A/N: SORRY FOR THE DELAY. I KNOW, I ALWAYS APOLOGIZE. WELL, THAT'S
BECAUSE I NEVER POST ON TIME OR QUICKLY. LOL. ANYHOO, MOVING ON TO THE
TOPIC AT HAND.
BE WARNED THAT NO ACTION WHATSOEVER WILL TAKE PLACE IN THIS CHAPTER. SORRY BUT I'VE BEEN THINKING THAT THE CHARACTERS NEED TO GET BACK ON THEIR OLD RELATIONSHIPS. KAY'S FRIENDSHIP WITH JASON AS WELL AS FOX AND GWEN'S FRIENDSHIP. AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH EACH OTHER. IN MY OPINION, KAY AND JASON HAVE DRIFTED AND SORRY, BUT I CAN'T HAVE THAT.
ANYWAY, HOPEFULLY, I WON'T DISAPPOINT YOU GUYS TOO MUCH. DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW OKAY SO I KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS EXPECT IN THE NEXT CHAPTER.
ENJOY.
~*~
The Next Day
Jessica listened in fury as Charity delightedly relayed the events that occurred during her visit to Kay last night. The blonde was thoroughly pleased with herself for 'getting through' to Kay. How she managed that was beyond Jessica.
She could not understand why Charity needed to befriend Kay after everything that she did to their family and friends. But Charity was exasperatingly gullible and forgiving sometimes and no matter how hard Jessica or anyone else tried to put some sense into her head, she would not listen.
Jessica felt affronted, all her hard work and effort to free them of Kay seemed futile. She felt let down as well because Charity had innocently declared to everyone that Reese was still in love with Kay. And then the blonde went straight to their arch nemesis to be all chummy.
Miguel, like Jessica, was not at all impressed that his precious Charity was feeling guilt ridden about how she made Kay unhappy. In his eyes, Charity had never and will never do anything wrong to anyone. In fact, it was Kay who had wronged them. It seemed despicable, Miguel decided, that Charity should be blamed for what Kay brought upon herself. And he was not any happier to know that his girlfriend wanted to be friends with the woman who Miguel now considers as the queen of Hell and all things unholy.
Simone agreed with Jessica and Miguel as well. Kay was bad news. Being friends or related to the woman meant big trouble. In fact, even being in the same block as Kay meant bad luck.
Aside from Charity, only Reese seemed to think that there was still some virtue left in Kay. Of course, Jessica had looked at him like a traitor yet again and Miguel had sworn at him when he voiced his thoughts.
"This is bullshit!" Miguel proclaimed abruptly, cutting Charity off. She looked at him quizzically and frowned.
"Miguel, don't be upset." Charity implored but he shook his head at her persistently. He was damned if he let this happen.
Miguel exhaled loudly, his frown intensifying to the point that he resembled his older brother Luis. "I don't want you friends with that bitch."
"I agree with Miguel." Simone expressed ardently. If she could not help Charity from Kay then, she sure as hell was going to protect her now.
"Me too." Jessica joined in. She was not going to lose her cool over this because she was sure it would reveal her secret. Jessica was going to let them talk Charity out of believing that Kay was all of a sudden a good person. The wicked never change, Jess thought resentfully.
Miguel nodded, glad to have some reasonable back up. "She's using you, Charity." Miguel insisted. "I'm sure of it."
"Miguel, have some faith. Kay used to be your friend." She pleaded.
"Charity, she is our worst enemy."
She brought her slender hand up to touch his face gently as if the act itself would cause him to be more understanding to her decision. "Miguel, the best way to destroy your enemy is to make them your friend." Charity whispered and Jessica groaned from her seat.
"You did not just quote a dead guy." She declared mockingly although Charity continued to look unfazed.
Despite their dire situation, Simone snickered. "Look, Charity, Miguel is probably right. Kay has a hidden agenda for wanting to be your friend." She said in all seriousness as she folded her arms over her chest.
"I didn't say Kay was all willing to be my friend." Charity abruptly protested. She suddenly felt like they were ganging up on her, no matter how good their intentions may be. "I said, there's a chance that she and I will be friends someday. I'm working on it. I was the one who went to her, remember?"
"Charity, I know you want to see the good in people, even someone like Kay but trust us, she is evil." Miguel stated with conviction, wanting to shake some sense into his girlfriend's head.
Reese, who had remained silent for a considerable amount of time, shook his head in dismay. No matter how good and kind his friends were, they always needed to have a unified consensus when it came to enemies. It was always either you were with or against them. There was never an in between.
"I'm sorry none of you seem to understand but I want this. I don't want to live the rest of my life being hated by anyone, especially someone who is my family." Charity confirmed determinedly. She had made her mind up and no one, not even the love of her life was going to change it.
"Kay is scum that is sadly related to us. She is hardly family, Charity." Jessica said spitefully as she sent a glare at her cousin. "Have you even thought of what this might do to Mom?"
Perhaps, that will do the trick, Jess thought hopefully.
Charity shrugged as she flashed her friends her trademark sweet smile. "I already talked to Aunt Grace last night and she said that maybe it's time we made peace with Kay."
Jessica scoffed in disbelief. Other than herself, her mother was the one person who despised Kay with an undying passion. "Mom would never agree to have anything to do with Kay. That bitch betrayed her and all of us." Jessica refused to accept it. Her mother was the one person she could count on to stand in her corner. If all else fails, Jessica knew that Grace would stick by her while she tries to run Kay out of Harmony.
But neither she nor Charity knew the secret that Grace was willing to protect, even if it meant risking many things in return.
Miguel and Simone looked just as shocked while Reese smiled to himself.
"Jess," Charity began with a soft sigh. "Aunt Grace said that if we stay on Kay's good graces, then maybe she won't come after us again. Maybe, Miguel and I will finally have our dream wedding without Kay posing as a threat."
"That sounds almost reasonable." Miguel whispered to himself but he still did not approve of how Charity being anywhere near Kay.
"You don't get it. Kay will always be a threat." Jessica conveyed stubbornly. "You can't be friends with her because the minute she decides she doesn't like you again; she'll do something to hurt you."
Simone nodded eagerly. "Jessica is right, Charity." She said. "I remember from a few years back that one minute Kay would swear that she'll stop coming after you but then she will change her mind. You can't trust her."
