.
Rebecca told him that she would NEVER forgive him for getting his trampy step-daughter off for murdering Gwen! She also told him to watch his back, because he was going to be very sorry!
She had then pulled away from Fox and left, leaving their celebratory dinner, in shambles. Eve remembered thinking they really didn't have anything to celebrate anyway. After all, someone was dead.
Ever since that night, Eve had sensed a sadness in her husband. Rebecca had been one of his relatively true friends, and now she was gone because he chose to help Simone. Ethan refused to speak to him at all. And Eve knew that Julian had been proud to be Ethan's father. She also suspected that he had hoped that one day, he and Ethan could at least be friends.
Shortly after that, Julian caught a cold that seemed to linger. That was when Eve suspected it was from stress...and sadness.
Eve had been determined to make the holidays as wonderful for husband, as possible. She was also determined not to do anything that would displease him. He had brought Simone back to her, and Eve really wanted to do anything and everything to make Julian happy.
So, when Dr. Parks asked her to join a panel of doctors that were working on a cure for Abe Carver, Eve was forced to decline. Yes, she had wanted to do it! Abe had been caught and hospitalized, and was at this moment, quarantined, along with Antonio Lopez-Fitzgerald. But, knowing how Julian felt about Abe, Eve declined.
Then the story about Ivy's love child with Simon Cowell was revealed. Julian now watched Ivy fend off the reporters pesky questions. Eve looked at him, then kissed his cheek.
'Forget that woman. The man that is responsible for our years apart, is finally going to get his. So, let's go and get a seat, okay?'
Julian nodded. They began to head towards the door, when they noticed Ivy walking towards them. She was wearing a two piece ivory suit, and wore her hair up. She looked at the two of them, but this time, did not smirk or glare. This time, Ivy looked distinctly uncomfortable.
Eve, sensing that the two of them had unfinished business, excused herself. She looked at Julian.
'I'll be right in there if you need me.' she said softly, before opening the door and walking into the courtroom. That left Julian and Ivy alone. His eyes swept over her.
'My, you could wear that to your daughter's wedding. Oh, I forgot, there isn't going to be one, is there?'
Ivy scowled at her ex. No, there was not going to be a wedding now. Not for Amanda Cowell. For that damned tabloid reporter's story, made it appear as if the Cowell's in general, were trying to hide Amanda's true parentage from the Royals(which was sort of true).
Apparently, Amanda had been ready for the story. Her fiancee had not been, and did not take it well, nor did he care that Amanda herself, had just learned of it. The marriage was called off.
Thus, Ivy and Simon got most of the blame. Simon had done an interview with Barbara Walters. He told her, and the world, that he loved his daughter and always had. He said he knew he was not fit to raise Amanda, but that his brother and sister-in-law were childless, and would raise his daughter right.
He then admitted that he was known to her as 'Uncle Simon' and did have a relationship with her. Then, Barbara, turned the questioning towards Ivy herself.
Simon was his usual, brutally frank self. He told Barbara Walters that Ivy had been desperate for good sex, since her husband provided none! And that she had been hopelessly in love with another man, all of the years that she was married to Julian Crane(which was common knowledge).
Simon then went on to insult Julian. He admitted he didn't know him that well, but he knew he would nail anything that was not moving, and that included maids and vermin! Simon also suspected that Julian had probably cheated on his current wife, or would do so in the near future!
'What do you want from me, Julian? You don't think my life is hell enough as it is? Ethan is profoundly disappointed in me, and actually wants to get to know his 'sister'! Fox and the girls aren't speaking to me at all. But of course, why don't you just kick me when I'm down?! That is your m.o. isn't it? You know I...'
Julian grabbed her arm tightly, then pulled her into a nearby janitorial closet! He closed the door behind them. The media had looked very interested in what they were saying to one another, and Julian had not been in the mood to fend them off!
'You know nothing about me, Ivy. You never did.'
Ivy snorted!
'I learned all about you on our wedding night! When I overheard you telling your damnable father, that you never loved me! How could I get to know someone like that? Huh? You tell me!'
