A/N: AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR REVIEWS. BABYDOLL, IM CURIOUS. WHAT DO YOU THINK FOX DID? IM CURIOUS TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK IT IS. AMY TAYLOR, I HAD A HARD TIME PICTURING JACK KRIZMANICH SAYING ALL THE THINGS I WROTE FOR JOHN. GLAD YOU LIKE THE NEW JOHN AND OF COURSE MIRANDA.
JASON'S PICTURE IS UP AND THIS GOES TO ALL. I WASN'T SURE IF SHOULD PUT JASON'S PIC UP. LIKE I SAID BEFORE, I DON'T REALLY WANT TO MESS WITH EVERYONE ELSE'S PERSONAL IMAGE OF THE CHARACTERS.
QUAYAQUIL00, PROJECT PHOENIX IS ALISTAIR'S CODE NAME FOR KAY. THE PHOENIX IS A MYTHICAL FIREBIRD WHICH HAS TEARS WITH HEALING POWERS. WHEN THE PHOENIX DIES, IT IS REBORN FROM ITS OWN ASHES. VERY MUCH LIKE KAY WHO IN THE EYES OF THE WORLD IS DEAD BUT WILL SOON MAKE A COME BACK. BUT ALISTAIR HAS A PLAN. THE MAN IS A VICIOUS, CRUEL PERSON AND HE DOES THINGS TO BENEFIT HIM. WE'LL ALL SEE.
SAMVY, JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED. JESS AND MIGUEL WILL GET WHAT'S THEIRS.
TO THE REST-FOXAYFAN, LAUREN, 2COOL4U, ANONYMOUS (WHO MADE ME LAUGH AND APPRECIATE THE GREATNESS OF FOXAY EVEN MORE BY YOUR HONESTY), EL DIABLO FIRE STARTER (WHAT DOES DIABLO MEAN, BTW?), CHOCOLATE BABE, BABYDOLL (WHO REVIEWED TWICE WHICH I JUST LOVED) AND SVATA2004-THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
AND OF COURSE, TO EVERYONE ELSE WHO REVIEWED THE PREVIEWS CHAPTERS, I'M GRATEFUL FOR ALL YOUR INPUT.
HERE'S THE NEXT CHAPTER.
ENJOY.
~*~
Crane Island, December
Lightning flashed across the sky, briefly illuminating the pitch black night as heavy rain poured down the earth with a violent force. Trees swayed against the wind; leaves, dirt and small branches flew around at a vicious speed.
Kay protectively placed her hand on her stomach, ignoring the chill in her bones as she looked up at the sky and frowned. She hoped that fate and Mother Nature would stay on her side for just another half hour.
We have to find your daddy, babies. We have to find him. She inwardly whispered as she rubbed her hand on her belly just as she dodged a large branch swaying turbulently in the wind. Her foot suddenly slipped on the cold, wet mud and Kay shrieked as she started to fall backwards. Strong hands caught her before she landed and injured herself and her unborn children.
"Mrs. Crane!" The man gasped as he helped her up. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Kay reassured him shakily as her ice cold hands brushed her now soaked hair back and straightened the large raincoat that she was wearing. When the man didn't look convinced, she sighed exasperatedly. "I know what I'm doing."
"We should turn back. It's not too late." He suggested as he brought his hand up in hopes of shielding his face from the rain. "You could say you got lost and I found you. Mrs. Crane, please!"
Kay steeled her resolved and gritted her teeth. "James, how many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me that? And, we are not turning back. Now, come on!" She continued to move, dragging him behind her.
"You're going to hurt yourself!" He argued.
"I know what I'm doing, okay!" Kay hissed stubbornly as she angrily tapped her flashlight which was starting to dim. Dammit.
The man's apprehension heightened. "You're pregnant!" He desperately declared.
Kay shot him an icy glare. "I noticed." She retorted dryly. "I am pregnant, not an invalid."
"You can't do this!"
"I can and I will do this, with or without your help." Kay declared firmly as she tried to make out their surroundings.
James sighed as he continued to follow her through the small jungle. "We're not going to make it out of the island. The sea is rough tonight. We'll drown if we try to reach the mainland."
"I know that!" Kay hissed at him. James Bradley was a nice man but in Kay's standards, he was too chicken. He was too afraid to break any rules, especially Alistair's rules. It had taken Kay and Jimmy's wife a whole week to convince him to agree to this. She would have gladly gone out on her own but she needed someone to bring her back to the mansion in case she hurt herself. In case her plan did not work and Kay prayed, hoped that it did.
"Then what are we doing running around in the middle of this storm?" He demanded, getting quite angry with her. Kay may be richer, more powerful and practically his boss but he was not going to get in trouble for no particular reason. He wanted to help Kay. He really did but this was a bad idea. If they were going to get caught then it would all be for nothing. Kay hastened her pace even more, ignoring his question. "You have to tell me or I swear I'll drag you back!"
Kay scoffed slightly. "Just trust me!" She yelled. "Jimmy, this has to work because I'm not spending another month locked up in that mansion, constantly under surveillance and being told what to do. Alistair lied to me! As grateful as I am at him for saving my life, I'm not going to sit back and let him screw with me and Fox. I want my life back, dammit! If this was happening to your wife, you know you would want her to try everything in her power to find you."
"We can do this another time!"
"No!" Kay screeched angrily. "There is no other time! They're not going to expect me to endanger myself and my children by running out into this storm. They know I'm not that stupid."
