"No, I don't think so," Rachel said, in response to her daughter's request to purchase a brownie square at Crimson Lights.
"Not just for me," Susie said, "We can save one for Kyle."
"He doesn't feel like eating much," Rachel said, "Besides it's not good for his recovery."
"Please?" Susie said.
"You are having dinner soon at your Dad's," Rachel said, "You don't want to spoil your appetite."
Susie's attention was diverted from the sweets, when she saw Fen stroll in through the front door. Fen did not see them as he walked by, until he heard a cheerful voice say, "Hi Fen!"
With his back to them Fen stopped in his tracks, momentarily closing his eyes. Turning to face Susie, he smiled and said, "Hi." Shifting his eyes to Rachel he gave her a smile, which she returned.
"So, what's up with you two?" Fen said.
Rachel was about to answer, when Susie spoke up, "We just went to see Kyle. He's still not feeling well."
Fen nodded. "I thought he was on the mend," he said.
"He is," Rachel said, "He looks better today. The medication is doing its thing and he was a bit more talkative."
"So he's back to normal," Fen said.
"He's getting there," Rachel said, "With any luck he will be home soon."
Looking past the two of them Susie said, "There's daddy."
Fen and Rachel looked to see Kevin walking over to them. "Hi there," he smiled.
"Hi," Rachel said, "Susie is looking forward to her sleepover at your place."
"Bella and I are going to stay up late and watch movies," Susie said.
"This is the first I've heard of that," Kevin said.
"Can we?" Susie said.
"We will see," Kevin said. Focusing on Rachel, he continued, "I'm glad you're here, I want to talk to you."
"Okay, about what?" Rachel said.
"Maybe privately?" Kevin said, gesturing to the patio.
"Fen, can you stay with Susie a few minutes?" Rachel said.
"Sure thing," Fen said.
Letting Rachel walk ahead of him, Kevin followed her out of the room. Turning to face him, Rachel said, "Is something wrong?"
"Just the opposite," Kevin said, "We can all relax now."
"What does that mean?" Rachel said.
"Chloe," Kevin said, "She's been cleared of all criminal charges and she's free," Kevin said, "We don't have to hide the fact that she is alive anymore."
"How did that happen?" Rachel said.
"Let's say Michael worked his magic," Kevin said.
"He does that a lot," Rachel said.
"I wanted to let you know everything's okay now," Kevin said.
"So, what does this mean for you and your family?" Rachel said.
"We are going to stay here, living at the Chancellor place," Kevin said.
"Is that your place now?" Rachel said.
"For now," Kevin said, "I am hoping to find work soon."
"Legal work, right?" Rachel said.
"I will have to see what comes up," Kevin said.
"That doesn't answer my question," Rachel said, "Or does it? Kevin, are you mixed up in something you shouldn't be?"
"Don't worry about me," Kevin said, "I can take care of myself."
"I know you can," Rachel said, "What are you up to?"
"Everything is going to be fine," Kevin said, "How's Kyle doing?"
"Don't do that," Rachel said, "Change the subject."
"I assume he's doing better," Kevin said, "Then there's the wedding. You must be excited about that. I hope you both will be very happy."
"Yes, we are looking forward to it," Rachel said, "Now, you tell me what kind of dangerous scheme you are involved in."
"Who says I am?" Kevin said.
"Are you forgetting how well I know you?" Rachel said, "I can see something is up with you. Whatever shady option you are considering, don't do it."
Kevin smiled and said, "It's been a long time since you looked out for me."
"I never stopped caring," Rachel said, "Which is why I don't want you to mess up."
"You will always have a place in my heart," Kevin said, "What we had was really something special."
"It was a lifetime ago," Rachel said.
"The doesn't mean I'll ever forget it," Kevin said.
"See, now you're acting overly nice," Rachel said.
"It's not an act," Kevin said, "I would miss you if I didn't see you anymore."
"Okay, now you're scaring me," Rachel said.
"I don't mean to," Kevin said.
"Kevin…" Rachel started. She was cut off as Kevin reached out and pulled her towards him, into a kiss. It was a quick embrace, with Kevin making a hasty retreat into the other room.
"Okay," Kevin said, approaching Fen and Susie, "Who is ready for a sleepover?"
Rachel slowly walked back into the room, as Susie said, "In a minute."
