Thanks for the reviews! I have lots more planned, I just hope that I can
get it all in and not mess it up! Enjoy! Serendipity
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Bianca sat in the living room going over the drink list and prices. There wasn't a lot left to do except the major little details. The main one being the liquor liceinse. The man was supposed to be meeting her at the club on Monday... Kendall had wanted to be there, but with the whole Michael Cambias trial and publicity, they had decided it was best for just Bianca and Jack to meet with him.
Kendall had been asleep most of the morning and had just gone to lie back down an hour ago. Bianca had finally gotten her to eat some toast for lunch. Miranda had just finished her two o'clock bottle and was sleeping peacefully in her basinette in Bianca's room... the monitor was a life-saver when it came to nap time, but Bianca couldn't help going to check on her little angel even if there was no noise coming from the thing.
A knock on the door brought her out of her concentration... she wasn't expecting anyone, so it was a surprise to her... Maybe it was Maggie... she had been planning to come over earlier this week to visit with her and the baby.
Getting up she walked over to the door, "Oh, can I help you?"
"Ms. Montgomery, there is no easy way to say this... and frankly we are astonished by what we have been told. According to Mr. Lavery your child is still alive... and while we are overjoyed by your good fortune... you can understand the problems this creates... We are attorney's representing the Cambias interests and as her parent you are once again the guardian to the heir of Alexander Cambias... if we might come in for a moment... we can begin to set things back on track..."
Bianca wanted to slam the door, but she knew that she couldn't, no matter how much she wanted to throw these men out without so much as a reply she knew that she couldn't do it... All of the sudden she had a chance to put things right for Kendall and her mom...
"Right now isn't a good time... but, I understand the need to get things settled. If you could meet with me at my office... which is now located at 603 East Oak Boulevard... Monday morning... say nine... I will have my attorney there..."
"As much as we would like to get down to business right away... we understand that things have been a little out of sorts... We will be there and we look forward to meeting with you." Handing her their cards, the men turned and walked away.
Bianca blew out a sigh of relief... she had thought they might push a meeting now and that was the last thing she needed... and she didn't want to interrupt Uncle Jack and her mom making preparations for tomorrow... tomorrow... the wedding! Rushing back inside she grabbed the phone and dialed Jack's number...
"Uncle Jack... it's me... no everything is fine... Kendall's better... she's resting... I was just wondering... what all do you have done for tomorrow? The country club... back room? Hmmm... did mom order flowers... a few? That's won't do... I know mom said a small family affair but would you mind if we added a surprise or two? No, nothing crazy... a bunch of flowers, candles... music...that kind of stuff... As the soon to be re-instated head of the Cambias estate I think I might be able to pull a few strings... Ok, We'll be there at eight... love you!"
Bianca smiled... well, she might not like having all the power, but she could put it to good use...
Walking back to Kendall's room she peeked in to check on her sister... Kendall was sitting up in bed staring at the wall.
"Kendall? Are you ok?" Bianca walked in really worried about her sister.
"What? Oh yeah... I was just debating whether or not I should throw on some clothes or if I can be ridiculously lazy and stay in my pajamas the rest of the day."
"Well... I think you have earned the right to be lazy... but I was thinking you might want to help me with a little project... you are so much better about bossing people around..."
"Oh REALLY!" Kendall laughed, "Well... if you need my expertise you must be serious."
"You see... I was thinking that mom is planning this small and very un-Erica like wedding... so maybe we could put our heads... and my influence together to make it... A true Erica wedding... you know flowers... candles... sophistication..."
"I get it... so what were you thinking?" Kendall stood up and followed Bianca to the living room.
Only four hours later... a bottle and a diaper... things were set in motion and there mother was going to get one amazing surprise...
The morning of Erica's wedding dawned sunny and clear... it was a good omen... if you believed in such things.
Babe was waiting for JR to come and pick her up to go take flowers out to the memorial in the living room... Erica walked in, "Good Morning... you're up early sweetheart. Is JR coming over this morning?" "Yeah... we are going to go and take flowers to Blake... I think we are actually starting to be friends... which is so much more than what we were before... So today's the big day... are you excited?"
Erica smiled and tossed her hair, "You know... I am not... Everything that has happened up until today has led me to that moment... Las Vegas was never the answer..."
