Grown Ups: Part III

One month later…

It's the holiday season and Miracle's 17th birthday had just passed. Everyone is safe and grateful at this point. As usual, not everyone's relationship is solid, not everyone's life is solid but just about everyone is feeling a little more cheerful.

Destiny and Dani were at Llanview Hospital for Dani's OBGYN appointment. They just came out of the doctor's office.

"Des, thanks for coming to my appointment with me. I know you don't really want to be here with me." Dani said.

"It's ok. Life is too short and we've been friends for too long to let Matthew Buchanan ruin it." Destiny said.

"I agree but it's not like its something small, I'm having his baby."

"Yes you are but like I said, you're my friend, my sister and I love you. I don't want you to go through this alone. I know what that's like and it sucks."

"Yeah, Matthew is still recovering from what happened to him last month so it may be awhile before he's involved with this. Things were hard between Jason and I and I was almost out the door but I didn't leave because I couldn't. I felt so guilty for cheating on him and he was so good to me. Now I'm having Matthew's baby. I'm such an idiot."

"Been there, done that, lived that SOAP Opera. It'll be ok. Jason is just pissed right now, he'll come around."

"I'm not so sure."

"You recently told me that he committed a crime. He stole a lot of money and files from BE and has been covering it for years. He put you and your entire family in a bad position and when you found out you lived with it for months and kept his secret. Then he did all that because he didn't want to tell you that he lost all his money. He kept a huge secret from you and put you in a bad position and you tried to stick it out, you were under a lot of pressure and stress and you turned to the first asshole that pursued you. We all make mistakes. Jason is a good person and an even better husband. He loves you and once he calms down he will be there for you and your baby."

"How are you? Are you in love with Matthew again?"

"If one more person asks me if I'm in love with that jerk I am going to scream. The answer is no! How can I love someone like that? Besides I am madly in love with my HUSBAND."

"You and Matthew share a bond. You have a daughter together. He was your first love."

"That doesn't mean anything. I have a son with my husband and you're about to have Matthew's baby, does that mean you're going to want to be with him and you're his first love, does that mean he wants to be with you? Better yet, Nate was your first love, do you want to be with him?"

"You made your point but Nate and I was different. People didn't look at us and say, 'Hey, those two are meant to be.' I never thought that either but people thought that of you and Matt all the time and you were the main one. You always thought you two were meant to be back in the day. You even offered to marry him when he was 16 in a wheelchair so that he could be emancipated."

"I was joking about marrying him and I was just some dumb teenager in love. Things change and so do people."

"There has never been anything dumb about you, Destiny."

"I don't want Matthew and I don't want to talk about this anymore."

"You should go. I know you must want to be with Miracle and Evan."

"They're ok for now. Leon and my mom are with them."

"Which mom?"

"My grandmother."

"How are they anyway?"

"Miry is ok and Evan is coming along. Look at his genes, he comes from survivors. He's finally not living in an incubator anymore. He's able to be held and touched."

"It really makes my day to hear that"

-v-

Brendan was gradually becoming more comfortable in the real world; in the society he's been sheltered from his entire life. He just entered the Buena's Dias, his new favorite restaurant Blair introduced him to a few months ago. When he walked in he noticed Izzy sitting in a booth alone. He's only ever seen the picture Roxy showed him and he thought she was even more beautiful in person. He spent the past month hoping he would meet her, this was his opportunity.

He walked over to her nervously because as everyone knows Brendan hasn't interacted with many people in his thirty-five years of living.

"He-Hello." Brendan said with a shaky voice standing at Izzy's table.

She looked up at him wondering why this stranger was talking to her.

"… Hi. Do I know you?" Izzy asked.

"No… You may know some of my family. I'm Brendan Thornhart."

"Ok." Izzy said still wondering why he was talking to her.

"Would it be ok if I talk to you?"

"I don't talk to strange men."

"I'm harmless, I promise."

"Why do you want to talk me?"

"I used to know your mother."

The statement caught Izzy off guard.

"Did my father put you up to this?"

"No. I've never met him."

