A/N:  I'M BACK!  OH, IT'S SO GREAT TO BE BACK.  OKAY, SO I'M HAVING SOME MIXED EMOTIONS ABOUT RETURNING TO THE LAND OF SNOW RIGHT NOW.  VACATION WAS AWESOME.  I DEFINITELY MISS IT BUT AS THEY SAY, ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END.

OKAY, SO LET'S GET BACK TO BUSINESS.  IM SURE SOME OF YOU ARE HOLDING MAJOR GRUDGES ON ME FOR TAKING SO LONG.  I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT.  I APOLOGIZE FOR THE LONG WAIT AND FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO HAND OUT HINTS.  I LEFT THE DAY AFTER I WROTE THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER AND SINCE THEN I ONLY HAD ONE ENCOUNTER WITH THE INTERNET AND IT LASTED ABOUT TWO MINUTES.  OH, WELL.

SO, HERE'S THE NEXT CHAPTER.

ENJOY.

~*~

December 27

Gwen propped her elbows on the bed as she looked at her surroundings with sleepy eyes.  Yawning and arching her back into a stretch, she wondered why it was so quiet.  "Jason?"  She called, her voice echoing in her fiancé's spacious New York apartment.  Defeated and still not awake enough, Gwen retreated back to the warm pillows and noticed a tray of food by the nightstand.  A small smile crossed her face as she reached for note with her name delicately written on it.

Darling, sorry to leave you so early.  Made you breakfast.  Hope it's still warm by the time you wake up.  There's a family emergency at the mansion.  I'm sure it's nothing.  See you soon.  Love, Jason.

Family emergency?  Gwen thought.  She didn't like the sound of that at all.  The vibrating of her cell phone interrupted her thoughts and Gwen reached for it, expecting Jason on the other end.

"Good morning, Gwen."

She let out a disappointed sigh.  "Alistair."

"You don't sound too happy to hear from me, Miss Hotchkiss."  Alistair taunted and Gwen was tempted to roll her eyes at the old man.  

"I was expecting someone else, Alistair.  I'm sure you have better things to do so why don't we just cut to the chase?"

Alistair laughed at her candidness.  "Always to the point.  I like that in a woman."

Gwen sighed.  "Alistair, what is it that you want from me?"

"Miss Hotchkiss, not too long ago, you and Fox secretly met in a darkened room and-"

"Excuse me?!"  Gwen shrieked, interrupting Alistair.  Did Alistair just call me on a holiday to blackmail me?  "With all due respect, Alistair, I am not interested in what you have to say to me.  I am quite sure that it's nothing but filthy lies."

The old man laughed again.  "Don't you know it's rude to interrupt, Gwen, and it's even more foolish to make quick assumptions?  Now, I have every reason to believe that you will be very interested in what I have to say.  It has to do with my absent grandson."

"Is he okay?"  Gwen hastily asked.  Fox had just disappeared two days ago and as much as Gwen tried to reach him, she still hadn't heard a word from Fox.

"Yes, Fox is fine."  Alistair assured her.  "Now, as I was saying.  You and my grandson met in secrecy and made a deal."

Gwen frowned.  "Deal?"  She echoed.

"Yes, a deal.  Fox asked you to plan and organize his wedding to Kay Callaway and as I recall you agreed to his request."

"Yes, I did agree.  Now, what is so important about that?"  Gwen demanded impatiently. 

"What's important, my dear, is that you seem to be lacking on your part of the agreement.  You haven't quite finished your end of the bargain." 

"Not to be the obvious one here, Alistair, but need I remind you that Kay is dead?"  She retorted rigidly.  What is Alistair up to now?

The Crane patriarch's mocking laughter rang in Gwen's ear.  "Miss Callaway had what you would call a temporary bureaucratic absence of presence."

"She's alive?"  Gwen asked in disbelief.  Oh my God.

"You win a prize for getting that one right, Gwen.  Give yourself a pat on the back."  Alistair declared and Gwen gritted her teeth.  "Yes, Kay is alive and well and still very much pregnant."

Gwen let out a loud exhale as she ran one free hand through her unruly blonde hair.  "But how?  I saw her die.  We-"

"It's all smoke and mirrors, Gwen.  The details aren't important and you do not need to know them.  I orchestrated her death for reasons that everyone will all soon find out.  I ensured that Kay was well taken care of until the right time to resurface came.  And now is that time.  Fox and Kay will soon call you to tell you of their good news and as expected, my grandson will once again ask you to plan their wedding.  And of course, you will gladly accept.  Now, that's the easy part."

