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Chapter 4: Secrets

"Baby?" Elena said walking into the house where she and Brad had been living. "Brad? I'm home," she called. "If you're here say so. I picked up this guy in New York and I think he gave me scabies." She paused. "Guess he's not home." She walked into the kitchen. She saw a note on the table.

Hey babe, have class. Missed you last night. Have to pick out gift for Kelly and Scott. Should we give them toaster? I don't know. You pick something, I'm shit at this.

Love You,
Brad

She laughed.

"Brad?" She heard a voice calling. "Elena? Anyone home?"

"In the kitchen Claire," Elena said. Claire walked in.

"Aunt Elena!" Connie ran in.

"Hey Connie," Elena picked her up. "How are you?"

"Good," she said. "Mommy and I went shopping."

"Did you?" She said. Claire laughed walking in. "Hi Claire."

"Hey Lena," Claire smiled. "Connie, baby, why don't you go try on your new dress for Aunt Lena?" Connie nodded and ran holding a bag into the bathroom. "For the shower."

"Ah," Elena nodded.

"We missed you at dinner last night," Claire said. "I had to talk to the guys about legalities of acquisitions. Without you or Scott I'm completely lost." Elena laughed.

"I was in New York," Elena said. "I hadn't hung out with Jimmy in a while. Your protégé wasn't thrilled about it."

"I cannot apologize enough for her," Claire groaned, "I mean, you have to know, I really thought like they'd date for a while get him out of that funk he was in, and then it would be over."

"Yeah, see Jimmy doesn't do that," Elena shook her head, "he falls in love. The closest he had to a fling was," she thought for a second, "well, me, and that was like ten years." Claire laughed. "It's just that now that Julie's back from Japan he'll probably marry her just to be stubborn." Claire laughed.

"Look," Connie walked out. "Am I pretty Aunt Elena?"

"You're beautiful sweetheart." Elena smiled. Connie giggled and ran back into the bathroom. Elena looked down sadly.

"What's wrong?" Claire asked. "You seem sad."

"I just," Elena said, "when she smiles, she looks like Charlie, and he and Dean were roommates." Claire nodded. "I'm sorry, I know you don't like thinking about it."

"No," Claire said. "She's just been asking more questions lately. I don't know how to answer them, I only really met a few times, you know?"

"I can help with that," Elena shrugged. "I mean, I didn't know them really well, but I was around them a lot."

"Thanks," Claire nodded. "I'd appreciate it." Elena nodded. Connie walked back out and crawled into Elena's lap.

"Aunt Elena," Connie said.

"Yes baby," Elena said.

"Mommy said that when Uncle Scott and Aunt Kelly get married I get to wear a brand new dress from Aunt Kelly's company," Connie said excitedly, "made just for me."

"Wow," Elena laughed. "That's exciting." Connie nodded. "Listen Connie, I'm going to go get something." She put her down and walked into Brad's office and grabbed the Eden Hall 2000 yearbook. Claire smiled. "Your Mommy said you've been asking her questions."

"About my birth parents," Connie nodded. "What's that?"

"This is the yearbook from when Connie and Charlie were seniors," Elena said. Connie's eyes got wide. "Come here," she flipped through. "See," she pointed to a picture of Charlie skating off the ice. "That's Charlie," Connie looked, "and that's Connie." Claire mouthed, "Thank you," to Elena who smiled. "They're in there a lot, so you can keep that."

"Thanks Aunt Elena," Connie ran over and started flipping through it. "Who's that?" She pointed.

"Who baby?" Elena looked.

"In the picture with you," Connie said. "That's not Uncle Brad."

"No," Elena sighed, it was a picture of her and Dean. "No, that's Dean Portman, he was my boyfriend before Uncle Brad."

"Oh," Connie said. "I can keep it?"

"Sure," Elena said. Claire smiled.

Julie walked out into the kitchen in the morning and saw Tammy sitting sipping a cup of coffee and reading the paper.

"Morning," she whispered and sat down, grabbing a croissant from a box.

"Morning," Tammy said. "Where's Paulo?"

"He had to fly back to Italy early," Julie said. "He left a note."

"That's considerate," Tammy snorted. Julie dropped the pastry.

