Thanks everyone for reading and responding!

cola – It's great to see that you're still reading and have caught up! I'm really happy that you're enjoying the story so much!

Okay I didn't expect to have this chapter ready to post today, but here it is...

Chapter Forty-eight

The Logan dining room was silent, save for the faint sounds of knives and forks moving over everyone's plates as they methodically ate their dinner. This was the third night in a row that Vivian had dined with Sean and his family and all seemed to be going wonderfully well she thought with triumphant. For after her father's "talk" with Sean, Sean had instantly begun to spend more time with her and had become more attentive, so much so that she'd felt comfortable about proposing that they re-schedule their wedding, something that Sean had seemed to be open to. However, despite all of the progress that had been made, some things were still a bit stagnant she mused. Sean had yet to give her a kiss or compliment her on how beautiful she looked. And his family had become, she didn't know, not as welcoming as before. Though they never treated her cold or with disrespect, she could still tell that they were uncomfortable with having her around. But that was okay Vivian concluded with confidence. Though the Logans accepting her would be a wonderful feat, in addition to her winning Sean back, her relationship with them wasn't really important she deduced. For she only cared about her relationship with Sean, and now that things were right on track, going exactly how she'd hoped. She needed to further solidify her plan, make sure that nothing got in the way of her marrying him…

"So Alice" Vivian asserted, breaking the silence. "I was hoping that you could be of some assistance to me."

"Really? With what?" Alice cautiously asked as she looked up from her plate.

"The wedding." Vivian answered casually, causing a deathly silence in the room as the knives and forks suddenly stopped clinking on the plates, and everyone turned their attention to her, stunned by what had just come out of her mouth. "Sean and I have been talking." She continued, ignoring the astounded reactions around the table as she grabbed Sean's hand, who was still trying to recover, subtly, from nearly choking on the tea he'd been drinking when she'd stated her previous words. "And we've been thinking of setting a date before the end of the year." She said.

"Is this true?" Lexy curtly asked, before anyone else could respond, turning her eyes to her brother.

Silence –

"Yes." Sean answered with forced strength; then quickly turned his gaze from Lexy, unable to face the hurt and anger in her eyes, and glanced around the table to find the rest of the family struggling to process what they'd just heard...

What was Sean thinking Clay questioned to himself as he took a sip of his tea, managing to keep his eyes down. First it was the mess with Marita, now this. And though Clay didn't mind his brother's relationship with Vivian, it was certainly more sensible than a relationship with Marita, after all that had happened he didn't think that Sean should be marrying the woman. Alice was thinking the same thing, but for different reasons, as she aimlessly moved her fork through the peas on her plate, feeling sad and upset that her brother would even consider having a life with Vivian when he loved Marita. Whereas Jeremy kept his eyes on Sean, wondering if there was more going on than the man could say, knowing that no matter what Vivian's "memory issues" were, which the boy was still skeptical of, Sean would never marry her to keep her well. While Ned too had the same thoughts, knowing that marrying Vivian was the last thing that Sean wanted to do...

"Well this is the first we've heard of this." Ned finally commented still intensely gazing at his son, wondering what the hell was going on.

"Well like Vivian said…we've just been talking." Sean explained, trying to insert some validity in his voice as he turned his eyes to his pa. "But nothings been set."

"That's true." Vivian quickly declared, attempting to counter Sean's unconvincing response. "But Sean and I would like to be married before the end of the year." She stated, still holding his hand.

"May I ask what's the rush?" Ned asked as he briefly turned his eyes to Vivian; then back to his son; his face etched with seriousness and concern.

"Well…"

"I mean both of you are still recovering from your accidents." Ned resumed, interrupting Vivian's response. "And then there are the numerous projects that Sean has going on in town." He said with a hint of irritation. "I just think… adding wedding plans at this time may be a bit much."