"Ok. You can sit. I'm listening."

Brendan joined Izzy at the table and then sat silently.

"So? How did you know my mother?" Izzy asked.

"I grew up with her. Her mother basically raised me and she was my best friend."

"Interesting…"

"I heard your name on the news when the kidnapping happened. It sounded familiar. Roxanne showed me a picture of you and you look just like your mother when she was your age."

"So why do you want to talk to me?"

"I heard you haven't seen her since you were a little girl."

"You heard, correct."

"Don't you wonder where she is, how she's doing?"

"Of course I do."

"I can find her for you."

"Why do you want to do that?"

"I told you, she was my best friend. My brother-in-law is already looking for her. He's a P.I. He said he was close."

"What happens if you find her?"

"Hopefully, we both can see her again… Why haven't you seen her anyway?"

"I don't really know you. I don't feel comfortable telling you my life story."

-v-

Téa sat in her bow window in her living room and stared out into her beautiful backyard with pure white snow all over the ground in a daze, thinking about her children and grandchildren. Then she snapped out of it and looked around her beautifully decorated, holiday festive living room.

She thought about all the Christmases she's spent with Shaun, her children and everyone who has become apart of her family and then realized this would be the first Christmas she would be spending with all of those people and her relatives that had almost become strangers to her but she had had close relationships with when she was growing up.

Her mind began to stray. She began to think about her first Christmas with Victor, granted, it wasn't a great Christmas because he was seriously depressed and she was keeping the huge secret that she had a daughter, who she didn't yet know was in fact "his" daughter. She spent so much of that time making him feel better and putting a smile on his face and frankly, he did the same for her. She could never resist his sense of humor. The next Christmas they spent together, Victor knew about Dani and they had a great time together but Dani was furious with the both of them. Unfortunately, they never got another Christmas or new year together and they never had one where Leon was involved so this would be their first Christmas together. She thought about all the Christmases they never had. Téa knew her relationship with Victor wasn't perfect but it was in its own little way; it was imperfectly perfect. It was like their imperfections were what made them work and they balanced each other out as humanbeings.

Her relationship with Shaun is great in its own way. It's different than her relationship with Victor, its two very different dynamics. She loved Shaun dearly and their relationship was dynamite but Victor kept popping into her head… like now when she thought of the wild sex she and Victor used to have anywhere, including the courtroom.

"Ugh! Get out of my head."

"What?" Shaun asked walking into the room.

"Oh, nothing."

"We should talk."

"What's wrong, Teddy?" Téa said as Shaun sat on the couch and she left her spot in the window to join him.

"Us."

"…Why would you say that?"

"We've been off for a few months now. I know you noticed… Do you have feelings for Vic?"

"Why would you ask me that?"

"Every since I walked in hear and saw you two all… I don't know… gushy, playing Money Honey together, we haven't been the same. Vic's subtly trying to get you back and who could blame him? I'm surprised because subtle isn't exactly his middle name so I have to give it to him."

"Do you mean subtly trying to get me back like Evangeline has subtly been trying to get you back?"

"No, she's not. That's ridiculous."

"Sure."

"That's beside the point, I think apart of you is wondering what could have been with Vic since you were robbed of the chance and I understand. I don't like it and it hurts but I understand."

"Teddy, I love you."

"I believe you do and I love you too but I think you love Vic too and I think at this point you really want to finish what you started with him."

"Do you want Evangeline back? I've seen you two together and something has changed there."

"No, it hasn't."

They both just stared at each other, neither believing the other nor believing themselves.

"Our love for each other is as real as the sky is blue and as huge as the sky too. There is no denying that but I think we need to be honest." Shaun said.

"We're both in love with people from our past." Téa said.

"No, you are."

"Come on, Shaun, admit it to yourself first then admit to me. You love Evangeline."

"Say it. Say it!"

"Maybe… I don't know."

"Close enough… what are we going to do now?"

"Separate."

"Shaun… separate? It's the holidays, what about the family?"

"We will always be family, we have little Evan now, plus we've all been together too long for any of that to change. This is just something we have to do."

