CHAPTERS 45 AND 46

Chapter 45

The next morning, Alan entered the den for breakfast. Tracy entered after him. The sun was shining brightly through the window.

"Alan—," she stated softly.

Alan turned around. "What do you want, Tracy?"

She took a deep breath. "I, um, apologize for my behavior last night, uh, once we arrived home."

Alan stared blankly at her.

She continued, "I shouldn't have mentioned AJ." She paused. "What I said was completely uncalled for, and I'm sorry." She swallowed.

Alan responded rudely, "Feel better?"

"Oh please, Alan! I was trying to be sincere."

"Then maybe you should also apologize to Monica." He paused. "Here's your chance."

"Good morning, Monica," Alan said. "My sister has something she'd like to tell you."

"Says who?" Tracy said while she glared at Alan.

Monica understood. "This is about what happened yesterday, isn't it?"

"Ding. Ding. Ding. We have a winner!" Tracy spoke condescendingly.

"Well," said Alan. "I'm waiting…"

"Who do you think you are?" questioned Tracy. "Emily?"

"Emily happens to be a wonderful, lov—," Monica replied.

"Oh! I am SO not interested," Tracy interrupted.

"Tracy," Alan stated. "Will you please continue?"

"Alan, this isn't necessary," Monica told him.

Tracy decided to step in, "Maybe it is."

Alan smiled at his little sister.

Tracy resumed, "As I told my big brother, what I said was uncalled for—"

"A lot that comes out your mouth is."

"Ugh! I TRY to do the right thing, and WHAT do I get in return?"

"Tracy," Alan simply stated.

"What? She's making this difficult," Tracy complained.

"I'm right here! I can hear you!" Monica shouted. "I'm not deaf!"

"No, but I'll be if you continue to shout like that."

"It's my house! I can shout as much as I want to!"

"Monica…Tracy…," Alan replied. "That's enough."

The ladies silenced themselves for a moment.

"Well…" Alan said.

Tracy cleared her throat. "Well…I was in the process of apologizing when your wife messed it all up."

"I did not," Monica protested.

"Oh, yes you did," Tracy retorted.

"Nice comeback, Trace. Did a five year-old teach you that one? Or did you learn that in nursery school many, many, many, many, many years ago?"

"Oh because you're so young yourself!"

Alan shook his head. "What can I say? I tried." He rolled his eyes and exited the room.

"So…," Tracy said. "Why are you still here?"

"Well, it is my house."

"So you remind us every 30 seconds," she paused. "Fine, I'll leave," Tracy began to exit the room. She stopped at the door and turned around. "Uh, Monica?" her voiced turned sincere.

Monica just stared at her.

"I realize I went too far. And I am…I am…you know…"

Monica nodded, "I know."

Then Tracy gestured with her hands, while she said, "The reason I did not apologize at first is because…Well…I did not want…I…It would have been—"

"I get it." Monica paused. "We both understand each other more than either of us cares to admit," she grinned.

Tracy smiled uneasily, as the family began entering the room.

Chapter 46

The family, except for Ned, Lois, and Brook Lynn, entered the den.

"Tracy," Edward complained. "When are you going to kick this man out?" he said while pointing to Luke. "Look at him. He doesn't even have the common courtesy to dress up for breakfast."

"Hey Pops. Do you have any idea how crazy that sounds? Who dresses up for breakfast?"

"This family does, and if you insist on being part of it, you also will dress up."

"Oh, Daddy! Leave Luke alone. He isn't bothering anyone."

"Why thank you, Cupcake, for coming to my defense. That has to be a first."

"Maybe even a second or third," responded a jealous Skye.

"His mere presence bothers me," Edward announced.

"Now, Luke," Monica said. "Tell me again. What monstrous act have we done to deserve you?"

"Aww, you're all being cruel. Come on, Spanky Buns. We'll go eat elsewhere."

"Oh no you won't," Skye said.

"Why not Skye? You and Luke…Oh, not this again," Alan said. "You can do so much better."

Emily interjected, "If Skye loves Luke, that's all that matters."

"Emily, please," Skye said. "Let's not talk about this here."

"It doesn't matter if she loves him, and God knows why she does," Alan said. "He's married to my sister. How is that going to work?"

"It's not," said Tracy. "Because if I ever catch you two in the act—"

"There's an image I don't need," Alan said.

"I will never give that divorce, Luke. And you will never, ever get your grubby hands on that 15 million."

"That 15 million is Nikolas's money," Emily stated.

"Yes, and my husband was foolish enough to transfer it to my accounts. Besides, I don't see Nikolas trying to get it back, do you?"

Ned, Lois, and Brook Lynn entered.

"Well, I see nothing has changed around here," Lois said.

"What are you talking about?" Tracy asked rudely.

"The arguing. I thought you all had some goodness left in you from yesterday."

"Ma, just leave them alone," Brook said.

"My Brookie is defending the Quartermaines?"

"Well," said Ned. "Our girl is part of this family."

"More than Emily or Skye will ever be," added Tracy.

"Oh give it up, Trace!" Monica yelled. "Emily IS a Quartermaine."

"And so is Skye," Alan added.

"If you say so," Monica said.

"Ugh!" Tracy screamed.

"You tell 'em, Spunky."

"This is ridiculous," Lois said.

"Did you expect any different when you came down for breakfast?" Ned asked.

Lois sighed.

Just then, Dillon walked into the room.

"Hey!" he yelled.

The family looked at him.

PREVIEWS FOR CHAPTERS 47, 48, 49:

Dillon has an announcement.

Alice takes a family photo.

"It's just another day with the Quartermaines."

Notice: The PREVIEWS have been changed once again due to final additions.