"And yet, here you are."
"Very funny." She mumbled, rolling her eyes slightly. "I always have a plan within a plan. Relax." Kay smirked as she looked around them. The storm was getting worse and as stubborn as Kay was, she was starting to think that this was probably one of her most desperate plans.
"You are the toughest and scariest pregnant woman that I've met. And although I think you're insane right now, I'm going to see this through."
Kay gratefully smiled at him. "There it is!" She declared, pointing at what she had been looking for. Just a few more minutes.
Meanwhile, back at the mansion, floodlights filled the house as Dr. O'Neil and the eighty something servants scrambled to get things in order. The storm had knocked out the main power and only half of the set of generators were working. To make matters worse, Kay was missing.
"We have to find her." He somberly declared to the group of servants and guards that he had assigned as his search party. "If something happens to her, we're gone. We all know this. Alistair will not be happy."
That damn woman. Dr. O'Neil inwardly cursed as he led his team out into the storm. Kay was putting herself in danger again. After the horror that she went through, she still had not learned. As much as he sympathized with his patient, Dr. O'Neil knew he wouldn't feel sorry for Kay if something happened to her again. Kay knew what she was doing and she was asking for it this time. She knew how fragile her condition was. Too much stress and she could miscarry. If Kay miscarried or went into early labor in this storm, Dr. O'Neil knew she and the babies would die.
I can't believe her sheer stupidity. She knows better. He angrily thought. After the great lengths that were taken to save Kay, it now seemed futile. Perhaps she was meant to die in that car crash. Perhaps, Alistair was wrong when he stated that this one was worth saving. There is no saving someone who just doesn't care.
And as tempted as he was to turn back and give up on Kay, Dr. O'Neil knew that he at least have to try to ease his own conscience and because Alistair would punish him more severely if he didn't make an effort.
"You've cheated death twice already, Kay. Do you think you can do it again?" He mumbled under his breath.
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One Day Later, Boston
Gwen Hotchkiss strolled into the chic little restaurant and listlessly followed the maitre'd to her usual table in the back corner of the room. For over a month now, she came to this restaurant after watching Jessica's trial. Sometimes, Jason would go with her, other times John, and Fox only came once. He couldn't bear to just sit there and listen to Jessica fabricate a story about the night Kay died. The one time he went, Fox would have walked up to Jessica and strangled her with his bare hands in front of the whole court had Gwen not been there and held on to his arm to stop him.
He never came back and now, Gwen observed the trial mostly by herself. Jason was too occupied with business and right now he had to go back to San Francisco for another week. John was dealing some personal problems on his own and barely saw anyone, except Jason at work. Miranda had gone back to England.
Gwen sighed as she looked over the usual menu, her thoughts clouded with work, her life, worries about what Fox would do now and the outcome of Jessica's trial.
"Gwen." A masculine voice pierced her thoughts and Gwen stiffened, her grip tightening around the laminated menu. She gritted her teeth and looked up, her gaze meeting Ethan's. She continued to glare at him and say nothing. "I just thought I'd come over and say hi." Ethan declared, smiling slightly.
"Are you following me?" She hissed, dropping the menu back on the table. Lately, Ethan was everywhere she was and Gwen was getting irritated.
He looked shocked. "No. I wanted to say hi. We haven't spoken in so long."
"And why do you think that is, Ethan?" Gwen retorted coldly.
Ethan shot her a pained looked. "Gwen, you can't be mad at me forever."
"I can try." She declared firmly. "Leave me the hell alone, Ethan."
"But-"
"No!" She practically yelled, causing the other patrons to shoot her and Ethan curious looks.
The maitre'd, Pierre, saw this and hastily rushed over to Gwen's table. "Excuse, sir, ma'am." He drawled, his French accent thick as his eyes darted around the room suspiciously. "Is there a problem?"
Gwen sighed but before she could say something, Ethan interrupted her. "No." He replied smoothly, putting on his best smile. "I was just talking to my friend."
She scoffed indignantly. "We are not friends, Ethan. Get that clear." Off her bitter statement, the maitre'd arched an eyebrow, intrigued by these two beautiful people. Ethan's shoulder slumped in defeat as he sighed and Gwen made appoint to ignore him and pretend to be interested in the menu.
"Gwen, please." Ethan begged and Gwen was about to snarl at him when Pierre cut her off.
"Please don't make a scene. We do not want to upset my other costumers." Pierre pleaded hastily. "Perhaps, you two should take this outside."
Gwen sighed sharply. "No." She whispered. She was not going to let Ethan ruin her lunch for her.
"I'll sit down. We won't cause a scene. We promise." Ethan assured the other man as he pulled a chair across from Gwen, much to her dismay. Somewhat appeased, the maitre'd nodded and went away.
"Why are you doing this to me, Ethan?" Gwen demanded irately, trying to keep her cool.
"If you think that I'm here to hurt you, that's not true. Gwen, I just want to be here for you." He declared softly, shooting Gwen his patented Ethan look.
She scoffed at him, folding her arms over her chest. "I don't need you, Ethan. I am happy with my life. I have moved on." Gwen declared angrily.
"I know." He whispered somberly, looking down at his hands.
Ethan had seen the man Gwen moved on with. At first he tried to be happy for her, happy that she found someone but now Ethan had to admit that when he saw that other man, with his arm wrapped possessively around Gwen, Ethan felt a stab of jealousy and hurt. For as long as he could remember, it had always been the two of them. Gwen had sworn undying love for him time and time again. And even when he finally chose Theresa over her, even when he knew that he had caused Gwen more hurt than she deserved, Ethan had always in the back of his mind believed that she would always be there.
