Jessica Buchanan sipped her coffee, and read today's issue of the Banner. She beamed with pride when she saw her byline. Things were finally going right for her. She had been glad to get out of her house this morning- it was certainly a zoo, with all the moving and shuffling going on. She couldn't believe Natalie had slept through it.
"Jessica, I'm so glad you could meet me," Evangeline said, sitting down across from her.
"Of course," she replied. "Besides, I don't have to be in to work for another hour, and I love breakfast at the Palace."
"Well this is a bit of a business meeting," Evangeline told her.
"Even better," Jess told her. "Grandpa always said there's nothing better than a good write-off. So what's up?"
"Jamie's custody case," Evangeline said.
"Oh," Jess' face dropped. "I'm sorry Evangeline, I don't think I can testify for Antonio."
"RJ's my client," Evangeline told her. Jess looked at her in surprise. "Not you too," Evangeline sighed, rolling her eyes.
"Hey, no, I'm not judging," Jess told her.
"Would you consider testifying for me?" Evangeline asked.
"About what?" Jess asked.
"About Antonio's behavior when he found out he was a Santi," she told her. "About Antonio giving Jamie to RJ instead of say, Carlotta."
"I don't think I can do that," Jess told her. "I'm sorry. But there's a difference between getting Antonio out of my life and ruining his."
"I understand," Evangeline sighed. "I just wish I could find someone without a history of hating Antonio to help me out. Carlotta obviously won't do it." Jess sat there thoughtful for a second.
"I don't know if I should say this," she told her. "I could be ruining their marriage."
"What? Jessica, what? You have to tell me," Evangeline insisted.
"But she'd probably volunteer for this," Jess said, almost to herself.
"Who?" Evangeline asked.
"Antonio's sister-in-law," Jess said. "Natalie Buchanan Vega. I bet she'd do it."
"She's perfect," Evangeline agreed. "But me and Natalie?"
"Stranger things have happened," Jess mused. "You guys got a long way to go before you're the next Viki and Dorian, believe me."
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Ding dong.
Viki went into the foyer, and opened her door.
"Todd!" she cried, enveloping him in a giant hug. He hugged her back.
"Hey Sister," he said, holding her close.
"Oh Todd, I was so worried," Viki gushed, finally releasing him. "I'm so glad you're home." She finally noticed Starr. "Oh and Starr, what a nice surprise."
"Yeah," Todd told her, "Shorty over here hasn't left my side since I got back."
"I have too," Starr whined. Todd swatted her affectionately on the head.
"Well I'm sure Starr wouldn't mind leaving you with me," Viki said. "Adriana's here somewhere helping Duke move in, and I can think of a hundred ways Starr can have fun with that. I'm sure she can think of a thousand."
"You want me to move stuff?" Starr asked in disbelief.
"Well, I'm sure you wouldn't think something that mundane up," Viki told her. "Natalie's upstairs though, and she loves a good practical joke. I'm sure between the two of you-"
"Later dad," Starr interrupted, running up the stairs. Viki chuckled.
"Now that you got rid of the kid, what do you want?" Todd asked. Viki led him to the couch.
"Was it awful?"
"I don't want to talk about it," he told her stiffly.
"You should," she insisted.
"So why didn't you come over the other night?" Todd asked, changing the subject. "Jess came by, but you were conspicuously absent."
"I had some things to discuss with Kevin," Viki told him.
"Golden boy having mommy issues?" Todd asked.
"Stop that Todd," Viki remonstrated. "Please, PLEASE do not goad Kevin anymore. He's been through enough."
"Yeah, Blair told me they finally told the truth," Todd said. "I tell you what. I won't promise not to fight with him, but I will promise not to go looking for a fight."
"Are you serious about this?" Viki asked.
"For awhile," he told her. "For now, the only one I want to pick fights with is Margaret Cochrane."
"Oh believe me," Viki said, "that woman will certainly know what it means to mess with our family."
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"Well Cassie's doing well," Dorian informed her girls, hanging up the phone. "She's going to try to visit soon she says."
"Well that's good news," Blair declared, sipping her mimosa. Kelly sat across from her, in the family's living room. Dorian had invited the Cramer coven over for brunch. Blair and Kelly had happily accepted. Starr couldn't make it- she refused to leave her dad's side. Adriana had been planning on coming, but Blair couldn't help but notice her conspicuous absence. "Where's Adriana?"
"Oh," Dorian gushed. "She was supposed to be here, but that horrible Asa Buchanan kicked that despicable boyfriend of hers out of his house, so she's helping him move his stuff into Llanfair."
"Asa kicked Duke out?" Kelly questioned, an astonished look on her face. "I wonder why."
"Darling, trying to figure out what goes on in Asa Buchanan's head is like trying to figure out what's going on in Viki's head. Or who's going on in Viki's head," she added.
"Dorian!" Kelly chastised her. Dorian looked at Blair.
"I'm with Kelly on this one," she told her Aunt. Dorian huffed, and than sipped her drink.
"I wonder what is taking so long," she complained. "It's just fruit and waffles and eggs benedict."
"Have you ever made eggs benedict?" Kelly asked.
"No," Dorian said.
"Are we sure we should be trusting David Vickers to make our food?" Blair asked.
"Oh honey, it'll be fine," Dorian told her.
"It's just David," Kelly remarked. The three looked at each other for a moment.
"Let's go," Dorian told them. The three got up, and went to go into the kitchen. They got as far as the foyer, when the doorbell rang. They looked at each other.
Kelly shook her head. "No way. Not again."
Blair sighed. "I don't even live here," she grumbled, walking to the door. She opened it.
"Bo!" Dorian cried. "How delightful to see you. Please come in." She ushered him inside and into the living room. "Do you care for some breakfast? David's cooking."
"David Vickers?" he asked dubiously. Dorian nodded vigorously. "No thanks Dorian." She nodded again.
"What brings you here, Bo?" Blair asked.
"Official business," he replied. "But by the way Blair, I heard about Todd. Matthew said Starr was actually smiling the other day. I'm happy for you."
"Thanks Bo," she replied. "And yeah, seeing my little girl smile made it all worth it."
"Well whatever I think of Manning," Bo told her, "I know he'd never leave you or your kids willingly." Blair smiled.
"So Bo," Dorian interrupted, "what's this official business?"
"It's actually with you Kelly," Bo told her. "Do you want to talk privately-"
"Honestly Bo, you know we'd just listen from the other side of the door," Dorian told him impatiently. "Just get on with it." She took Kelly's hand, and Blair held the other. Kelly nodded at Bo.
"Well, I talked to Babe Carey," he started grimly.
"Don't you mean Babe-stealer Carey?" Blair asked derisively.
"Yes well, she told me that Paul Cramer told her that he stole Ace without your knowledge. And when you did find out Babe was the mother, you let Ace go without a fight," he explained. "And seeing as how your brother's dead, the D.A. has decided not to press charges against you."
"Oh," Dorian gushed. "That's fabulous news, Bo. Please, you must stay for brunch."
"I think I'll pass," he told her. "Wouldn't want to risk my health. Perhaps you three should think of going to the Palace for brunch. Anyway, I have to go. It's technically my day off, and Matthew has a soccer game."
"Well good luck to him then," Dorian told him.
"Thanks Bo," Kelly told him. He gave her a sympathetic smile, and left.
"Kelly, this is wonderful!" Dorian cried.
"Yeah, wonderful," she whispered.
"What's wrong?" Blair asked.
"What have I done?" Kelly whispered, before heading up to her room in a daze.