~ Ok, I've decided, as a true Ethan and Theresa fan, to add them to the story, slowly, and subtly at first, because I haven't ever written one before. I've decided to just add them in to the mix, maybe Miguel too . . . and some Jessica and someone and lots more as we go along!

And I'm sorry to say I'm not sure that chapters will keep coming this fast, I guess I've just been very inspired lately. But I promise I will work on it as often as possible, and post new chapters as quick as I can.

Oh, when Ivy and Sam get together, it's not the end of the story, not in anyway shape or form.

Oh, and I just realized I have no idea what time of year it is in the story, so let's just say it . . . um . . .mid-March ~

   

Ever After

By Jules

Chapter  2

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Sam tossed and turned in his sleep. Memories of him and Ivy raced through his dreams. A little boy kept showing up, running in the bright sun with an even smaller girl that looked like Theresa when she was really young.

~*~  

** The girls room **

"Ok Jessica, I think that's enough for tonight."

Jessica dropped her hands from her temples and breathed a sigh of relief, "Good, it was starting to wear me out."

~*~    

Sam's psyche took control of his dreams once more, and now went to the day before at the hospital, Ivy, the pamphlets, the sonogram . . .

Sam woke up in a sweat, his mind racing. The clock showed it was 6:45 am. He needed to go for a run. That always cleared his head.

Ten minutes later he was hitting the pavement of Harmony, with a cell-phone incase of emergencies.

Instead of him not thinking like he wanted, that was exactly what it made him do.

~ Grace sure has been acting differently, she used to be such a kind caring mother to all our children, but I haven't seen her even talk to Kay in over three months, except to compare her to Charity . . . My poor little girl. She used to be close to her mother, never as close as she is to me, but they used to talk. Kay's always been so strong, but I can tell it's getting to her, she's always sad or scheming these days. But Grace doesn't notice, she continues to fawn all over Charity. Spending everything we've saved for the girls on her. Lately, she just gets on my nerves. Things I used to find sweet just annoy me. And at night, my dreams are of Ivy, always Ivy . . .Ivy, Ivy's pregnant . . . we made love . . . but if it was mine, wouldn't she tell me? . . . Except after what I said would she tell me? Could it be mine? Man, a child with Ivy . . . I used to dream something like this would happen. I love her . . . I still love her. But Grace, I'm still married to Grace . . . ~

He needed to get a lawyer, and fast. He took the vows he made seriously, but the thought being tide down to Grace for the rest of his life didn't sound as wonderful as it once had . . .

~*~ 

** One week later **

Ivy slept restlessly in her new bedroom in her brand-new, vast, beachfront mansion. She was finally divorced from Julian Crane.

Her father was dead as of two weeks ago, and as his only heir, he'd left her his entire estate. Ivy saw it as pay off for all those years of misery and for ruining her life. She'd kept the money and things hidden from Julian, deeds under aliases and the money held in Caiman Island accounts. He didn't even know any of it existed.

And divorcing him had been very easy. All she'd had to do was threaten to show a few interesting photos to the media involving him and various other women doing some very . . . kinky things and he had them divorced within 24 hours. She'd gotten 12 million over the course of six years in alimony too, even if she married. She gave him the photos, but warned him she had the negatives if he ever tried something.

Finally she was free of hell. Her golden child was safe and happy; the others were safe, still off in boarding school, hating their father for always cheating on their mother. (They were the ones who supplied the photos, which they had been saving incase their beloved mother ever wished to rid herself of their arrogant, pompous, unfaithful ass of a father.)

The beach 'house' was huge. Three levels. 24 bedrooms w/bathrooms, French doors in all rooms, which led to a private terrace. Six bedrooms on the second floor, three on the top and the master suite with two walk-in-closets (like all the other rooms), with a master bathroom with a Jacuzzi, whirlpool, and a shower.

Downstairs there was a library, study, living room, den, dinning room, kitchen, a room that was still empty, and maid quarters. Everything was decorated in whites, beiges, grays, and blues. Most of the furniture was light colored wood, gold, or stone. On the main level what didn't have white marble floors had plush white carpet, and the top two levels had hardwood.

There was a beautiful deck near a sand dune, which led out to the beach. There were beautiful fireplaces all over the place and in most of the rooms and a huge pile of driftwood near each of them to burn, collected by the new grounds-man. The house was designed both for looks and comfort.