"Don't you see, Charity?" Miguel whispered. "We all know her but somehow Kay has brainwashed you. I don't know what she said to you but you can't believe her dramatics. That bitch is good when it comes to convincing people. If you continue to try to be her friend, you are just setting yourself up as bait."
Charity shook her head in consternation and sighed. "I'm sorry none of you agree with me on this or even support me. But I am just trying to have some peace in my life. I'd appreciate it if you all stop trying to talk me out of it." She stated resolutely and Jessica wished that she had shot Kay instead of pushed her down the stairs.
Miguel was turning blue from his rage. He wanted to punch something or someone.
Simone wished that Kay never returned or that God have mercy on them and give the woman a reason to leave Harmony and never come back.
On the other hand, Reese was very proud of Charity. For the first time in her life, she made a decision and stuck by it. She did not allow her family or friends to decide for her.
"We have to do something." Miguel furiously hissed the minute Charity was out of the room. "Kay will hurt her."
"I know." Jessica replied wearily. She had worked too hard to let Kay get back up and ruin them again, "I tried my best but-" She inwardly cursed for slipping so carelessly.
"What exactly do you mean by 'you tried your best'?" Reese suspiciously demanded as he narrowed his eyes at his girlfriend.
She glared at him, wondering why he made it his damn mission to all of a sudden defend Kay and her actions. "I meant I tried my best to convince Charity that Kay is no good." Jessica recovered smoothly.
"Guys, Charity can take care of herself. Stop worrying about her. She seems to know what she's doing." Reese declared in exasperation. He wondered if they will ever let this go. "She's a big girl."
Miguel shot him a disgusted look. "Easy for you to say, Reese. It's not your girlfriend whose life is in danger here."
"Even if it was Jessica, I would still trust her to know what she's doing. Charity is not a child that needs constant defending." Reese retorted angrily. "And all of you stop being so melodramatic. Charity's life is not in danger. I hardly believe that Kay will resort to killing her own cousin."
"Then you're a fool!" Simone screeched. "Kay will kill anyone given the right incentive."
Reese threw his hands in the air in surrender. "I can't believe we're even arguing over this. It's been five years and she's with Fox Crane now. Why would Kay still want to go after Charity?"
"Oh, you are so stupid!" Simone continued to argue on her friends' behalf. "Fox and Kay are scheming together. They don't give a damn about each other. They're allies, Reese. And where have you been all these years? Kay wants to ruin Charity because she's still in love with Miguel."
Reese scoffed indignantly, unable to believe his friends' narrow- mindedness. "You are all stuck in the past and you are all blinded by hate."
"This is why I think Charity might be right about saying what she said about you and your feelings for Kay." Jessica sadly stated.
"Don't even start with that foolish notion, Jessica." Reese instantly snapped at her.
"You keep defending that slut!" Jessica yelled in frustration. "You keep protecting her after everything that she has done to us, to our families."
Reese shook his head at his girlfriend. Sometimes, she refused to see anyone's point of view but hers. "She never did anything to me."
"Lucky for you then." Simone muttered grudgingly. Miguel scoffed.
"Have you forgotten, Reese that she led you on like a fool?" Jessica bitterly reminded him as she crossed her arms over her chest.
He nodded matter-of-factly, slipping his hands into his pockets. "And that I was, Jessica. I was so infatuated with her that I refused to see that it was one sided. We were teenagers and I have learned to let go of irrelevant things like that."
"We can't be like you, Reese." Jessica replied, softening her voice slightly although her gaze remained hard. "We can't just easily forgive and forget. Kay has done too much damage for us to drop everything like it never happened. Besides, she hasn't given up on her revenge and I won't just sit back while she tears what's left of us to shreds."
"Yeah." Simone and Miguel agreed in unison.
"Then keep me out of this." Reese declared in defeat. "I'm sorry, Jess. I love you but I won't be sucked into this. If you want to wage war on Kay, then so be it."
"The war's already started, Reese. We're just fighting back now." Miguel pointed out with an evil smirk. Kay was finally going to get what's coming to her.
Realizing that their minds would not be changed, Reese shook his head in disappointment. If they thought that they could win against Kay who had Crane and Callaway power behind her, they were imprudently mistaken.
"I guess I'll see all of you around." He declared. Reese quickly kissed Jessica on the cheek and gave his friends a sympathetic look. They were setting themselves up for disappointment, Reese was sure of it. "Tell Charity, I said bye."
"Yeah." Miguel replied curtly.
Jessica sighed as she watched Reese go, wanting to go after him but also wanting to stand her ground. So he was against them now, Jessica will just have to accept it. Although she felt like she had lost the battle, Jess could not help be elated by the fact that she now had back up. Maybe, just maybe, she could let them in on her little secret. But Jessica was not entirely sure how they would take it.
Simone had sworn off scheming after her family fell apart although Miguel might be easier to persuade. She could use his devotion to his family and Charity to help her destroy Kay.
It would make things so much easier if I wasn't doing it all, Jess thought to herself.
In her thoughts of glory over Kay, Jessica had failed to notice that their once unified front was suddenly falling apart piece by piece.
************************************************************************
Kay scooted closer to Jason, titling her head to the side so she could rest them on his shoulder. His uninjured arm instantly went around her shoulders and Kay smiled to herself. The swing they were sitting on swayed from the movement, its chains creaking slightly.
"We made up." Kay told him quietly, shivering a little when a cold wind blew past them.
Jason nodded beside her. "I know." He replied.
"You're not mad, are you?" She asked, looking up at him. Jason was not happy with her or Fox lately and Kay knew it.
"No," He answered honestly, sighing a little as he did so. "I'm annoyed about falling down the stairs and breaking my arm. I'm annoyed that you fell. I'm even more annoyed that Fox hurt you."
"He didn't hurt me." Kay clarified faintly. "It was just a huge misunderstanding on all our parts."
Jason nodded, creasing his forehead into a frown. "I know that now. Gwen explained it all to me when I ranted my head off about what a jackass Fox was to hurt you." He said somewhat bitterly. "And how much I wanted to kill him."
"Fox is a good guy. You can trust him not to hurt me, Jase. I trust him." Kay said, biting her bottom lip.
"I know but it doesn't stop me from worrying about you. I just want to see for myself that he makes you happy and I mean really happy. No more misunderstandings, no more fights."