That Gwen would always love him and just him. That belief had been like a safety net. Ethan had always assumed that if things were not to work out with his eccentric Theresa, he could always turn to beautiful, loyal Gwen because she would always wait for him.
To have that belief shattered felt like a slap on face to Ethan. He felt betrayed although he knew he shouldn't. It was wrong to expect her to be there after everything. Although it wasn't enough and it would never measure up to his love for Theresa, Ethan did love Gwen and still does. It was their long history that instilled the familiar yet faint feeling and now, Ethan wanted some semblance of that intimacy back.
"Good. Then stop this. Stop hounding me."
He nodded, looking at her squarely. "I just miss you, Gwen."
"No, Ethan." She corrected him firmly. "You don't miss me. You just miss the idea of me being available for you no matter what." When Ethan looked taken aback and then mortified, Gwen knew she was right. "I may have learned to hate you this past few years but I still know you. When I was alone and miserable you didn't bother. And now, when I finally found someone else, you suddenly want back in. You suddenly want to be all chummy again. Well, let me tell you something, Ethan. You can't have it both ways. You can't hurt me, marry the one woman that I despise, not apologize to me for years and then expect me to just drop everything because you suddenly have a change of heart. Just because five years have passed doesn't mean I have forgotten anything." Hot tears burned in the back of her eyes and Gwen bawled her fists, her nails digging into the palm of her hand.
How dare he? Gwen screamed in her head. How dare he sit there and look at me like I owe it to him to be alone forever?
"I'm not expecting you to forget everything, Gwen." He drawled weakly, his eyes wet with unshed tears. "I just wish it hadn't gotten to this. I want us to be friends again. It's a lot to ask after everything that has happened but I want you back. Not like the way it used to be with us. I know we can't have that anymore. But it would mean so much to me if we tried to be friends again. I want you to be able to forgive me, to look and speak to me without hatred."
"Well you can't always have what you want, Ethan."
"Can't you at least try?"
Gwen shook her head, heaving a sigh. "I can but I won't. I'm sick of trying, Ethan. I'm sick of giving you a chance. My life no longer includes you and your little groupie and I'm glad." Ethan flinched at her words and Gwen felt a stab of triumph.
Ethan nodded dejectedly as he looked leaned back into his chair as if his bones couldn't hold him up any longer. "I hope that this new man treats you right, Gwen."
"He does." She replied with a proud smirk. "He's nothing like you." Gwen gave him her best ice cold smile as she grabbed her coat and purse from the nearby chair and stood up. "I know that this honesty thing is a one time deal so I just want to let you know that there's been something I've been meaning to tell you."
"Yes?" He whispered, his voice filled with such hope that it tugged at Gwen's heartstrings. And for a moment, she remembered that she once cared for him, that she had loved him and Gwen almost stopped herself. She said her piece and now would be the best time to walk away, never look back and start anew.
But another part knew better. Like she said, this moment of honesty was a one time deal and it had to be done. "Remember how Theresa emailed your paternity result to the tabloid?"
Ethan's eyes darkened. "Yes, I remember."
"Well, it was actually me." And mother. Gwen thought she would regret telling him this, maybe even afraid of the fact that he would hate her for her deception but that was the truth and it would come out sooner. Better that she said it to him and accepted it. She smoothed her gloved hands over her expensive jacket and watched Ethan's confused expression with a soft smile on her lips. He didn't know if she said it to spite him or this was really true and Gwen loved it. "So I guess we're even. Have a nice life Ethan." With that said Gwen turned on her heel and walked out of the restaurant leaving Ethan staring at her in disbelief.
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Crane Island
"Touch me and die!" Kay snarled at the guard who made an attempt to restrain her. He looked genuinely frightened of her although she was only half his size and pregnant. They had finally found her one hour after the strenuous search. Most of the search party was beginning to believe that Kay either drowned in the sea by then or had fallen off the cliff to her death. But she was in small cabin by the edge of the island when they found her, safely sheltered from the storm. The gardener, James Bradley was there too, looking frightened that he helped her try to escape.
Dr. O'Neil sighed and shook his head at Kay's vicious remark. "She says that with love. Now, now, Ms. Callaway, there is no need to be violent." He said lightheartedly, patting his hand on her shoulder which she quickly shrugged off. Out of everyone in the whole mansion, he was the only one who actually called her by that name. Alistair had ordered that she be referred to as Mrs. Crane ever since the day she was brought there. She was after all going to be marrying Fox and they might as well get accustomed to calling her by that ever acclaimed title.
"Oh, shut up." She hissed. "I want to speak to Alistair. Now."
"Our satellites are down due to the storm. You'll have to wait." He replied as he dismissed the servants with a look. "You should get dried off before you catch a cold."
Kay sighed sharply. "I should be out there, not locked up in here." She argued as she grudgingly walked over to the elevator with the good doctor in tow.
"Alistair has a plan. You should trust him." Dr. O'Neil said as he pressed her floor button.
She scoffed at him, folding her arms over her chest as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. "I don't trust anyone, especially those who lock me up in an island mansion and make the world believe that I'm dead." She muttered angrily.
"He hasn't failed you so far." He retorted pointedly. "I know this is hard to understand. I often ask myself if what we're doing makes any sense at all but Alistair did save your life."
