Author's Note - This update was written by Daphne.

"I can't marry you, Cristian," Jessica whispered. Her already fragile heart shattered as she said those five words, but she knew she could never enter into a marriage that had happened solely for the sake of a child. Jessica wanted Cristian to marry her because he loved her so deeply that he couldn't imagine any other alternative where they didn't end up together. She wanted the life with Cristian they had planned as teenagers - the one she had so foolishly thrown away.

A single teardrop dropped rolled down her cheek and she shivered as he reached out and gingerly caught it on his thumb. "Why won't you marry me?" He asked. His voice was quiet; raspy. She saw a storm of emotion in his dark eyes. He had always had the most expressive eyes.

"Because," she said as if that should explain everything.

"Because, what?" He stroked her cheek with his fingers. His gentle, artist's fingers. She wanted him so much. She loved him so much. It was almost too much to bear.

Jessica turned away, moved over to the window. She needed to put distance between them. She needed that or she was going to do something foolish like ask him to hold her; to kiss her until all of her fears and worries dissipated. Her hands found her flat stomach as she rested her forehead against the cool, frosty glass.

"Jess?" He called to her. "Talk to me. Please."

Jessica's tiny shoulders lifted in a shaky heave. "I can't marry you because … I've seen too many marriages fall apart that started because of an unexpected pregnancy. I mean, look at John and Marty. They are probably going to get married and yet they both look perfectly miserable. But because of their child-" She paused as she felt him come to stand beside her. He rested a large hand on the glass beside her head, staring out at the rainy night.

"Jess," Cristian said gently, patiently, "you can't possibly be comparing what we share to what John and Marty share. It's a totally different situation. They've never been in love with each other."

"Well, we have been in love," Jessica said, another tear falling. "And somehow that makes it all that much harder."

"How so?"

"Because, Cristian!" She cried out suddenly, surprising him; surprising herself. "I don't want to be your obligation! I don't want our baby to be your obligation either. You and I - we loved each other once and it was the best love I've ever known. I just couldn't stand to be in a marriage with you that existed in name only. It would break me. Don't you get it? It would break me into a million pieces. I don't know if I'd ever be alright again."

"Oh, Jess," Cristian murmured. "Don't you know?"

"Know what?" She whispered as he enfolded her in his arms. She struggled for a moment but surrendered to the embrace when he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead and to her nose and finally to her lips.

"That I still love you," Cristian said against her mouth. He ran his fingers through her wavy, soft blonde locks. "That I always have. It's you. It will always be you. I tried to push you out of my heart. I tried to move on, but I can't. You're all I want. You're all I will ever want, Jessica. This marriage would not just be about our baby; it would be about us. I don't regret what we did, Jessica. I do regret if I made you think you were just a side piece or a fling. Because you could never be that to me. Ever."

Jessica's hands fisted in his tee-shirt and she rested her tear-stained face against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. "I love you too, Cristian, so much."

He sighed softly. "God. I've been waiting for years to hear those words pass your lips again."

"I love you, Cristian," she said again. She stared up at him. Her eyes were misty. "But what about Layla? And Brody? How do we tell them about this? They're going to be so hurt, Cristian. I never wanted to hurt them."

"Me either," Cristian said.

"I was stupid, Cristian - getting involved with Brody, or any other man - when it was you who I wanted all along. I just never thought you could forgive me for what I did; for how I hurt you."

"Oh, Jess," Cristian said huskily. "I forgave you a long time ago. I was waiting - hoping - for a second chance. I was just too stubborn to ask for one. So I tried to move on too; tried to push my feelings for you, down deep, even though sometimes they threatened to swallow me whole... But then we started spending time together again recently and those kisses we shared … The night you were in my arms … I woke up again. I realized I was sleepwalking through life and I'm awake, Jessica. I am living again because of you. I'm sorry people are going to be hurt, but I'm not sorry I found you again. I am not sorry I told you I still love you and that you told me what I've always wished for - that you feel the same."

"Cris…" Jessica wrapped her arms around his impossibly broad shoulders and leaned in for another kiss that rendered her breathless with desire.

The door suddenly opened. "Cristian, you're not going to believe the day I've -" Layla started. She broke off when she saw Jessica and Cristian holding each other close, so close, they looked like they were of one body and one heart.

Jessica and Cristian disentangled. Jessica looked at Cristian searchingly. How would he handle this? Would he make excuses to Layla? Would he apologize for being with Jessica; say it didn't mean anything? She felt ill at the thought, even as she told herself that she could believe in Cristian's love; even as she knew he would be loyal to her.

"Layla," Cristian started. "I wasn't expecting you."

"Yeah, I would guess not," Layla said. "What the hell, Cristian? You and prissy Princess Jessica Buchanan? Am I not enough woman for you?"

"Layla, come on. Don't call Jess names."