"These past few days, you can't hold that against Fox, Jason." Kay stated firmly. "No one said that our relationship is perfect. You just happened to witness the down times." Kay explained.
Jason smirked at that. "You don't deserve down times, Kay. You should be living in bliss." He told her resolutely.
She scoffed a little. "Says the realist. Jason, even you know that there is no such thing as perfect bliss."
"I know." He stated somberly. "It's just that you don't deserve anymore more unhappiness. I won't stand for it."
"I'm not unhappy, Jason. Fox makes me happy. He really, really does." Kay persisted, determination written all over her face.
Jason nodded. "Alright, I'll take you word for it. But I want to see for myself as well. I want to see him treating you right from now on. I swear, Kay, if Fox hurts you, I'll break every bone in his body while keeping him conscious"
She chuckled wryly. "That's disturbing but thanks." Kay replied cheerfully. It meant a lot to her to have Jason's approval. He was after all his best friend and a part of Kay will always want Jason to be happy for her.
"I'm just looking out for you, Kay. Just looking out for you." He quipped amiably.
Kay nodded. "Seriously though, thank you for everything." She whispered, her voice quivering a little. "Thank you for always wanting the best for me even when sometimes I don't deserve it, for looking out for me, for always having faith in me and for saving me from a life that would have surely ruined me." Kay smiled to herself, her eyes watering as she recalled the day she first me Jason. It was the first day of the rest of her life and even then, Kay knew it. "I would not be here if it wasn't for you."
"It was my pleasure, Kay. My life would not be as interesting as it is if it were not for you." He replied, a small smile gracing his lips. It was not just Jason's life that Kay affected. It was all of the Callaways.
Arthur, his father, would never have found his latest protégé. Helena, as happy as she was being the Callaway matriarch, would have resorted to playing bridge and pinochle with the wives of Arthur's colleagues instead of taking care of her new 'baby girl' since her own daughter was all grown up and too independent to need any help anymore. And if Kay never came into their lives, Miranda would surely never found her partner in crime and fashion.
"And I would not have this baby if you hadn't been there." She whispered, sniffling against his shirt, breaking Jason's train of thought.
Jason twitched his eyebrows. "I think you got the wrong guy here, Kay. I don't recall anything about making a baby." He teased and she shot him a disgruntled look.
"Shut up, I'm trying to be serious here." Kay scolded, smacking him lightly. "You know what I meant." She sniffled again, wiping her tears away.
"Hey, hey, don't cry." He whispered, tightening his arm around her.
She chuckled softly. "Sorry, hormones." Kay explained with a slight shrug.
"As long as they're not sad tears."
"They're happy tears. Grateful tears." She clarified, laughing softly. Kay inched closer to him and sighed to herself. "I miss this, Jase. I miss us just being us." Kay told him solemnly.
"I know. Me too." He responded nodded, kissing the top of her head.
Her hand went to her stomach and rested there as if to soothe the little baby inside of her. "I haven't asked Fox this but I'm sure he'd agree. I want you to be the baby's godfather, Jase. I wouldn't have it any other way." She looked up at him hopefully. Kay could not think of anyone more suitable to be her child's godfather. It seemed only right after everything he had done for her and for saving her life and the baby's as well.
"It would be an honor." Jason replied, beaming happily.
"Thanks." She whispered.
"Anything for you, Kay-B baby." He teased and Kay rolled her eyes at the old nickname. Kay had always thought of it as absurd. Jason had, after all, given it to her to torture her. But as time passed, it had become term of endearment and she grew to like it. "So do you know what is it yet?"
Kay shook her head, pursing her lips at the thought. "No, I don't want to."
"Oh?" He asked, arching a curious eyebrow. "Why not?"
She shrugged noncommittally. "I want it to be a surprise." Kay said, smiling softly.
"I thought you weren't one for surprises." Jason stated, sounding a little shocked by her decision.
"I'm all for good surprises, Jase. I mean, this baby was a surprise to me." She told him good-naturedly. No matter how surprised Kay was with her pregnancy, there was nothing more that she wanted.
He frowned a little. "How am I supposed to pick a gift for your baby?" Jason asked, dumbfounded by the vast opportunities of getting his godchild's present wrong.
She laughed at him softly. "A rattle or a teddy bear would do just fine." Kay said giving him a look that said, all men liked things difficult, even buying presents for a baby.
"Just promise me that you won't assume that the baby is a girl." Jason implored, looking at her gravely.
"Why?" She asked darkly. "Because I had a daughter before?"
Jason quickly shook his head. "No, because that's what happened to me. Everything was pink. Mother was so certain that I was to be a girl since apparently EVERY first born in her family was female. Dad was furious that I had to wear pink even just for a week of my life, until I had blue clothes. I can assure you, it was traumatizing for all of us, especially poor me."
Kay looked at him, trying to suppress her giggles. "I'm sure it wasn't that bad. You were only an infant and it's hard to believe you really cared about colors." She told him.
"But I was mistaken for a girl for a whole week!" He persisted, shooting her a pained look.
"You turned out just fine, Jase." She teased. "No real damage done but I promise I won't do anything like Helena did."
He chuckled at her and for a while, silence fell between them. "I'm going to lose you, aren't I?"
"What?" Kay exclaimed, looking utterly stunned. "No, of course not. Why would you even think that?"
Jason shrugged nonchalantly, giving her an apologetic look. "I didn't mean to sound so dire. It just occurred to me that with this baby on the way and your relationship with Fox fixed, you're not going back to New York by the end of the year as planned." He suspected that a wedding was in the horizon.
Kay bit her lip silently until finally she nodded. "I guess not." She said solemnly. To be honest, she didn't want to stay in Harmony. Everything and everyone she detested resided here and Kay could not see herself toughing it out for the next few years of her life, surrounded by her enemies, especially now that she was going to have to raise a child. Since she hadn't really said anything to Fox yet, Kay said nothing to Jason. "But it doesn't mean you'll lose me, Jase." Kay persisted, giving him a reassuring look. "We'll still be best friends. My life with Fox can never change that."
"I know but I just realized that Callaway Manor will never be the same without you."
Kay nodded somberly. "I don't want to be sad, Jase." She told him firmly, giving his hand a small squeeze. "I know that nothing will be the same from now on. But we have people who love us and we love back. I have Fox and you have Gwen. And luckily, we're all friends. We have more than we could ask for."