Téa's eyes began to water.

"Come on, don't do that. I can't take that." Shaun said as he hugged her. "Its funny, we both want people who don't have the same name they had when we fell in love with them."

"That's not funny." Téa said in a sad voice.

"I know. It hurts but I'm just trying to ease our pain."

"Ok… We can separate but we have to act like we're together just until after New Years."

"That's alright with me."

"… Do you think Vic and Evangeline were working together and setting us up for this to happen?"

They both thought about it for a second.

"Nah." They said in unison as they shook their heads.

-v-

Victor just came back home to his new condo that he got after he won his case against Todd for half of everything he owned from the hospital but he was not alone. He was with Evangeline. They went to see Evan and were both ecstatic about his growth and ever progressive health.

"Man, that kid is tough. Did you see the way he gripped my finger?" Victor said as he sat on the couch and Evangeline joined him.

"I saw. He's gotten so much stronger but look at who he's related to. We were both declared dead and we both busted out the grave and came back stronger. You can't kill us." Evangeline joked. "I heard Matthew flat lined once and was revived and everyone thought Téa was dying, she was pumped full of poison and now she's healthy as a horse. Of course our little Evan Delgado-Buchanan Lord was going to make it and get stronger."

"Boy, they were having fun when they were naming him."

"It's a nice name Vic."

"Yeah, in theory. Anyway, you mentioned Téa. We've been pursuing Téa and Shaun all this time, maybe they're stronger than we thought. Maybe we should give up."

"Give up? When did that become a part of your vocabulary?"

"Most of my life has gone to waste. I don't want to waste anymore of it."

"I agree with you." Evangeline sighed.

They both looked defeated. They felt like they both lost their true loves. They just stared into each other's eyes and it led to a kiss, the kiss became most intense and passionate. They finally stopped and looked at each other. The next thing they knew they were ripping each other's clothes off and were in Victor's bed.

After their first time together, they both laid in shock. Neither expected it to happen and they were both thinking it was really good and they always had an attraction to each other. No one said a word and after a few minutes passed Evangeline got up to get dressed.

"Where are you going?" Victor asked.

"Home, this shouldn't have happened." Evangeline replied.

"Why not?"

"We're both in love with other people."

"They don't want us, they want each other."

"So we should just settle for each other?"

"It's not settling, we love each other."

"But we love Shaun and Téa more… Where's my bra?"

"On the doorknob."

"If we pursued a relationship feeling the way we feel, it would be a disaster waiting to happen." Evangeline got her bra and finished getting dressed. "I should go."

-v-

The past few months have been very lonely for Todd Manning. The only time anyone had let him in, at least a little was when all the kids were being held hostage at the school. When everyone learned that he was the one who tried to kill Victor, they lost all respect for him. Todd has never been an angel but to kill your own brother, that's just evil. Not even Blair will give him the time of day. She's been back with Tomas for over a year now but even when she was with another man Todd could usually depend on her but he had no one to turn to. There is one person Todd turns to when there is no one else.

Todd knocked on a door and minutes later it opened.

"Starr."

"Dad, what are you doing here?

"I don't have anyone. I need you."

"You always need me but it's not always about you. You know, Sam and Leon needed Uncle Victor but you didn't think about that when you attempted to kill him."

"He's alive."

"Only because Walker Laurence was in his place and you didn't know that."

"If I didn't kill Walker he would have killed the family."

"You got lucky."

"Honestly, Starr I pleaded insanity during my trial because I really didn't know what I was doing."

"Whatever."

"It's the truth. I was held captive for eight years, I wasn't ok. Irene brainwashed me and I really couldn't remember what I had done at first. I blocked it out then it suddenly came back to me. You have to believe me Starr, it's me."

"I don't know."

"Starr, I wouldn't lie to you."

"…Ok… but you're still trying to take back the money from Victor."

"It's my money!"

"Now, it's his. It should have always been half and half and it would have been if anyone knew he existed."

"What are you saying? You want me to let it go?"

"Yes! Come on, Uncle Victor has a family too and you were going to kill him."