"Erica... I know you have never talked about what happened in Las Vegas... and Bianca and Kendall have never asked... you can tell me to butt out... but since today is a day for new beginnings and all... well I would be happy to listen... as an unbiased ear and all... I mean you have been so great to me... listening to me and all..."
The last thing Erica wanted to do was go back... back to the dark and horrible time that had consumed her... that had sent her running from Pine Valley. But, maybe Babe was right... maybe was the day to start over... A new beginning...
"When Bianca blamed me for everything... deep down I knew she was right... to be so mad and so angry... I ran from it... in the process of drowning my sorrows... and ruining every relationship I had in my life... My father died... I tried to get there... to yell at him... to purge some of the hate and sickness that smothered me for so long. But, I was too late.... He was gone... and so I ran back to the bottle and hide... I hide from everyone and everything I loved..."
Erica turned to look at Babe, "But, do you know what brought me back... I was staring at the mirror for what must have been the millionth time... drunk... Which was nothing new... and instead of myself... I saw Bianca and Kendall... on the day of what was supposed to be my wedding to Jackson... and then I saw moments when I should have been there for both of them... Each moment more painful than the last... and I didn't run... I saw me throwing away the greatest gift I had ever been given... my daughters..."
Erica wiped a tear from her cheek, "Babe... this may not make sense to you... But, I felt myself letting go of my fears... my pain... and all I wanted was to be here with my daughters... to have a chance to make things right... to just love them... And look today, I am happier than I have ever been... I have my daughters... my grandchild... and I have been extremely blessed to still have Jackson... after everything..."
Babe stood up and put her arms around Erica, "You have helped me to figure out what I needed to do... to find some kind of peace... I can't run away from it, or hide here anymore... I am going home with JR today... to try and make things work... and if I can I am going to try and forgive my momma..."
"Oh... Babe... I wasn't saying you had to leave... please don't think that..." Erica pulled back and looked at the young woman.
"I know... but, it's something I have to do... especially if JR and I are going to work things out... thank you... I just hope I can be as strong as you." Babe smiled at Erica. "Well, you can go home on one condition... Make sure you get to the country club at nine... the back room... I wouldn't want you to forget my wedding... it is family... and as Bianca said you are family... thank you Babe... for helping me to truly start over..."
JR came twenty minutes later to pick Babe up and was overjoyed when he noticed that her bags were packed and that she was ready to come home... he thanked Erica and promised that Babe would not be late for the wedding...
Erica took a deep breath and filled her bath with bubbles... sighing she slipped in and let the soothing warmth ease her muscles. It had felt good to talk about what had happened in Las Vegas... of course, she had only given Babe a brief glimpse of how terrible she had felt and how hard everything had been... especially making the decision to come home.
"Mom? Are you here?" Bianca called.
"Back here sweetie!" Erica replied opening her eyes and waiting for that familiar face to peek around the corner.
Bianca and Kendall walked in carrying Miranda and a dress bag.
"What is that?" Erica asked reaching for a towel.
"This a surprise... put it on and come into the living room... we are going to be waiting... don't say anything just do it... daughter's orders!" Kendall laughed and they walked out of the bathroom.
Erica smiled... her girls... plotting together...
Drying off she opened the bag. What was inside took her breath away...
It was a Christian Dior cream satin wedding gown, strapless and accessorised with a matching wrap. Little pearls accented the bodice... it was beautiful.
Pulling out to get a closer look Erica realized that all the lingerie was also included... all that was missing was a veil and shoes... but knowing how thorough her girls were she only imagined they had something in the living room waiting to add the finishing touches.
The creamy silk slid on to her skin perfectly... the dress fit as if it had been made for her... It brought a glow to her skin and made her feel like a princess.
Walking out into the living room she smiled shyly at her daughters...
"This gown... it's too much... it's beautiful..." Tears sparkled in her eyes.
"Well Uncle Jack told me you had picked out a suit to wear... and we just couldn't allow our mother... ERICA KANE... to get married in suit now could we..." Bianca smiled bouncing her daughter in her arms.
"Now... mother come on over here and let me get you ready for your wedding... wait... go hang up your dress first... you can't ride over to the club in it... hurry up... we have lots to do!" Kendall scooted her mother out of the room.
She had felt a little nauseated this morning... but had quickly brushed it aside... nothing would stop her from being here today... not even if....
Pushing all thoughts from her mind... she turned to Bianca, "Reggie and Maggie know what to do here the minute we leave... right?"