"Easy part?"

"Yes.  You will plan the wedding as expected.  Fox and Kay set the date on New Year's Eve so you have approximately three and a half days to make everything happen.  Everything and everyone that you need will be at your disposal.  I just transferred ten million dollars into a bank account with your name on it.  If you need more, just say so and I'll forward it immediately.  Your two assistants will bring your bank card when they arrive in New York which is in a little less than two hours."  Alistair commanded smoothly.  "Now, there are rules, Gwen.  Rules that I know you will follow.  People will soon catch on that you're planning something big and some will realize that it is a wedding.  Since the news of your engagement has reached the whole country and Europe by now, all thanks to your mother of course-"

"Mother announced to the world that I'm engaged?  I told her not to do anything until Jason and I-"

"Gwen, let's not get distracted here.  Your big day will come.  As I was saying: everyone will assume that you are planning your wedding.  Let them."

"Why?"  Gwen demanded.  If Kay was supposed to resurface now, then letting everyone know that she's alive should not be any problem at all.

"You're on a need to know basis, Miss Hotchkiss.  I'm sure you'll do an excellent job at this.  Just make sure that no one finds out that Kay is alive until I decide otherwise.  My grandson and future grand daughter-in-law's fate depends on your silence.  Your assistants will have the list of people you're allowed to invite.  Good luck and by the way, congratulations on your engagement."

 "Thanks," Gwen dryly replied just as Alistair hung up.  "For nothing."  She set her phone back on the nightstand and tried to absorb the bomb that Alistair just conveniently dropped on her.  It seemed that their life was slowly being fixed again.  She was getting married, Kay was alive and well, Fox would no longer be unhappy and soon they would all get their happily ever after ending.

Then why did it feel like something was missing?  Something was off about the whole thing.

Gwen tried to shake off the feeling as she leapt out of bed and walked over to the shower.  She had lost her appetite already and she might as well get ready since Jason would probably be home soon, Fox would surely be calling her, her assistants would be dropping by after and she definitely had a mountain of work to do before Fox and Kay's big day.

Almost an hour later, Gwen stepped out of the dressing room looking refreshed and ready to take on the day just as Jason walked into the apartment, slamming the door after him.

"Are you okay?"  Gwen asked quietly.  From the look on his face, she could already tell that Jason knew.

Jason sighed as he tried to calm himself.  "You can not possibly imagine what I just found out."  He declared, throwing his coat on the nearby chair.

Actually I can.  Gwen thought.  "Kay is alive?"  She whispered and Jason looked surprised that she knew.

"You've known this whole time?"  He demanded, feeling suddenly betrayed.  It was a lot to take.

Gwen shook her head as she offered him a sympathetic smile.  "No, I just found out today.  Alistair called me."

"Oh."

"Why aren't you happy, Jase?"  She asked walking over to him, planting a soft kiss on his lips.  "Kay's back.  That's more than good news."

"It is."  He replied quietly.

"Then what's the matter?"

Jason sighed as they took a seat together.  "It doesn't seem fair, Gwen."  He declared quietly, looking somber.  "We were made to suffer when Kay died.  I lost my best friend and my family fell apart.  Miranda left and now Kay calls like nothing changed, like she was just on vacation for a month and now she's back with wedding news."

"Jason, I don't think Kay did this to purposely hurt anymore.  Alistair-"

"I know that Alistair planned all this and I blame him but Kay…she…I don't know, Gwen.  I don't know anymore."

Gwen opened her arms and hugged Jason.  "It's okay.  When we go to the island, you and Kay will talk.  And it will be okay.  I'm sure of it."

Jason just nodded, not quite sure himself.

************************************************************************

Crane Island

"Gwen says hello and that she'll definitely do it."  Fox said to Kay as he placed his phone down and turned his attention to the beautiful, pregnant woman beside him.  Strangely enough, Gwen had taken the news about Kay's true state better than he expected.

Kay smiled as she continued to sip her juice.  "I'm nervous."  She candidly declared, a small frown marring her tanned features.

"There's nothing to be nervous about.  Gwen is good at planning this kind of thing."  Fox reassured her and he took Kay's hand and intertwined his fingers with hers.