"Jess," Layla mocked. "Is that your pet name for her? Is that the little name you use when you're fucking her?" Her eyes blazed. "And you are fucking her, right? Exactly how many times have you two made a fool out of me?"

Jessica resented Layla's use of the word "fucking" to describe what had transpired between her and Cristian. For Jessica, it had been so beautiful - less of a physical act, and more of a coming home. She had known she'd finally found her way back to where she belonged the moment her body was joined with Cristian's again.

"It doesn't matter how many times," Cristian said.

"Well, this is the part where you are supposed to say you're sorry and that you didn't mean for it to happen," Layla spat. "But you're not, are you? You're supposed to care about my feelings here, Cristian! We're a couple. Or I thought we were."

"I am sorry, Layla… Sorry that I hurt you. Sorry you had to find out this way because you deserve better than that. But I'm not sorry Jessica and I were together; that we found each other again."

"You're seriously throwing me aside like yesterday's trash?"

"I was lying to myself and to you. Promising you a future when the only future I can imagine is one with Jessica."

"Fine! Fine!" Layla spat. "Have your little picture perfect, white picket fence future with Princess Jessica. Just remember, you were the one who convinced me to give us a try. I was so reluctant to be with you after what happened to Evangeline. I felt so guilty because I had what she couldn't, but you convinced me to let you in; to take a chance on you; to trust you. And yet, you did this to me. To me and to Evangeline. You're a piece of shit. You and your little blondie here both are!"

"Trash me all you want, but leave Jessica out of this," Cristian said in a low but firm tone of voice.

"Oh I am leaving period. Goodbye. You two have a nice life. I am going to see my sister. She's the only one who could possibly understand what an asshole you are, Cristian Vega." Layla started for the door and then paused mid-step, turning to look at him for a moment. "The sad thing is, I tried to be a good girlfriend to you. I tried so hard to be what you needed, but I couldn't be. Because I wasn't her, huh?"

Layla spun on her heel then and she was gone. Jessica looked at Cristian. "That was -" She struggled to find the right word and finally settled on - "horrible."

"Yes, it wasn't a walk in the park, that's for sure… Are you okay?"

"Me? You're the one who just got your head ripped off. And Layla… She just had her heartbroken. She loves you… Maybe it's not too late for you two to-"

Cristian placed two fingers gently to her lips. "Hey, shh. Don't finish that sentence. It is too late for Layla and me. It never should have begun in the first place. Not with her or anyone else either. I should have fought harder for you instead of giving up; instead of letting my stubborn pride do the talking… None of this ever would have happened otherwise… I love you, Jessica. I didn't want to hurt Layla. But I can't let you go. I never will be able to."

Jessica's eyes filled with new tears. "I can't let you go either." She drew her close to his hard body and she snuggled close. "Now that Layla knows, I have to tell Brody too."

"I don't want you doing it alone."

"It would be better if he heard it from me."

"I want to come with you. I don't trust him not to throw a fit. If you or the baby got hurt-"

"We'll be fine."

"Still…"

"Alright," Jessica said. "But I think we should do it tonight - go to his place and tell him right now before Layla can tell him first."

"Yeah, let's go," Cristian said. He figured that the sooner they handled this explosive situation, the sooner he could officially propose to Jessica. God willing, she would say "yes" now that she knew how he truly felt about her.

Xoxoxo

Todd rushed into the hospital, careening to a jerky stop at the nurse's desk. "I got a call that Tea Delgado was brought in after some kind of car accident. How is she? I need to see her right now."

The nurse, a plump fifty-something, looked at him with disinterest. "I am not liberty to discuss that. Only immediate family-"

"Well, I am immediate family," Todd barked. "I'm her husband." He wasn't sure he would ever get used to saying that. He was Tea's husband.It was surreal. Sure, they had been married before, but that seemed like almost half a lifetime ago. So much had changed since then, and now they were a couple, but in name only. She still longed for his brother and she also loved Blair, of all people. And he … He loved Marty. He always would.

He shook his head to clear his thoughts. He glared at the nurse. "Take me to Tea right now, or I swear I will bring this whole fucking hospital down around your head. And don't think I can't do it."

The nurse looked appropriately intimidated. "Right this way, Sir."

"Good nurse," Todd said drolly. He followed the waddling woman to the door of the hospital room. He heard loud moaning coming from inside and immediately pushed his way inside. Tea, all bruised and bandaged, twisted on the bed in agony as a doctor stood at her bedside.

"Ms. Delgado, we've given you something to try to stop the contractions," the doctor said. Todd thought her name was Vivian something or other.

"The baby … It's too soon. He can't be born yet," Tea moaned. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

Todd moved over to her. He hesitated and then took her hand. "Tea, I'm here. I came as soon as I heard. What's going on?"

Tea stared up at him in surprise. "Todd?" She said, almost as she thought she was imagining his presence.