"Fine, if you believe everything I said I'll let it go.

"I believe you."

"I am so glad I can always depend on you Starr." Todd said as he hugged his eldest daughter.

-v-

Ford was in the elevator at the Palace and the door was about to close but Ford heard someone yelling for him to hold the door. It was Antonio. He joined Ford in the elevator but Ford was the last person Antonio wanted to share air with.

"I'm surprised you're not with Jessica since we separated." Antonio said.

"I'm in a committed relationship with Langston. We're very happy and I've moved on. Besides, I'm sure you and Jess will get back together." Ford said.

"I'm not so sure."

"I heard you've been with Jaime's mother recently but don't give up on you and Jess so easily. You're meant to be."

"That's funny coming from you."

"I mean it. You and Jess kind of remind me of this romance screenplay Langston wrote. We're working on the movie now. Nate, David and even Ryder are starring in it."

"Ryder?"

"Yeah. You know he's working on a school play, he finally proved to me that he can act."

"That's our boy."

"Yeah, great kid we've all raised… Believe it or not, I want you and Jess to be happy. Don't give up."

The elevator door opened and Ford got off but he gave Antonio something to think about. Antonio continued up to Keri's room. When he got there she had a candlelight dinner waiting for him.

-v-

Meanwhile, in Puerto Rico Brendan and James had just entered a diner looking for Izzy's mother. James was investigating for Brendan and learned that she worked in this diner called La Vaca Brava.

"Do you see her?" James asked.

Brendan looked around and then spotted her at the counter taking orders.

"That's her." Brendan said in amazement.

"Dude, she looks like Sofia Vergara."

"Who?"

"The hot Latin woman we saw in that movie the other day."

"Yeah, she does… but better. She looks even better than I remembered her."

"We came all this way, go speak to her."

They both went to have a seat at the counter.

"Hola! ¿Puedo tomar su fin?" The woman said, looking down at her notepad.

"Hola Rayan!" Brendan said.

Rayan slowly looked up to match the face with the distantly familiar voice. There was nothing but shock in her eyes when her eyes met Brendan's. She looked like she saw a ghost.

"Brendan? Is that really you?" Rayan asked in disbelief.

"It's me."

"How is this possible? How are you… free? How long have you been free?"

"There was an investigation of the place so the police found all the captives and let us go. This happened just a few months ago."

"Wow, that's wonderful. You seem to be doing well. What are you doing here?"

"This is my brother-in-law James and he helped me find you."

"You were looking for me? Why?"

"Who else would I look for?"

"I'm going to take my break now so that we can talk."

Rayan went on her break so that the three of them could sit together and she could continue the conversation.

"I can't believe you have a brother-in-law." Rayan said.

"You wouldn't believe how huge my family is."

"I am so glad you finally have them."

"Why are you working here? Your IQ is almost as high as mine?"

"You're new to the real world; you'll learn that some things don't always work out as they should… My mom and I always wanted to break you out of that place but it was too dangerous."

"I understand that… but what I don't understand is why you're here. Don't you have a college degree?"

"…No."

"You said you went to college."

"I lied."

"Why would you lie to me? Is it because you needed a cover because you were pregnant and you didn't want me to know so you came back a couple years later and said that your daughter was younger than she was?"

"…What?" Rayan was shocked. "How…how do…how?"

"I've seen Izzy."

"You have?" Rayan said excited and concerned. "How is she? Is she ok?"

"She's fine but apparently she has SORAS because she's older than what you told me she was."

"Are you sure my baby is ok?"

"She's great. She isn't living with Oswaldo. He was abusive and… one of my sister's cousin's adopted mother took her in… I think that's right."

"Oh God."

"Why did you leave her?"

"I didn't leave her. I would never do that, I love her. He took her from me and I couldn't find her. Where are they?"

"Llanview."

"Llanview? That's just the next town over from where we're from. Damn it!"

"She knew I was looking for you. She would love you to see you."

"Really? She isn't angry with me?"

"I don't think so but I just have one question. Is Izzy my daughter?"