"I'm not worried about the wedding, Fox.  All I want is for the dress to fit."  She clarified with a laugh.  "I've been thinking about what to do after the wedding."

Fox arched an eyebrow and grinned at her wickedly.  "The honeymoon?"  He drawled dramatically.  Kay laughed again, smacking his arm.

"Seriously, Fox."  She chided.  "Whether or not the twins are born, I'm going back to Harmony before Jessica's trial ends."  Kay declared calmly.

And as expected, Fox didn't like the idea at all.  "Kay, you are in no condition to be traveling.  Going back to Harmony and facing everyone is going to cause you stress.  I don't want you putting yourself in harm's way just to confront your sister."  He stated firmly.

Kay smiled at him wryly.  "I have to face the world sooner or later, Fox.  As much as I love spending my time with you in this tranquil escape from reality, I have to go back and face my demons.  I'm not there to confront, Jessica, Fox.  I'm going back because I have to."

"No, you don't, Kay."  Fox argued.  "The lawyers can do their jobs just fine."

"They need my testimony."

Fox sighed sharply.  "Kay, you told me you don't remember a lot about that night."

"I remember enough, Fox.  Please understand.  This is my mess and I want to fix this.  I want this chapter of our lives closed already so that we can start a new one with our children.  I don't want Jessica or Miguel still hanging around when the twins are born."  She explained as best she could.

"Kay-"

"Fox, I know you just want the best for me and I assure you, I'll be fine.  You'll be right by my side and I find my strength in you.  So you have nothing to worry about."

He nodded solemnly.  "I don't want you reliving the horror that you went through."

"It won't be easy but I'll get through it.  And I have to see my family too."

"The Callaways?"

Kay shook her head.  "My biological family, Fox.  There is still some unfinished business between us."

"Are you sure about this, Kay?"  Fox asked worriedly.  He didn't want Kay to have to face her family.  They hadn't parted on good terms and Fox wasn't so keen about them after the whole kidnapping incident.

Kay nodded sincerely.  "Very sure.  I've been thinking this through a lot."

"Alright, if it this is what you want."  He finally relented.

"It is and thank you."

Fox smiled, planting a kiss on the back of Kay's hand.  "Anytime, love.  Now, on a lighter note, I was also thinking about what to do after the wedding."

Kay grinned, somewhat curious.  "You were?"  She asked.

"Yes and I was thinking about building a house for us."  He declared.

"Fox, I was actually learning to like this one."  Kay declared, glancing back at the enormous mansion behind them.

Fox nodded, understanding.  "I know but this house is Alistair's.  Don't you want a house that belongs to us and us alone?"

Kay sighed, frowning slightly.  "I do but where would we live?"  She asked.

"Anywhere you want; New York, France, Italy, Spain, Timbuktu, you name it.  As long as it's not Harmony."

Kay nodded as she shifted on the lounge chair to get more comfortable.  "We're definitely moving far from Harmony."  Kay conveyed.  "But let's think this over okay.  We have a lot to put into account." 

Fox nodded silently.  Kay wasn't quite sure yet where she wanted to move.  She knew she would have a hard time moving away from the Callaways, especially Jason.  She had depended on him so much over the years.  It would be difficult to let go.

But things were different now and Kay would just have to learn to accept that.

************************************************************************

Later That Night

Harmony

"I can't believe Grandfather pulled something like that."  Camille declared in astonishment as both girls stepped out of the car and headed to the Lobster Shack.  Before they reached Harmony, Fox had called them and explained everything.

Cassandra just sighed expectantly.  "It's a Crane thing, Cam, and don't act so shocked.  Father did it a few years ago and Aunt Sheridan died and came back to life more times than I could count."  She replied pointedly.  "It's becoming quite a family tradition.  You and I will just have to find other ways to shock the world now."

"But this time, Grandfather did it for a total stranger!"  Camille continued.

"She's not a total stranger.  Grandfather must have done a background check on her and he probably had her followed for a month or so.  Besides, Fox loves her and it seems to be the real deal.  We're going to have to see for ourselves before the wedding.  Now, be quiet.  This is supposed to be hush-hush."  Cassie chided as she shot a disappointed look at the Lobster Shack. 

It'll have to do while we're here.  She thought as they entered the establishments.