Best of all, Pilar had come to work for Ivy.

Ethan too had moved in with her. But Ivy had a feeling he'd soon have complete reign of the house, because she'd most likely be taking a 'trip', to the Caimans' soon. She was (let's say) two months pregnant and she couldn't let Sam find out about the baby, he'd hate her. Speaking of the baby, where was that sonogram photo ? . . .

"Hmm, that's funny! I was looking at it just before I . . . oh my Lord! Sam has to have the photo and those damn pamphlets." Ivy moaned, growing pale.

She realized her 'vacation' would have to come earlier then expected. She quickly went upstairs to pack.

~*~    

Sam handed the divorce papers to a sobbing Grace, "I'm sorry, I just couldn't lie to myself or you anymore. I'm not in love with you anymore. Let alone happy."

"But why Sam? What did I do?" Grace whined

"Ask your daughters for the primary reason. The other is that, I'm in love with someone else. I've loved her since before you and I ever met. She's my heart. I can't deny it anymore. I've requested that you get the store and we split the bed and breakfast 60/40, since you run it. I've also requested that I get full custody of Noah, Kay, and Jessica. If you fight it, we'll just ask the children what they want. I really just want them to be happy."

Grace stood up, furious, "What?! You want a divorce and you expect me to give up custody of my children too?!"

"Fine, we'll just find out what they want." Sam told confidently, he went over to the stairs, "KAY, JESSICA; COULD YOU PLEASE COME DOWN HERE?"

Kay and Jessica soon came down the stairs, looking nervous. They'd been upstairs practicing their magic and were afraid they were about to be interrogated.

"What's up Dad?" Kay questioned.

"Girls, I'm not sure if you noticed, but I've been very distracted lately . . . I've asked your mother for a divorce and . . ."

Grace butted in, still pissed, "Whom would you rather live with. Your untrustworthy father or me?"

"Dad!" Both girls declared at once, not even pausing to think about it.

Grace gazed at them in shock at their response, "But why?"

"Because he still loves us. Or at least he acts like it. He pays attention to us and cares about us." Kay answered quickly.

"Yeah, he asks up about our day, worries about us, he makes sure we get to school and that we actually have money." Jessica added.

"He actually treats us like we're his children which we are, YOU don't. Mom, I hate to break it to you but . . . CHARITY IS YOUR NIECE! JESSICA AND ME ARE YOUR DAUGHTERS! You spend all the money that's meant to pay for things for all of us on her. The only reason I have clothes I fit into and that are in style is because I bought them myself with money I earned. From my Internet web page building company I own. You didn't even know I know how to use a computer, let alone that people pay me to create web sites, did you? Or that I have over $10,000 in the bank? And that I'm working on a deal worth $3,000 a month for eight months and another for six worth $8,000 a month. My company is based on main street. I own the business, and there's an apartment upstairs, three bedrooms. Right now it's just being used to just as a break room, but we can stay there until we find something better. I'll explain everything later. Right now, Jessica and I are going to go pack."

** Three hours later **

Sam, Kay, and Jessica stood in front of a two-story white brick building, boxes in their arms.

"Well, this is it guys. Mikhaila Web Designs Inc." Kay announced opening the door and throwing it open to reveal a bright noisy room with six oval wood desks with state-of-the-art black, computers on top. Three people were at them busy at work while another two bustled around. They all looked up smiling.

"Hey boss lady!" A guy, who looked to be about 26 called out from his computer, "Who's the stud?"

Kay laughed at her father's face, "Hey Brent, first of all, that is my FATHER you are talking about. Second of all, he doesn't swing that way. Sorry!"

Jessica looked at her father's still confused face then whispered to him, "Dad, she means you're not gay, which he is."

Sam just nodded his head in shock.

"What's with all the boxes Mike?" A girl with long blond hair in her early 20's in the back of the room called out.