-v-

It was Christmas Eve and Dani, now six months pregnant was at home with Vida watching "A Wonderful Life."

"Your sister is kicking? Do you want to feel it?" Dani asked Vida.

She placed Vida's hand on her stomach so that she could feel and she got extremely excited.

"Mommy, is daddy coming back?" Vida asked.

"Vida, remember I told you, you'll see him tomorrow."

"It's not fair, I want to see him all the time like I always have."

"I know, Mica. I'm so sorry."

"A Wonderful Life, that's my favorite Christmas movie." Jason said after he quietly entered the room unnoticed.

"Daddy!" Vida said and ran to hug him.

"Hey baby girl, hey Dani."

"Hey, I didn't expect you hear but I'm happy you are."

"Let's finish watching our movie so that afterward, Vida can go to bed so that Santa can come!"

"Mommy and me baked cookies for him too!"

"Ooh! What kind?"

"Chocolate chip!"

"The best of them all!"

The interactions between Jason and Vida put a smile on Dani's face. A couple hours later they put Vida to bed, put the gifts under the tree and then relaxed and ate those chocolate chip cookies.

"I'm happy you're here but why are you here?"

"I wanted to be with my daughter and my wife on Christmas Eve."

"So we're still together?"

"I won't lie to you, I went to Evangeline and had some divorce papers drawn up but I started thinking about how much you were going through after you found out what I had done. I knew you were very angry, unhappy and felt like you couldn't trust me or talk to me but you were sticking it out and even though you're the D.A. you didn't rat me out. It makes me furious that you would cheat on me and get pregnant by some other man. I would never cheat on you but I've been gone for months and I did say thick and thin until death do us part so I'm back because I love you with everything I have in me. We're going to need to see a counselor but I don't want to throw away a fifteen year relationship and nine year marriage away that easily."

"Thank you because I was going to give up on us but I couldn't. I know it was wrong but sleeping with Matthew made me realize that and I regret it so much."

"What's going to happen if he figures out I was the one who stole from his company?"

"He hasn't yet and I'm sure he won't. If he does… we'll figure out how to get you out of it."

"Have you explained this situation to Vida yet?"

"No. How do you explain this to an eight year old? It's hard enough to explain where babies come from? Why do we even have to tell her anyway?"

"She's going to wonder why her little sister isn't a black girl like she is."

"No she's not."

"She may be eight but eight year olds notice that siblings tend to look alike. Other reasons are that Matthew is going to be apart of this baby's life and she's going to wonder why and this baby will be calling him daddy instead of me. It's going to confuse her and bottom line is she will want to know."

"Fine, I'll try to explain it to her."

"Do it before the baby is born."

"I will."

"I'm sorry for what I've put you through and I'll be here for you and this child."

"Thank you. I'm sorry too. Let's not put each other through any of this again."

"Deal."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

-v-

Destiny rung the doorbell to the Buchanan mansion and Asa answered.

"Hey Ace. I didn't know you were here." Destiny said.

"My sisters and I are staying here for the holidays."

"That's nice… are you going to let me in?"

"Sure, you can come in Destiny!" Asa said loudly so that his sisters could hear.

"Are you hiding something?"

"No."

Destiny walked in and looked into the living room where Drew and Nicole were standing and looking suspicious as if they were hiding something.

"What are you doing?" Destiny asked.

"Nothing." Drew and Nicole said in unison.

"Where is everyone?"

"Dad is in his room and everyone else is out."

"I see. What's behind your back?"

"Nothing!" Drew exclaimed.

Destiny went over to her and took her hands. A bottle of Brandy was behind her back.

"Really?" Destiny said as she took the bottle. "You two are fourteen years old. You should not be doing this."

"You're not our mother so you can't do anything about it."

"You're lucky I'm not your mother because you two would be at military school." Destiny said and then walked away.

Destiny got upstairs and knocked on Matthew's door.

"Come in!" Matthew said.

"Hey." Destiny said.

"Destiny! I didn't expect to see you."

"I was concerned. Are you ok?"

