CHAPTERS 29, 30, 31

Chapter 29

The entire family entered the mansion.

"Lois, I cannot thank you enough for arranging this," said Emily. "It was truly a wonderful idea."

"It was no problem."

Tracy spoke, "So…are we done here? Because if nobody minds, I'm going upstairs."

"Nobody minds," Ned said.

"You know what I love about you, darling?" Tracy didn't give Ned time to respond. "I love…how despite all the insults…you can't help but love me."

"Well, of course, he can't," said Edward. "He's your very own."

"Talk about a double standard," muttered Tracy.

"NOW what are you muttering about?" Edward asks, annoyed.

Dillon responded, "You know exactly what she is talking about, Grandfather!"

"Do not talk to me in that tone, young man. Tracy, I would have hoped you taught Dillon better manners than that."

"Well, this IS Tracy we're talking about. Not exactly the mother of the year, now is she?"

"Hey there! My Spanky Buns is extremely well-mannered, aren't you, darling?"

Tracy ignored Luke. "Oh, please, Monica. Like you should talk. Jason is a hit man. Emily…Well," laughed Tracy. "We won't even go there."

"Good idea," Monica said.

Tracy continued, "And where's AJ? Oh that's right. He'd DEAD. Some mother YOU turned out to be."

The family was silent. Tracy saw the pain in Alan's eyes and decided not to continue on that subject.

"So!" Tracy said clapping her hands. "Where was I? Oh, that's right…,"

"That's it. I'm leaving. If I have to hear my sister-in-law go on yet, another rampage…," Monica trailed off.

Monica left.

Alan shouted, "Monica wait." He went after her; glaring at Tracy before leaving the room, but she did not care to respond at that moment.

Tracy continued, "You know what was so special about Mother, Daddy?"

"Mom," Dillon stepped in. "Can I talk to you?"

"Not now baby. I'm talking to your grandfather—"

"Your mother was very special, Tracy, but now is not the time to discuss this," Edward spoke.

"How come? It is the anniversary of her death! And how lovely that everyone, except my big brother and his dreadful wife happen to be in the same room once again!" she added sarcastically.

"All right," said Lois. "This is between Tracy and Edward. I'm leaving."

"I'll join you," Emily responded.

The two left the room. The rest followed until Tracy and her Daddy were the only ones in the room.

"Now that you've managed to drive away the rest of the family—"

Tracy asked again. This time, she whispered, "Do you know what was so special about Mother?…She loved her daughter," she said while pointing towards herself. "She loved me unconditionally. And she was not afraid to admit it."

Edward was speechless.

"I'm going to bed," she whispered.

"It's 5:00 in the afternoon!"

Tracy shrugged. "Good night, Daddy."

She left her father alone in the room. Brook Lynn had been eavesdropping. She followed Tracy up the stairs.

Chapter 30

Luke and Skye were talking in the living room.

"So…The old man's always been hard on Tracy, huh?"

"She withheld his heart medication over 25 years ago. I think Edward has every right to have it in for that woman."

"Ahem," said Luke. "That woman is my wife. She has a name."

Skye sighed. "Yes. I know. Mrs. Spencer."

"No. No. No. Not this again."

"Not what?"

"You're the one for me. Not Tracy."

"I don't know. You keep saying that. But look at you! You are happy! You are glad to be Mr. Tracy Quartermaine," Skye said.

Luke laughed. "I am glad to have free booze."

"It's more than that."

"There is no reason to be jealous. As soon as I receive my 15 million in alimony, I will be a free man. You and I…We'll be together."

"Unless," Skye began.

"Unless nothing," Luke finished.

"You and Tracy are MARRIED. Am I supposed to forget that?"

Luke nodded. "Yes."

Skye had tears in her eyes. "How could you do that to me? How could you marry another woman?"

"Hey now! It was your idea to get the money back!"

Skye said angrily, "I never said to MARRY Tracy! And you know what the worst part is? You are ENJOYING it."

"There's nothing wrong with having some fun."

Skye shook her head. "This is more than fun, Luke. You and I both know it. When are you going to tell me the truth?"

Luke didn't respond. Skye left the room in disappointment.

Chapter 31

When Tracy realized Brook had been following her, she asked, "What the hell do you want?"

"To talk to you." Brook.

"We've talked enough," Tracy told her before closing the door in her face. Brook held the door open.

"Let go of the door," Tracy told her.

"No."

"My goodness!"

"I want to come in," Brook persisted.

Tracy rolled her eyes and sighed.

"Now what do you want?"

"I'm sorry."

"About what?"

"About what happened earlier."

"What?" Tracy was confused.

"He does love you, you know," Brook said. "He may not admit it like Great-Grandma Lila did, but he does."

Tracy swallowed. "Why are you telling me something I already know?"

Brook shrugged. "So! Are you really going to bed?"

Tracy nodded.

"I guess grandmas do love going to bed early and doing other old people stuff," Brook smirked.

Tracy tried to hide her smile.

"I'm not old," she protested. "Just stressed. It's been…" she sighed.

"You can tell me, Granny."

Tracy sighed once more. "It's been a difficult 2 months."

"Any reasons why besides you know…today and all?"

"Brook Lynn…Please."

"Please what?"

"I know that you don't want to talk to me."

"Not this again," Brook said disappointedly. "Why won't you let me in?"

"Because this is not a good place to be."

"What?" Brook was confused.

Tracy sighed. "You don't want a relationship with me. It'll become twisted and complicated and…" Tracy paused. "It's just not worth it."

"I'd be willing to give it a try."

Tracy closed her eyes. "You are not giving up, are you?"

"I always thought Quartermaines never gave up?"

"All right," Tracy simply stated.

PREVIEWS FOR CHAPTERS 32 AND 33:

Monica demands a divorce.

Luke and his Spanky Buns have a heart-to-heart.