"I'll be forever grateful for that but this is driving me crazy. Alistair lied to me. You all lied to me. From the minute I regained consciousness you lead me to believe that Fox was in on this. That everything was good and fixed and all I have to do is stay dead until the end of my sister's trial. That he wasn't calling or bothering to check on me because he chose to. And now I find out that he doesn't have a clue! He buried me and our unborn children last month. He is mourning our death for no reason!" Hot tears welled up in her eyes and suddenly Kay balled her fists and slammed them against the side of the elevator.
Dr. O'Neil jumped. "Kay, calm down." He coaxed as she began to pace frantically.
"Don't tell me to calm down, dammit! How can you expect me to calm down? I am pregnant with twins, my hormones cause my mood to change so fast you would think I'm bipolar, the people I love think I'm dead and I am surrounded by imbeciles who want to tie me to the bed so I never leave this place!" She shrieked and the doctor back away as if any minute now she would reach out and attack him.
"You'll get out of here soon." He reassured her softly. "Don't get yourself worked up. Think of the twins, Kay. Stress is not good for them."
She nodded weakly, brushing her tears with the back of her hand. "I miss Fox so much it hurts. But you don't care. You're just doing your job."
Dr. O'Neil sadly smiled at her. "I care but don't try to run again. If you try this stunt again, I will have you tied to the bed." He joked wryly. "When Alistair calls, he's going to find out. You're going to have to answer to him."
"Fine." Kay retorted. "It's about time Alistair realizes he cant keep me here forever. I have other plans for myself."
"You put yourself in danger over nothing. That was a foolish thing, what you did and it didn't work. All you did was get yourself soaked."
Kay's lips curled into a sly smirked as she stepped out of the elevator. "Are you sure it didn't work?"
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Two Weeks Later (One Week before Christmas)
Harmony
The minute Jason spotted Theresa Winthrop enter his office in a rather hurried speed and with a frighteningly determined look on her face; he knew there would be trouble. Bad trouble. She stopped in front of him, her cheeks flushed and a half smile on her rather crimson lips.
"Hi." She greeted a little too cheerfully for someone about to cause much chaos. "Mr. Callaway, you don't know me but I'm Theresa Winthrop."
Oh, I know you alright. Jason thought with a smirk. She was Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald Winthrop, the one woman that Gwen despises more than anything in the world and also sister to the man who Kay used to think she was in love with. He watched her cautiously. She looked harmless as she stood before him in her rather petite frame and swept up dark hair.
She looked genuinely friendly but Jason knew otherwise. Given Gwen's history with Theresa and Ethan, Jason couldn't help but despise her. She was partially responsible for his girlfriend's unhappiness.
"How can I help you, Ms. Winthrop?" Jason asked aloofly, not wanting to be pleasant to this woman.
"It's Mrs. Winthrop, actually." She pointedly corrected him. "I'm Ethan Winthrop's wife." Her eyes danced as she said her husband's name as if she had gained some sort of triumph by marrying him. "I was wondering if I could speak to you. It's important."
Jason narrowed his eyes at her. He was tempted to icily tell her that he didn't give a damn about what she was about to say because it wouldn't be the truth. But a part of him was curious. As much as Gwen hated Theresa, she barely spoke about her. "I have a meeting in twenty minutes so you're going to have to make it fast." He said, glancing at his watch.
Theresa nodded and primly sat down on the chair in front of his desk, her game face on. "I know you have heard some mean things about me." She began, looking him straight in the eye. "Gwen must have told you what a horrible person I am."
Gwen doesn't need to tell me anything, Theresa. I already know what kind of person you are. He thought to himself. Jason had seen for himself the outcome of this woman's obsession. He had seen, felt Gwen's sadness when he first met her. "Gwen doesn't really talk about insignificant things in her life." He said coolly.
Theresa didn't flinch in the least. Instead she went on eagerly. She had every intention of exposing Gwen as the cold hearted bitch that she truly was. "Gwen and I have a lot of history together and I suppose I can understand why she doesn't like me." Theresa stated softly as if she was the one who had been wronged. "Ethan did choose me over her. But I never intentionally meant her any harm. I've always wanted us to be friends."
Jason wanted to laugh at her. Friends? He inwardly scoffed. Is this girl missing a few brain cells? "I see." He said instead.
"Anyway, I tried my best to steer clear of Gwen these past few years since I thought she might need time to cool down and accept that Ethan and I are fated to be together. For a while, I thought she had let go of her anger. I know that she's with you now and I thought you two were madly in love like Ethan and I. But…but…oh, Mr. Callaway, I don't know how to break this to you." She whimpered dramatically.
"Just spit it out." Jason declared impatiently.
"Gwen has been deceiving you. She's playing you for a fool. I'm sorry to have to be to the one to tell you this but I suppose it's better that you hear if from a friend than someone else." Theresa declared boldly, giving him a consoling smile.
"How exactly is Gwen deceiving me, Mrs. Winthrop?" Jason asked, his dislike for Theresa solidifying.
Theresa sighed, her eyes welling up large tears. "She wants Ethan back!" She wailed and Jason looked at her like she had gone mad. "It's what I've suspected all along. Ever since Kay died, she's been after Ethan. She's using his grief for his dead half sister to get him back. And I won't let her do that! Ethan loves me! Only me! But Gwen is persistent. She keeps following him. She's always at the trial where Ethan is. Ethan is happy with us, his family. He has a child. How can she not think about that? And she's using you. She's using you to make Ethan jealous."
