Winifred opens the door to Tad and Krystal
Winifred opens the door to Tad and Krystal. They head to the living room, joining JR and Babe with little A, Stuart and Marian, and Colby and Adam. "What are we doing here?" Tad asks to everyone.
"Good question." Adam says looking to Stuart.
"All I know is that she requested that we all be here." Stuart answers.
"She who?" JR questions.
"I can't say." Stuart answers quickly.
"Is this what you need the jet for?" Adam looks down at him sitting on the couch as he paces.
"Yes." Stuart looks to Marian, who is just as in the dark as the rest of them. They wait, for what is unsure. Krystal periodically glances at Adam. Only Colby, who feels a little angry at her attention, sees the looks. Tad starts getting impatient.
"We don't have all day. Jake is watching Kate and Jenny. He has to get back to the hospital today." Babe sends little A upstairs to play in the room Adam keeps for him. Finally, the doorbell rings. Winifred hurries to the door. They all listen.
"OH MY!" They hear Winifred gasp. Everyone stands up as Dixie walks in.
"MOM!" JR cries as he stands up.
"Dixie." Tad whispers. Krystal turns her focus from Adam to Tad. Dixie is overwhelmed with emotions at seeing JR. She smiles at him reassuringly as she steps towards him.
"I promise. I'm alive." She says through escaped tears. Adam backs up and JR advances towards her. She holds onto him tightly, not believing that she is really holding her baby boy. "My son." She steps back a bit to look at him. "How is my grandson?" He wipes away his tears.
"Fine, he's upstairs. How can this be? Where have you been? What happened?"
"Yes, what?" Tad finally finds his voice, which was hard staring at his twice dead former wife. His soul mate, his love. He doesn't even notice Krystal take his hand.
"I will tell you everything just know that it wasn't my choice." Holding JR close, she looks to Tad. "I understand you found Kate. Is she happy? Healthy? I would like to meet her when you…"
"You'll meet her today but first I need to know how to explain it." After Dixie hugs Stuart, they all take a seat to listen to her explanation. Babe is guilt-ridden and apologetic finding out that her dad was behind it all. "I don't blame you. Do not worry." She explains about the drug testing and that he periodically put her in comas to test drug effects. "Son of a bitch." Tad swears but Dixie continues her story.
"Then I got a visitor." She looks to Colby. "David ran into Liza." Colby sits up and Adam's interest is not lost on Dixie. "He took her from her hotel room and planned to use her the same way."
"Is she alright?" Colby speaks up beating Marian to the question. Dixie pats her hand.
"Yes. Colby looks relieved but it is Adam who sighs. "I have to admit, she is amazing. I always considered her just a snobbish b…brat." She corrects glancing at Colby. "But…she's my hero. She brought me out of my hopelessness that had developed and into life again. Within hours, she had a plan of escape based on my previous attempts." She goes on to explain how Liza disarmed the guard through to when David showed up at her office.
"What happened?" Marian asks getting caught up in the tale and wanting to know how Dixie is here and where Liza is.
"Well, he came in as Liza was hanging up with Stuart. He drew his gun. He told us he had gone to his facility and that the guard I stabbed was dead and he figured we would call the police so he shot the one that Liza knocked out. Then, I don't know what happened. He started spouting off about all that we had done to him, in his mind that is. I didn't love him. Liza never showed him respect." She looks at Adam. "He changed Liza's AFP levels when she was pregnant with Colby. He did it to get her DNA so he could run a paternity test." Adam shoots up.
"Bastard. He risked Colby's life to get back at me. Liza was scared and distraught the whole…" Colby grabs his arm.
"Dad, let her finish." Dixie smiles at Colby as Adam sits.
"That was Liza's reaction. She was furious and I guess her movement towards him startled him. He fired. She was hit in the arm. Nothing major." She assures them. "I was shocked and shot back at him. I had kept the gun with me like Liza said to do." She turns to Babe. "I'm sorry but he died almost instantly." Babe just nods in understanding. "Liza took the gun from me. She had her security guard take me to the airport. Half way here, she called to say that she told the police that I had left and that she shot him in self-defense. And that her wound was superficial. That was the end. I met the Chandler jet in New York and hers went back to Vienna." Adam fears for Liza, what if the trauma causes early labor. Maybe Colby knows how to get in touch with her.
