Sweet and Sour

It's another day at Llanview High and the art class had just ended. Before everyone left the class Miracle passed out the invitations for her sweet 16 party then walked over to Jaime.

"Hey Jaime, will you come to my party? Everyone's going to be there, not just a bunch of teenagers." Miracle said.

"Sure, why not? I'd love to." Jaime said as Miracle handed her the invitation.

"Thanks. I'll see you in class tomorrow."

Millicent approached Miracle.

"Miry, everyone is talking about your party."

"Hope I don't disappoint."

"It should be fun."

"I do have a little surprise for everyone."

"What's that?"

"Starr is going to perform at my party and for people who don't know her personally, that's a big deal but don't tell."

"I won't, I promise."

"Good, I'm glad I have a girlfriend I can trust. I can trust you, right?"

"Yes. Trust me, you can trust me." They share a laugh.

Ryder came over to them and spoke to Millicent but really didn't pay her much mind and focused his attention on Miracle.

"Hey little cousin, I'm excited for your party. If you need anything, let me know." He said then walked away.

"It looks like Ryder finally decided to leave you alone." Miracle said.

"He's basically been ignoring me but I don't trust him."

"Why?"

"One minute he's all over me then all of a sudden he almost acts like I don't exist?"

"Don't worry about Ryder. He's harmless to be honest with you. Come on, let's get to lunch."

-v-

Gabe was at the country club hanging out with a beautiful young woman that he'd known for a few weeks. They were really hitting it off but she had to go. Hope set next to him once the girl left.

"That's what you like, huh?" Hope asked.

"You mean a girl that doesn't have a bad attitude and isn't full of herself? Yeah that's what I like."

"Good for you."

"I'm sorry. I know you didn't take it well when you found out your parents were going to give you to my parents when you were born."

"You think? My parents didn't want me. I think, "didn't take it well," is an understatement.

"Don't you think you're taking it too hard? They were teenagers, just 15 or 16."

"You don't even know the whole story."

"What's the whole story?"

"Why do you want to know? You don't care."

"Yeah, you're right. Why did I even bother with that attitude?"

"I don't know."

The two of them just sat there silently and Hope begun to think about the recent conversation she had with her mother.

Hope had met Marcie at the Buena's Dias and Marcie accidentally revealed the fact that she was going to adopt Hope when she was born.

Hope went to Starr with a hot-head.

"You and dad were going to give me to Marcie McBain when I was born?"

"Wow. Where did this come from?"

"I just met Marcie and it slipped. She thought I knew."

"Well it's true but it wasn't that we didn't want you. I was 15 when I got pregnant. I was scared and I wasn't ready. Your dad on the other hand didn't have either of his parents at the time and was ready to take on parenthood. I loved you. I just wasn't ready. Anyway, long story short, some things happened and we all decided that I had matured and I was finally ready to be a mother."

"So what were the things that happened?"

"Not important, what is important is that your father and I loved you and we knew we could make it as parents."

"You're not going to tell me? Maybe it's about time I start googling."

"Ok! We thought you were dead! You're going to find out anyway if you start researching. One of Jessica's alters kidnapped you and switched you with her baby that died. When she was herself again and got her memory back she gave you back but that was after months of not having you. By then, I was different and knew I was ready to be your mother."

Hope stood there in silence.

"I'm sure anybody would want a baby after thinking they were dead."

"Hope!"

"And Jessica…" Hope said shaking her head.

"She didn't know what she was doing but that's not important anymore. I love you! Your dad loved you. I know he still does even though he isn't here. You have so much love around you. Don't hold on to something that happened so long ago."

"I know my dad loved me but I wonder about you sometimes."

"How can you say that? You know I love you!"

"Whatever!" Hope said storming out.

-v-

Millicent and Leon walked through Angel Square on a cold winter day arm and arm engaging in conversation.

A little girl ran out and fell. Ryder was near by and helped her up.

"Vida? You need to be more careful." Ryder said once he looked at the girl's face.

Leon turned around once he heard the girl's name and went to check on her. Vida is Leon's seven year old niece, Dani's daughter. Dani's been married about nine years now.

"Vida, are you ok? Who are you here with?" Leon asked.

Dani's husband, Jason Hall walked over with Darren, Jr.

"Didn't I tell you about running away?" Jason said to his daughter. "Thanks for helping her Ryder."

"No problem." Ryder responded. "Be careful V and listen to your dad." Ryder said as he gave Vida a hug. "See you all around." Ryder walked away and Millicent watched with a smile on her face as she had never heard or seen Ryder be such a sweetheart.

"Let's go Vida; we need to get D.J. back to his mommy." Jason said.

-v-

Jaime was at Llanview hospital volunteering in the nursery. She goes there every week to give love to the sick babies who don't have families. She was on her way out to head home but stopped to stare in the window of the nursery just one last time.

"It's sad, isn't it?" Jaime heard a deep, sexy voice say. She turned around.