Julian smiled crookedly at her.
'Let's get back to the way you referred to your daughter just now. You said Ethan wanted to get to know his 'sister'. What is so wrong with that? Maybe he could use the distraction right now?'
'What Ethan needs or doesn't need, is none of your concern anymore! Ethan hates you, you know? For helping that little witch, Simone, get away with killing Gwen.'
Julian decided to just say what he needed to say, and get the hell out of this closet!
'You know what I find ironic? Is that rarely a day went by, when you weren't telling me how much you hated and loathed me. Yet, you willingly parted your legs for a man like Simon Cowell, but froze me out of your bedroom for years.'
Ivy shrugged.
'I don't see your point, Julian. Probably because there isn't one. I'm getting out of this God awful closet!'
But Julian blocked her way.
'What I'm asking you, Ivy dear, is what did you see in a man that had almost the exact same qualities, that you swore you loathed in me?'
Ivy smirked.
'Are you asking why Simon over you, Julian? Oh, poor baby!'
'Then again,' Julian continued, 'now that I think about it, with the exception of sex, you really didn't act any differently.'
'What does that mean?' Ivy asked impatiently.
'It means that you had another child with a man you didn't love, and couldn't stomach to look at her, thus you just gave her away. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Isn't that why you sent our children away to boarding school?'
'How dare you! Giving Amanda up was the hardest thing I ever had to do! And if you didn't want the kids to go away to school, you should've said something! But you didn't, because you were every bit the lousy father yourself!'
'So if giving up your daughter was the hardest thing you ever had to do, what was lying to Sam and me?'
Ivy smiled again.
'The only part that hurt about that, was lying to Sam.'
'Ah.' Julian nodded. 'You see, Ivy, the reason our son and daughters aren't speaking to you, is because they can relate to poor Amanda. When you don't love the father of your children, you have the tendency to blame those children, instead of yourself. I think Fox and the girls know what it's like to just be thrown away and abandoned by their mother. You have a nice day now.'
Julian then reached over and opened the door to the closet. He slammed it behind him, with Ivy still inside. She just stared at the door.
****
Eve sat next to Fox and Whitney. The three of them looked up, when T.C. and Celeste walked in, holding hands. Eve's mouth dropped open! Whitney looked at her.
'Did you know they were a couple?' Whitney asked her.
Eve just shook her head.
'Uh, no. I mean, I don't ever see your father anymore. I would have no idea who he was seeing.'
'Yeah, it's the same for me.' Whitney said.
'That's because he can't stomach the sight of me.' Fox chimed in. Whitney linked her arm through his.
'Well until my father learns to get over his hang ups about the Crane men, then Celeste is all he will have to keep him company.' Whitney answered.
Fox raised a brow.
'I don't know, honey. That might not be such a bad thing.'
Whitney eyed Celeste. She had always thought Celeste was beautiful...but she was Lexie's mother! It just seemed strange to see her father and Celeste together as a couple.
Eve just stared at the two of them. How long had this been going on? Had Celeste wanted T.C. this whole time?
Eve suddenly stood up, with the intention of going over to talk with them, just as Julian was heading her way. She gave him a look of concern.
'Are you alright?' she asked him. Julian nodded.
'Ivy was her usual, sensitive self.' he answered.
At the mention of Ivy's name, Fox and Whitney looked up at Julian and Eve.
'Is mother here?' Fox asked, looking around.
Julian nodded.
'Why?' Whitney asked.
'I think she's being called as a character witness for the prosecution. Whatever her faults, she hates Alistair as much as the rest of us.' Julian answered. His eyes swept the courtroom, then fell upon T.C. and Celeste. He smiled, eyeing Eve, who was staring at them.
'I didn't know they were a couple?' Julian asked, looking at her.
Eve shrugged.
'Neither did I.'
'Does it bother you?' Julian asked, watching her carefully.
Eve looked at him and smiled.
'No...well, no, it's just sort of weird. Celeste, no matter how she looks, has always been more of the motherly type. I just can't see how this developed.'