"Yes, it's me. Who else? Just how badly did you hit your head?"

"Ms. Delgado sustained a mild concussion," the doctor said, "but we're more worried about other issues."

"Other issues? Such as?" Todd pressed.

"She may very well give birth before the night is over."

"But this baby isn't due for another - what? Like two months? That's too soon."

"I know…"

"Well, do something. Stop the kid from coming out!" Todd bellowed. "Just don't stand there."

"We're doing all that we can."

"Well do more," Todd said. He rolled his eyes and looked at Tea. "Tea, what can I do to help?"

Tea closed her eyes. "You can leave."

"What?"

"You heard me. Leave. I don't want you here, Todd. I want Victor. I want Victor!" She cried. More tears slid down her face.

"Victor's not-"

"I know!" She screamed. "I know. He's gone and he's not coming back. But I need him. I need him. He would know what to say right now; he would know what to do. I'm at a loss. I am at a total loss. I'm so alone!"

"You are not," Todd said. He sighed. "Would it help if I called someone?"

"Who?" Tea sniffled.

"Blair," Todd said. "I know she'd be here in a hot second if she knew her lover-girl was in distress."

Tea opened her eyes and looked up at Todd. "Would you really do that for me?"

Todd nodded slowly. "And for my little nephew inside of you."

"Thanks," Tea murmured. She clutched her belly.

Todd shrugged. "Yeah." He walked out into the hallway. He withdrew his cell phone from the pocket of his suit jacket and dialed.

Blair answered on the third ring. "Todd," she said in annoyance, "what do you want?"

"Hello to you too, ex-wife," he grumbled.

"Well, whenever you call, it's never good news."

"Yes, well I hate to be predictable, but you're right - it isn't good news." He peeked in at Tea again. She was lying in the bed, her forehead red and bathed in sweat.

"See?"

"I am calling about Tea."

"What about Tea?" Blair asked. "Is she alright?"

"No. She was in an accident. She and the baby are both in bad shape."

"Oh my god!" Blair cried. "Are they going to be okay?"

"Hopefully. But Tea… She needs you here, Blair. So if you really care about her, you'll get your ass down to the hospital right now and hold her hand or something, okay?"

"Yes, of course. I'll be right there."

Todd disconnected the call and slid his phone back into his pocket. He was about to return to Tea's room when suddenly he spotted a familiar figure come staggering out of a room down the hall, clutching her hugely pregnant belly.

"Marty?"

She looked up at him. "Oh, Todd, thank God you're here!"

Todd's eyes went wide in surprise. "Now those are words I never thought I'd hear you say."

"You have to help me find him… The doctors... They aren't listening to me but you … You will. You'll believe me, won't you?"

"What are you talking about, Marty?" Todd asked. He moved to her, closing the distance between them. "And what the hell happened to you? You're a mess." She looked every bit as bruised as Tea, if not worse. She had several stitches on her forehead and one on her cheek. A bloodied bandage covered her right temple.

"It doesn't matter, Todd!" Marty said in exasperation. "The point is I saw him. He rescued me. He's the one who brought me in here. You have to believe me."

"Who? What are you talking about?" Her eyes were wild and shiny. "Never mind. I think you need to get back to bed. I'll call your doctor."

"No, Todd, no. We have to find him!"

"Marty, no."

"Todd-"

"Marty, come on. I am - dammit, I'm worried about you!" he said. "You're obviously not okay right now. Let me help you into bed and then you can tell me what it is you're so jazzed up about."

"Todd, please. I have to find him."

Todd didn't answer. He gingerly took her by the arm. He pulled her along the corridor even as she struggled. He was truly worried in her frantic state she would fall and hit her head again. He managed to wrangle her into her hospital room and over to the edge of the bed. "Time to lay down," he said.

Marty shook her head vehemently. "Todd, you have to listen to me. No one else will. My son - my son is alive! Cole is alive. I saw him. He was the one who brought me to the hospital; I just know it." She stared at him then and for a moment, the fogginess in her eyes ebbed away and her voice was steady. "Todd, my son is alive. I know it sounds crazy, but he's out there somewhere. I need him back. I need him here with me. I need you to use all of your resources to track him down. Please."

Todd stared at her. He couldn't wrap his mind around what he was hearing. Cole was alive? How was that possible? It wasn't possible. Cole and Hope were dead. They all knew that. His daughter still mourned for them every day of her life. Starr had tried to move on but she couldn't. She was stuck in a never ending spiral of grief.

"Please tell me you'll find Cole."

Todd nodded. "Alright. Marty," he agreed. He realized he could use this to his advantage. "If Cole is alive, I swear I'll find him for you. But if I do… You owe me. Big-time."

"Alright," Marty said without hesitation. She was so eager to have her eldest child back in her life that she had no idea what she was agreeing to.