I am adding my blurb today as the Queen's Jubilee is now upon us and what with regular work, extra bank holiday work and my families party plans I'm not sure I'll get a chance to post a chapter on Monday or Tuesday, but I will try my best.

Sorry about yesterday's slightly ominous chapter. Yes the angst is back! I did warn you. :o) You will have to blame my muse of four weeks ago for these next dramatic twists and turns before the grand (and very happy) finale.

SPOILERS – this week – Erica launches her perfume, Tad visits Llanview, Bianca's fate is revealed.

…

Tad checked the address in the letter twice before he knocked on the door. He then looked down to check his appearance. He was quickly tucking in his shirt when Dixie opened the door.

"Tad!" she gasped, her surprised expression turning to a smile. "You came!"

He smiled cautiously back.

"I came."

Dixie welcomed into her apartment. Tad looked around the slightly shabby surroundings with a solicitous eye.

"It's cosy."

"It is. Cosy and affordable" said Dixie, taking his coat and gesturing for him to take a seat on the couch. "It's also on a direct bus route to the hospital."

"Yeah, you said in your letter." said Tad settling on the slightly lumpy couch. Dixie took a seat beside him still smiling.

"Well I brought all the stuff you asked for." said Tad patting the grey suitcase by his side. "Your side of the closet is practically empty now… Not that you had much stuff there in the first place."

"Thank you." said Dixie, still staring at him as if she couldn't believe he was really there. "And are you well?"

"I am." said Tad.

"And the girls?"

"They are very… girly." said Tad with a grin. "Apparently the latest thing is hula-hoops. They are out in the yard every night swinging plastic hoops around their hips. Kathy's getting quite good at it; she can do two at a time…" Tad looked up at Dixie. "I should have brought pictures, I'm sorry I didn't think."

"And how is AJ." Dixie asked; an unspoken hope in the question.

Tad knew he could only answer honestly.

"He is doing great. He's really settle in with his mom… although things are hard for them at the moment as Bianca is back in hospital, I heard there have been some worrying complications."

"Has he asked about his dad?"

"No." said Tad, "And before you ask I didn't ask him to write to JR. I couldn't do that to the kid."

"I understand." said Dixie sadly. She looked hopefully Tad. "But you are here."

"I came to see you." said Tad. "I'm not here for JR."

Dixie's eyes flashed with disappointment.

"But he is sick… he needs our support."

"He did this to himself." said Tad. "He tried to commit murder, twice!"

"He was out of his mind."

"I didn't come here to talk about JR." said Tad firmly, knowing there was no way he could continue this conversation without upsetting Dixie. "I came to talk about you and me and our family."

"Our family… my family is here with JR."

"And what about Kathy, she has lived almost all her life without her mother and now you abandon her just when she's found you again. Do you have any idea how much that hurt her? And what about AJ? His father tried to kill his mother… how traumatic is that to a little boy? What about me? I lost you; the woman I loved the most. By a miracle you return to me only for you to disappear all over again."

"I haven't disappeared."

"You haven't come home either."

"But JR…" said Dixie sadly. "You have no idea how sick he is. It is heart breaking. He is almost unrecognisable, my poor little boy."

"He's not a little boy anymore."

"He's still my son."

"And you are still my wife!" snapped Tad in frustration. Why couldn't he get through to her?

"No I'm not." said Dixie quietly.

Tad starred at Dixie. She seemed exhausted, her smile had vanished; she only looked at Tad now with sad eyes. Tad realised she had thought he'd come to help her with JR, but the more he saw of her tired eyes and the sad little apartment, the more he wanted to take her far away from the hold JR had over her.

Tad took a deep breath, he realised the only way to move forward would be to meet her half way.

"You want me to see JR?"

The light returned to Dixie's eyes.

"Yes. I know your presence will help. He needs to see that he isn't alone… and I need you to see how sick he is."

"I will do this." said Tad. "But you need to do something for me in return."

"What?"

"If I agree to speak to JR, you have to promise to return to Pine Valley for a few days and spend time with the rest of your family."

"You want me to leave JR!"

"I want you to take a break and spend time with your daughter." said Tad, reaching out to take her hand. "The decision is yours."

…