"Oh Mr. Logan." Vivian sighed, working to keep the anxiety out of her voice. "Your concern is touching." She smiled. "But Sean and I can handle the load." She said turning her eyes to the man at her side, who strongly concurred what she'd said, as he forced a smile on his face, struggling to not give any indication that he was now suspicious of her memory loss. "And that's why I'm asking for Alice's help." Vivian continued, encouraged by Sean's support, turning her attention back to the woman who was sitting across from her. "With me, you, and the wedding organizer…things will be arranged in no time." She detailed. "Oh and Lexy you're welcomed to help too of course." She added, now directing her attention to the young girl.

"I don't want to help." Lexy stated stiffly, still staring at her brother, woe and anger emanating from her eyes.

"Well…" Vivian uttered awkwardly. "Well then... I guess it'll just be me and Alice..." She declared with a forced laugh.

"Vivian I don't know if I'm going to be available to help." Alice pronounced, not wanting any part in helping Sean plan a wedding to Vivian, something that she knew would hurt Marita deeply. "I have so much going on here at the house...I just don't think I'll have time." She lied.

"Oh Alice can't you find some time to help?" Vivian feigned a plea. "The wedding just wouldn't be a wedding without Sean's family assisting with the planning."

"Vivian I…"

"Vivian let's just drop it for tonight." Sean interjected as he gently squeezed her hand in attempt to seem loving. "We can arrange a planning party once we set a date." He suggested with strained calm.

"You know what, I have a better idea!" Vivian voiced with excitement, not willing to let this opportunity slip away. "Why don't we set a date now!" She posed as she briefly turned her gaze to Sean, horrifying him and everyone one else at the table.

"Viv…"

"I can't believe you're doing this!" Lexy suddenly yelled, interrupting her brother's response, shocking everyone at the table, even though she was saying what everyone, excluding Vivian and Sean, were thinking. "You don't love her!" she cried.

"Lexy!" Ned reprimanded.

"Pa he doesn't!" She said. "You all know that he..."

"Lexy!"

"Why are you doing this!" she asked of Sean, hurt and anger in her voice. "Why..."

"In the parlor! Right now!" Ned roared.

"But pa..."

"The parlor – Now!" Ned ordered. His youngest daughter heaved a frustrated sigh then angrily stood from her chair, nearly knocking it over and ran from the room.

"I'm sorry." Ned directed to Vivian; then excused himself from the table; leaving everyone feeling awkward and upset, hating this situation.

------------------

Marita lay in bed, awake, staring at the ceiling, thinking of Cholena, specifically her time there with Sean; how wonderful his warmth, his strength felt around her; how it felt to have him lying so close to her; how sometimes they'd just lay in bed, quiet and still, just savoring the feel of being in each other's arms. Marita sighed and turned on her side to face the window, where the moon brightly shined through; her heart aching to talk with Sean, to laugh with him, to make love with him. Her body became flushed at the thought of his touch, intensely yearning for his warmth, his amour; she then closed her eyes, nearly moaning his name, feeling the tears that were threatening to flow at missing him so much. She had to stop this she grieved; somehow she needed to push aside the pain and accept that there was no future for her and Sean together. But how could she do that when she loved him so much; when she might be...carrying his child. His child – Sean's child, she mused with love and angst, the words echoing in her mind, touching her soul. It would be so wonderfully amazing if their time in Cholena had produced such a result. If they were now bound even more by a life they'd created. But Marita still didn't know if that was the case, if she was indeed with child; for the symptoms she was having were similar to symptoms she'd had in the past, when she was under tremendous distress like she was right now. But she'd find out for sure in a few days, she thought with fear and joy, when she and her pa returned to Lexington. She'd then go see Dr. Williams, the only physician she trusted. And he could tell her the truth. He could tell her if she was indeed pregnant. Marita opened her eyes and again stared out the window, knowing that she needed to sleep, that she'd only worry her pa more if she didn't. Her pa who was already so concerned that he was now thinking of moving to Cholena, thinking that that was the only way he could help her through this heartbreak. But even with that, knowing how much she was worrying her pa, Marita still found that she couldn't do it; that she couldn't sleep. For there was too much on her mind, too much pain in her heart, a deep longing that she knew would never die. She needed Sean so much she sighed, struggling to keep the tears at bay. And she wanted to just, throw caution to the wind and marry him. But at the same time she needed to keep him safe, which in the end was what mattered most, what she needed to keep in perspective. Marita continued to lay awake, gazing out the window at the full moon, her heart eternally in anguish, as her soul endless yearned for Sean...