"Don't start," she stood up and went to pour herself a cup of coffee.

"You're too good for him," Tammy said. Julie sighed. "Jules, you are. I know you claim not to be emotionally invested or whatever and that would be fine, except for that if you recall, I was with you the night Paulo ripped your heart out."

"That was like seven years ago," Julie said. Tammy shrugged. "Speaking of problems from years ago, are you planning on calling Connie when we head to Minnesota for the shower?"

"That's different," Tammy frowned.

"You know I still don't understand why you two stopped talking," Julie shook her head. "It can't just be because you and Steve decided to live together, I know she doesn't like him, or she still wants you and Fulton to get back together or whatever."

"It's not about that," Tammy said. Julie looked at her, seeing the sadness in her friend's face. Connie and Tammy had never confided in her why they stopped speaking. Julie figured neither wanted to talk about it. She did know they'd been drifting apart because Connie disliked Steve, and she figured it was just some fight about that that got blown out of proportion.

"Morning," Steve walked out and kissed Tammy. "I'm picking up the rental car in ten minutes and then coming back here. Are your I-pods loaded?"

"I really don't want to drive six hours," Tammy said, "I mean, I love Stephie, but can't we get a jet?"

"We don't all have your disposable income, Tam," Steve laughed. Julie frowned leaning against the corner. "What's she pouting about?"

"I'm right here!" Julie sighed exasperated, "don't talk about me like I'm not here."

"Fine," he said, "what are you pouting about Cat? Normally you bounce off the walls when we're heading home."

"Forget it," Julie said. "I'm taking a shower." She walked into the bathroom and slammed the door. Steve looked at Tammy.

"She asked why I didn't call Connie," Tammy sighed, "you know for the shower."

"You should call her," Steve said, "or at least tell Julie. It's a big secret to carry around, and you have for almost three years now!"

"Steve," she shook her head, "Connie stopped speaking to me because on principle she couldn't deal with the fact that I had an abortion. Julie is a child of teen pregnancy! You of all people know how she feels about the subject."

Portman grunted waking up and scratching his head and walking into the kitchen.

"You've been home for twenty four hours," Tanya smiled sipping a cup of coffee at the kitchen table. "When were you planning on calling me?"

"T," he whispered and hugged her. He held her tightly, smelling her hair. "I missed you."

"I missed you too," she whispered. "I've been worried. Lisa said you had a nervous breakdown."

"What I call her panicked one time because I got an invitation to Kelly Riley's wedding," he rolled his eyes. Tanya laughed. "I just don't know what I'm going to say when I see Lena is all." She nodded. "Where's Fulton?"

"Work," she shrugged. "He got promoted to lieutenant."

"I heard," he nodded. "It's exciting. How's the DA's office?" She shrugged. "Ready to take over the world yet T?"

"Not quite," she said. "But you know, me and my man saving Chicago one scum bag at a time." Dean laughed. "By the way, it is totally weird that Kelly invited you to her wedding, I mean you slept with her right?"

"Yes," he laughed.

"You bringing a date?" She said. He sighed. "It could be fun, bring one of your hockey bimbos, make Elena's head explode." He laughed.

"I haven't decided yet," he shook her head.

"Good morning," Kelly said walking into her kitchen and kissing Scooter.

"Morning," he mumbled staring at a computer screen and an old beat up copy of Tell Me About The Girl. She laughed. "No laughing," he sighed, "this is fucking hard. I haven't touched this book in like five years."

"If you'd come home with me this week we could remind you of everything," she whispered sliding into his lap. "Sneaking around my parent's house, and feeling me up against the poolhouse." He laughed.

"I looked at something else today too," he whispered as she kissed his neck. "Guest list for the wedding."

"Mm hm," she kissed him.

"Did you really have to invite all of your ex lovers?" He frowned. She sighed and looked at him. "I mean, Liam and Portman, is it absolutely necessary?"

"We could have invited everyone you've ever slept with baby," she said, "but there's no venue big enough."

"Haha," he rolled his eyes. She kissed him. "I don't mind Portman, but Liam?"