"Colby, Marian, Stuart lets leave them to catch up." Adam says as he stands back up. "Dixie stay as long as you all need to."
"Thanks Dad." JR says looking up to him.
"Let Winifred know if you need anything." The four of them go into Adam's study. He never gets a chance to quiz Colby because of Stuart and Marian's excitement over the family's good fortune.
Adam turns off his computer. He is a little distracted thinking of all the things he wants and needs to say to Liza. Dixie taps on the door to get his attention. "Adam?"
"Yes Dixie, what can I do for you?"
"I wanted to thank you again for letting me stay here." He smiles.
"After you haunting me, whether or not it was really you, I have come to terms with all I did to you and our son. Please stay until you get back on your feet."
"JR said that you have 'another' business trip. He seems concerned about you." He walks around his desk.
"Not you, too." She stops him before he walks out. "Dixie…"
"Say hi to Liza for me." He steps back. "You have quizzed me on her and Vienna, but mostly her since I got back. Always when we are alone." Adam closes the door behind her. "Why don't you want people to know? I would think Colby would be ecstatic about having her parents together."
"Dixie, she doesn't want anyone to know about us. What ever is going on between her and Colby is unknown and then Marian told her not to contact her because she thought it would disrupt her relationship with Colby. I notice you left out certain details about Liza. Did she ask you to?"
"Her pregnancy?" He nods. "No, she didn't ask me not to say anything. I was more focused on my children, not yours."
"Ok, I will say hi for you." He opens the door. Adam makes it to the city limits before noticing that JR is following him a few cars back. He dials JR's cell number. "Son?"
"Yes, dad."
"Why are you following me?"
"I'm not, I am on campus." Adam looks in his rearview mirror.
"Really? Hand the phone to your sister."
"Colby? Colby is at home probably."
"Or in the seat next to you. Go home. Your mother would like to see you." He hangs up and gets on the interstate. JR doesn't follow.
"Why are you stopping?" Colby turns to him.
"Because he would drive us in circles. Next time Colby. Maybe my mother heard something since she is staying at the estate."
"I stay at the estate and don't know anything." They drive to the estate. Colby slips into Adam's study while JR and Dixie talk. She takes a deep breath and exhales as she picks up the phone. Twice, she gets halfway through the number and hangs up. Third times the charm, she lets it ring several times before hanging up. She calls a different number and stutters when someone answers. "Hi, um…George, its Colby. Is my…is mom there?"
"Hold on." Is it me or did he drop the phone for effect. I guess they all hate me. Colby waits arguing with herself on whether to hang up or not when she hears someone.
"Hello?"
"Sarah?" Colby is confused.
"Dr. Wallace to you. Colby, Liza is away on business. What do you need?"
"I just…I heard that she…um…got hurt. I wanted to check on her."
"She is fine." There is a long pause. "Ok, she said that if you ever called to let you know that all of your stuff is boxed and in the storage facility. If you want it, the owner has the key and your name. Just take your id. Bye." Sarah hangs up and Colby sneaks up to her room.
Adam slowly walks to the penthouse door hearing the music blaring through the walls.
I got a pocket, got a pocketful of sunshine.
I got a love, and I know that it's all mine
Oh.
Do what you want, but you're never gonna break me.
Sticks and stones are never gonna shake me.
No.
He takes the key out of his pocket and opens the door.
Take me away: A secret place.
A sweet escape: Take me away.
Take me away to better days.
Take me away: A higher place.
Liza is standing in the kitchen with her back to him.
I got a pocket, got a pocketful of sunshine.
I got a love, and I know that it's all mine.
Oh.
Do what you want, but you're never gonna break me.
Sticks and stones are never gonna shake me.
No.
I got a pocket, got a pocketful of sunshine.
I got a love, and I know that it's all mine.
Oh.
Wish that you could, but you ain't gonna own me.
Do anything you can to control me.
Oh, no.
He can't help but smile at her singing along and dancing around to the music while cooking.
Take me away: A secret place.
A sweet escape: Take me away.
Take me away to better days.
Take me away: A higher place.
