It is another quiet morning at the restaurant where Paulina escapes to for the fifth day in a row. With her hair thrown up in a messy bun, she stands near the stove examining the current inventory of spices and flour required for the new menu. She tosses the work pad down to answer the kitchen phone on the third ring, "Carlinos!"
Jake is pacing in the snow outside his rented vehicle while bundled up in his notable black leather jacket and navy wool scarf. He responds with a crack in his voice, "Cupcake…" He wipes his cold nose letting a few tears fall, "I need you…" The sweet sound of her voice always did something to him.
Paulina stops in her tracks, "Jake – honey." She hears the heartbreak, "Where are you? I haven't heard from you in several weeks. Are you okay?" She looks around to ensure she is alone. "Can you hear me?"
He doesn't respond right away gazing at the surrounding tree-line. Jake scratches his head and knows that she will always be the only one to rely on now and forever. "Yes… I need you", he repeats.
She gathers up her purse and coat, "Jake, where are you?" Paulina checks her watch: 925am
"Canada… I found them… I found the girls." He pauses between each statement.
Paulina is listening carefully and her eyes fill with emotion; then quickly remembers Sofia will be walking thru the door any minute. "Do you want me to fly to Canada? Where do you need me? I will come to you, Jake."
"There will be a town car waiting for you once you land and drive you straight here." He opens the back door to the rented sedan.
"Ok…let me go home and grab a bag. I will get there as soon as I can. I've got you, sweetie."
"Paulina," he pauses. "Paulina, please hurry."
For Jake to reach out for any kind of help is a big step, that he didn't really have back when they were together. This has been a characteristic Vicky pulled out of him when they were married. Friendship between Paulina and Jake has always been there; it never left. Paulina did not give it a second thought to help her dear friend.
An hour and half later, Paulina finally calls Joe from the runway aboard the Cory private jet.
"Joe. I'm going out of town." She is on a mission and cuts to the chase.
"Ok… for how long?" He's puzzled, but also a bit distracted.
"Honestly, I have no idea. Dante is with Hilda and Rachel." She pauses and clears her throat. "He… needs me and I can't let him do this alone."
"Him, who?" Joe slams a file down on the desk.
"Jake. He found the girls, Joe..." Paulina is a bit irritated by his lack of sincerity.
Joe thought this day might come where Jake needs Paulina… needs her like his life depending on it. He went thru the death of Vicky alone, but he couldn't keep on this trail. "Go. Be his friend. Come back as soon as you can."
"Right, ok. Bye…" Paulina hangs up just as the pilot informs her they are cleared for take off. She freshens up her makeup and brushes out her hair; it is really grown out since the last time Jake has seen her, about six inches past her shoulders. Until she lands in Canada, Paulina maintains a string of random thoughts about her life…
Stepping out of the leather interior black town car, she reaches the main door of a multi-story log cabin secluded in the Banff Mountains. Jake opens the door just before she knocks. They haven't been in each other's company for months. He pulls her into a hug that causes her to sigh. He holds her tight. He breathes in her sweet eucalyptus mint perfume calming him immediately. His bear hugs always made her knees weak.
"Thank you for coming." Paulina notices the bags under his eyes and his four day unshaven face. She likes this rugged look on him.
"You look tired, Jake. The girls keeping you up at night." She walks past him with a wink. "Where are they?" She squeezes his hand letting the kiss on her cheek linger.
"Inside… napping." Jake urges her inside dropping her luggage by the entrance.
"This sure is a nicer cabin than we have spent a night in…" Paulina thinks to herself. "How long have you been here?" She spots the childcare books stacked on foyer table.
"About a week or so." He keeps holding her hand. "It is so nice to see you."
"Oh Jake…" She hugs him again, and whispers into his neck, "Can I see your girls?"
As a proud dad, he nods vigorously. He guides her to the twins' room.
Both whispering randomness before Jake introduces his girls to his dear friend, "Michelle is sleeping with her hand under her head." Paulina smiles holding onto Jake's arm. The resemblance of Vicky in both of their faces are clear as day. "And that's Bridget, she is so mischievous, like me."
Jake leads a tour of the rented cabin with Paulina closely behind: The first/bottom floor consists of a game room, fitness room, bathroom, sauna/steam enclosure, and hot tub off the deck. The second/main floor consists of kitchen, dining, living room with fireplace, Twins' nursery, Paulina's guest room and wrapped around covered deck. The third/top floor consists only of the Master Suite, which is Jake's floor.
Sitting in the cozy living room with high ceilings framed in wood, fireplace burning, and tea in hand both on a L Shaped couch.
"Is Joe upset you left?" Jake has never beat around the bush.
"Not at all. He understands." However, she pauses before answering with the word 'left' hanging in mid-air.
"How are things back in Bay City? Is Dante giving Carl a run for his money yet at Cory Publishing?" She laughs at the thought.
There is a lull until Paulina finally asks the question she's been wondering since this morning. "Jake… do you want to tell me what happened?"
"It still doesn't feel real." He reclines back propping his legs on the coffee table. "I thought they died with Vic. I had given up hope of being a father." Paulina hates that thought. "I have a friend at the station I was thinking of buying in Oakdale. We were working on a story that was causing me to fly back and forth. Well, this is going to sound bizarre, but she was getting visions from Vicky." Paulina didn't say anything, she nods for Jake to go on. "Vicky's ghost - from the dead. Anyways, it went on for weeks." Paulina is locked with Jake listening intently hanging on his every word. "These visions turned into a real lead that informed me Vicky gave birth to Michelle & Bridget just before she…." Paulina reaches for his hand. "She named them before she died, Paulina. She didn't let go until she gave birth and named them… anyways, it led me here. The girls have been living here for several months with an older farming couple who took in Vicky."
"Does Donna and Marley know?"
Jake answers with a quick nod. "They have their hands full with Steven and Kirkland, but they are thrilled."
Paulina smiles, "How long do you intend in staying here?" Jake shrugs his shoulders.