Simone and John entered the courtroom. John scooted in in front of Eve, Julian, Fox and Whitney. Simone kept going and walked over to T.C. and Celeste. She hugged Celeste, then looked at her father.
T.C. glanced back at Julian and Eve, then got up. Together, he and Simone left the courtroom. Eve watched them, then stood up.
'Eve, she just wants some time with her father. She hasn't seen him in ages.' Julian said, knowing where she was going.
But Eve didn't answer him, and moved out of the row and followed after them. Because what she did not tell her husband, was that she had caught Simone doing something recently. Something that explained Simone's sudden 'change of heart'. And Eve refused to stand for it any longer!
****
'Daddy, I didn't choose to live with Mom, or that creep Julian! I was desperate and in trouble. I didn't want to go to prison. So in order to be able to stay out of prison, I have to live with him and be nice to the both of them! Daddy...he's been working me like a slave! And I'm beginning to show now! I'm practically raising those pissy brats of theirs single handedly...oh Daddy! I just want to come home!' she cried.
'I'll kill that bastard for doing this to you!' T.C. began to rage, as he pulled his youngest daughter into an embrace. His face then changed, when he realized Eve had been standing nearby the whole time. And from the look on her face, it was clear she had overheard everything.
T.C. let go of Simone.
'Honey, your mother is coming this way. So, maybe now is the time to tell her how you feel. By tonight, Celeste and I will have you moved back in.'
Simone almost jumped when she heard that, and turned to face her mother. Eve looked at T.C.
'Leave us.' she ordered in a cold voice.
'Wait a minute, Eve! Now I'm not going anywhere if you plan on bullying our daughter! She's pregnant you know!'
Eve rolled her eyes.
'I am very aware of that! And rest assured, T.C., you will have your daughter, back with you, by the time we leave this court house.'
'Huh?' Simone asked.
'Oh yes, dear! Because we're both going home to pack. And I will drive you over to your father's house...anything....anything, so that Julian doesn't have to look at your ungrateful face!' she snapped, her voice getting louder, as her rage grew!
T.C. pulled Simone back a bit. He then looked down the hallway. It didn't appear that the press had overheard her outburst!
'What's going on here, Eve?' T.C. asked. Something was a bit off. He rarely, if ever, saw her this angry!
'Ask your precious baby here! Never mind! I'll just say it! No one, not even Julian, was forcing you to make us breakfast everyday!'
'That's not true! He was forcing me to be the nanny and the cook! And I was supposed to be nice to...'
'What, Simone? You were supposed to be nice to me?'
Simone looked away guiltily. T.C. eyed his daughter, but said nothing.
'You know, Simone, I don't care anymore. And you know when I realized I didn't care anymore?'
Simone rolled her eyes in response.
'It would be on one of those days you handed me Julian's breakfast to take up to him, you know, back when he was sick? Anyway, I peeked into the kitchen to see if you needed any help at all, and do you know what I saw?'
Simone looked away guiltily again. T.C. looked at Eve.
'Just tell us, Eve!'
Eve gave T.C. a dirty look!
'I caught our daughter, SPITTING in my husband's food! God knows how long she had been doing it, or if he was the only family member she had done it to! I now wonder if that's where his cold came from! All I do know is that you are getting the HELL up out of our house, this instant!'
T.C. looked at Simone.
'You spit in people's food? Oh, Simone!'
'Daddy is was just Julian Crane! No, I never spit in anyone else's, and yes, I have been doing it, since day one!' she screeched.
Now, the reporters were curious! T.C. pulled on Simone's arm and dragged her towards the nearest exit. Eve followed. They ended up outside. The temperature was 40 degrees, but the outdoors afforded them some temporary privacy. There were patches of hardened ice on the walk, that had not melted yet from the last snow fall.
'Honey, you know I hate Julian's guts. I always will. But he did keep you from going to prison...how could you just spit in his food like that? I mean that's just plain nasty Simone! And unhealthy...I don't know what else to say.' T.C. said with disappointment.