Noticing she had a brownie in her hand, Rachel said, "Where did that come from?"
"Fen got it for me," Susie said.
"I said no sweets," Rachel said.
"Sorry, I thought it would be okay," Fen said.
"She knew better," Rachel said.
"It's only half a treat," Fen said, "We split one."
Looking at Kevin, Rachel said, "They are both as bad, as each other."
Kevin nodded in agreement. "We should go, before Chloe sends out a search party."
"Can Mom come for dinner?" Susie said.
Kevin paused, before he said, "I don't know." Looking at Rachel, he said, "Does Mom want to come?"
"I don't know if that's a good idea," Rachel said.
"It's okay with me," Kevin said, "I know Chloe would like to see you." Rachel paused, so Kevin said, "You could use a night out."
Looking from Kevin to Susie, Rachel said, "Sure, I'd like to come along."
"Great, let's…" Kevin started.
"Daddy?" Susie said.
"Yes?" Kevin said.
"Could we invite Fen too?" Susie said.
"Susie, this isn't a party," Rachel said, "Chloe is not expecting all of us."
"I don't mind," Kevin said.
"Will you come, please?" Susie said.
"I'm not sure, if I can make it," Fen said.
"Why not?" Susie said.
"Yeah Fen, why not?" Rachel said.
Fen looked at her, as Rachel's eyes gestured to Susie. Fen glanced at Susie and despite the hopeful look on her face, he said, "Maybe some other time."
Leaning close to Fen's ear, Rachel spoke in a low voice. "Do not make me endure this dinner alone. You are going."
"You know, maybe I can go after all," Fen said.
Susie smiled as Kevin said, "Do you want to go together?"
"I'll meet you there," Fen said.
"Yeah, me too," Rachel said, "You and Susie go ahead."
"Alright," Kevin said, leading his daughter out of the coffeehouse.
"I'm sorry, I roped you into this evening," Rachel said, "I feel like I need reinforcements."
"Dinner with the Fisher family," Fen said, "What could go wrong?"
As Kyle lay dozing, footsteps entered his hospital room and tracked to his bedside. Kyle stirred and opening his eyes, he was startled to find someone standing there.
"What are you doing here?" Kyle sighed.
"I came to see how you were doing," Theo said, "Didn't mean to scare you."
"I'm fine," Kyle said.
"I heard you had a rough go of it," Theo said, "Then I heard you were miraculously cured."
"It was more than I dared to hope for," Kyle said.
"You don't look so bad to me," Theo said.
"Looks can be deceiving," Kyle said, pushing himself up, to sit straighter against the raised portion of the bed, "I still have long way to go."
"But you are feeling better," Theo said.
"Stronger every day," Kyle said. Noticing someone peeking in the window of his hospital room, Kyle said, "Is someone waiting for you?"
"What?" Theo said.
"Out there," Kyle said, "Someone in baseball cap and glasses was looking in here."
"He's not with me," Theo said, walking to the door. Looking both ways down the hallway, he spotted the person in question walking away.
"I'll be right back," Theo said, preparing the follow the man in the cap. Catching up to him, as they rounded a corner, Theo said, "Excuse me? I couldn't help noticing you were looking into another patient's room. Who are you?"
The man keep his head low, the brim of the cap shading his eyes. Pressing the elevator, button he said, "No worries."
"You're lurking in the hallway, peeking in people's rooms, that's cause to worry," Theo said. Elevator doors opened as the man silently stepped onto the platform.
"Whoever you are, leave my friend alone," Theo said, "He has enough to deal with right now."
The man shifted his eyes up to look at Theo, giving him a tight lipped smile, as the elevator doors closed.
Theo let out a frustrated sigh and proceeded to walk away when something caught his eye. Bending forward he retrieved a folded piece of paper off the floor. Flipping it open, Theo was surprised at the content it revealed. He found himself reading a copy of a news article regarding the night Kyle and Rachel had been run off the road. It detailed the events of that night and the subsequent investigation.
"What the…" Theo mused, "Where did this come from…" His thoughts faded as another occurred to him. Looking up at the elevator doors and back at the paper, Theo said, "Did he drop this?" Theo thought a few seconds more. "Same guy?" he said, to himself, "What does he want with Kyle?"
Theo refolded the piece of paper and tucked it into his back pocket.