Jason scowled at her. He was not going to sit here and just listen to this impostor cry about how horrible Gwen was. "Mrs. Winthrop-"
"Wait!" She protested, dabbing her handkerchief in the corner of her eyes. Theresa was a walking one woman theater act. "Gwen ruined Ethan's life before. She was the one who sent Ethan's paternity to the tabloid. Did she tell you that? And she framed me for it!"
"Mrs. Winthrop, stop!"
"I'm trying to save you from getting hurt. I'm telling you this so you can leave her before you get sucked in too deep." Theresa protested defiantly.
"No." Jason hissed his ice blue ice boring into hers. "I am not getting sucked into anything. You, Mrs. Winthrop are a selfish, insecure little girl who thinks that you can get Gwen off your back by telling me about what she's doing. What do you expect me to do? Tell her she's not allowed near Ethan?"
Theresa's brow furrowed. "If you love Gwen, then you'll do your best to keep her just as I would do the same for Ethan."
Jason laughed dryly. "I don't doubt my relationship with Gwen, Theresa. I don't need try to do anything to keep her. I trust her. And let's get something clear while we're here, Theresa. Your husband is the one who has been hounding my girlfriend. So maybe you should keep a leash on him. Don't twist things around."
Theresa frowned at Jason. "That is a cruel, cruel thing to say."
"The truth always hurts." Jason quipped. "You're wasting your breath. Nothing you say will change how I feel about Gwen."
"Then you are setting yourself up for disappointment."
Jason scoffed. "I doubt it but thanks for the visit, Theresa. You made me realize something today."
"What's that?" She asked as she rose from her seat to leave.
"That you are an insipid little wretch who knows nothing about relationships." He declared venomously. "If you're having doubts about your so called marriage, talk to your husband rather than run around town trying to ruin perfectly good relationships so you can have some peace of mind. And thank you because you made me realize how much Gwen means to me and nothing-not you or anyone in this world can change that."
Theresa opened her mouth to protest but Jason quickly cut her off with a wag of his finger. "But-"
"Don't come here and waste my time again, Mrs. Winthrop. I pity people like you. Now leave."
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Two hours later, after meeting with Jason, Gwen walked into the Crane mansion looking confused and angry and hurt. "Gwennie, what's the matter?" Rebecca asked as she sauntered over to her daughter while expertly holding a glance of martini in one hand without spilling it.
Gwen sighed shakily. "He left." She whispered sadly.
Rebecca looked confused for a moment as she ushered her daughter to the newly revamped living room. "Who left?" She asked.
"Jason." Gwen replied as she sat down, looking dazed and confused. "He met me at lunch and he just said he needed to leave. I asked him if he had to go to San Francisco for work and he said no. He wouldn't tell me what was going on or when he would come back. He was acting really weird, Mom."
Rebecca pouted slightly and poured Gwen a drink. "Here, this will help you relax."
"I don't want a drink to relax, mother. I want to know what the hell is going on. Everything was going so good." Gwen frantically declared. "I know we've been distant lately and we've seen less and less of each other because of work and Jessica's trial and me traveling to New York to check on Fox…but…but he just left! He just said, I have to go away. I'll be back soon."
"Oh, sweetheart, I have something to tell you but drink first." Rebecca coaxed. "I promise it will lessen the blow."
"Mother, just tell me already." Gwen demanded impatiently.
Her mother nodded, sighing softly as she put her drink down and clasped Gwen's hands. "Jason left because of Theresa." Rebecca declared.
Gwen's throat suddenly tightened and worries raced through her mind. Theresa's name had always brought unease to Gwen. No matter how strong she was, how much she believed in Jason, Gwen had always feared that Theresa would come along and ruin another relationship for her. And now, Theresa came ambling back into her life again to ruin the only relationship she's ever had since Ethan. "How do you know this?" She asked fearfully.
"My spies told me Theresa came to Callaway Towers earlier."
"You have spies?" Gwen asked in disbelief.
Rebecca nodded proudly. "You've been burned by Ethan before, Gwen, and when Jason came into your life, I wanted to be sure. So I did a little investigating. Whatever Theresa said to him today, it must have really gotten to him if he went running. You have to go after him Gwen."
"I don't even know where he was going and even if I did, I'm not going to run after a man." She declared.
"Gwen, I may not be a guru of sage advice but you love that man and you are not a quitter." Rebecca persisted.
Gwen nodded somberly. "I love him more than I've ever loved anyone, mother, but I can't just go after him. I can't just follow him, demanding explanations and ending up like a jealous little fool. I trust him and although I'm going crazy with worry right now, I'm going to wait. He said he'll come back."
"But Gwen-"
"No mother. I trust Jason. He isn't Ethan. He isn't weak." Gwen declared, trying to calm her frazzled nerves. "Whatever that little bitch Theresa said can't be that bad. I told Jason everything. Theresa has nothing on me. I can't believe she's ruining my life again. God, I want her dead!"
Rebecca smirked as the idea began to look more and more appealing to her. "That can be arranged." She quipped.
Gwen smiled wryly. "I'll pass. For now."
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December 24, Harmony
Crane's Annual Christmas Party
Fox downed his fifth glass of scotch, shrugging off the seventh woman who sidled up against him and tried to make conversation in hopes of catching his attention for the last two hours. He was getting quite annoyed with the throng of women who made an effort to give him their false condolences and sympathy and the burn of alcohol in his throat was becoming more of a comfort.