"I'm a lot better. The doctor still wants me to relax."

"If you weren't such an asshole, maybe you wouldn't have gotten your ass whooped and suffered a bit of brain trauma. I know you haven't seen your grandson yet so I bought you some pictures." She handed him the pictures and then sat in the chair next to his bed. "How does it feel to be living back home with your parents?"

"I don't know, I guess it's not so bad. They've been taking care of me." He looked through the pictures. "Wow, he's beautiful. He looks like Miry but lighter and with blue eyes."

"He looks like he can be Vanessa Williams' son but he does have the Buchanan chin."

"He has that beautiful, black, curly hair like Miry too. He looks pretty good judging by these pictures but is he?"

"He is wonderful. He came home today."

"That's great! I'm sorry I've been such a jerk."

"You've been a jerk for a long time, you mind being more specific?"

"I'm talking about everything but about Miry being pregnant in particular. I just wanted better for her."

"I wanted better for her too but it happened, there's nothing we can do about it."

"The headaches and the seizures I was experiencing really scared me. I was afraid I would go back into a coma or worst, die and not come back this time. I thought I had learned my lesson the first time but now I know I that I didn't. I can't continue to act the way that I have been just because… I can't have you."

"Matthew."

"It's true, I couldn't get what…or who I wanted so I acted out like a child and I was wrong… That's what I did when I couldn't have Dani and I was sixteen then. The antics I pulled back then are no longer acceptable and I have been even worst than I was back then. There was a time I wasn't always so bad and that's when we were together."

"Yeah and then you cheated on me. After that you dated Kristina Corinthos for a while but then you were lonely. You haven't had a real relationship since but do you think I didn't notice that AFTER Darren and I got back together and you were still with Kristina you would see us together and you couldn't take your eyes off us. It was like I became more attractive to you when you couldn't have me but I don't think you admitted that to yourself. No you didn't do that until I was getting married and you decided that that was the best time to shout it to the world. You know what, you snooze, you lose. It was too little too late. I moved on and I was and still am happy. Darren loves me like you never could show me."

"I would have if you had given me the chance."

"You had your chance! We finally dated for an entire year and you cheated on me. It's not my fault that I was ready when you weren't and I found love with someone else."

"Then let me ask you something. Why are you here on Christmas Eve instead of with your husband and the rest of your family?"

"For a long time, I was fine having nothing to do with you except what I had to do with you but when I realized how bad your drinking was I wanted to help you and that kind of sucked me back into your world again. That's the world where I always feel the need to come to your rescue. I worry about you and although you and Miracle are growing further and further apart, I don't want her to lose you."

"You love Miracle but you love me too."

"… Yeah… I love you too but… I don't want you. I want Darren and I love him. I'll admit the one kiss we shared brought back some old feelings but it doesn't change anything. Darren has my heart and you don't deserve it. Plus, you're having a baby with my best friend, you have some nerve to ask me back."

"You're serious. There's really no chance for us, ever?"

"Never so I want you to move on and finally let go because if you wait on me, you will always be lonely."

"I guess I should just focus on being a better father then."

"Yeah you should, speaking of that, Drew and Nicole need some serious discipline, especially Drew. I could smack her in her little smart ass mouth."

"Excuse me."

"It's the truth and they were downstairs chugging down a bottle of Brandy. You're lucky I came, they would've drunken it all but they're pretty much drunk anyway. Give them some time; they'll both have their heads in the toilet."

"I can't believe them!"

"Believe it; they were doing much worst than that while you were in rehab… I have to get back home. I'm glad you're better, when you're able; make sure you stop into see your daughter and your grandson."

"Wait, how's Dani?"

"She's fine and congratulations you've got another girl on the way."

"Tell Dani, I'll call her and… I'm here for her."

"Sure. I'll see you soon." She kissed him on the cheek and walked out of the room.

-v-

There was a victorious Christmas gathering happening at Vicki's. Liam, Sierra Rose and Izzy found themselves in an odd conversation with Natalie and Roxy but it began to turn into a bunch of embarrassing stories about Liam in which he wanted to get away from.

