Chapter Eight

Written by AngelsInstead

"Billie? What's going on?" Bo asked again.

Billie had her arms folded across her chest as she looked down at defiant Ciara. "Are you going to tell your daddy what you've done?"

"I cut up Carly's clothes with the scissors," Ciara admitted.

"Ciara, you shouldn't have destroyed Carly's clothes," Bo said with a frown. "Why- why would you do something so mean?"

"Because Daddy, I don't want Carly living here...or Billie either. It should be just you, me, and Mommy... and maybe Chelsea. Not anybody else," Ciara said. "I don't like Billie... and I REALLY don't like Carly."

"Ciara, this is grown up business. You are just a child. Your mother and I will work all of this out," Bo stated. "In the meantime, we have to do something about what you've done. It isn't okay for you to cut up Carly's clothes with the scissors."

"If Billie doesn't leave, I will cut up all her clothes, too," Ciara threatened.

"I don't think so, young lady," Billie said to the hostile child. "Bo, you're going to do something about her, aren't you? This child is out of control."

All of the sudden Hope appeared from out of nowhere. She glared at Billie as she set down the suitcases she had been carrying in her arms. "What you're seeing is LEARNED behavior," Hope said in disgust. "She learned to behave in that manner from YOUR little spawn. Chelsea has ran this place since the moment she moved in! This is the result her presence has had on Ciara."

"Chelsea? You're blaming this on Chelsea?" Billie gasped. "How low is that? It was your daughter who took the scissors and cut up all of Carly's clothes."

"Come on, Ciara. We are leaving. Say goodbye to your daddy," said Hope as she totally ignored Billie.

"Goodbye? Where are you taking Ciara?" Bo asked Hope.

"We are moving into Victor's mansion," Hope announced. "It seems you have your hands full with Billie, Carly, and your wayward daughter, Chelsea. There is no room here for me and Ciara. We are leaving, Brady...and there is nothing you can do to stop me."

Little Ciara looked traumatized by the arguing between the adults. Bo knew that it was getting out of hand, so to protect his vulnerable daughter, he said, "Okay, I won't fight with you, Hope. If you have to leave, then go. I will come by to spend time with Ciara soon."

"Sure you will," Hope said as she rolled her eyes. She picked up all of her suitcases as she said to Ciara, "Let's go, sweetie."

"Bye, Daddy," Ciara said sadly as she left with her mother.

"Bo, I'm so sorry," Billie said after Hope and Ciara had walked out the door.

XoooXooo

When Chloe arrived home, she found Brady drunk. He was laying on the couch, a bottle of vodka in his hands. "Hey, baby," he said as he looked up at her, a half-grin upon his face. "Wanna party with me? The day is young."

"No, Brady," Chloe said as she looked at him in disgust. "Your drinking is completely out of hand. You need to admit you have a problem... and go get some help."

"I don't have a problem. I just like to have a little fun. What is wrong with you? Don't you want to have some fun with me?"

Chloe took a seat on the plush chair next to the couch. She sighed deeply as she stared into Brady's bloodshot eyes. "I love you, Brady, but this has to stop. You HAVE to get help. I am not asking you; I am telling you. If you want me to stay here with you... If you want to remain a couple, you'll get some help for your addictions."

"I don't want to listen to this!" Brady exclaimed.

"Then listen to this then! I am pregnant, Brady! We're having a baby!" Chloe cried out. "The baby deserves decent parents that are responsible. If you can't be responsible, I am moving out. You decide!"

With that, Chloe stood up and left the room.

XoooXooo

"I love spending time with you, Rex. I am glad you came back," Mimi told him honestly.

Just then Cassie walked into the cafe, seeing Rex and Mimi talking and holding hands. Cassie breezed over to their table and took a seat. "Listen here," Cassie said to Mimi. "You need to treat my brother right ...and if you hurt him again, you're going to answer to me."

Cassie looked deeply into Mimi's eyes, staring her down. "Cassie, enough," Rex said to his sister. "Mimi and I are reconnecting. I can take care of myself."

"But Rex..." Cassie started to protest.

"Mimi, forgive Cassie. She's my twin... and she's extremely protective. I apologize if she's upset you," said Rex.

"Cassie, I know I hurt Rex, but he wants to give me another chance. I don't really know if I deserve it, but I never stopped caring about him. I thought about him everyday. I wish I had never hurt him, but all I can do is try to make it up to him somehow," Mimi stated. "Please give me another chance."

"Cass?" Rex prompted his sister.

XoooXooo

Carly had gone for a walk on the docks. A cool breeze blew through her dark hair. Her soul was aching as she thought of the moment she had stabbed Lawrence, ending his life. "Nicholas... Ohhh Nicholas, my son. How will I ever tell you what I've done?" she said as she stared out at the water.

Suddenly she felt a presence behind her. She turned, staring at the figure before her in confusion. It was her son - Nicholas!

"Nicholas!" Carly gasped. He was a young man now - the perfect blend of herself and his father. How she longed to hold him!

"What is it you have done, Mom?" Nicholas asked. "Is there something you need to tell me?"

Carly frowned as a look of great pain settled up on her face. Tears filled up her bright blue eyes which were identical to those of her son.

"Nicholas, baby... there is something I have to tell you," Carly said sadly.