Chapter Three

"Mom, why are we going to Llanview?" Cole asked.

"I already told you…my friend needs my help," Marty explained.

"The same friend who lent you this private plane? Is there something going on with you and this guy?" Cole asked.

"No, I love your father."

"I know that mom, but he's gone and he's not coming back. You've mentioned that Todd is an old college friend of yours and now we're taking his private plane to Llanview to see him…what am I supposed to think?"

"There's nothing romantic going on between me and Todd. His niece needs my help and that's the only reason that we're going to Llanview," Marty stated as she looked out the window.

"Are we going to move to Llanview?" Cole asked.

"I don't know sweetie, but we will be there for a while. Are you okay with that?" Marty asked.

"Yeah, we needed a break from California anyways," Cole stated as he leaned his head against Marty's shoulder.

He looked so much like Patrick and she knew that he had been having a hard time coping with his father's death, she only hoped that she wasn't making a mistake by bringing him to Llanview.

XOXOXO

"Antonio, have you heard from Jessica yet?" Talia asked as she showed up at his place.

"No, I've called every hospital that I can think of and nothing."

"Well, at least she isn't hurt," Talia offered.

"Yeah, that we know of. What if she's lying in a ditch somewhere and she just hasn't been taken to the hospital. What if she's-"

"Don't go there Antonio…we're going to find her and you're going to feel silly that you got so worked up. You've mentioned that she's close to her mom and her sister, have you tried calling them to see if they have seen her?"

"Yeah, they were the first people that I called besides Jessica herself."

"Well, is there anyone else that Jessica may be in contact with?" Talia asked.

"Well…she is close to her Uncle Todd and he's been leaning on her a lot lately. I'll call him," Antonio stated as he picked up his phone.

XOXOXO

"Todd, please don't take me to mom's. She's sick and the last thing that she needs to hear is your made up story about how there are multiple little people living inside of me," Tess taunted him.

"Sorry Tess, but I'm not buying your lousy act…I know that you're not my niece and pretty soon so will my sister."

"You're nothing but a selfish bastard who only thinks of himself. Well, don't say I didn't warn you when things turn ugly with mommy dearest," Tess stated as the car pulled to a stop.

"Todd, aren't you going to answer your phone?" Tess asked when she heard it ringing. Maybe if he was distracted she could make a break for it.

"Maybe later, right now I'm busy dealing with a family emergency," Todd stated as he grabbed her wrist and pulled her out of the car. He led her up the entrance and into Viki's back door.

"Jessica thank god that you are safe…Antonio has been looking everywhere for you. Where have you been and what are you wearing?" Vicki asked as she came down the stairs.

"Tell her Tess, or I will." Todd threatened.

"What's going on here?" Viki asked. "What's wrong?" Vicki asked as she saw the look of concern on Todd's face.

"Like you care…Jessica's been drowning in pain for years and you've been too selfish to notice. You are the reason that she had to find help elsewhere."

"Don't talk to her that way," Todd said.

"Why not? It's the truth…You wanted me to tell her…right Toddy? Well, I'm telling her the truth…that she left her precious Jessica all alone when she needed her most," Tess ranted.

"What's going on? Why are you talking in the third person? Oh god…" Vicki stated as she clutched her heart. She couldn't breathe and her chest felt like it was being crushed under a heavy weight.

"Vicki," Todd called out as he saw his sister fall to the floor.

"That's right Vicki…I'm not your precious, fragile little Jessica. Somebody had to protect her when you were too busy whoring yourself out at the bars. Somebody had to pay attention to your little girl," Tess stated.

"Stop it Tess, she's having a heart attack. Call the police," Todd said as he grabbed Vicki's hand.

"No, I tried to warn you but you didn't listen. You wanted me to be honest and I was. How does it feel Vicki to be left when you need help?" Tess asked as she walked out the door and slammed the door.

"Todd," Vicki gasped.

"It's okay Vicki, I'm getting you help," Todd said as he grabbed the phone and called for an ambulance.