Bianca nodded and smiled... today was going to be perfect!
Erica stood looking in the mirror of the bathroom/ dressing room. Her hair was up with whisps of brown curls down her neck and two strategically placed around her face. Off white roses were pinned in her hair and her only other adornments were the small pearls Mona had given her and the beautiful bouqiet of roses that Kendall had just handed her.
Today was so magical... it was in the air... she could feel a change in her that she had never sensed before... it was peace and love... no ghosts stared back at her.
"Mom... come on... we're waiting..."
Bianca and Kendall had changed into nearly identical black silk dresses... the only difference in them showed the girls different personalities. Bianca's had no frills... and was a stunning black sheath dress that accented every curve... Kendall's had criss-crossed glittery straps down her back and had a ruffle past the knee that flowed down unevenly to show off her shapely legs.
They were beautiful. Erica smiled and took a step out into the hall. A soft music was coming from the room where the ceremony would be held... Erica turned a questioning glance at her daughters... this was not the chamber music she had thought would be playing on the sound system.
The girls just smiled and started to walk down the aisle... Erica had no choice but to follow and wonder what they had planned.
Staring into the room Erica was blown away... not a spot was free from bouquets and bouquets of fresh long stem roses that matched the ones in her bouquet. Where there weren't roses there were all sizes of candles burning brightly.
Never in her wildest dreams had she seen something so beautiful... and then her eyes found Jack's...
The bridal hymn changed and she started to walk towards her future.
The vows they exchanged were perfect... each word spoken with certainty and love.
When the preacher told Jackson to kiss the bride a cheer went up and he pulled Erica into his arms... finally after all the obstacles... they were married...
Erica felt so much love for this man... the man who had waited for her to fight her demons... who had stood by her through it all... he loved her and they were together... and it was the happiest moment of her life.
Turning to greet the guests Erica realized that all the people she loved were in this room... Myrtle, Opal, Palmer... Reggie, Lily (who had come with her nurse from school), and even Adam stood in the back next to JR who was staring at Babe with love from where he stood. Maggie was holding Miranda... and there was Marion and Stuart...
And then there was Bianca and Kendall standing side by side holding hands smiling at the mother they loved...
They were a family... and it was all she needed... she felt complete...
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Bianca sat in the living room going over the drink list and prices. There wasn't a lot left to do except the major little details. The main one being the liquor liceinse. The man was supposed to be meeting her at the club on Monday... Kendall had wanted to be there, but with the whole Michael Cambias trial and publicity, they had decided it was best for just Bianca and Jack to meet with him.
Kendall had been asleep most of the morning and had just gone to lie back down an hour ago. Bianca had finally gotten her to eat some toast for lunch. Miranda had just finished her two o'clock bottle and was sleeping peacefully in her basinette in Bianca's room... the monitor was a life-saver when it came to nap time, but Bianca couldn't help going to check on her little angel even if there was no noise coming from the thing.
A knock on the door brought her out of her concentration... she wasn't expecting anyone, so it was a surprise to her... Maybe it was Maggie... she had been planning to come over earlier this week to visit with her and the baby.
Getting up she walked over to the door, "Oh, can I help you?"
"Ms. Montgomery, there is no easy way to say this... and frankly we are astonished by what we have been told. According to Mr. Lavery your child is still alive... and while we are overjoyed by your good fortune... you can understand the problems this creates... We are attorney's representing the Cambias interests and as her parent you are once again the guardian to the heir of Alexander Cambias... if we might come in for a moment... we can begin to set things back on track..."
Bianca wanted to slam the door, but she knew that she couldn't, no matter how much she wanted to throw these men out without so much as a reply she knew that she couldn't do it... All of the sudden she had a chance to put things right for Kendall and her mom...
"Right now isn't a good time... but, I understand the need to get things settled. If you could meet with me at my office... which is now located at 603 East Oak Boulevard... Monday morning... say nine... I will have my attorney there..."
"As much as we would like to get down to business right away... we understand that things have been a little out of sorts... We will be there and we look forward to meeting with you." Handing her their cards, the men turned and walked away.
Bianca blew out a sigh of relief... she had thought they might push a meeting now and that was the last thing she needed... and she didn't want to interrupt Uncle Jack and her mom making preparations for tomorrow... tomorrow... the wedding! Rushing back inside she grabbed the phone and dialed Jack's number...