Gwen shot him a look. "Don't get too drunk and end up sleeping with one of these skank-hos." She said rather crudely as she eyed the women disgustingly ogling Fox. Fox knew something was up with her. She was edgy and rather snappy today.
"Tell me again; why did I let you talk me into going to this godforsaken party?" He asked grudgingly.
"Because I didn't want to be miserable by myself." She replied candidly.
Fox nodded as he grabbed a champagne glass from a waiter passing by. "So, where's Jason? I thought the Callaways would be invited to this." He declared, his voice sounding hoarse.
Gwen nodded, sighing wearily. "The Callaways were invited but I don't think they're up to partying right now with everything that has happened." She replied. "And I don't know were Jason is."
"Trouble in paradise?" Fox asked seriously when he noticed the unhappy look on his friend's face. Ever since Kay died, their lives had slowly fallen apart one by one.
Gwen shrugged. "I'm not sure yet. If I could talk to him, then maybe I'll know if something's wrong." She replied. "Theresa paid him a visit." Gwen gritted her teeth at the thought of the other woman.
"Oh, man." Fox whispered under his breath. He nudged her slightly when he saw Jason enter the house, surprisingly dressed for the occasion.
He immediately spotted Gwen and Fox standing by the sidelines looking rather miserable. This has to be the worst Christmas party ever. Jason thought as he walked over to Gwen and Fox. "Merry Christmas." He greeted and Fox rolled his eyes.
"Yeah. Merry Christmas." He mumbled dryly. Fox missed Kay and he wanted to be anywhere but here.
"Where have you been?" Gwen asked faintly, not knowing what else to say to him.
Jason planted a kiss on her cheek. "Just taking care of business." He replied cryptically and Gwen narrowed her eyes at his response. He was never one to be cryptic with her. Jason Callaway had always been straightforward and honest with her.
"Okay." Gwen replied icily. "Jason, I've had a very long week so I would appreciate it if you told me the truth."
"Can we talk in private?" He asked and Gwen swallowed nervously. She looked over at Fox and shot him a worried look. He smiled at her as reassuringly as he could.
It'll be fine, Gwen. He inwardly said. Fox trusted Jason. He knew the other man would not deliberately hurt Gwen or worse dump her on Christmas Eve. And if Jason was as callous as that, he would have to answer to Fox.
"Okay." Gwen said uncertainly but before they could take another step, Rebecca rushed over to them, giggling and smiling as she grabbed Jason by the shoulders and crushed him into a tight hug.
"I could kiss you right now!" Rebecca happily declared as she cupped Jason's face with her hands. Gwen looked mortified and Fox looked about to fall over laughing. The other guests exchanged glances.
Rebecca was pleased. She had gotten a very surprising phone call from Jason earlier in the week, and as ecstatic as she was with what she just found out, Rebecca couldn't tell Gwen. Now, she was bursting at the seams with excitement. Although he was smiling, Jason gave her a pointed look that wasn't missed by Gwen and Fox. Rebecca calmed down and turned to her daughter, beaming from ear to ear as she made sure her little Gwennie looked perfect.
"Oh, Gwen. I'm so proud of you." Rebecca gushed.
"We'll be back." Jason declared as he ushered Gwen to the stairs.
"Where are we going?" She curiously asked him.
Jason beamed at her. "Patience, my darling. Patience." He teased and Gwen smiled softly. Maybe nothing was wrong after all.
"Jason, I know you talked to Theresa last week." Gwen began as they took the elevator to the upper floors and they stopped at the roof.
"It doesn't matter but technically she talked to me." He replied as he led her out.
"Did you leave because of what she said?" She asked, hugging herself from the cold. What the hell are we doing out here, in this cold?
Jason smiled at her as he stepped closer, wrapped his arms around Gwen and kissed her on the forehead, brushing the strand of golden hair that had gotten in her eye. "More or less." He whispered huskily and as expected, Gwen pulled back, frowning.
"If she's said something so horrible why didn't you ask me before running off like that? I would have told you the truth." She said angrily. Gwen had expected this. From the minute she got involved with him, she knew that somewhere along the way, something would go wrong and no matter how happy she was, it would have to end.
"I didn't need to. I already had the truth." Jason answered, watching the display of emotions on her face.
I am a disaster magnet. Gwen miserably concluded.
"Do you know how much that hurts?" She whispered brokenly. "You believed her word without even hearing my side of whatever the hell she said now. You believed her! Theresa!" Gwen suddenly hated herself for feeling like this. For feeling betrayed, for hoping that this would last in the first place. She felt horribly foolish now. Gwen suddenly turned around, afraid to cry and break apart in front of him. Her anger was rising to a boiling point.
Oh, how could she have given her heart to him that easily? How could she be so careless? After everything!
"Gwen, turn around." Jason asked softly, his voice somewhat strange. Gwen would have ignored him and walked right out but like her mother said, she was not a quitter and as hurt as she already was, she had to give this a chance. He's not Ethan. He's not Ethan. She reminded herself.
Calming herself, Gwen turned around and gasped.
Jason was on one knee.
In his hand was a small velvet box incasing a diamond ring. Small fairy lights shone behind him, interwoven with the potted roses that she had somehow missed. "Gwen Hotchkiss-"
"What are you doing?" She asked frantically, bringing her shaking hand to her lips. Gwen could suddenly feel the tears streaming down her cheeks and her heart pounding in her chest.