Camille eyes immediately wandered to the crowd, seeing if the noticed her and Cassie, which wasn't hard considering that Harmony was a small town where people knew everyone and that the girls were both too stunning to just ignore.  "Well, if it isn't our lucky day."  She declared to her sister who was busy taking her coat off and handing it to the girl by the booth.

"What is it?"  Cassandra asked.

Camille's eyes darted to the farthest table on the right side of the room.  "Look who it is."  She whispered.

Her sister's lips stretched into a wicked smile, her eyes dancing with mischief.  "Well, why don't we say hello."  She suggested happily, taking quick graceful steps to the table.

Camille smiled after her sister.  This is going to be one hell of an evening.  She thought readying herself for some fun.

"Hello, Mother."  Cassie drawled innocently.  "Fancy seeing you here."  She cast quick looks at Sam, Ethan and Theresa who were also with Ivy.

Ivy looked so stunned to see her daughters that she almost choked on her food.  "Cassandra, Camille, what are you doing here?"  She immediately asked.

"It's been ages since we've seen each other. Cam and I thought it would be a nice surprise if we dropped by."  Cassandra replied.

"Well, this is quite unexpected."  Ivy said dryly, shifting in her seat in discomfort.

Cassandra just grinned.  "Mother, Ethan, why don't you introduce us to your friends?"  Camille interjected sweetly.  Ivy narrowed her eyes at the two blond girls.  She just knew they were up to something.

"Girls, this is Sam Bennett.  My husband."  Ivy declared icily.

Ethan placed an arm around Theresa who was grinning nervously from ear to ear.  "And this is Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald Winthrop, my beautiful wife."  He announced invoking a flirtatious giggle from the brunette.

"Sorry we couldn't make it to both weddings."  Cassie piped up.

"The invitations must have gotten lost in the mail."  Her sister added.  "By the way Theresa, I love that dress.  That shade of red just suits you."  Camille wanted to gag.

Theresa's smile broadened; naïve enough to believe that she had found acceptance in her sister-in-laws.  "Actually, I designed it myself.  It is nice, isn't it?"

Sam cleared his throat.  "Why don't you girls join us for dessert?"  He suggested and Ivy opened and closed her mouth to make a protest.

"I'm sure my daughters would like to get their own table."  She hastily announced.  "It's quite crowded over hear and the views isn't that spectacular."

Camille and Cassie grinned at Sam.  "It's quite alright, Mother.  How nice of you to think of us but really, we'd love to join you."  Cassandra drawled, snapping her fingers at the waiter who she quickly instructed to fetch her and Camille two chairs.

Cassie managed to squeeze right next to Ethan and Sam while Camille found her spot between their mother and new sister-in-law.

"How long are you girls staying here?"  Ivy asked.

"Just a day or two.  We might have somewhere else to go to soon."  Camille replied.  "Theresa, your maiden name sounds familiar.  Does your family own a business here?"

Theresa continued to smile.  "No but my family has a lot of friends.  It is a small town you know."

"You know you look like someone we used to know, doesn't she Cass?"  Camille continued. 

Cassandra shot a scrutinizing look at Theresa and then paused as if to think.  "Yes!  I know!  That pretty lady who used to work at the mansion.  P…Priscilla…Piper-"

Ethan glared at his sisters.  He knew exactly what they were doing.  "It's Pilar."  He declared, aggravated. 

"Oh, so you're the housekeeper's daughter.  She was quite a looker."  Cassandra stated, looking somewhat revolted.  "You know, you definitely look like your Dad."

Ethan growled and Cassandra was tempted to childishly stick her tongue at him just to provoke him even more.  "So, should we call you Sam or step-daddy?"  Cassandra batted her lashes, turning to the handsome man next to her.

Ivy coughed and Theresa giggled nervously, glad that the attention had shifted to someone else.  "Sam is just fine, Cassandra."

"Okay."  She smiled.  "So you're a policeman?"  Cassandra continued touching his arm and giggling.  How do you like that, Mother?

Two hours later, after what seemed to a never ending torturous dessert, Ivy was sure that her oldest daughter was deliberately flirting with her husband and that her other daughter had somehow found a strange liking to Theresa.

"Why don't we dance?"  Ivy suggested when she noticed that Cassandra had somehow moved closer to Sam.

Her husband smiled at her thankfully and gladly led her to the dance floor.  "What the hell do you think you're doing?"  Ethan hissed into her ear.  Theresa was still currently occupied by Camille who looked harmless enough while talking about the runways of Paris and Milan which immediately got Theresa hooked.