"Hello, I'm Jaime." She said looking into the eyes of the fine brown skinned man standing in front of her. He was six foot tall, with a nice body and a go-t.

"You're kidding. I'm Jaime too."

"No, really."

"I'm serious. My name is Jaime, Dr. Jaime Hall but you can call me Jay."

"Ok, Jay. Any relation to Jason?"

"Yeah. He's my cousin. How do you know him?"

"Let's see, he's my step-mother's cousin's husband."

"That close, huh?" He said with a laugh. "Do you volunteer here?"

"Yeah! Every week."

"Oh, I was just saying that it's sad how some of these babies have to live but the love they get from the volunteers really help them."

"I hope so."

"Well, I have to get back to my shift."

"I have to get going to."

"Would it be inappropriate if I asked for your number?"

"Not at all. I'd love to talk to you again."

-v-

A few weeks went by and Miracle's highly anticipated party was on. The music was jumping and everyone who had already arrived was enjoying themselves. Miracle hadn't even made her appearance yet.

Hope was already there and watched Gabe's every move with this new girl that he's dating who he just likes so much. Ryder and Liam both entered with girls on their arms. Bree and Sam came with their families. Jaime entered with her new doctor friend and Leon and Millicent entered the party matching, looking like such an adorable couple.

Once the party got going good the birthday girl was almost ready to make her entrance.

Roxy put the finishing touches on Miracle's hair and Destiny helped get her into her dress.

"Aww, you're growing up. I'm so proud of you, Miry. I love you so much." Destiny said as she gave her daughter a hug.

Destiny went out and announced Miracle's entrance in the party. She walked out and all eyes were on her. After Miracle had her moment she announced Starr to the stage and the crowd went wild. Miracle walked over to Leon and Millicent. Leon was speechless as Miracle walked over to him.

"You look beautiful." Leon finally uttered.

"Thanks."

"Happy birthday. I'll be right back." Millicent said then walked away.

"Wow." Leon said.

"That good, huh?"

Starr changed to a slow song.

"What do you say? Dance for the birthday girl?" Miracle asked.

They slow danced until Millicent came back. Miracle noticed Millicent and pulled way.

"Enjoy the party." Miracle said then watched as Leon and Millicent began to slow dance. She looked for a few seconds then went around mingling.

It was almost time to cut the cake but there was one more surprise. She didn't even know about this one.

"Put your hands together for…Snoop Dogg!" Bo announced on stage.

"OMG!" Miracle said then looked at her mother.

"Your grandpa has connections and you know he had to come through for his granddaughter."

After Snoop Dogg performed she got to meet him and then it was time for the cake. "Happy Birthday" was sung and as she went to blow out the candles she heard commotion. It just couldn't go a whole night without drama. Who is it tonight?

Shaun went to see what was going on. Miracle, Destiny and Darren followed. What they found were Miracle's sisters from Matthew's side having a huge argument and a rumble between them was coming.

Matthew now has three other children, two daughters and a son, three different mothers. They don't usually get along and Miracle tries her best to get along with them. The girls Drew and Nicole are thirteen and the boy Asa, is ten.

"Are you kidding me? You two were about to fight at my party? Get over your problems! Gosh! We're family! Dad, aren't you going to do something about this?" She said looking over to Matthew but Matthew passed out at that moment.

"What is going on?" Miracle exclaimed.

Nora checked on Matthew and realized he was so drunk he passed out. Shaun picked up Matthew and carried him out, Bo and Nora followed.

"Isn't this great?" Miracle said completely annoyed. She walked back over to her beautiful purple and blue cake and blew out the candles. Then she picked up the mic.

"Happy birthday to me." She said sarcastically.

"Are you ok?" Darren asked.

"My sisters were about to seriously fight and my drunk father passed out just before I blew out my candles. Can't there ever be one perfect night?" She said as Darren gave her a hug.

"I'm sorry." Destiny said.

"It's not your fault. You tried."

"Poor Miry." Jaime said.

"Do these things happen often?" Jay asked.

"When there are Buchanan's involved it does. Look on the bright side, no guns." Jaime replied.

Millicent walked over to Ryder.

"You look nice! You clean up well!" Millicent said.

"You're talking to me and you tell me I look good? It must be my luck night."

"Oh come on."

"No, it's cool." He said then whispered in her ear. "I knew you couldn't resist me."

Liam noticed then walked over.

"Milli, I have to tell you something over there." Liam said as he took Millicent away and gave Ryder a warning look.

Leon walked over to Ryder.

"Back off!" Leon said.

"I didn't do anything. I didn't have to do anything."

Leon walked away.

"I knew my plan would work." Ryder said to himself then laughed. "People never fail to underestimate me."

-v-

Outside of the party, Hope spoke to Gabe's date.

"It looks like my plan is working." Hope said.

"He is all over me like a dog on a bone." The girl replied.

"Good. When you break his heart, crush it and splatter it to pieces. Make it hurt so bad it feels like a heart attack. Like I said, no one disses Hope Manning."