"Sweetheart." He whispered, his voice husky but playful. "You're kind of ruining the mood."
Gwen smiled sadly. "Jason, please just get up."
"Not until I've said what I came to say." He replied firmly as he took her hand. "I know you think that getting proposed in the Crane mansion is bad luck so I figured the roof doesn't count as inside." Jason smiled. "I'm sorry for just running off but when Theresa came that day, she made me realize something really important. You, Gwen Hotchkiss, mean a lot to me. I love you Gwen and I want you to be as happy as you have made me. I want to give you everything. You guard your heart with such fierceness because you've been badly hurt. But I promise that I will try my best to never fail you, to erase all the sadness that you've experienced and no matter what, I'll always be here. So, will you make me the happiest and most blessed man in the world by marrying me?"
"Jason, I can't." She sobbed as she pulled her hand away and stepped back from him. His expression dropped.
"Well, that was definitely not the answer I was hoping for." He declared sarcastically as he got back up on his feet. "You can't or you won't?" He asked, the anger settling in.
"I can't, Jason." She repeated brokenly. "Believe me, I want to but I can't."
He scoffed, clenching his jaw to the point that his veins became visible. "You can, Gwen. All you have to do is say one little word. You just don't want to."
"Please, don't be mad. Let me explain." She pleaded, wiping her tears carelessly. "I love you, Jason. I know I don't say that often enough but I do love you. It frightens me sometimes but I want this feeling to stay, I want to always have you in my life. And I would marry you in a heartbeat. But I haven't been fully honest with you."
Jason looked shocked and hurt and afraid. She had kept something from him. "If this is about Ethan, I don't want to hear it." He said angrily.
"It's not." She whispered. "Jason, I want this to work so badly. I want us to have a future but I can't give you everything. You want it all and I'll just disappoint you."
"Gwen." Jason whispered, tipping her chin up with his fingers so that she could meet his gaze. "You can't disappoint me."
"I can't have children, Jason." She whispered, her voice breaking and Jason pulled her into a tight embrace. His heart broke for Gwen as she cried against his chest, her body shaking from the agony that she carries with such dignity, that she buries so deep inside of her that it freezes her. "I'm so sorry. I know you wanted children. I want them but I can't. I can't."
Jason pressed his lips against her hair as a tear trickled down his cheek. "I want children, Gwen, but I want you more. There are other ways. We'll find it but I'm not giving up on you. I want you here with me and I won't have it any other way." He whispered as he brushed her tears away.
"I just don't want you to look back on your life and realize that you've missed out." Gwen said honestly.
He smiled at her, loving her ever more for her kindness and thoughtfulness. And such selflessness. "I won't, Gwen. Not when I have you. Don't worry about it." He reassured her as he pulled out the velvet box again. "So what do you say, Gwen Hotchkiss, marry me? And as a fair warning, I'll only ask twice. A man can only take so much rejection." He laughed softly.
"Okay." She whispered and Jason slipped the ring on her finger. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" Gwen exclaimed happily as she threw her arms around his neck and he swept her off her feet.
************************************************************************
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, there was a commotion. "You do not belong here! Who are you?" The chef demanded his Australian accent thick as he screamed at the woman who had somehow slipped through the security guards.
"Please, I don't mean any harm." The woman begged, backing away as the chef wagged his frying pan in the air.
"Who do you work for? Are you a spy for the enemies?" The irate Australian demanded, picking up a spatula. "Do not make me use this!"
"No." The woman replied. "I just want to speak with Fox Crane."
"Why are you sneaking around? Are you immigration?" The chef continued, narrowing his beady eyes at the frightened woman. Everyone was beginning to scramble out of the kitchen. It was best to steer clear of the chef when he was in a fighting mood.
"I work for Mrs. Crane!" She exclaimed frantically just as Fox entered the room, looking rather annoyed.
He looked at her up and down as if measuring her up. "There is no one here by that name." Fox declared icily.
"I meant…Kay Cr-…Callaway. I work for Kay Callaway." She clarified nervously. Fox's hostile glare frightened her slightly. "She sent me here to find you."
"Who are you?" Fox demanded.
"M..mmar-" She stammered nervously.
"Speak!" Fox yelled.
"My name is Marcela Bradley, sir."
"So, Marcela Bradley, you know Kay Callaway?" He continued as he circled around her life a hawk about to strike. Marcie nodded, feeling suddenly two inches tall under Fox's scrutiny. "Nice try but Kay is dead and you, you little opportunistic bitch are going to pay for trying to manipulate me by using Kay's name."
Marcy shuddered, frightened. "But, Mr. Crane she's not dead." She exclaimed.
Fox flinched at the woman's audacity. "Don't try to con a Crane. I will burn you." He hissed.
"Mr. Crane, I am not a con. I'm one of Kay's attendants on the island."
"Island?" Fox echoed, suspiciously.
"Yes." Marcy declared. "Your family has a private island off the southern coast of Hawaii. Your grandfather has been keeping her there. And she wants to leave but she can't. So you have to go to Kay."
"Lady, if this is some sick joke, I will make you suffer!" Fox snarled.
"I 'm not lying. I have no reason to lie." She claimed.
Fox scoffed indignantly. "Money perhaps? You tell me Kay's alive and you want a little reward, right?"