"Until a year ago, when Jaime bought him out, he was still my business partner," Kelly said, "it would look bad to the stockholders." He nodded. "I know you hate business talk so I won't get more into it than that." He kissed her. "I have to go, I'll see you when I get back, OK?"

"OK," he said. "I love you."

"I love you too," she said and kissed him. "Bye."

Julie smiled getting out of the car and seeing her house. She still felt more at home in Bangor than she ever had anywhere else.

"Julie," Cal smiled. Julie laughed and hugged tightly to her father before she was even in the door.

"Hi Dad," She smiled. "It's good to be home."

"It's good to have you," He kissed her on the cheek. "Steve," He shook his hand, "And Tammy, honey, you look lovely."

"Thanks Cal," Tammy said.

"Cat!" Nine year old Mikey came sprinting out of the house.

"Ah, it's the baby brother," Julie laughed, as he tackled her around the middle, "You're getting tall, man!"

"Yeah," Mikey nodded, "Steph's really mad about it."

"Cal, Mikey," Elyse called from the door, "How bout we let them in the house, they've had a long drive."

"Hey Mom," Julie jogged up and hugged her.

"Hey honey," Elyse smiled. "I'm glad you're home. Steph's napping, but she'll be up in a little while." The others followed in with hugs and kisses.

"Hi Mom, Dad," Steve smiled and greeted his parents.

"Stevie," Mrs. Callins smiled and hugged her son, "Julie, sweetheart, you look beautiful."

"Hi," Tammy waved awkwardly.

"Oh," Mrs. Callins said, defeat obvious in her tone, "Tammy came with you. Isn't that nice," Julie stifled a giggled.

"It's really nice to see you again Mrs. Callins," Tammy said cheerfully, "You too Dr. Callins."

"Mm hm," Mrs. Callins said, "Is your mother coming Julie?"

"No," Julie shook her head, "Jaime was stuck in California, unfortunately." She lied skillfully. Cal looked at her. He could tell she was lying anyway.

"Julie!" Stephanie came running downstairs.

"Hey baby!" Julie smiled and picked her up. "Happy Birthday sweetheart!" She kissed her. "Oh I missed you so much."

"I missed you too," Steph said. "I'm glad you're here." Julie smiled. "Did Jimmy come too?"

"Uh, listen Bug," Julie said quietly, using Jimmy's nick name for the little girl, "Jimmy might not be around anymore." Stephanie frowned. "But I'm back now, for a long time." She smiled then.

"Hey baby girl," Steve jogged in.

"Uncle Steve!" She said and squirmed in Julie's arms. Julie laughed and handed her off. "Is Tammy with you?"

"She is," Steve nodded, "she went to go get your present."

"There's the birthday girl," Tammy walked in, "look what I got for you!" She handed the little girl a box, beautifully wrapped in pink paper. Stephanie ripped it open and pulled the lid off.

"Wow," she whispered. Tammy smiled. "It's just like the real Belle dress from the movie."

"You bet it is," Tammy smiled, "I made it just for you for your princess party tomorrow."

"Whoa," Elyse smiled, "what do you say Stephie?"

"Thank you Aunt Tammy!" Stephanie hugged her, "Thank you Uncle Steve, thank you Julie."

"You're welcome," Tammy said, "go try it on so that we can make sure that it fits absolutely perfect OK?"

"OK!" Stephanie ran upstairs.

"Tammy, you really didn't have to do that," Elyse said, "I know you must be busy, with your sister's wedding coming up!"

"I was happy to," Tammy shrugged, "Eva ordered hers for Halloween in February so I had the pattern drawn up anyway." Elyse laughed. "Besides, last I talked to Stephie some girl claimed to have a better dress than her and that is unacceptable at her own party." Elyse laughed and Stephanie came downstairs.

"How do I look?" She twirled in a circle.

"Like a princess," Cal walked over and picked her up. "You're very lucky to have a big sister and an Aunt and Uncle who love you so much."

"Julie," Mikey said. She looked at him. "Can you come rollerblading with me, and sit in goal? I wanna learn how to shoot on a glove side goalie."

"I knew that was coming," Steve teased and Julie elbowed him in the ribs. "She's out of practice kiddo, you'll be able to get past her."

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