Chapter 5: The Present

"Ryan, I didn't go after her. For three days I didn't even mention her. During that time I could've been looking for her," he explained. Ryan patted Carter's knee.

"Carter, if Dana were sitting here now, I know she'd forgive you," he assured him.

Carter lowered his head and pulled out the ring. He threw it on the coffee table. "I'm saving this for her when I do find her. I promise you, Ryan. I'm going to find her," he insisted.

"We'll find her, Carter. Don't worry," Ryan reassured him.

He hated lying to Carter. He hated lying to him, but he wanted to keep Dana's trust. He looked at the father of his niece and nephew and let out a sigh. "Carter, I have to get going," he informed.

"Yeah, thanks for stopping by, Ryan," he told him.

"No problem," Ryan stated.

He got up and left. Carter looked over at the mantelpiece to see the pictures there. He ignored then and pulled out some more paperwork to get his mind off things.

When Ryan got home, he found his wife sitting on the couch with their son in her arms. "Hey, Kels," he greeted.

"Hey," she greeted back.

She placed their son into the crib and hurried over to him. "Did you find her?" She asked.

"Yeah, I found her," he replied.

She threw her arms around his neck with a sigh. "Is she okay?" She asked.

"She's fine," he replied.

"And the baby?"

"They're fine."

Kelsey looked at him with a quizzical look. "She had twins. She had just given birth when I found her," he informed.

"She had twins? Are they boys, girls, or both?"

"Both."

"Did you tell Carter?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"I promised Dana that I wouldn't tell him."

Kelsey looked at her husband in disbelief. "Ryan Harrison Mitchell, are you telling me you're going to let Carter suffer after he's already suffered during these past eight months?" She asked.

"I don't want to betray my sister's trust," he replied.

"Yet you're going to betray Carter's trust."

"I don't want either of them to hurt."

Kelsey touched his face. She knew that Ryan was in tough position. He didn't want to betray his sister or his best friend. She just hugged him with a sigh. Ryan hugged her back and tucked her head under his chin. "We'll figure something out, Ryan," she assured him. Ryan nodded and closed his eyes as he held the love of his life.

(Angel Grove: A Week Later)

Dana woke up to the sounds of one of her children crying. She got up and walked over to the nursery. She opened the door and went over to the first crib. She picked David up and coddled him. "It's okay, David, mommy's here," she cooed. She walked over to see Callie still asleep. "You're sister's a deep sleeper," she commented. She picked up a bottle and started to feed her son. "Hush little baby don't say a word, mama's gonna buy you a mocking bird. If that mocking bird don't sing, mama's gonna buy you a diamond ring. If that diamond ring don't shine, mama's gonna buy you something nice," she sang quietly. David grabbed her hand as he drank his milk. She placed a kiss on his forehead before burping him.

She placed her twins in their little swings before going into the kitchen to get some breakfast. She came out and then she turned the reel on Callie's swing and watched as the swings rocked her babies to sleep. Dana sat down and closed her eyes. She had fallen asleep when Callie started crying. She walked over and picked Callie up. "What's wrong, sweetie?" She asked. She placed a kiss on her forehead.

That afternoon, Dana was putting the twins down for their nap when the phone rang. She usually let the machine pick up just incase. "Hi, you've reached Dana. I'm not in right now so please leave your name, number, and a short message and I'll call you back as soon as I can," the machine played.

"Dana, are you sure you aren't in? I thought we had a date tonight? Listen, I know we've had our differences and you're a mother to two beautiful children, but you have to move on, Day. Carter's not gonna come back and sweep you off your feet. Call me back as soon as you get in," the caller explained.

Dana sighed and sat down. It was Jared Nicholson, he always came to visit her while she was pregnant. However, ever since he found out she left carter, he's been bugging her. Always asking her out and telling the hospital that she was his girlfriend. She erased the message and looked over at the picture she was keeping for her children.

That night, Dana was lying in her bed thinking about her last night with Carter.

(Flashback)

Carter was stroking her hair with a smile. "Carter," she murmured.

"Hmm," he answered.

"Do you think we'll be together forever?" She asked.

Carter pulled her close and sighed. "I hope so, Day, I hope so," he whispered. She buried her head in his chest.

"I love you," she whispered.

"I love you," he answered.

(End Flashback)

Dana buried her head in her pillow and cried. It was too late to go back. It was too late for her to find out the truth. At least that's what she thought.