"Uncle Jack... it's me... no everything is fine... Kendall's better... she's resting... I was just wondering... what all do you have done for tomorrow? The country club... back room? Hmmm... did mom order flowers... a few? That's won't do... I know mom said a small family affair but would you mind if we added a surprise or two? No, nothing crazy... a bunch of flowers, candles... music...that kind of stuff... As the soon to be re-instated head of the Cambias estate I think I might be able to pull a few strings... Ok, We'll be there at eight... love you!"
Bianca smiled... well, she might not like having all the power, but she could put it to good use...
Walking back to Kendall's room she peeked in to check on her sister... Kendall was sitting up in bed staring at the wall.
"Kendall? Are you ok?" Bianca walked in really worried about her sister.
"What? Oh yeah... I was just debating whether or not I should throw on some clothes or if I can be ridiculously lazy and stay in my pajamas the rest of the day."
"Well... I think you have earned the right to be lazy... but I was thinking you might want to help me with a little project... you are so much better about bossing people around..."
"Oh REALLY!" Kendall laughed, "Well... if you need my expertise you must be serious."
"You see... I was thinking that mom is planning this small and very un-Erica like wedding... so maybe we could put our heads... and my influence together to make it... A true Erica wedding... you know flowers... candles... sophistication..."
"I get it... so what were you thinking?" Kendall stood up and followed Bianca to the living room.
Only four hours later... a bottle and a diaper... things were set in motion and there mother was going to get one amazing surprise...
The morning of Erica's wedding dawned sunny and clear... it was a good omen... if you believed in such things.
Babe was waiting for JR to come and pick her up to go take flowers out to the memorial in the living room... Erica walked in, "Good Morning... you're up early sweetheart. Is JR coming over this morning?" "Yeah... we are going to go and take flowers to Blake... I think we are actually starting to be friends... which is so much more than what we were before... So today's the big day... are you excited?"
Erica smiled and tossed her hair, "You know... I am not... Everything that has happened up until today has led me to that moment... Las Vegas was never the answer..."
"Erica... I know you have never talked about what happened in Las Vegas... and Bianca and Kendall have never asked... you can tell me to butt out... but since today is a day for new beginnings and all... well I would be happy to listen... as an unbiased ear and all... I mean you have been so great to me... listening to me and all..."
The last thing Erica wanted to do was go back... back to the dark and horrible time that had consumed her... that had sent her running from Pine Valley. But, maybe Babe was right... maybe was the day to start over... A new beginning...
"When Bianca blamed me for everything... deep down I knew she was right... to be so mad and so angry... I ran from it... in the process of drowning my sorrows... and ruining every relationship I had in my life... My father died... I tried to get there... to yell at him... to purge some of the hate and sickness that smothered me for so long. But, I was too late.... He was gone... and so I ran back to the bottle and hide... I hide from everyone and everything I loved..."
Erica turned to look at Babe, "But, do you know what brought me back... I was staring at the mirror for what must have been the millionth time... drunk... Which was nothing new... and instead of myself... I saw Bianca and Kendall... on the day of what was supposed to be my wedding to Jackson... and then I saw moments when I should have been there for both of them... Each moment more painful than the last... and I didn't run... I saw me throwing away the greatest gift I had ever been given... my daughters..."
Erica wiped a tear from her cheek, "Babe... this may not make sense to you... But, I felt myself letting go of my fears... my pain... and all I wanted was to be here with my daughters... to have a chance to make things right... to just love them... And look today, I am happier than I have ever been... I have my daughters... my grandchild... and I have been extremely blessed to still have Jackson... after everything..."
Babe stood up and put her arms around Erica, "You have helped me to figure out what I needed to do... to find some kind of peace... I can't run away from it, or hide here anymore... I am going home with JR today... to try and make things work... and if I can I am going to try and forgive my momma..."
"Oh... Babe... I wasn't saying you had to leave... please don't think that..." Erica pulled back and looked at the young woman.
"I know... but, it's something I have to do... especially if JR and I are going to work things out... thank you... I just hope I can be as strong as you." Babe smiled at Erica. "Well, you can go home on one condition... Make sure you get to the country club at nine... the back room... I wouldn't want you to forget my wedding... it is family... and as Bianca said you are family... thank you Babe... for helping me to truly start over..."