"I hope you don't mind, that we came unexpected," Rachel said, as she and Fen arrived at the Chancellor mansion.
"Don't be silly," Chloe said, "It's really great to see you."
"I don't think I've ever been here," Fen said, looking around the room.
"Then it's about time," Chloe said, "Dinner is almost ready."
Rachel and Fen followed Chloe into the dining room, to find Kevin, trying to get Bella and Susie to stop fighting over the same chair, at the table.
"Girls, we have company," Chloe said, "Please behave yourselves."
"Glad you both could make it," Kevin said, "Bella, I don't think you've met. Fen is your cousin and Rachel is Susie's Mom."
"And a friend of your Mom and Dad," Chloe added.
"Absolutely," Kevin said.
"Hi," Fen smiled at Bella. Susie was watching Bella, as she gave Fen a shy smile back.
Everyone sat around the table, as food was served. Surveying number of people, Chloe smiled.
"What's that smile about?" Kevin said.
"I was just thinking," Chloe said, "I thought I would never have this again. To be able to have a dinner with people that mean the most."
"She's not talking about me," Fen said.
"Of course I am," Chloe said, "We are all family here."
"Once upon a time," Rachel said.
"Your family status still stands with us," Kevin said, sharing a smile with Rachel.
"Rachel, I wanted to ask you, how is Kyle?" Chloe said.
"He is doing really well," Rachel said, "He looks better all the time."
"He was funny today," Susie said.
"Yes, we saw him earlier and he was making Susie laugh," Rachel said, "Hopefully, he will be able to come home in the next few days."
"To be around his family and sleep in his own bed," Chloe said, "I know what that kind of a homecoming feels like."
"Me too," Kevin said.
"When Kyle is better we will have to do this again, so he can join us," Chloe said, "And you too Fen. I believe I heard you were dating someone, you should bring her with you next time."
"That might not be such a good idea," Fen said.
"Did I miss something?" Chloe said.
"It's a far too long story," Rachel said, "Maybe I'll tell you sometime."
Silence presented itself, until Fen said, "Hey I have a funny story."
"Is it clean?" Kevin said.
Fen paused a few seconds and then said, "I have another funny story."
"Hey, where do you think you're going?" Theo said, entering the hospital room to find Kyle, with his legs swung over the side of the bed.
"Bathroom," Kyle said, "But since you're here, you can help me walk over there."
"Oh, sure," Theo said, taking hold of Kyle's arm, "This okay?"
"Yes," Kyle said, cautiously making his way across the floor. Reaching the entrance of the bathroom, Theo said, "You don't need me to…"
"I've got it from here," Kyle said.
Theo strolled around the room and sitting on the edge of the bed, he tested the firmness of the mattress. Deciding it wasn't to his liking he stood up and spotted Kyle's chart. Picking it up he flipped through the pages, pausing to read some of the reporting. "Three different medications?" Theo read, "No wonder he can't walk steady."
"Interesting reading?" Kyle said, from the bathroom doorway.
"Yeah, it says the patient may require a lobotomy," Theo said.
"They must have given me your chart by mistake," Kyle said, "Can you...?" he gestured to the bed.
Theo replaced the chart and once again assisted Kyle to walk across the room. Once Kyle was situated on the bed, Theo decided to have a little fun as he proceeded to tuck in Kyle's sheets tight on the side of the bed.
"Dude…" Kyle sighed.
"What?" Theo said, "Too much?"
"Do you mind?" Kyle said.
"We don't want you to fall out," Theo said.
"Would you please fix this and put them back the way they were," Kyle said.
Theo smirked as he adjusted the bedding. "You're an idiot," Kyle laughed.
"Would you look at that," Theo said, "I made him smile."
"What happened when you went after that guy out there?" Kyle said.
"Very strange," Theo said, "I caught up to him and asked him why he was prowling outside your room."
"What did he say?" Kyle said.
"No worries," Theo said, "That's all he said. I warned him off to leave you alone. Then he got on the elevator and gave me this little smile. It was kind of creepy."
"Sounds to me like he escaped from the psychiatric floor," Kyle said.
"Yeah," Theo said, thinking about the piece of paper in his pocket, "Maybe."
"Chloe, this dessert is amazing," Kevin said, "As usual you outdid yourself."
"I'm so glad you like it," Chloe said, "I wasn't sure if it would turn out right."
"It came out perfectly," Fen said.