Cassandra shot her half brother a wounded look.  "What do you think?"  She replied.  "I'm having a nice time with my family or are too selfish to share them even just for a few hours?"  She retorted.  Not that Cassandra cared at all if she ever saw her family again.  She just liked to watch them squirm while she and Camille did their magic.

"I know you."  Ethan argued.  "You and Camille up to something."

His sister shrugged nonchalantly.  "Maybe, maybe not.  Don't think too hard, half-bro.  You might pull a muscle."  Cassandra replied coolly and by then Ethan was seething.  She leaned closer to him, lowering her voice.  "You know, Ethan, you've outdone yourself this time.  You left Gwen for that?  We all know you've been demoted to a Bennett from being a Crane but did you really have to stoop this low to get a wife?"

"How dare you!"  Ethan exclaimed and Theresa and Camille stopped talking to see what was going on.

"Ethan, honey, is everything alright?"  Theresa asked worriedly, placing a hand on his arm as if to soothe him.  She shot Cassandra a look.

Camille scoffed.  "Don't worry, Theresa.  It's just petty sibling rivalry.  Oh, you know how it is."  Cassandra was definitely pushing Ethan's buttons.

"My sisters have overstayed their welcome.  I think it's time that they leave."  Ethan announced rigidly.

"Theresa, do you mind coming with me to the ladies' room?  I think my brother needs to cool down."  Cassandra piped up and before Ethan could protest, the blonde had already walked over to Theresa, taken her hand and led her away from the table.

"If you say one thing rude about my wife, you're going to regret it Camille."  Ethan warned his younger sister who rolled her eyes at him and leaned back on her seat.

"Did I look like I was going to say something?"  Camille retorted.  "You know Ethan, you need to calm down."

He scoffed indignantly.  "Calm down?  You and Cassandra are systematically insulting my wife and father and ruining our evening."

"Systematically ruining your evening?"  Camille echoed, shooting her older half brother a mocking look.  "Dear brother, this is not a conspiracy and please get off your high horse.  Not everything is about you."

"You made it about me the minute you targeted my family."  Ethan insisted.

The blonde shook her head.  "It must be nice to be you.  First, you get to be a Crane and when that's no longer convenient for you, bam, you got yourself a new father and a new family.  And now, Cassie and Fox and I are the enemies."

"It's always been like that; the three of you against me.  I never understood why you hated me so much.  It's time to let go of your childish hatred for me Camille."

"Oh, don't even play the victim like you always do."

"What the hell are you talking about?"  Ethan demanded.

"Oh, don't even act like you didn't know.  Let's get something clear here, Ethan.  It wasn't the three of us against you.  It was Mother and you against everyone else.  You know I forgave you for the fact that our so called mother loved you best, singled you out every chance she got while neglecting the rest of us.  For years I swallowed my pride when all my accomplishments were ignored and yours were placed in the Ethan Hall of Fame, when you got to spend every summer with our mother and we were sent away.  I even accepted the fact that mine and Cassie's and Fox's birthdays were either spent with nannies or friends or alone and yours weren't."  Camille was heaving.  Ethan had never seen her so angry. 

"None of those are true.  You all chose to go away, to be free of our parents."  Ethan argued weakly.

Camille narrowed her eyes.  "Shut up!  I am not done."  She growled.  "We…I forgave you for being the favorite but I will never forgive you for letting us be treated the way we were.  You were pampered, praised and protected and you knew that we were being treated with indifference.  You stood in your limelight and relished in your glory, ignoring us.  You just watched.  You watched us being sent away year after year yet you never questioned it, you never once suggested or asked if the four of us could stay together, at least one time in our lives.  No, you liked having everything and everyone to yourself.  And over the years, you let yourself believe that we hated you for being the oldest, for being Mother's special boy.  You let yourself think that because it was convenient.  It eased your conscience just a little while letting yourself believe that lie."

Ethan sighed.  "I understand."

"No, you don't understand, Ethan.  You never did and you never will.  It may not be your fault that Ivy cherished you but I do blame you for thinking that you are better than us because she said so and for making us the enemy.  You know, Theresa is just like Mother.  I can see why you married her."  Camille added icily.

"Do not bring Theresa into this!"