JR came twenty minutes later to pick Babe up and was overjoyed when he noticed that her bags were packed and that she was ready to come home... he thanked Erica and promised that Babe would not be late for the wedding...
Erica took a deep breath and filled her bath with bubbles... sighing she slipped in and let the soothing warmth ease her muscles. It had felt good to talk about what had happened in Las Vegas... of course, she had only given Babe a brief glimpse of how terrible she had felt and how hard everything had been... especially making the decision to come home.
"Mom? Are you here?" Bianca called.
"Back here sweetie!" Erica replied opening her eyes and waiting for that familiar face to peek around the corner.
Bianca and Kendall walked in carrying Miranda and a dress bag.
"What is that?" Erica asked reaching for a towel.
"This a surprise... put it on and come into the living room... we are going to be waiting... don't say anything just do it... daughter's orders!" Kendall laughed and they walked out of the bathroom.
Erica smiled... her girls... plotting together...
Drying off she opened the bag. What was inside took her breath away...
It was a Christian Dior cream satin wedding gown, strapless and accessorised with a matching wrap. Little pearls accented the bodice... it was beautiful.
Pulling out to get a closer look Erica realized that all the lingerie was also included... all that was missing was a veil and shoes... but knowing how thorough her girls were she only imagined they had something in the living room waiting to add the finishing touches.
The creamy silk slid on to her skin perfectly... the dress fit as if it had been made for her... It brought a glow to her skin and made her feel like a princess.
Walking out into the living room she smiled shyly at her daughters...
"This gown... it's too much... it's beautiful..." Tears sparkled in her eyes.
"Well Uncle Jack told me you had picked out a suit to wear... and we just couldn't allow our mother... ERICA KANE... to get married in suit now could we..." Bianca smiled bouncing her daughter in her arms.
"Now... mother come on over here and let me get you ready for your wedding... wait... go hang up your dress first... you can't ride over to the club in it... hurry up... we have lots to do!" Kendall scooted her mother out of the room.
She had felt a little nauseated this morning... but had quickly brushed it aside... nothing would stop her from being here today... not even if....
Pushing all thoughts from her mind... she turned to Bianca, "Reggie and Maggie know what to do here the minute we leave... right?"
Bianca nodded and smiled... today was going to be perfect!
Erica stood looking in the mirror of the bathroom/ dressing room. Her hair was up with whisps of brown curls down her neck and two strategically placed around her face. Off white roses were pinned in her hair and her only other adornments were the small pearls Mona had given her and the beautiful bouqiet of roses that Kendall had just handed her.
Today was so magical... it was in the air... she could feel a change in her that she had never sensed before... it was peace and love... no ghosts stared back at her.
"Mom... come on... we're waiting..."
Bianca and Kendall had changed into nearly identical black silk dresses... the only difference in them showed the girls different personalities. Bianca's had no frills... and was a stunning black sheath dress that accented every curve... Kendall's had criss-crossed glittery straps down her back and had a ruffle past the knee that flowed down unevenly to show off her shapely legs.
They were beautiful. Erica smiled and took a step out into the hall. A soft music was coming from the room where the ceremony would be held... Erica turned a questioning glance at her daughters... this was not the chamber music she had thought would be playing on the sound system.
The girls just smiled and started to walk down the aisle... Erica had no choice but to follow and wonder what they had planned.
Staring into the room Erica was blown away... not a spot was free from bouquets and bouquets of fresh long stem roses that matched the ones in her bouquet. Where there weren't roses there were all sizes of candles burning brightly.
Never in her wildest dreams had she seen something so beautiful... and then her eyes found Jack's...
The bridal hymn changed and she started to walk towards her future.
The vows they exchanged were perfect... each word spoken with certainty and love.
When the preacher told Jackson to kiss the bride a cheer went up and he pulled Erica into his arms... finally after all the obstacles... they were married...
Erica felt so much love for this man... the man who had waited for her to fight her demons... who had stood by her through it all... he loved her and they were together... and it was the happiest moment of her life.
Turning to greet the guests Erica realized that all the people she loved were in this room... Myrtle, Opal, Palmer... Reggie, Lily (who had come with her nurse from school), and even Adam stood in the back next to JR who was staring at Babe with love from where he stood. Maggie was holding Miranda... and there was Marion and Stuart...
And then there was Bianca and Kendall standing side by side holding hands smiling at the mother they loved...
They were a family... and it was all she needed... she felt complete...