"The pattern of the prodigal is; rebellion, ruin, repentance, reconciliation and restoration." – Edwin Louis Cole

From the safety of the parapet adjoined to Grayson Manor's master bedroom, Emily observed her children. Despite the distance between them, the delighted screams of her twin children reached her eyes, as Sophia and her boyfriend, Chris, playfully chased them up and down the sand dunes. The scene was reminiscent of her own sacred summertime in the Hampton's.

"Our daughter and Jack Porter's son." The Shakespearean twist on their lives almost convinced Emily of a higher power, or that the universe had concocted some kind of plan for its inhabitants. Perhaps, it was simply her karma - to bear witness to the life she could have led, had she followed her heart, not her desire for revenge.

"We should call them home soon," Daniel implored his wife. At his insistence, their children hadn't strayed far from view. It wasn't that he feared Chris Porter would be a physical danger to their children, he simply didn't feel comfortable with the pairing. History had proven that a Grayson and Porter didn't mix well. In fact, a Grayson didn't mix well with anyone, not even another Grayson.

"Soon," Emily compromised his own statement with the tone of her voice. "Have some faith," she implored Daniel. "Trust your daughter. She's a good judge of character." In her heart of hearts, Emily understood that Daniel's distaste for Chris ran no deeper than name.

"I trust Sophia," Daniel vehemently disagreed. "It's him I don't trust." The Porter boy resembled his father, to the same degree that Sophia resembled her grandmother. The physical reminder of Jack, who had been an unwelcome intruder in his and Emily's relationship so early on, threatened to drag Daniel's insecurities out of retirement. His wife's betrayal, minor as it may have been, had never been fully addressed and Daniel simply couldn't obliterate their kiss from his mind.

Flashback

"Thanks for the ride, Nolan."

"Anytime." Nolan blushed slightly, when she tenderly kissed his cheek. "If you need some company..."

Emily gently shook her head, from side to side. "Thank you, but no. I think I need to be alone." Her head ached from her hair being pulled into a tight bun, pinned underneath the black hat and small veil, which concealed enough of her face to ensure no one was witness to her tears. The memorial for Victoria and Charlotte had been more than emotional for all present, Conrad included. Nolan's car roared into the distance and Emily retreated toward her childhood summer home, where the figure hunched over on her porch became clear. "Daniel."

Her voice was a beacon of light, guiding him into the present, and Daniel raised his head. His eyes were bloodshot, courtesy of the empty bottle beside his feet, and his words were slurred. "I didn't know where else to go."

"Everybody was worried about you when you disappeared," Emily softly reprimanded him. After the eulogy's provided, and hymns of gospel, Daniel had fled from the church, so quickly that his path could not be traced. She had briefly considered following him but Nolan's grip on her wrist reminded her that it was not her place.

"I had to get out of there." He needed space. Peace. Silence. The church, in spite of its incredible size, had suffocated him. The endless words of comfort tormented him and Ashley smothered him with affection. Equally, his father's silence wounded him. Regardless of her betrayal, it was Emily's beach house that his mind sought to stow away in and he had to believe that meant something.

"Come inside." Daniel looked at the locked doors, uncertain. The last time he had been here with her, it was the end. "Come on, Daniel. Come inside. Have a drink."

His eyes widened in surprise. "You mean, you're not going to try and wrestle the bottle away from me?"

Emily snorted and motioned at the empty one. "Cavalry's a little late for that." She tossed her keys between fingers and thumbs, before she opened the door for him. "Of all the places you could have gone, when you left the church, you came here, Daniel." It was all the convincing he required to amble to his feet and wander in.

"Going somewhere?"

"I made plans to leave when we -" Emily surveyed the collection of boxes mounted on top of one another. They were belongings for another life. "But I couldn't leave, not after Charlotte and your mother..." she passed him a glass she had filled with Scotch. "I knew you needed me." Daniel's eyes narrowed, this time, in suspicion. "I knew I needed to be here for you. What happened with Jack was momentary; a moment of weakness." Emily perched on the arm of the sofa, "I should have told you and I'm sorry. Trust has always been important to you, that's why I returned the engagement ring, but I'll always love you, Daniel." The overwhelming emotions of the moment, not to mention the week of hell, crashed over Daniel and he let the tears water his eyes to boiling point. Emily squeezed her hand in his, "I'm not asking your forgiveness, Daniel. I only ask that you know I'm here for you, a friend, in whatever way you need... let me in."

"I'm sorry," Daniel broke and the tears freely rolled.

"It's okay." She held his chest to hers, relieved to finally be a comfort to him. "It's okay."