She shook her head. "No, I don't want money. I just need you to believe me." She argued. "I've already gone against Alistair's orders. I don't know what will happen to me now but I feel horrible for Kay. She needs you. Go to the island as quickly as you can before Alistair moves her."
Fox frowned at Marcela. He could have her thrown and ignore her eccentric claims. But he couldn't help but want to believe that he had not lost Kay, that there was still hope. And he knew that if this was some sort of wild goose chase, he would be crushed and the pain of realizing that it was all deceit would twice as painful as losing Kay the first time. "How do I know you're not lying?"
"Mr. Crane. I don't have any proof. She…she gave me a letter to give to you but it got lost on the way here. I'm sorry."
"Fine. You're going to lead me to her then." Fox hissed as he grabbed her risk and stormed out of the house.
A few hours later, with exhaustion enveloping Fox's bones and doubt beginning to seep into his mind, the Crane's private jet finally landed on the island's own runway. The gigantic mansion was assembled in the middle of the island surrounded by lush tropical plant life and the necessities the rich need. Fox's heart was thumping so loudly that each beat sounded deafening as he came closer and closer to the house.
Two doormen held the door open and Marcela hurriedly rushed inside with fox in tow.
"Marcy!" A man called and the brunette rushed over to him, hugging him tightly. "I thought you weren't going to come back."
"Jimmy." She whispered his name, almost forgetting that Fox was watching them. "Is she here? Is Kay here?" Marcy asked.
Her husband nodded solemnly as he walked over to Fox and shook his hand. "It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Crane. Kay is in the fourth floor." He declared, leading him to the elevator.
Fox nodded wordlessly, wondering if this was a giant joke the world was playing on him. Marcy was beginning to cry throughout the elevator ride and she ushered him to where Kay was kept just as Dr. O'Neil stepped out of the room.
The man looked like a deer caught in the headlights as he mustered some sort of lame excuse to Fox. But Fox didn't bother, didn't care, and he shoved the doctor out of the way, storming into Kay's room, expecting to find the room empty or Kay tied down like an animal. But what he found tugged at his heart and he gasped when he saw her small frame, peacefully lying on the large bed. Her long dark was fanned on the pillow, her hands protectively on her swollen belly.
Tears stung his eyes as he stared at her intently to make sure that she really was there and this wasn't a figment of his unhappy and desperate imagination. His world had been turned upside down again and this time Fox was grateful for the disruption in his life.
"Oh, Kay." Fox whispered softly as if afraid that he would wake her and the illusion would be gone. He looked exactly like she did in the hospital before she was taken from him. Except the bruises and the cuts were gone and her hair had grown longer. Kay looked so fragile, like a life-sized porcelain. He cautiously walked closer to her, his eyes never leaving Kay.
Fox slowly sat on the bed and Kay slightly stirred but didn't awaken. He smiled, noting how beautiful she was. Fox reached forward and brushed a strand of hair away from her face, relishing in the warmth of her skin beneath his touch. And then Fox leaned down and pressed a soft kiss on Kay's lips, realizing how much he missed her touch, her smell, her face.
Kay's eyes fluttered and blue eyes bore into Fox's dark ones. "You're here." She whispered, bringing her hand to his face.
Fox nodded. "I'm here, Kay. I'm here." He said as he pulled her into a tight embrace.
"I was so afraid that you would never come." She said shakily, holding on to him for dear life. Kay had been so afraid when she didn't hear from Marcela, when weeks passed and still Fox didn't come.
"But I came and I'll never leave. I swear." Fox vowed as he kissed her again. "I'm here, love. I'll always be here."
Kay nodded tearfully. "I'm sorry you for what Alistair put you through."
"It doesn't matter." Fox declared. "As long as you're alive. I have you back and that's all I care about. I love you, Kay, and I'm not losing you again."
"I love you too." She replied and suddenly she gasped.
Fox looked alarmed. "Should I get the doctor?"
Kay only smiled at him as she pushed the blanket off of her and took fox's hand. "Can you feel that?" She asked as she placed his hand on her stomach.
Fox smiled looking somewhat surprised. "Our twins are kicking! We're going to have little soccer players!" He exclaimed proudly.
Kay nodded. "They missed their daddy very much." She said tearfully.
"And I missed them too." He answered planting a kiss on Kay's stomach and then on her lips. "I love you Kay.
~*~
A/N: OKAY, SO WHAT DO YOU THINK? I KNOW IT WAS MAINLY JASON AND GWEN AND FOX AND KAY BUT THESE ARE THE ONES I HAVE TO FOCUS ON IN THIS CHAPTER.
I KNOW IM MEAN FOR WRITING GWEN THAT WAY. BUT DON'T YOU WORRY.
OKAY, SOME OF YOU MIGHT HAVE PICTURED JASON A BRUNETTE BUT I DECIDED THAT GWEN NEEDS A CHANGE. ETHAN WAS A BRUNETTE AND SO JASON MUST BE THE OPPOSITE. AS FOR THE PROPOSAL, JASON WENT AWAY TO GET THE RING. I KNOW I DIDN'T MENTION THAT BUT OH WELL. AND HE CALLED MAMA HOTCHKISS TO TELL HER AND SORT OF ASK FOR HER PERMISSION.
NEXT UP, A FEW MORE SURPRISES FOR SOME COUPLES AND THOSE INVOLVED WITH KAY'S DEATH ARE NOW FORCED TO FACE IT. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE, JUST EMAIL LIKE ALWAYS.
REVIEW PLEASE!
