Greenlee lay on her bed in the dark. Even though she promised Kendall that she would call Simone, she was really lying. She didn't want anyone to pat her on the back and say that everything would be fine. After all the times her dreams have been shattered, it would really piss her off right now to hear platitudes. She had come close to strangling Dr. Madden when he gave her a long speech about how common it was to experience failure multiple times before a couple are blessed with a baby. Greenlee had settled for icily informing him that unlike most "couples," she did not have an endless supply of baby-making material. And now that Kendall's womb was currently occupied, she wasn't sure that she wanted to continue with the surrogacy plan at all.
Kendall looked crushed when she said that. Greenlee tried to reassure her that she wasn't resentful for the way things turned out. Kendall seemed to take her word for it, which made it all the more painful when Greenlee had to push her away later. Kendall wouldn't let Greenlee go off alone, and so Greenlee had to take drastic measures and tell Kendall that she was the last person Greenlee wanted to see right now. Kendall's little peanut has so far managed to last seven weeks - almost twice as long as the other two. She told Kendall that her slightly burgeoning belly, which was once a source of delight for Greenlee, was now a source of heartache.
Greenlee just wanted to be alone. It was apparently her destiny, so she might as well start getting used to it right now. One positive thing about being alone is that you can wallow in self-pity forever. And wear sweatpants. When you're alone, you also can't hurt anyone, like Greenlee had hurt Kendall earlier. Like the way she hurt Ryan by pretending that she was okay with not having a baby, and then presenting him with the very thing he wanted least in the world.
When the doorbell rang, Greenlee turned to her side and started to curl up in a ball. But then something strange happened. She felt the hair on her neck stand up. There was something significant about this visitor. She sighed and got up. She went to the front door and peered through the eye hole. A young woman with red hair stood outside. Avon lady perhaps? Should she open the door? Were her neck hairs psychic or psychosis? She sighed again and opened the door. "Greenlee?" The voice sounded familiar. "I'm Erin Lavery."
Greenlee tried to brighten up at the sight of Ryan's sister. She really did. Instead she burst into tears. Erin came in and gave her a hug. Then she led Greenlee to the couch and they sat down, Greenlee leaning into Erin and Erin rubbing her back and making soothing noises. When Greenlee's tears had spent, she sat up. "Welcome to Pine Valley," she said in a wobbly voice. Erin bit her lip. "Bad day, huh?" Greenlee nodded. Erin took a deep breath. "I'm either about to make your day much better or much worse." Greenlee's eyes widened. "I don't think it could get any worse, so give it your best shot." Erin opened her mouth, then closed it. She bit her lip again. Then she looked down at Greenlee's abdomen and frowned. "You're such a tiny little thing, I would have thought you'd be showing by now. What's it been, five months since you became pregnant?"
Greenlee stared at her. "How did you know about that? When Ryan died, I didn't make the pregnancy public. Which was good, because then I didn't have to announce my miscarriage." Erin brought her hands up to her mouth. "You miscarried? Oh, Greenlee, I'm so sorry." Greenlee's eyes bored into Erin's. "How did you know, Erin? Only a handful of people knew." Erin twisted her fingers. "Someone close to the situation told me about it. Greenlee…it was…it was Ryan. I don't mean from beyond the grave. He survived the motorcycle crash, Greenlee. Ryan is alive."
Kendall started to open the door to Tad and Aidan's office, when she noticed that someone had hung a temporary sign on the outside of the door. It was obviously a joke. It said: Tad Martin, Private Dick. Aidan Devane, Spotted Dick. She rolled her eyes and opened the door. She saw Tad working on his computer. He looked up and smiled. "Now there's a femme fatale, if I've ever seen one. Where's my fedora?"
Without preamble, Kendall pulled up a chair. "I don't have any details about my husband's role in helping Julia Santos Keefer find out who killed her husband. All I know is that he has been in Thailand for five weeks, and I have not heard from him at all in the past three. I don't know if you have any involvement in this at all. If you don't, then I'm sure that you can easily become involved. I need to find Zach, quickly. I'm sure your dossier on him shows his financial records, so you know that I can pay you well. Very well."
Tad stared at her awhile. "I'm sure you could pay me very well, but I'm not sure that finding Zach is in your best interest. I think you are better off without him in your life." Kendall narrowed her eyes. "I didn't ask for your opinion on my love life, Tad. Just like I'm sure you wouldn't want my opinion on your love life and how it led you to keep Krystal's secret about switching Miranda's DNA." Tad stood up and walked over to one of the pinball machines. "Maybe you would prefer to hire Aidan." Kendall stood up and leaned against the machine. "Aidan would give me more crap about it than you are, and I haven't got time to wade through it. I need to find Zach, now."
Tad rubbed his face. "What's the urgency? Did he forget to do the dishes again? Neglected to scoop the cat litter?" Kendall shook her head. "My mother told me once that the only way to get past your snark is to get real with you. So here it is. I just found out today that I'm going to have Zach's child. The last thing I expected or wanted was a baby, but that seems to be a Kane woman's destiny. I'll tell you right here and now that there is no way in hell that I'm going to raise this child alone. So unless you're planning to dandle little Alex the Third on your knee, you might consider it in your best interest to escort me to Thailand in the near future." Tad blinked at her. "Dandle? Alex the Third? Oh for…damn it…I give up. Fine. You'll need three things. A passport, a tourist visa, and lots and lots of cash. I have a feeling that the bribes will be flowing freely on this trip. That will take you a day or two. Meanwhile, I'll book us a flight. Since this will be on Slater's dime, we'll go first class."
Ryan paced around his room at the Pine Cone. He had wanted to tell Greenlee the truth, himself. Erin convinced him that the sight of him right now would probably throw her into shock and possibly hurt the baby. She promised to break the news gently and then bring Greenlee to see him at the Pine Cone. He was worried sick. Worried that her reaction could cause harm to herself and the baby. Worried that she would hate him – and with good cause. He was also worried about Jonathan. Jonathan was doing well in rehab, but he relied on Ryan and Erin's daily visits to help him cope with recovery. He wasn't well enough to travel yet, so Ryan and Erin had to leave him for a few days to make this trip. Jonathan hadn't taken it well. I'll be back soon, Jonathan. With any luck, I'll bring Greenlee with me.
If Greenlee could manage to forgive Ryan, then all his shattered dreams could be put back together. He could have a family. A real family. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back. I've managed to make a huge wreck out of my life, time and time again. And yet I always seem to be given another chance. Will it happen again, or did I blow it for good this time?
Zach was startled awake. Was it a noise? He listened. Nothing out of the ordinary. No, it was a dream. He was dreaming about holding a little girl. A little girl with corkscrew curls and hazel eyes. He was reading her Pat the Bunny. When he got to the part about Daddy's scratchy face, the girl reached up and caressed his cheek. He looked up and saw Kendall standing in the doorway, love in her eyes.