The big double doors to the living room opened so they turned around to see who was entering the room. Everything felt like it was suddenly in slow motion for Izzy. She couldn't believe her eyes.

"Ma?" Izzy questioned, wondering if her eyes were playing tricks on her. Was it just a memory that she was holding on to since she was a little girl? She just knew it couldn't be real until the woman spoke back to her.

"Izzy!" Rayan exclaimed and opened her arms.

Izzy ran into her mother's arms and hugged her, she held on for her dear life.

"Mommy? It's really you."

"It's me baby. I tried to find you, I really did. I didn't want you to go."

"I always held onto the fact that I knew you loved me even though sometimes it was hard to believe."

"I'm sorry for everything you had to go through."

"I'm ok now and you're here. This is the best Christmas ever."

"There are some things I have to tell you. Can we talk alone?"

Natalie directed them to the kitchen so that they could talk.

"What do you have to tell me?"

"…You have twin brothers. I was pregnant when you both left."

"Wow… what are their names?"

"Ryan and… Brendan."

"Brendan? He's named after that weird guy that found you?"

"He's not weird."

"If you say so… but why did you name him that?"

"I was in love with him."

"Is he their father?"

"No, definitely not but that brings me to the next thing I have to tell you."

"What?"

"Brendan is your father… Feliz Navidad?"

Izzy just stood there with her eyes wide and mouth opened as she massaged her temples.

"Oh this is a lot to process."

"On the bright side, you're no longer related to that psycho."

"Does my dad, you know Oswaldo know?"

"Yes, he's always known."

"What the hell? Then where was this guy?"

"He was held captive from the time he was born so he couldn't take care of you."

"He's one of those people who just got broken out of there? Oh my God. How did you two happen?"

"My mother took care of him and she would always take me along and I would play with him and we learned together. I was his only friend. When we got older I realized all the things he would never experience, you know like a first time and he treated me better than any man or boy in my life ever did and I loved him so I…"

"Ill. You like took his virginity?"

"I never told him that you were his because I didn't want him to feel guilty but he figured it out when he learned how old you were."

"How did… Oswaldo get involved?"

"I already knew him but we got close when I couldn't see Brendan because I was pregnant. He said he would raise you like his own. Sometime after you were born, he became abusive but I stupidly married him anyway and it got worst. I eventually threatened to leave with you but that's when he took you."

"This is outrageous."

"I know but we have each other now and I will never let you go again. We're going to get everything right. I love you."

"I love you too… When do I get to meet my brothers?"

"They're out in the car with that James. You know he's your uncle-in-law. He's cute."

"Cuter than the apparent love of your life, Brendan?"

"Nooo, no one's cuter than Brendan."

"I missed you so much, mommy."

"I missed you more." Rayan gave Izzy a kiss on the forehead.

-v-

It was New Years Eve and Victor just spent the entire day with his family but he decided to celebrate his first New Years back home alone in his condo because he was beginning to feel miserable. He's back now and he has no love. He can't have Evangeline and he can't have Téa, the only two women he's ever really loved though he could admit to himself he'll always have a phenomenal love for Evangeline, he knew Téa was his soul mate but it didn't matter because he just knew he could not have her.

There was a knock at the door that Victor chose to ignore but it wouldn't stop so he eventually decided to answer.

"What?" He asked, agitated as he opened the door.

Téa stood in front of him in a beautiful red gown, with her hair in an up-do like he liked it.

"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at a red ball with your husband?" Victor asked.

"Vic… I love you."

They stood almost frozen as they looked into each other's eyes and then suddenly shared a long, passionate kiss as the clock struck twelve.

"Happy New Year." Victor said. "I'm glad I'll be spending it with you."

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please go to the profile and vote for your favorite "Llanview Lives" character in the poll if you haven't already. The next chapter will get back to our new generation characters. I appreciate all of your reviews, love to read them.

On a side note, could you all do me a favor and vote for my niece in the Tyson Chicken Nugget Contest. Thanks if you do. ?id=2273

Thanks for reading.