-------------

Sean stood outside on the front porch of his home, gazing up at the moon, his heart aching for Marita. Wondering where she was; what she was doing. He needed and wanted her so much; not just because she added more meaning to his life, by making him happy and sharing his dreams, but because he shared her dreams too, and because he loved so many things about her. He loved her zest for life and books. And he loved her passion for teaching and the pleasure she found in observing the splendor of nature. And he loved her skill with numbers, her ability to solve any mathematical equation, and he even loved her pet-peeves and her unbelievably silly quirks he sadly smiled. She was an extraordinarily beautiful woman – inside and out. And he didn't know how he was going to live without her. Sean heaved a sigh, wanting so much to see her, to talk to her, to touch her -make love to her he yearned as he helplessly closed his eyes, tightening his grip on the railing before him, remembering what she felt like, what she tasted like...How did he get here, he now questioned in pain, slightly wavering in his stance as heated rushed fiercely through him. How did he and Marita get here? Being worlds apart; being no where near having their dreams realized. For she was God only knew where in East Kentucky, and he was here in Lexington, contemplating marrying Vivian. Well he wasn't really contemplating marrying Vivian, but he had to pretend that he was, which was just as bad, until he figured out what was going on with her and her father. After Asa had come by his office and threatened to hurt Marita if he didn't "make his daughter happy," Sean had become suspicious; and had immediately begun to think that something was wrong. For though Asa would do anything to protect Vivian from getting hurt, Sean knew that the man would never condone him having a future with his daughter, especially after all that had happened. The man had barely tolerated him pretending to be Vivian's fiancé. Thus Sean knew that he would never want him to marry her just so she could remain happy. It was all very strange, along with the fact that Vivian had really begun to push for them to marry before the end of the year, something that she hadn't done in the past. For before Asa's threat, Vivian hadn't talked much about it, but now all conversations seemed to lead back to that, which could only be a coincidence or it could be something else. So Sean had begun to listen to Vivian more closely and to watch her, trying to determine if she had her memory back. And though she hadn't said anything, so far, that would prove that she indeed remembered, he did find it strange what she didn't say; how she never asked about the months she'd lost," never making an attempt to get her memory back. And she rarely mentioned the time right before her memory becomes a blank, which was right before their engagement party. It was all very odd and convenient Sean thought. But if Vivian had her memory back, would she be so deceitful? Would she try to trick him into marrying her? And if she did why would Asa try to help her to do this? Even if she'd hatched some sort of elaborate scheme for revenge against him, Sean knew that Asa would never agree to help his daughter get him to the altar. And why would Vivian even ask for her father's help after how angry she'd been with him at the Assemblyman's Dinner. And again, why would Asa agree to help her do this, unless he was trying to make amends for what he'd done. But even still, Asa would never make amends by helping his daughter marry him. He just wouldn't do it. Sean now mused with frustration at being unable to figure out what was going on. He knew that something was off, but...hell he really didn't know if something was off, maybe he was completely wrong. After all, with the fiasco at the dinner tonight, which had caused supper to abruptly end, Vivian could've ignored what had happened and not asked him about what Lexy had said, for fear that he would confess the truth; but she hadn't ignored it. When he'd taken her home, she'd asked him about Lexy's outburst, which he'd explained by honestly confessing that his sister didn't want him to marry her, that Lexy didn't like her. Vivian had seemed genuinely shocked and hurt by this and had accepted this explanation, which meant that she didn't have her memory back – right? Sean still wasn't for sure. For there was still this nagging uncertainty within. So that's why he'd chosen to keep quiet about his doubts. He didn't want to give Asa more cause to go after Marita. And if he was wrong, he didn't want to hurt Vivian with such accusations. Hence he'd play along with Vivian's talks regarding marrying – for now. Until he figured out what was going on. And until he dealt effectively with Asa, making sure the man never again fixed his mind on hurting Marita...

"Good you're back." Sean's father said, disrupting his thoughts as he stepped onto the porch, closing the door behind him. "Now you can explain to me what's going on." He stated seriously.