'I do.' Eve said. 'Julian hurt people that he cared about, just to help someone who would spit in his food! And he did that because he loved me! I will not let you abuse him or his generosity not another damned day! We are leaving this instant, and going back to the mansion, where you are packing your things and going back to...'
'Whoa!' T.C. interrupted. 'I don't mean to be rude, but Simone, honey, this spitting thing...there's a breach of trust here.'
Simone squinted up at him.
'What do you mean, Daddy?'
'I mean, that I don't know that you might not pull the same thing on Celeste or I, when you get mad about something! And with you being pregnant and raging hormones, or whatever, I can't take the chance of having you around. Honey, I'm sorry.'
'Daddy!' Simone cried out.
'Honey, doesn't John live with Fox and Whitney? Maybe you can stay with them?'
Eve shook her head.
'They live in a cottage on the Crane property. I don't want her anywhere on the grounds!' Eve insisted.
'Honey, John and you will find a place. I'll help you look.'
Simone began shaking her head!
'I don't believe this! You're turning your back on me again, Mom! All because of that damned Julian Crane!'
'Did I hear my name?' Julian asked coolly, walking towards them. Court had begun and Alistair had walked in with his lawyers. When Eve hadn't returned with T.C. or Simone, Julian became worried that another altercation had taken place.
Eve glared at Simone, then grabbed Julian's arm and pulled him away from Simone and T.C..
'Simone is moving out.' she said firmly.
'Darling, what happened?'
'Never mind that. I just think it would be best if she left the premises.'
'Darling, I'm sure you can work things out. Let's not be too hasty, after all she is pregnant.'
Eve looked at him tenderly. Whatever Julian's many faults, he was a dear and loving man. And it made her SICK that Simone could not see that! Especially after all that he had done on her behalf! Eve did not want him to know about Simone spitting on his food! He would be so hurt and disgusted! She just thanked God that she had caught Simone the other day. Eve had pretended like she hadn't seen it, then took the tray from her.
Eve had then walked upstairs with the tray, then set it down, before peeking back down the stairs. She saw Simone leave the kitchen and walk down a back hallway. Eve had known that she was going over to Fox and Whitney's cottage to see John.
That was when Eve took the tray back downstairs, and made Julian something else.
'Honey,' Eve said gently, picking up his hand and kissing it. 'Everything will be fine now. But I want to thank you for all that you did to try and bring Simone back to me. This decision is best!'
'No it isn't best!' Simone sneered. 'None of this is best! All of our problems started, when you took up with that man! I'm glad I did what I did! I'd do it again in a heartbeat!'
Now Julian was more than curious, and getting angry!
'You'd do what again? What?'
'Julian, ignore her! Let's just go!'
'No, Eve! I want to know what your daughter has done! Tell me, Simone! What have you done this time, that would make your mother want you gone from our house?'
T.C. touched Simone's shoulder. Simone glared at Julian.
'Fine! I was spitting in your food, okay? I was angry that you were making me do all of the housework and...'
'No one was making you do any housework, Simone! We had hired a few servants by then, and I was pitching in myself! You spit in my husband's food because you are spoiled and ungrateful! Now, we're going back to the mansion this instant!' Eve yelled.
But Julian stepped forward. He felt sick to his stomach! To actually know that every meal that this girl had prepared, had spit in it! And God knows what else!
He began to move forward towards her. T.C. jumped in his way.
'Lay off, Crane! She said she was sorry!'
No she hadn't! But that wouldn't have appeased Julian anyway! Not after all he had done for this ungrateful, little wench! He had lost Ethan's respect and Rebecca's friendship! Gwen had truly died for nothing!
Julian suddenly felt strength in him, that he never knew he had! He shoved T.C. aside so brutally, that the man went flying over into a snowbank! He then moved in on Simone.
'Julian!' Eve screamed.
Simone began to back away, then turned to run. But she slipped on a patch of ice and fell...hard!
Eve ran to her carefully, so that she did not slip herself. Julian, as if snapping out of his rampage, bent down over her as well. There was blood seeping out from between Simone's legs.
'My baby!' she began to wail. 'I'm losing my baby!'