"Why not?  I may never have another chance to say it.  Oh, you're lucky.  She's so in love with you and I do say this with honestly.  I see it in the way she blushes at the mention of your name, the way she giggles when you touch her or speak to her and the way she longingly looks at you every few minutes.  Oh, she loves you alright." Camille retorted as she picked up her abandoned glass of champagne and took a moment to sip it.  "But I can also see why you're so attracted to her.  She has the qualities that our mother possesses.  She forgives you no matter what, thinks the best of you despite everything and willingly takes you back each time no matter how many times you've left her.  And I'm not making them up.  I know all about your sordid relationship with Theresa and the mess that involved Gwen.  Remember her?  You once said she was the love of your life."

"You have no right to sit there and criticize me and make evaluations about my life and marriage."

Camille shrugged as she took another sip of the champagne.  "Maybe not but it felt damn good to say it."

Meanwhile, in the large powder room of the Lobster Shack, Theresa and Cassandra were checking their reflections in the enormous mirror on one wall.  "You don't like me very much, do you?"  Theresa asked openly, flashing a dark look at the blonde.

Cassie arched a delicate eyebrow.  "Now, what makes you say that?"  She asked.

"I heard what you said to my husband, about leaving Gwen for me?" 

"Well, I'm sure you understand why I feel that way."  Cassandra declared with a sigh as she returned to checking her reflection. 

"No, I don't understand.  Ethan loves me.  He chose me over Gwen so I suggest you and the rest of the world suck it up and accept it."  Theresa spat.

Cassandra scoffed, narrowing her eyes at Theresa.  "You think you're so special because Ethan chose you.  You think you've won some prize for outstanding achievement.  Let me ask you something, Theresa.  Ethan cheated on Gwen, his pregnant wife that time.  What makes you think he won't do the same to you?"

The brunette didn't waver.  "I am the love of Ethan's life, his soul mate.  We are fated to be together.  And I am not Gwen.  That's why."

"And thank God you're not.  You are beneath her.  That's why Ethan chose you.  You are easy and eager and unbelievably naïve."  Cassandra brutally declared.  You see, my half brother realized that Gwen is out of his league and since you were there already, clinging to his arm, believing his every word, you were the next logical option.  Men like it when women chase after them.  Makes them feel all big and manly.  It boosts their ego.  And that's all you are, Theresa, an ego booster.  You're the housekeeper's daughter, Theresa, which means you're Ethan's charity work.  He has to atone for all his sins somehow and well, marrying you would be the perfect way to do that.  You're the poor girl he saved from a hard life.  His trophy wife not that you're such a great prize.  You're pretty to look at, a nice decoration on his arm but inside you're nothing but hollow space.  You lack substance and my dear, there are countless more like you."  Cassandra looked at her from head to toe and scoffed.  "Ethan may or may not leave you.  But how sure can you be that he won't at least get tempted when the next pretty face comes along and offers him a free ride?"

Theresa opened her mouth but she couldn't find the words and after sparing Theresa one last scornful look, Cassandra walked back out to where Ethan and Ivy were obviously ganging up on Camille who thankfully looked unscathed while Sam tried to play referee.

"About time." Camille grumbled with a huff.  "The natives are getting restless."  She shot a look at Ivy and Ethan.

"Sorry.  Well, I think our work here is done.  Nice to see you again Mother, Ethan.  It's been a pleasure."  Cassandra announced as if everything was normal.  "And Sam, take good care of our mother for us.  She's loved no one but you and Ethan.  And trust me, I know.  Have a great holiday."  She then turned on her heel, Camille in tow.

Reclaiming their jackets and walking back to the car, the girls smiled to themselves.  "That went better than I expected."  Camille piped up as she took her turn to drive.

"If I say so myself.  Now, all we have to do is see if Kay Callaway really deserves our brother."

************************************************************************

The Next Day at the B&B

Charity Standish-Lopez-Fitzgerald wrung her hands nervously as she stood in the middle of the room that she shared with Miguel in the B&B.  This is not how it's supposed to go.  This isn't right.  She miserably thought as she watched her husband tensely pace in front of her. 

"Miguel?"  She whispered uncertainly.

He shot a look at her and then went back to pacing, his frown deepening with each step.  "I have to think."  He mumbled, more to himself than to Charity.

Think?!  Think?!  Charity frantically echoed.  "What's there to think about?"  She asked, holding back tears the best she could.

"Everything, Charity.  Everything."  He suddenly looked so old that for a minute Charity felt bad.