"We're gonna be upstairs for awhile, long story Dani, I'll come down later and explain. Dad, Jess, that's Danielle, the guy with the bleached spiky hair is Berg, the ones at the desks are Brent, Nikki, and Sergio." She gestured to a stylish girl with short dark brown about 17, and a 19-year-old naturally tan skinned guy who looked very hot with dark brown hair which was styled in a more professional looking spikes. "Over there by the printer with short blue hair and glasses is Kye, and last but not least, my assistant Griffin." Lastly she pointed to a very handsome, muscular, blond, who obviously worked out and was an outdoorsmen on his time off. "Everyone, this is my father, Chief Bennett, whom I'm sure a few of you have meet on a number of occasions during your trips to the police station, BERG. And my younger sister Jessica."

Everyone greeted each other.

"Ok, now those of you who are really working, continue, those of you whom are faking it, haul ass outside and help us unload everything and bring it upstairs. Griffin, could you go unlock the apartment?"

"Sure thing Mikhaila, oh and that woman with the design company called again, she has some ideas that she'd like to talk with you about."

"Right, we'll talk about it later. Did you remember to right down her number this time?"

"Yep."

"Good, now Berg, Sergio, I know your faking. Get off those cute butts of yours and help me."

Berg groaned then started out the door, "Sergio, I think that can count as sexual harassment don't you? And with the police chief as a whiteness I'm sure I can win . . ."

Sergio clamped his hand down on Berg's shoulder and in a sexy Spanish accent replied, "Maybe, but the fact that he's her father, and that he's probably seen your arrest record for drunk and disorderly conduct probably lowers your chances. I on the other hand could make a case, if I didn't enjoy being appreciated such a beautiful woman so much." Sergio teasingly winked at Kay on his way out the door with Berg and she rolled her eyes.

Sam looked at his daughter in amazement, "You own this place?"

Kay blushed, "Yep. And hired the seven dorks who work for me so very willingly. . ."

"How did you manage to buy it?"

"Noah, he gets 20% of the company as a bonus, and all the workers get 1000 shares each once we open it up to the public in three months when he comes home from boarding school for good."

"Noah's coming?" Nikki looked up from her computer screen hopeful.

Kay laughed, "I forgot to mention, Nikki and Noah are way into each other, though neither will admit it to each other. Everyone keeps trying to get them to go out, but they both just keep being so damn stubborn. Noah sent Nikki here from his boarding school, she kind of got kicked out for hacking into the school main frame and changing a few teachers records . . . very long and messed up story."

Nikki stuck her tongue out at Kay, then went back to work

Kay shook her head at the girl, and then turned to her family, "Come one, let's go upstairs."

They all trouped up the stairs to the door where Griffin was waiting for them.  The apartment was fairly spacious. Large windows let in tons of sunlight from all sides. Hardwood floors were a major perk. The walls were painted a light green and the sparse furniture was white, yellow, and more light green. A huge flat big screen TV graced the wall on the right side of the room.

There was another door to the right of the entrance door to the apartment, the first bedroom, where Kay put her stuff, "This is my room. You two can choose which ones you want. There's one to the right of the kitchen, and one to the left. One has been being used as a game room, but we can move the arcade equipment and pool table into the empty storage room across the hall. My rooms the biggest, but I figure, since I own the building, I get the best room." Kay turns to Griffin, "Grif, order some cheep beds for the storage room, maybe some of the converter type, since all the 'rest' rooms are taken for awhile."

"Will do, how much are you willing to spend?"

"Not to much, don't be cheap, but don't just spend tons of money. I don't know how long we're going to be staying here even."

"Got it. Don't forget you have a meeting with that lawyer in like two hours." Griffin reminded her.

"Ohh, right. Thanks. Now one more thing for now, go downstairs and help Sergio get Berg's ass in gear in helping move the boxes. I have a feeling all he's doing is whining and not helping out."

"Your probably right. I still don't know why you hired him." Griffin sighed.

"Because he's a computer genius, remember?"

"Oh yeah . . ." Griffin lamented walking out the door.

Jessica watched as he walked out the door, "DAMN! Kay, why did you not tell me about this place?! So many wasted days that could have been spent ogling!"

"Don't worry sis, it's a family business. So you can start working here. You can be Griffin's assistant; Lord knows he's been asking for one, until Noah shows up. He does our public relations."

Sam shook his head in amazement, "Don't any of them have a problem with the fact you're only a junior in high school and you're their boss?"