"Pa this really isn't a good time." Sean uttered quietly, now staring out at the darkness, in no mood to discuss what had happened at dinner or to hear one of his pa's lectures.

"That's funny because I was thinking the same thing about you and Vivian's announcement." Ned countered strongly as he joined his son at the porch's railing. "I was thinking that it's too soon...wait, let me rephrase that, I was thinking that you shouldn't be making plans to marry Vivian when Marita is still in your heart."

"Pa I said I don't want to talk about it." Sean repeated tartly; his gaze still fixed before him.

"You don't love her." Ned continued sternly, ignoring his son's desire to drop the subject. "In fact just a few days ago, heck ever since the start of you helping Vivian through her memory problems you've voiced how difficult it's been for you because you don't care for her the way she thinks you do. And now you're planning to marry her? Something's going on and I want to know what it is."

"Pa just let it go." Sean requested with frustration in his voice as he finally turned his gaze to his father.

"I'm not going to let this go." His pa said, holding his stare. "Not when it's obvious that you're no more happy about this impending marriage than I or the family. You don't want to marry Vivian. So why are you planning to do just that!"

Sean sighed as he briefly closed his eyes, before returning his gaze forward, thinking how he didn't want to tell his pa about Asa's threat or his suspicions about Vivian. Because he knew what his pa's response would be if he told him. And Sean didn't want his pa to renew his plot against Asa, which he'd asked him to drop because of this situation, a plot that he knew that his father would renew if he learned the truth. For his father hated Asa, probably more than him, and wanted the man to pay for all he'd done. But Sean didn't want that, he didn't want his pa to fix this situation. Because this situation, this mess was his, and thus he, not his father, should be the one to resolve it... "Pa Vivian is a good woman." Sean finally said, earnest in his voice. "And thus she's...good for me. And if I...marry her...maybe I can...get my life back on track." He tried to explain, but knew that he was failing miserably at convincing his pa of this lie. "Maybe me ...marrying her... would help restore the lost business here at the ranch." He finished.

For a moment Ned stared at his son who was still looking forward, not believing a word that had just come out of his mouth, trying to understand his son's logic, when suddenly it all became clear, as he now recalled Sean's request from a couple of days before, when he'd asked him to hold off on going after Asa. At the time, Sean had stated that he didn't want Vivian to be again caught in such a ploy and once more get unintentionally hurt. But Ned knew better now. He now understood what was really going on...

"Did someone...Did Asa threaten you?" Ned slowly asked; then watched as his suspicions were confirmed by the indisputable change in Sean's stance. "He did didn't he?" Ned pressed; his temper beginning to rise at the thought. "That's why you wanted me to back off, to leave Asa be, because he threatened you...or he threatened...Marita." He ended in a near gasp as clarity and an intense anger washed over him.

"Pa n..."

"That bastard!" Ned uttered with rage as he stepped away from the porch's railing and briefly paced. "What did he threaten!" He severely queried as he stopped his pace and turned his attention back to Sean.

"Pa it doesn't matt..."

"The hell it does!" Ned roared, cutting off his son's response, now thinking of all Asa had done. "If Asa Winters is threatening you or Marita to get you to marry Vivian..."

"Pa I'm handling it!" Sean interjected, now facing his father, knowing that it was no use in him trying to continue his earlier lie, but still wanting to calm his father's wrath.

"How are you handling it?" His pa countered. "By giving in to Asa' threats? No I will not let you do this! I'm going to deal with Asa once and for all!"

"Pa no!"

"Why not?" Ned questioned with ire, knowing that he had enough ammunition on Asa to put a stop to the man's tyranny for good. "This man is threatening you. He's threatening Marita!"

"Pa I know!"

"And he won't stop this insanity unless somebody stops him!"

"I will stop him!" Sean powerfully yelled, intensely holding his pa's gaze, conveying without words that he had a plan. "Just trust me to handle this problem. My problem" He appealed in a quieter tone as his father still seethed at knowing Asa's threat. "Pa please." Sean again pled. "Please...forget your plan to go after Asa, and let me handle him on my own."