"Thank you," Chloe said.
Noticing Rachel was quiet, Kevin spoke her name. "Rachel?"
Looking at Kevin, Rachel said, "I'm sorry, what did you say?"
"Nothing," Kevin said, "Is everything okay? You seem distracted."
"I didn't mean to be," Rachel said, "I was thinking about Kyle."
"Of course you were," Chloe said, "You love the guy."
Rachel smiled and said, "Yes, I do. I wish he could be released from the hospital."
"You don't want to rush things," Kevin said.
"I know," Rachel said, "I miss him being at home."
"He will be soon enough," Chloe said, "Which reminds me. You still have a wedding to look forward to right?"
"Yes, we are still getting married," Rachel said, "Which will mean countless plans to make."
"You were planning the ceremony before," Chloe said, "Can't you implement those plans on the new date?"
"We haven't set one yet," Rachel said, "Kyle and I want to wait until he is fully recovered. Which could be up to six weeks."
"So, it will have to be after that time frame," Fen said.
"Right," Rachel said.
"Late November, early December," Fen said, "How about during the holidays?"
"The holidays are hectic enough without having a wedding," Rachel said.
"Michael and Lauren got married in early December," Kevin said, "It was a great wedding."
"I'm sorry I missed it," Fen said. His comment made Rachel laugh.
"What about New Year's Eve?" Chloe said, "What better time to start your new life together, than the start of a new year."
"It's a good idea," Rachel said, "And I do have one more."
"Oh?" Chloe said.
"We could really use a flower girl," Rachel said, "Bella, would you like to be in the wedding?"
Chloe gasped in delight at Bella. "That sounds like so much fun," Chloe said, "You get to dress up and walk down the aisle. Would you like to do that?"
Bella nodded. "I like dressing up," she said.
"Me too," Susie said, "I get to be a bridesmaid."
"You do?" Fen said, "As it turns out I'm in the wedding too. I was asked to be a groomsman."
"Maybe you could be my date," Susie spoke the words, before she could stop herself.
"Oh," Fen said, "That's a really sweet offer, but…I already have a date for the wedding. However, I will make sure to save a dance just for you. Is that okay?"
Blushing, Susie nodded.
"I know you will make a beautiful bride," Chloe said, "Right, guys?"
"Of course," Kevin said.
"Most definitely," Fen agreed.
"Stop, you're going to make me blush," Rachel laughed.
"Too late," Kevin smiled. Rachel blushed a bit more as she smiled back at Kevin.
"Anyway," Rachel said, recovering herself, "Kyle and I have a lot of decisions to make. We lost our deposit to use Chancellor park. It's too late in the season to have an outdoor wedding now. We don't want everyone to shiver, while they watch us exchange vows. Now we have to find a new venue and that will have an effect on the decorating, flowers, all of it. The bridesmaid dresses were not completely ready and they are likely the wrong color now. I don't even have a wedding dress. If we have to start planning from scratch, then settling on a date will make it a long way off."
"Not necessarily," Chloe said, "You just need the right people to help you. Like me."
"I appreciate that," Rachel said, "But there is so much to do, I am not sure where you can help."
"I can do a lot," Chloe said, "Help you find a new venue, help finding dresses. You know I have a background in fashion, it will be fun. I can help you select color, flowers, the menu and music for the reception. In fact, I have a great idea."
"I'm almost afraid to ask," Rachel said.
"I'm almost afraid to hear it," Kevin said.
"Rachel, let me be your wedding planner," Chloe beamed.
Rachel gave a nervous laugh.
"Chloe, I am sure Kyle and Rachel know what they want and can handle this," Kevin said.
"Tell me everything you want this wedding to be and I will make it happen," Chloe said, "For starters how many in the wedding party?"
"Six and five," Rachel said.
"Pardon?" Chloe said.
"Tessa is my maid of honor," Rachel said, "Then Traci, Abby, Mariah, Sharon and of course Susie are bridesmaids. That's six. Kyle has his best man, Jack, also Billy, Fen, Devon, and Theo."
"Vanderway?" Fen said.
"I know," Rachel said, looking at Fen, "Would not be my first choice either, but that may change. So, Kyle only has five. He is having hard time finding number six."
"Why not Kevin?" Chloe said.
"Who?" Kevin said.
"You and Rachel have history, you share child," Chloe said, "You should be the obvious choice."