"You're right."
"Of course, I am." She replied, giving him a triumphant look.
************************************************************************
"Does it make me a bad person if I'm a tad bit jealous of them?" Gwen asked Fox somewhat warily as she stood by the large window that looked down at Kay and Jason sitting on a swing in one of the many gazebos situated in the Crane's expansive backyard. She sighed a little, shifting most of her weight to her left leg and leaning against the wall.
Fox shrugged as he joined Gwen by the window. "No. If you didn't really love him, you wouldn't be a little jealous, right?" He said casually.
"I suppose so." Gwen replied with a sigh. She shot him an apologetic look. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be putting doubts in your head. We all have enough to worry about with everything going so crazy."
"Hey, Gwen." Fox chided softly. "This is me you're talking to. There is no need to apologize."
She nodded. "I like Kay and I know she won't do anything to hurt me but I don't really know where Jason stands when it comes to Kay and I." She confided sullenly. "It makes me wonder that if he had to choose between us, would he immediately pick her."
"Why would he ever have to choose between the two of you?" He replied, giving her a pointed look. "Kay will never make him and why can't he have you both? I know that they're too close for comfort sometimes but we have to accept it. Jason and Kay will always love each other BUT only because they're best friends. We can't change it, Gwen, and we shouldn't because it's so rare to have a best friend from the opposite sex without adding romance or sex into the equation." Fox explained, giving her a sympathetic look. He hated what Ethan had done to Gwen. "We have to trust that they're with us because they love us and because they choose to."
Gwen smiled at him. "Where did all this insight come from, Fox?" She asked, teasing him a little.
He shrugged impishly. "Who knows?" He answered good-naturedly. "I'm baffled by it as well."
She chuckled softly, shaking her head at him. "I really love him. I try so hard not to but I just look at him and I'm happy."
"You deserve all the happiness in the world and more. Life has been unfair to you." Fox told her grimly and she looked at him gratefully. Fox would probably never know how thankful she was for all his help through the years. "He's not Ethan. Jason Callaway and I may not be the best of friends but I know he won't hurt you like my sorry excuse for a brother did."
"Half brother." Gwen quickly pointed out. "You came from the better half." She joked a little.
"Thank God for that although many might not agree with you." Fox retorted. "I hate how he strung you along. He broke you, Gwen. Ethan ruined years of your life just because he was too stupid to make up his mind on who he wanted to be with." He hissed angrily. Fox Crane may have been a womanizer in his days before Kay and he may have broken a few too many hearts to count but he never would have married a girl and then thwart her happiness by running off with some doe eyed girl who dreamed of marrying him since he was a child. "Don't you want to get some payback? My offer still stands even if it's five years old." Fox watched her hopefully. Maybe he could finally give Ethan a nice good kick on where it hurt most. It was like killing two birds with one stone but like always Gwen shook her head.
"Leave Ethan alone." Came her usual somber reply whenever Fox brought up the topic. Gwen knew he wanted justice for her but she didn't want to hurt him that way. Someday, she would come up with something far worse than the physical pain that Fox offered to deliver; Gwen just didn't know what it was exactly. "It wasn't just him. Theresa played a big part in it as well. Women like her should be caged or institutionalized." Fox chuckled at her reply and Gwen rolled her eyes. "But you're right. Ethan ruined a lot of good things in my life. I'll always be doubtful of men because of him."
Fox nodded grimly, hating his half sibling even more. In Fox's eyes, Ethan not only stole years from Gwen's life but also from him. "Luckily, not all men are like Ethan." Fox replied.
"Luckily."
"Not that I don't approve of a good punch at Ethan but I think the best revenge is to be truly happy." Fox declared with a determined look on his handsome face. "Be really, really happy with Jason, that way you can flaunt it in Ethan's face and show him that you're better than him. He was a trivial part in your life. That will definitely irk him, if not Theresa."
"Still a schemer, even with the best intentions." Gwen reproached lightheartedly, shaking her head at him as if disappointed.
Fox persisted. "I'm serious, Gwen. It's not a scheme. Just be happy. No pretending, no trying. Just be."
She nodded, exhaling shakily. "I am happy, Fox, but I don't want to use Jason to get back at Ethan or Theresa. No matter how hurtful they were to me in the past, I won't exploit the one good thing in my life for revenge. I don't want to push my luck, considering I have so little."
"Alright." Fox finally relented. "But you just say the word and Ethan is gone for good."
Gwen just smiled at him.
************************************************************************
Later that Night
"Kay?" Fox whispered in the darkness, his voice soft as if wary of disturbing the woman next to him.
"Hmm?" She sleepily murmured against his bare chest.
He smiled to himself, tightening his arm around Kay her. Even while half awake, she still managed to drive Fox crazy. "Are you awake?" He asked, looking down at her to see if she was.
In the darkness, Fox noted how her eyebrows wrinkled into a slight frown and her lips set into a small piqued pout. "I was." She replied grumpily, somewhat whining.
"Sorry, love, but I was thinking."
"Out loud?" Kay asked tiredly as she shifted on the bed and snuggled closer to him, resting her head on the crook of his neck. She sighed sleepily.
"We should leave Harmony." Fox declared.
"Why?" She asked curiously.
"We need a vacation." Fox stated matter-of-factly. "And I want you resting and away from the crazy people in this town. You and the baby need some r and r."
She smiled softly, giving his jaw a quick kiss. "Thanks, I'd love that." Kay replied.
"Do you have a place in mind?" He asked.
Kay shook her head. "No," She answered falling back asleep. "You pick, Fox. I'll be happy to go anywhere as long as you're with me."
Pleased with her answer, Fox placed his hand at the tip of Kay's chin, tilting her head up and kissing her lips. "I know the perfect place. You'll love it." He said. "Good night, love."
She murmured something intangible and nodded a little. "I love you, Fox."
"I love you too, Kay, and you too, little kiddo." Fox said, placing his hand over her stomach protectively. Kay just smiled and thanked the powers that be for her lucky stars.
~*~
A/N: IT WASN'T MUCH BUT I EXPLAINED IT ALREADY IN THE BEGINNING. I HAVE MY REASONS FOR DOING THIS AND THEN SOME. YOU'LL ALL UNDERSTAND LATER. DON'T FORGET TO GIVE ME YOUR OPINIONS, OKAY.