She silently nodded as a shaking hand went to quickly brush a way a tear so that Miguel would not see.  "I thought you'd be happy.  I thought-" She declared, her voice breaking as she slowly retreated to the bed and sat down dejectedly.

Her husband stopped pacing and looked at her.  "Charity," Miguel whispered as he knelt in front of her and clasped her hands in his.  "I am happy.  It's just that with everything going on-"

"I understand, Miguel.  I understand."  She replied as convincingly as she could when the truth was Charity didn't understand it at all.  This was supposed to be the best news in their lives, their happiest day.  They had waited forever to be together, to have a family of their own and now their dreams were coming true.

Why did Miguel suddenly look so frightened?

"It's just that the timing is off."

Charity suddenly frowned.  "The timing is off?"  She echoed suddenly becoming quite angry with herself for feeling guilty and for Miguel for making her feel that way.  "I am pregnant, Miguel.  Was I supposed to schedule this baby's conception at some specific time?  I didn't know that I was supposed to be on birth control until you were ready for children.  I thought that you wanted this too.  I thought you'd be happy for us, happy that our family is taking form.  Instead you look horrified like I'm carrying the devil's spawn instead of your child."  Charity suddenly broke into tears and she bent her head and covered her face with her hands.

"I love you Charity and having a baby with you makes me the happiest man on Earth."

"Then act like it!"  She sobbed.

"Charity-"

"Do you want me to get rid of it?  Is that what you want?"

"Charity calm down!"  He exclaimed shaking her slightly.  "Listen.  Listen to me.  I want this baby.  I want to make a life with you, be a good husband, be a father to our child but there are things that I have to fix before we can have that.  Horrible things are happening around us."  Miguel tried to explain it the best he could without giving away the truth.  He had to protect her now too.  He couldn't have Charity knowing or she would endanger herself and their child. 

And deep inside Miguel was afraid that if his wife did know his sins she might not be able to forgive him.

Charity sniffled.  "What things?"

"First, we have to see Jessica's trial through.  We have to be there for her."

"Miguel, we'll always be there for her.  Being pregnant doesn't change anything."  Charity softly insisted.

Miguel nodded, sighing heavily.  "No it doesn't."  He lied.  Charity's pregnancy did change everything.  Now, Miguel was more afraid of the rumors about Kay being alive.  Now, he was more desperate not to get caught because if Miguel did get caught he knew he would lose it all. 

Everything.

She watched him warily, absorbing the mix of emotions that played on his face.  "There's something you're not telling me."  Charity declared.

Miguel looked taken aback.  "No, that's not true, Charity.  I tell you everything."  He lied.

"Miguel, what is it?"  She pressed.

He shook her head as if to push her questions away.  "It's just Jessica's trial.  It's been getting to me lately."

Charity narrowed her eyes.  "You're lying to me."  She hated saying it, accusing him of being untruthful but Charity could see it plain as day that her own husband was trying to conceal something from her.  "You can't keep secrets from me, Miguel.  I am your wife.  We're supposed to share everything."

"I'm afraid, Charity."  He weakly confided.

"Of what?"  She asked. 

"Of everything.  Having a child changes our lives."  He said.  Now he was responsible of Charity and the baby.  He was hurting two lives instead of one.

She nodded.  "It does but for the better.  You have nothing to be afraid of.  This baby is a blessing."  Charity reassured him, planting a kiss on his forehead.  "Now, you rest.  You look tired."

"Yeah, I am tired."  Miguel echoed as he went over to the bed and laid down.  Tired of keeping secrets, of being afraid that I might get caught tomorrow; tired of wondering if the rumors are true and Kay really is alive; tired of lying.  I'm just so tired.  So very tired.  "I love you, Charity.  No matter what happens, just know that."

"I do know that."  She replied snuggling close to her husband.  "And we're going to be just fine, Miguel.  I just know it." 

Charity couldn't have been any more wrong.

************************************************************************

December 30

Crane Island

Gwen Hotchkiss was a woman on a mission and right now, slightly on edge.  She was traipsing around where Kay and Fox's wedding ceremony would be with a headphone on and measuring tape in hand while shouting orders to the fifty something people she found to do her bidding.  Her two assistants, one male and the other female, were running after her, both with headphones on as well and a clipboard in their hands. 

"Is she okay?"  Kay asked as she and Fox stood by the balcony, watching Gwen.