"No way," Kevin said, "I am sure the last thing Kyle wants on his wedding day is to see me standing up there with him."
"Actually, you would be standing at the end of the line behind five other guys," Rachel said, "A good distance apart."
"So you agree it should be Kevin," Chloe said.
"It's not the worst idea," Rachel said.
"Shouldn't this be Kyle's call?" Fen said.
"Of course," Rachel said, adding, "Maybe I will mention this to him."
"Rachel, you want your fiancé to get better, not worse," Kevin said.
"Let's go in the other room and talk this over," Chloe said, "I already have some ideas I would love to run by you."
Fen waited until the others had trailed out of the dining room, before he said, "Kevin?"
"What can I do for you?" Kevin said.
"How long am I supposed to pretend I didn't see, what I saw?" Fen said.
"I'm going to need you to clarify that," Kevin said.
"I saw you and Rachel at the coffeehouse, kissing," Fen said.
"You're right, pretend you didn't see anything," Kevin said.
"In case you're having a memory lapse, she is engaged to someone," Fen said, "And it's not you."
"Do I need to remind you, I am happily married?" Kevin said.
"I would hate to see you derail Rachel's relationship when she's this happy," Fen said, "After everything she and her fiancé have been through they deserve their happiness."
"I am not out to ruin the almost newlyweds, blissful existence," Kevin said, "When it comes to my relationship with Rachel, it is none of your concern. As for what you think you saw, you would be wise to leave it alone."
"That almost sounded like a threat," Fen said.
"Just a friendly reminder," Kevin said, "You keep your mouth shut, and we will all be as blissful as the bride and groom."
"You're pacing," Kyle said, watching Theo walk the length of the hospital room a few times over.
"I want tell you something," Theo said, "I'm just not sure where to start."
"You're at a loss for words?" Kyle said, "There's a first."
"I want to be friends," Theo said.
"Let me stop you there," Kyle said, "I am really not up for another 'poor me' speech from you."
"Good, because that's not what this is," Theo said, "I am very uncomfortable with the animosity which has come between us."
"You created it," Kyle said.
"You're right," Theo said, "It is mostly my fault. Okay, all my fault. I've been an awful friend. Heck, I haven't even been a friend at all. I want to change that."
"I don't see how," Kyle said.
"I would like to offer you a better friendship," Theo said, "Someone you can enjoy hanging out with, to share a few laughs, and maybe a few beers."
"Theo, I have told you, I am not your party buddy," Kyle said.
"That's not what I meant," Theo said, "I realize I need to grow up. I need to respect myself, before you can respect me. I will be responsible and occasionally a fun guy to be around. All I ask from you, is forgiveness for my behavior, another chance to be your friend."
"I don't know," Kyle sighed, "My every instinct is telling me not to trust you."
"I understand," Theo said, "I wouldn't trust me either. I will do my best to earn that back. You asked me to be in your wedding. What better time, than a ceremony like that, to prove you can count on me. You and Rachel are still getting married, right?"
"Absolutely," Kyle said.
"It would be an honor to be included as one of your friends, to stand up for you at your wedding," Theo said, "If the offers still stands."
"After the way you have badgered me," Kyle said, "You expect me to forget that?"
"I will change," Theo said, "I want to be a better person. Someone who would value your friendship."
"I have heard all of this before," Kyle said, "You never change and you never will."
"I don't blame you for being skeptical," Theo said, "You have my word this time will be different."
"Give me one good reason I should believe you," Kyle said.
"Because of you," Theo said, "Kyle, you almost died. The thought of you not being here, before I had a chance to make things right, it made me sad. With you being so sick, I realized what's important in life. It's spending time with the people you care about before it's too late."
"Did you practice that speech?" Kyle said.
"As a matter of fact I did," Theo said, "I also meant every single word. Will you give me another chance?"
"One chance," Kyle said, "If you let me down again, our friendship will be over for good."
"Understood," Theo said, "Does your wedding party offer still stand?"
"Yes," Kyle said, rubbing one eye, "You are in."
"Excellent," Theo said, "You know, you look kind of tired. Maybe I should let you get some rest."
"Thanks," Kyle said.
"Unless you want me to stay," Theo said.
"Get out," Kyle said.
"Your wish is my command," Theo said, flashing a smile, as he left the room.