THANKS FOR READING AND BEING PATIENT WITH ME.
BE WARNED THAT NO ACTION WHATSOEVER WILL TAKE PLACE IN THIS CHAPTER. SORRY BUT I'VE BEEN THINKING THAT THE CHARACTERS NEED TO GET BACK ON THEIR OLD RELATIONSHIPS. KAY'S FRIENDSHIP WITH JASON AS WELL AS FOX AND GWEN'S FRIENDSHIP. AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH EACH OTHER. IN MY OPINION, KAY AND JASON HAVE DRIFTED AND SORRY, BUT I CAN'T HAVE THAT.
ANYWAY, HOPEFULLY, I WON'T DISAPPOINT YOU GUYS TOO MUCH. DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW OKAY SO I KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS EXPECT IN THE NEXT CHAPTER.
ENJOY.
~*~
The Next Day
Jessica listened in fury as Charity delightedly relayed the events that occurred during her visit to Kay last night. The blonde was thoroughly pleased with herself for 'getting through' to Kay. How she managed that was beyond Jessica.
She could not understand why Charity needed to befriend Kay after everything that she did to their family and friends. But Charity was exasperatingly gullible and forgiving sometimes and no matter how hard Jessica or anyone else tried to put some sense into her head, she would not listen.
Jessica felt affronted, all her hard work and effort to free them of Kay seemed futile. She felt let down as well because Charity had innocently declared to everyone that Reese was still in love with Kay. And then the blonde went straight to their arch nemesis to be all chummy.
Miguel, like Jessica, was not at all impressed that his precious Charity was feeling guilt ridden about how she made Kay unhappy. In his eyes, Charity had never and will never do anything wrong to anyone. In fact, it was Kay who had wronged them. It seemed despicable, Miguel decided, that Charity should be blamed for what Kay brought upon herself. And he was not any happier to know that his girlfriend wanted to be friends with the woman who Miguel now considers as the queen of Hell and all things unholy.
Simone agreed with Jessica and Miguel as well. Kay was bad news. Being friends or related to the woman meant big trouble. In fact, even being in the same block as Kay meant bad luck.
Aside from Charity, only Reese seemed to think that there was still some virtue left in Kay. Of course, Jessica had looked at him like a traitor yet again and Miguel had sworn at him when he voiced his thoughts.
"This is bullshit!" Miguel proclaimed abruptly, cutting Charity off. She looked at him quizzically and frowned.
"Miguel, don't be upset." Charity implored but he shook his head at her persistently. He was damned if he let this happen.
Miguel exhaled loudly, his frown intensifying to the point that he resembled his older brother Luis. "I don't want you friends with that bitch."
"I agree with Miguel." Simone expressed ardently. If she could not help Charity from Kay then, she sure as hell was going to protect her now.
"Me too." Jessica joined in. She was not going to lose her cool over this because she was sure it would reveal her secret. Jessica was going to let them talk Charity out of believing that Kay was all of a sudden a good person. The wicked never change, Jess thought resentfully.
Miguel nodded, glad to have some reasonable back up. "She's using you, Charity." Miguel insisted. "I'm sure of it."
"Miguel, have some faith. Kay used to be your friend." She pleaded.
"Charity, she is our worst enemy."
She brought her slender hand up to touch his face gently as if the act itself would cause him to be more understanding to her decision. "Miguel, the best way to destroy your enemy is to make them your friend." Charity whispered and Jessica groaned from her seat.
"You did not just quote a dead guy." She declared mockingly although Charity continued to look unfazed.
Despite their dire situation, Simone snickered. "Look, Charity, Miguel is probably right. Kay has a hidden agenda for wanting to be your friend." She said in all seriousness as she folded her arms over her chest.
"I didn't say Kay was all willing to be my friend." Charity abruptly protested. She suddenly felt like they were ganging up on her, no matter how good their intentions may be. "I said, there's a chance that she and I will be friends someday. I'm working on it. I was the one who went to her, remember?"
"Charity, I know you want to see the good in people, even someone like Kay but trust us, she is evil." Miguel stated with conviction, wanting to shake some sense into his girlfriend's head.
Reese, who had remained silent for a considerable amount of time, shook his head in dismay. No matter how good and kind his friends were, they always needed to have a unified consensus when it came to enemies. It was always either you were with or against them. There was never an in between.
"I'm sorry none of you seem to understand but I want this. I don't want to live the rest of my life being hated by anyone, especially someone who is my family." Charity confirmed determinedly. She had made her mind up and no one, not even the love of her life was going to change it.
"Kay is scum that is sadly related to us. She is hardly family, Charity." Jessica said spitefully as she sent a glare at her cousin. "Have you even thought of what this might do to Mom?"
Perhaps, that will do the trick, Jess thought hopefully.
Charity shrugged as she flashed her friends her trademark sweet smile. "I already talked to Aunt Grace last night and she said that maybe it's time we made peace with Kay."
Jessica scoffed in disbelief. Other than herself, her mother was the one person who despised Kay with an undying passion. "Mom would never agree to have anything to do with Kay. That bitch betrayed her and all of us." Jessica refused to accept it. Her mother was the one person she could count on to stand in her corner. If all else fails, Jessica knew that Grace would stick by her while she tries to run Kay out of Harmony.
But neither she nor Charity knew the secret that Grace was willing to protect, even if it meant risking many things in return.
Miguel and Simone looked just as shocked while Reese smiled to himself.
"Jess," Charity began with a soft sigh. "Aunt Grace said that if we stay on Kay's good graces, then maybe she won't come after us again. Maybe, Miguel and I will finally have our dream wedding without Kay posing as a threat."
"That sounds almost reasonable." Miguel whispered to himself but he still did not approve of how Charity being anywhere near Kay.
"You don't get it. Kay will always be a threat." Jessica conveyed stubbornly. "You can't be friends with her because the minute she decides she doesn't like you again; she'll do something to hurt you."
Simone nodded eagerly. "Jessica is right, Charity." She said. "I remember from a few years back that one minute Kay would swear that she'll stop coming after you but then she will change her mind. You can't trust her."
"Don't you see, Charity?" Miguel whispered. "We all know her but somehow Kay has brainwashed you. I don't know what she said to you but you can't believe her dramatics. That bitch is good when it comes to convincing people. If you continue to try to be her friend, you are just setting yourself up as bait."