Fox nodded as he placed an arm around Kay's shoulders.  "It's organized chaos, Gwen's specialty."  He replied.

"She looks stressed.  We should help her."  Kay suggested as she moved to go down to where Gwen was but Fox held her back.

"Love, Gwen is fun.  She has a system.  We're just going to ruin it by trying to help."  He said softly.  "Besides, this is your wedding.  You need to relax and relive your single days because sweetheart, you're stuck with me forever starting tomorrow."

Kay laughed.  "Am I really?"  She teased.

"Where are the floodlights?  We need lights!"  Gwen's shrill voice pierced from somewhere in the distance, interrupting their conversation.  "You, why are you just standing there?"

"She's scary right now."  Kay whispered but she was truly grateful that Gwen was there to take on the load. 

If the planning had been left to her, Kay's wedding would just consist of her, Fox and the priest.  But Gwen had taken on the task, although she had her own wedding to think of.  She had gone to the island, asked for what Kay and Fox wanted and made it into a reality.  She had commuted from New York to the island gathering everything that they needed, finding the materials and the seamstresses to make Kay's dream wedding dress, organized the wedding program and made sure that all important guests were accounted for while dodging the gossip-hungry press who had gotten a whiff that Gwen was planning something extraordinary and probably the biggest event that year.

"Yes, she is but only Gwen could pull off something like this."  Fox declared.  "And shouldn't you be getting fitted for your wedding dress?"  He reminded her.

Kay shrugged.  "The dress is beautiful enough and I tried it on an hour ago.  I'm sure I still fit in it."

"Kay, just go try it on, please or rest.  You're stressing yourself out from just watching Gwen stress out about the details of this wedding."  Fox ushered her back into the house. 

"I'm not stressing out.  I'm just excited."  She confided, resting her head on his shoulder.  "I need to do something or else I'm going to burst."

"No bursting of any sort, love.  I need you in once piece for the wedding, okay.  Why don't we see if everything is ready downstairs in the dining room?  Everyone will be arriving tonight for the wedding rehearsal or did u forget?"

Kay grinned.  "I haven't.  The Callaways, Rebecca & Julian, your sisters and John.  Oh, it's going to be a circus."

"Yes, it is."  Fox replied with a long sigh.  This was going to be a long and eventful night.  

~*~

A/N:  OKAY, I INTENDED TO END THIS CHAPTER WITH THE BEGINNING OF THE FOXAY WEDDING BUT I WENT AGAINST THAT AND ENDED IT HERE.  IT LEAVES ME MORE ROOM FOR THINGS TO ADD, SAY A CONFRONTATION BETWEEN THE NEXT MRS. CRANE AND THE TWO INCREDIBLY BITCHY CRANE GIRLS (WHO I JUST ADORE BECAUSE THEY'RE EVIL).  DON'T YOU WORRY, ALL WILL BE WELL.

THE TERM BEAUROCRATIC ABSENCE OF PRESENCE DOES NOT BELONG TO ME.  I'M JUST BORROWING.  ALSO, YEAH, CHARITY IS PREGGERS AND THERE'S A REASON FOR THAT WHICH YOU WILL ALL SOON FIND OUT.

I KNOW THAT CASSIE IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE EVIL ONE AND CAMILLE IS THE NICER CRANE GIRL, TRUE BUT IN THIS SCENARIO CAMILLE HAS MORE TO SAY.  THEY'RE STILL BOTH BITCHY.  END OF STORY.

I THANK THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN PATIENT WITH ME AND I APOLOGIZE TO THOSE THAT ASKED FOR HINTS AND I DIDN'T MANAGE TO GIVE THEM ANY.

UP NEXT (BUT NOT DEFINITE YET):  THE CIRCUS FOLK ARRIVE.  NO, THERE WILL BE NO CLOWNS.  I MEANT REBECCA AND THE REST OF THE GANG.  THE SISTERS SEE IF KAY IS FOR REAL.  KAY AND JASON HAVE A TALK, THEY UPDATE EACH OTHER ON THE LATEST NEWS, ESPECIALLY ABOUT JESSICA AND HER TRIAL, AND OF COURSE THE BIG WEDDING WITH A FEW SURPRISES.

JUST KNOW THAT SOME OF THIS MAY OR MAY NOT BE WRITTEN.  FOR MORE INSIDE LOOK, YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO.

PLEASE REVIEW!