"All of them know they are damn lucky to have gotten a job on the ground floor of an Internet web design programming company. They all know that the stock they own is going to be worth tons, and that only the first couple of employees get so much. Besides, we're all a tight knit little family down here. Nikki's the brother's girlfriend, Berg is the slacker everyone picks on, Sergio is the hot foreigner who flirts with everyone but never really gets anywhere, Dani is the older sister I never had, Brent is the gay friend every girl should have. Kye is our resident band member, he's in the band, but chances are they ain't gonna go that far. Den, who's not here today, is the sophisticated 'playboy' who's really just a sweetie looking for love, and finally Griffin my protector, who also makes sure I don't lose my head or forget anything."

"Sweetie, how old are they all?"

"Nikki's 17 almost 18, Berg is 21, Sergio is 18, Dani's 23, Brent is 26, Kye is 19, Den is 20, and Griffin is just 22."

Finally Berg and Sergio came through the door.

Kay smiled at them and sweetly said, "Thank you Berg, and if you bring up the rest of those boxes I'll give you and Sergio back the Nintendo 64 plus I'll buy four games of your choice that you can play with on your breaks."

Berg's eyes light up and he put down the box he was carrying and ran downstairs to get another one, with Sergio on his tail.

"And that is how you deal with men. You treat them like children and promise presents if they're good."

Sam's eyes had light up at the mention of a Nintendo 64 also.

Kay saw him and waved him on, "Go on dad, you help them and you can play with it too."

Sam ran out the door.

"I had to take it away a couple weeks ago because those two were playing with it too much." She explained to Jessica.

** An hour and a half later **

Kay hooked up the Nintendo system and gave the three guys a warning, "Now you three play nice, and if I find you fighting it's going to have to be taken away again. Write down a list of the games you want and Jessica and I will go buy them after my meeting. Do you guys promise to be good and take turns?" She asked, holding on to the controllers.

"Yes!" the three guys answered.

"Alright then. Jessica and I will be back in a couple hours."

Jessica and Kay had changed into nicer clothes. Kay was wearing a long gray skirt and a white hooded shirt with black platform shoes and Jessica was wearing a green and blue plaid wrap around and a tight ¾ sleeve button up green shirt and black platform sandals. The guys handed Kay a list then went right back to the game.

They went down to the office where Griffin, who was at his desk, greeted them by Kay's own office door.

"Hello ladies."

"Hey Griffin, listen Sergio and Berg have N 64 privileges again. They're up there with my dad playing it but if you hear them fighting you can unplug it and hide it. I bribed them to work by promising to buy them these games." She handed him the list, "Next, you now have that assistant you've been wanting, this is my sister Jessica, she'll work for you until Noah comes home, then she'll be his assistant, by then if those deals go through we'll be able to hire you an assistant too. I understand that as my assistant because I'm still in school you have more work then a normal one would. Which is why I'm loaning her to you."

"Thanks Mikhaila."

"No problem. Is that lawyer in my office?"

"Yeah, he's young, but sounds good. His resume is on your desk."

"Does he check out ok?"

"Yeah, no problems with the law, graduated a year ago from an Ivy League school. His family is from Harmony, which is why he stuck around here. He doesn't have much experience, but then again, neither do we. Here are your messages for the past two days since you failed to come in and have orders that we were not to call you at home."

"Right, well, from now on we'll just be upstairs, call the main bedrooms phone line."

Griffin wrote that down, "Alright, I think that's it. I'll show your sister around, help her get to know everybody then get her to work."

"Great. Griffin, have I ever told you how much I love you?"

"Not nearly enough."

Kay laughed putting her hand on the doorknob, "Well I guess I'll just have to do it more often, because you are the best assistant I could dream of and I don't want you getting snatched away from me."

She opened the door to her office and walked in reading through her messages, not even glancing up to see who was in her office, "Hello, welcome to my company, as you can see we're fairly small, but we're growing in leaps and bounds. Which is why I'm searching for a lawyer, to look over legal contracts for us. We're on the brink of some pretty major deals and I'm a minor without much knowledge of the legal system. Before you even ask, yes I am the boss . . ." she sat down at her desk, still not looking up, "And if you have a problem with it you can leave right now before you waste my time." Finally she looked up to the shocked look on the man's face, smiling, and then her smile disappeared when she noticed who it was . . . Ethan Crane.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Please, I want replies, I know it sounds pathetic, but I live for feedback, good or bad! I need to know what you think so I know where to go with this.

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