Charity shook her head in consternation and sighed. "I'm sorry none of you agree with me on this or even support me. But I am just trying to have some peace in my life. I'd appreciate it if you all stop trying to talk me out of it." She stated resolutely and Jessica wished that she had shot Kay instead of pushed her down the stairs.
Miguel was turning blue from his rage. He wanted to punch something or someone.
Simone wished that Kay never returned or that God have mercy on them and give the woman a reason to leave Harmony and never come back.
On the other hand, Reese was very proud of Charity. For the first time in her life, she made a decision and stuck by it. She did not allow her family or friends to decide for her.
"We have to do something." Miguel furiously hissed the minute Charity was out of the room. "Kay will hurt her."
"I know." Jessica replied wearily. She had worked too hard to let Kay get back up and ruin them again, "I tried my best but-" She inwardly cursed for slipping so carelessly.
"What exactly do you mean by 'you tried your best'?" Reese suspiciously demanded as he narrowed his eyes at his girlfriend.
She glared at him, wondering why he made it his damn mission to all of a sudden defend Kay and her actions. "I meant I tried my best to convince Charity that Kay is no good." Jessica recovered smoothly.
"Guys, Charity can take care of herself. Stop worrying about her. She seems to know what she's doing." Reese declared in exasperation. He wondered if they will ever let this go. "She's a big girl."
Miguel shot him a disgusted look. "Easy for you to say, Reese. It's not your girlfriend whose life is in danger here."
"Even if it was Jessica, I would still trust her to know what she's doing. Charity is not a child that needs constant defending." Reese retorted angrily. "And all of you stop being so melodramatic. Charity's life is not in danger. I hardly believe that Kay will resort to killing her own cousin."
"Then you're a fool!" Simone screeched. "Kay will kill anyone given the right incentive."
Reese threw his hands in the air in surrender. "I can't believe we're even arguing over this. It's been five years and she's with Fox Crane now. Why would Kay still want to go after Charity?"
"Oh, you are so stupid!" Simone continued to argue on her friends' behalf. "Fox and Kay are scheming together. They don't give a damn about each other. They're allies, Reese. And where have you been all these years? Kay wants to ruin Charity because she's still in love with Miguel."
Reese scoffed indignantly, unable to believe his friends' narrow- mindedness. "You are all stuck in the past and you are all blinded by hate."
"This is why I think Charity might be right about saying what she said about you and your feelings for Kay." Jessica sadly stated.
"Don't even start with that foolish notion, Jessica." Reese instantly snapped at her.
"You keep defending that slut!" Jessica yelled in frustration. "You keep protecting her after everything that she has done to us, to our families."
Reese shook his head at his girlfriend. Sometimes, she refused to see anyone's point of view but hers. "She never did anything to me."
"Lucky for you then." Simone muttered grudgingly. Miguel scoffed.
"Have you forgotten, Reese that she led you on like a fool?" Jessica bitterly reminded him as she crossed her arms over her chest.
He nodded matter-of-factly, slipping his hands into his pockets. "And that I was, Jessica. I was so infatuated with her that I refused to see that it was one sided. We were teenagers and I have learned to let go of irrelevant things like that."
"We can't be like you, Reese." Jessica replied, softening her voice slightly although her gaze remained hard. "We can't just easily forgive and forget. Kay has done too much damage for us to drop everything like it never happened. Besides, she hasn't given up on her revenge and I won't just sit back while she tears what's left of us to shreds."
"Yeah." Simone and Miguel agreed in unison.
"Then keep me out of this." Reese declared in defeat. "I'm sorry, Jess. I love you but I won't be sucked into this. If you want to wage war on Kay, then so be it."
"The war's already started, Reese. We're just fighting back now." Miguel pointed out with an evil smirk. Kay was finally going to get what's coming to her.
Realizing that their minds would not be changed, Reese shook his head in disappointment. If they thought that they could win against Kay who had Crane and Callaway power behind her, they were imprudently mistaken.
"I guess I'll see all of you around." He declared. Reese quickly kissed Jessica on the cheek and gave his friends a sympathetic look. They were setting themselves up for disappointment, Reese was sure of it. "Tell Charity, I said bye."
"Yeah." Miguel replied curtly.
Jessica sighed as she watched Reese go, wanting to go after him but also wanting to stand her ground. So he was against them now, Jessica will just have to accept it. Although she felt like she had lost the battle, Jess could not help be elated by the fact that she now had back up. Maybe, just maybe, she could let them in on her little secret. But Jessica was not entirely sure how they would take it.
Simone had sworn off scheming after her family fell apart although Miguel might be easier to persuade. She could use his devotion to his family and Charity to help her destroy Kay.
It would make things so much easier if I wasn't doing it all, Jess thought to herself.
In her thoughts of glory over Kay, Jessica had failed to notice that their once unified front was suddenly falling apart piece by piece.
************************************************************************
Kay scooted closer to Jason, titling her head to the side so she could rest them on his shoulder. His uninjured arm instantly went around her shoulders and Kay smiled to herself. The swing they were sitting on swayed from the movement, its chains creaking slightly.
"We made up." Kay told him quietly, shivering a little when a cold wind blew past them.
Jason nodded beside her. "I know." He replied.
"You're not mad, are you?" She asked, looking up at him. Jason was not happy with her or Fox lately and Kay knew it.
"No," He answered honestly, sighing a little as he did so. "I'm annoyed about falling down the stairs and breaking my arm. I'm annoyed that you fell. I'm even more annoyed that Fox hurt you."
"He didn't hurt me." Kay clarified faintly. "It was just a huge misunderstanding on all our parts."
Jason nodded, creasing his forehead into a frown. "I know that now. Gwen explained it all to me when I ranted my head off about what a jackass Fox was to hurt you." He said somewhat bitterly. "And how much I wanted to kill him."
"Fox is a good guy. You can trust him not to hurt me, Jase. I trust him." Kay said, biting her bottom lip.
"I know but it doesn't stop me from worrying about you. I just want to see for myself that he makes you happy and I mean really happy. No more misunderstandings, no more fights."
"These past few days, you can't hold that against Fox, Jason." Kay stated firmly. "No one said that our relationship is perfect. You just happened to witness the down times." Kay explained.