He quietly puts down his bag and stands still watching her.
There's a place that I go,
But nobody knows.
Where the rivers flow,
And I call it home.
And there's no more lies.
In the darkness, there's light.
And nobody cries.
There's only butterflies.
Take me away: A secret place.
A sweet escape: Take me away.
Take me away to better days.
Take me away: A higher place.
Take me away: A secret place.
A sweet escape: Take me away.
She turns around looking down at the pan still not noticing him. She looks alright from the Vienna ordeal.
Take me away to better days.
Take me away: A higher place.
Take me away: A secret place.
A sweet escape: Take me away.
Take me away to better days.
Take me away: A higher place
The sun is on my side.
Take me for a ride.
I smile up to the sky.
I know I'll be all right.
The sun is on my side.
Take me for a ride.
I smile up to the sky.
I know I'll be all right.
The song ends and he clears his throat. "Adam! Wow, you scared me." She takes a large bite of garlic bread.
"Well then, we are even." She looks at him confused.
"Wha?" She asks with a full mouth.
"You scared me. You're kidnapped, shot…anything else. Drugged? Then, you call Stuart. Liza, I …" He is building up steam. "I am the father of the baby you are carrying. I should have been the one you called." She watches him trying to not be angry.
"Adam…" She walks around the counter.
"No. No, I am tired of this. I have followed your rules. I haven't pushed you, really. Plus, I found out that you bought Chandler Enterprises. How could you do this? I have…"
"Stop! That's enough. Are you going to let me defend myself or just continue to yell at me?" She rubs her, now obvious, pregnant stomach. He softens.
"That's not fair, Liza." She steps into his arms. The baby kicks him.
"Baby agrees with me." She leans in a little more to kiss him taking in his scent. "You smell wonderful. I'm glad you got here early, we have an appointment in an hour." She walks back to the kitchen.
"Appointment?" She points to her stomach.
"I promised to find a doctor here so you could be at the appointment. I tried to get one later in the week but she was full."
"Thank you. Liza…"
"Adam, I called you first. When we got to my office, I called you. No one answered. I was trying to get us out of there as quickly as I could. So, I called Stuart."
"Fine." She puts bowls of leftovers in the fridge. "You called me?" She smiles at him.
"My first thought. Come on, we should head out." Why can't I be mad at her, he thinks watching her get her purse.
"Chandler Enterprises…"
"Can that wait until after our appointment? It's not going anywhere." He nods and they leave.
Adam paces back and forth waiting for the doctor to come back in. "Adam come here." She pulls him close to her. "Relax. Why are you so tense?" He brushes her hair back.
"I can't wait to see him or her. And I hate doctor's offices." She laughs.
"I'm the one getting…violated, I guess you could say."
"At least it's a woman. I always hated Dr. Clader looking… and then David delivering…"
"Don't remind me. I prefer a woman myself. She'll come back and do the sonogram, take some blood and we will go." The doctor comes back in and they see the head and hands, the spine and feet. Liza can't help but tear up.
"Can you tell the sex?" Adam asks mesmerized by the screen.
"No, it's still a little early. Next time, maybe." Dr. Myers smiles at Liza. "What are you wanting?"
"We have a girl, so I was hoping for a boy." Liza responds.
"Everything is alright with the baby and Liza, then?" The doctor puts down the sonogram and wipes off Liza's stomach.
"Mother and child are fine. Dr. Wallace sent me your file. Do you have any complaints since the ordeal two weeks ago?"
"No." She sits up. "I'm fine. No pains, cramping, or bleeding."
"Good. Liza, everything seems on schedule. I will call you with your blood results."
"Ok. Doctor, can you include Adam with those results?"
"Sure. Leave his numbers with my nurse." She starts to leave.
"Oh, and sex?" She and Adam turn to Liza. "Adam and I have a pretty active...um, just wondering." She smiles at them.
"Occasionally, but I would take it easy." Liza hops down after she leaves. Adam watches her get dressed. He pulls her into a hug.
"No sex. Well, what are we going to do?" Liza laughs.
"I guess we will have to talk. Or cancel our time until next month."
"Not a chance in hell. I think we have to talk. We have a conversation from earlier to continue." He reminds her before they leave.