Jason smirked at that. "You don't deserve down times, Kay. You should be living in bliss." He told her resolutely.
She scoffed a little. "Says the realist. Jason, even you know that there is no such thing as perfect bliss."
"I know." He stated somberly. "It's just that you don't deserve anymore more unhappiness. I won't stand for it."
"I'm not unhappy, Jason. Fox makes me happy. He really, really does." Kay persisted, determination written all over her face.
Jason nodded. "Alright, I'll take you word for it. But I want to see for myself as well. I want to see him treating you right from now on. I swear, Kay, if Fox hurts you, I'll break every bone in his body while keeping him conscious"
She chuckled wryly. "That's disturbing but thanks." Kay replied cheerfully. It meant a lot to her to have Jason's approval. He was after all his best friend and a part of Kay will always want Jason to be happy for her.
"I'm just looking out for you, Kay. Just looking out for you." He quipped amiably.
Kay nodded. "Seriously though, thank you for everything." She whispered, her voice quivering a little. "Thank you for always wanting the best for me even when sometimes I don't deserve it, for looking out for me, for always having faith in me and for saving me from a life that would have surely ruined me." Kay smiled to herself, her eyes watering as she recalled the day she first me Jason. It was the first day of the rest of her life and even then, Kay knew it. "I would not be here if it wasn't for you."
"It was my pleasure, Kay. My life would not be as interesting as it is if it were not for you." He replied, a small smile gracing his lips. It was not just Jason's life that Kay affected. It was all of the Callaways.
Arthur, his father, would never have found his latest protégé. Helena, as happy as she was being the Callaway matriarch, would have resorted to playing bridge and pinochle with the wives of Arthur's colleagues instead of taking care of her new 'baby girl' since her own daughter was all grown up and too independent to need any help anymore. And if Kay never came into their lives, Miranda would surely never found her partner in crime and fashion.
"And I would not have this baby if you hadn't been there." She whispered, sniffling against his shirt, breaking Jason's train of thought.
Jason twitched his eyebrows. "I think you got the wrong guy here, Kay. I don't recall anything about making a baby." He teased and she shot him a disgruntled look.
"Shut up, I'm trying to be serious here." Kay scolded, smacking him lightly. "You know what I meant." She sniffled again, wiping her tears away.
"Hey, hey, don't cry." He whispered, tightening his arm around her.
She chuckled softly. "Sorry, hormones." Kay explained with a slight shrug.
"As long as they're not sad tears."
"They're happy tears. Grateful tears." She clarified, laughing softly. Kay inched closer to him and sighed to herself. "I miss this, Jase. I miss us just being us." Kay told him solemnly.
"I know. Me too." He responded nodded, kissing the top of her head.
Her hand went to her stomach and rested there as if to soothe the little baby inside of her. "I haven't asked Fox this but I'm sure he'd agree. I want you to be the baby's godfather, Jase. I wouldn't have it any other way." She looked up at him hopefully. Kay could not think of anyone more suitable to be her child's godfather. It seemed only right after everything he had done for her and for saving her life and the baby's as well.
"It would be an honor." Jason replied, beaming happily.
"Thanks." She whispered.
"Anything for you, Kay-B baby." He teased and Kay rolled her eyes at the old nickname. Kay had always thought of it as absurd. Jason had, after all, given it to her to torture her. But as time passed, it had become term of endearment and she grew to like it. "So do you know what is it yet?"
Kay shook her head, pursing her lips at the thought. "No, I don't want to."
"Oh?" He asked, arching a curious eyebrow. "Why not?"
She shrugged noncommittally. "I want it to be a surprise." Kay said, smiling softly.
"I thought you weren't one for surprises." Jason stated, sounding a little shocked by her decision.
"I'm all for good surprises, Jase. I mean, this baby was a surprise to me." She told him good-naturedly. No matter how surprised Kay was with her pregnancy, there was nothing more that she wanted.
He frowned a little. "How am I supposed to pick a gift for your baby?" Jason asked, dumbfounded by the vast opportunities of getting his godchild's present wrong.
She laughed at him softly. "A rattle or a teddy bear would do just fine." Kay said giving him a look that said, all men liked things difficult, even buying presents for a baby.
"Just promise me that you won't assume that the baby is a girl." Jason implored, looking at her gravely.
"Why?" She asked darkly. "Because I had a daughter before?"
Jason quickly shook his head. "No, because that's what happened to me. Everything was pink. Mother was so certain that I was to be a girl since apparently EVERY first born in her family was female. Dad was furious that I had to wear pink even just for a week of my life, until I had blue clothes. I can assure you, it was traumatizing for all of us, especially poor me."
Kay looked at him, trying to suppress her giggles. "I'm sure it wasn't that bad. You were only an infant and it's hard to believe you really cared about colors." She told him.
"But I was mistaken for a girl for a whole week!" He persisted, shooting her a pained look.
"You turned out just fine, Jase." She teased. "No real damage done but I promise I won't do anything like Helena did."
He chuckled at her and for a while, silence fell between them. "I'm going to lose you, aren't I?"
"What?" Kay exclaimed, looking utterly stunned. "No, of course not. Why would you even think that?"
Jason shrugged nonchalantly, giving her an apologetic look. "I didn't mean to sound so dire. It just occurred to me that with this baby on the way and your relationship with Fox fixed, you're not going back to New York by the end of the year as planned." He suspected that a wedding was in the horizon.
Kay bit her lip silently until finally she nodded. "I guess not." She said solemnly. To be honest, she didn't want to stay in Harmony. Everything and everyone she detested resided here and Kay could not see herself toughing it out for the next few years of her life, surrounded by her enemies, especially now that she was going to have to raise a child. Since she hadn't really said anything to Fox yet, Kay said nothing to Jason. "But it doesn't mean you'll lose me, Jase." Kay persisted, giving him a reassuring look. "We'll still be best friends. My life with Fox can never change that."
"I know but I just realized that Callaway Manor will never be the same without you."
Kay nodded somberly. "I don't want to be sad, Jase." She told him firmly, giving his hand a small squeeze. "I know that nothing will be the same from now on. But we have people who love us and we love back. I have Fox and you have Gwen. And luckily, we're all friends. We have more than we could ask for."
"You're right."
"Of course, I am." She replied, giving him a triumphant look.
************************************************************************
"Does it make me a bad person if I'm a tad bit jealous of them?" Gwen asked Fox somewhat warily as she stood by the large window that looked down at Kay and Jason sitting on a swing in one of the many gazebos situated in the Crane's expansive backyard. She sighed a little, shifting most of her weight to her left leg and leaning against the wall.
Fox shrugged as he joined Gwen by the window. "No. If you didn't really love him, you wouldn't be a little jealous, right?" He said casually.
"I suppose so." Gwen replied with a sigh. She shot him an apologetic look. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be putting doubts in your head. We all have enough to worry about with everything going so crazy."
"Hey, Gwen." Fox chided softly. "This is me you're talking to. There is no need to apologize."
She nodded. "I like Kay and I know she won't do anything to hurt me but I don't really know where Jason stands when it comes to Kay and I." She confided sullenly. "It makes me wonder that if he had to choose between us, would he immediately pick her."
"Why would he ever have to choose between the two of you?" He replied, giving her a pointed look. "Kay will never make him and why can't he have you both? I know that they're too close for comfort sometimes but we have to accept it. Jason and Kay will always love each other BUT only because they're best friends. We can't change it, Gwen, and we shouldn't because it's so rare to have a best friend from the opposite sex without adding romance or sex into the equation." Fox explained, giving her a sympathetic look. He hated what Ethan had done to Gwen. "We have to trust that they're with us because they love us and because they choose to."
Gwen smiled at him. "Where did all this insight come from, Fox?" She asked, teasing him a little.
He shrugged impishly. "Who knows?" He answered good-naturedly. "I'm baffled by it as well."
She chuckled softly, shaking her head at him. "I really love him. I try so hard not to but I just look at him and I'm happy."
"You deserve all the happiness in the world and more. Life has been unfair to you." Fox told her grimly and she looked at him gratefully. Fox would probably never know how thankful she was for all his help through the years. "He's not Ethan. Jason Callaway and I may not be the best of friends but I know he won't hurt you like my sorry excuse for a brother did."
"Half brother." Gwen quickly pointed out. "You came from the better half." She joked a little.
"Thank God for that although many might not agree with you." Fox retorted. "I hate how he strung you along. He broke you, Gwen. Ethan ruined years of your life just because he was too stupid to make up his mind on who he wanted to be with." He hissed angrily. Fox Crane may have been a womanizer in his days before Kay and he may have broken a few too many hearts to count but he never would have married a girl and then thwart her happiness by running off with some doe eyed girl who dreamed of marrying him since he was a child. "Don't you want to get some payback? My offer still stands even if it's five years old." Fox watched her hopefully. Maybe he could finally give Ethan a nice good kick on where it hurt most. It was like killing two birds with one stone but like always Gwen shook her head.
"Leave Ethan alone." Came her usual somber reply whenever Fox brought up the topic. Gwen knew he wanted justice for her but she didn't want to hurt him that way. Someday, she would come up with something far worse than the physical pain that Fox offered to deliver; Gwen just didn't know what it was exactly. "It wasn't just him. Theresa played a big part in it as well. Women like her should be caged or institutionalized." Fox chuckled at her reply and Gwen rolled her eyes. "But you're right. Ethan ruined a lot of good things in my life. I'll always be doubtful of men because of him."
Fox nodded grimly, hating his half sibling even more. In Fox's eyes, Ethan not only stole years from Gwen's life but also from him. "Luckily, not all men are like Ethan." Fox replied.
"Luckily."
"Not that I don't approve of a good punch at Ethan but I think the best revenge is to be truly happy." Fox declared with a determined look on his handsome face. "Be really, really happy with Jason, that way you can flaunt it in Ethan's face and show him that you're better than him. He was a trivial part in your life. That will definitely irk him, if not Theresa."
"Still a schemer, even with the best intentions." Gwen reproached lightheartedly, shaking her head at him as if disappointed.
Fox persisted. "I'm serious, Gwen. It's not a scheme. Just be happy. No pretending, no trying. Just be."
She nodded, exhaling shakily. "I am happy, Fox, but I don't want to use Jason to get back at Ethan or Theresa. No matter how hurtful they were to me in the past, I won't exploit the one good thing in my life for revenge. I don't want to push my luck, considering I have so little."
"Alright." Fox finally relented. "But you just say the word and Ethan is gone for good."
Gwen just smiled at him.
************************************************************************
Later that Night
"Kay?" Fox whispered in the darkness, his voice soft as if wary of disturbing the woman next to him.
"Hmm?" She sleepily murmured against his bare chest.
He smiled to himself, tightening his arm around Kay her. Even while half awake, she still managed to drive Fox crazy. "Are you awake?" He asked, looking down at her to see if she was.
In the darkness, Fox noted how her eyebrows wrinkled into a slight frown and her lips set into a small piqued pout. "I was." She replied grumpily, somewhat whining.
"Sorry, love, but I was thinking."
"Out loud?" Kay asked tiredly as she shifted on the bed and snuggled closer to him, resting her head on the crook of his neck. She sighed sleepily.
"We should leave Harmony." Fox declared.
"Why?" She asked curiously.
"We need a vacation." Fox stated matter-of-factly. "And I want you resting and away from the crazy people in this town. You and the baby need some r and r."
She smiled softly, giving his jaw a quick kiss. "Thanks, I'd love that." Kay replied.
"Do you have a place in mind?" He asked.
Kay shook her head. "No," She answered falling back asleep. "You pick, Fox. I'll be happy to go anywhere as long as you're with me."
Pleased with her answer, Fox placed his hand at the tip of Kay's chin, tilting her head up and kissing her lips. "I know the perfect place. You'll love it." He said. "Good night, love."
She murmured something intangible and nodded a little. "I love you, Fox."
"I love you too, Kay, and you too, little kiddo." Fox said, placing his hand over her stomach protectively. Kay just smiled and thanked the powers that be for her lucky stars.
~*~
A/N: IT WASN'T MUCH BUT I EXPLAINED IT ALREADY IN THE BEGINNING. I HAVE MY REASONS FOR DOING THIS AND THEN SOME. YOU'LL ALL UNDERSTAND LATER. DON'T FORGET TO GIVE ME YOUR OPINIONS, OKAY.
THANKS FOR READING AND BEING PATIENT WITH ME.
