"Thanks, just what I needed," Kyle said, as Rachel handed him a coffee.
Sitting in the living room at Rachel's house, with her own coffee in hand, Rachel said, "I'm glad you stayed last night."
"Incredible night," Kyle said.
"Magical," Rachel agreed.
"This could become a habit," Kyle said.
"I like the sound of that," Rachel said, "Although it begs the question, where do we go from here?"
"Now that we are officially back together," Kyle said, "And we've added the nights, I say we scrap the taking things slow plan."
"I think that took care of itself last night," Rachel said.
"Are we talking about living arrangements?" Kyle said.
"Living together?" Rachel said, "Are you sure we are ready for that?"
"You're not?" Kyle said.
Rachel was quiet, prompting Kyle to say, "Okay, if you have to think about it, I guess we're not ready."
"Kyle, I want to be with you," Rachel said, "As much as humanly possible. It's just last time we rushed everything and were living together and got engaged so fast. I don't want to make the same rush decisions."
"We don't have to rush anything," Kyle said, "Besides, back then we didn't know each other, as well as we do now. Things were amazing between us and they could be again."
"I already feel amazing with you," Rachel said, "I'm intrigued…"
"Enough for me to pack my bags?" Kyle said.
"Pack?" Rachel said, "You want to live here?"
"We do actually, have to be physically together, in order to live together," Kyle said.
Rachel softly exhaled a laugh, as she said, "I thought Diana and I would be moving into the main house with you."
"We can do that," Kyle said, "Is that what you would prefer?"
"I love the idea that this was our first house when we were married," Rachel said, "And it holds such wonderful memories for us. However, it has some very painful ones too."
"A fresh start somewhere else makes sense," Kyle said, "In that case, can I help you pack up your things?"
Looking at Kyle, Rachel smiled and said, "Let's do it."
"I can't wait," Kyle said, kissing her.
The couple was interrupted by the sound of Diana talking away, as she played in her crib.
"Someone's awake," Rachel said.
"I can't believe Susie is still in her room," Kyle said.
"She is either mad, embarrassed or both," Rachel said, "How about I go get Diana and you can talk to Susie."
Kyle paused, before he said, "Or…I can tend to Diana, while you check on Susie."
Nodding, Rachel said, "I thought you might feel that way."
Standing up, Kyle offered his hand, helping Rachel to her feet.
"Teenagers," Rachel sighed, "I wasn't ready for this."
"I don't think any parent ever is," Kyle said.
"It occurs to me, in two and a half years, Susie will be 18," Rachel said, "That's how old I was when my sister and I first came to live here. I didn't have any kids and was on the cusp of my relationship with Kevin. I hadn't met you yet and look how things have changed. Two kids and two failed marriages."
"Except that we are putting things back together," Kyle said.
"We are," Rachel smiled, "And we had better get upstairs before Diana gets impatient."
They ascended the stairs, Kyle stopping to go into Diana's room, greeting his daughter, with a cheerful good morning.
Rachel carried on to Susie's room and knocked on the closed door. "Susie?" Rachel said, "It's time to get up."
Not getting a response, Rachel called, "Susie, I know your mad about yesterday, but you can't stay in there forever."
Continued silence, prompted Rachel to open the door. "Susie, come on, let's…" Rachel paused when Susie was nowhere in sight.
Pushing the door all the way open and stepping into the room, Rachel said, "Susie?!"
Rachel stepped across the hall, checking to see if Susie was in the bathroom, but she was not there.
"Kyle!" Rachel anxiously called approaching Diana's room.
Kyle was assisting Diana, getting her arms into the sleeves of her top, when Rachel appeared in the doorway. "She's gone!" Rachel said.
"What?" Kyle said.
"Susie, she's not here!" Rachel said.
"I had almost forgotten," Summer said, as she and Fen, shared the couch, his arms around her.
"What's that?" Fen said.
"How good it feels to be in your arms," Summer said.
"I hadn't forgotten," Fen said, "But I sure missed it."
"Why did we waste all this time apart?" Summer said.
"Pride?" Fen said, "I never stopped loving you, but I couldn't admit it, because I thought you didn't love me anymore."
"I'm sorry I hurt you," Summer said, "I don't know why I didn't realize until now, I never stopped loving you either."
"I guess we needed to take this roundabout path, to find our way back," Fen said.
"I'm glad we did," Summer said, nuzzling into his shoulder.
"Me too," Fen said, "I know we just reaffirmed out love last night…"
"Are you requesting a repeat performance?" Summer said.
"Yes, please, but that's not what I was going to say," Fen said, "I don't want to seem like I'm rushing things, but…"
"You want me to move in," Summer said.
"How do you do that?" Fen said.
"Read your mind?" Summer said, "I guess it just proves we're in sync."
"So…?" Fen said.
"I don't know," Summer teased.
"Come on, would you rather continue living with you Dad," Fen started, "Or have the time of your life living with me."
Laughing Summer said, "Well, when you put it that way, how can I resist."
"You're moving in?" Fen said.
"I'm moving in," Summer smiled, kissing him.
"Maybe she went up to main house," Kyle said, settling Diana in her high chair.
"I'll call," Rachel said, bringing up the number on her phone.
Kyle watched, as Rachel anxiously waited for the connection to pick up.
Spying her name on caller I.D., Jack smiled as he answered the call. "Hello Rachel, good morning to you."
"Hi Jack," Rachel began, "I'm sorry to bother you so early, but is Susie at the main house with you, by chance?"
"I haven't seen her," Jack said, "You sound worried."
"Susie was here last night, when we woke up this morning she's gone," Rachel said.
"I can see why your concerned," Jack said, "But she has to be here somewhere, she couldn't have just walked off the property."
"I don't know where else she could be," Rachel said.
"I'm going to check with security," Jack said, "In the meantime Traci is here, I'll put her on with you, maybe she has some idea what's going on."
Handing the phone over to Traci, Jack said, "Rachel can't find Susie this morning."
Concern came into Traci's face as she spoke, "Rachel, Jack tells me Susie is missing."
"Yes, I thought she might be at the main house," Rachel said, "Although Jack says he hasn't seen her."
"I'm afraid I haven't either," Traci said, "The last time I saw her was at the house last evening."
"I checked on her when I got home, she was here asleep," Rachel said.
"Did Kyle maybe take her to school with him this morning?" Traci said.
"No, Kyle is here with me now," Rachel said.
"Could a friend have picked her up?" Traci said.
"Not likely, it's too far for someone to go out of their way," Rachel said, "If she somehow got a ride with someone she would have at least left a note."
Walking back into the living room Jack said, "I checked with security and the upstairs, there's no sign of her."
"Where could she be?" Rachel fretted.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't be more helpful," Traci said, "I will keep an eye out and let you know if she shows up here."
"Thank you, I appreciate that," Rachel said, "We will keep in touch."
As Rachel concluded her call, Kyle said, "I gather Susie's not at the main house."
"No one has seen her," Rachel said.
"She can't have gone too far," Kyle said.
"Traci thought one of her friends may have picked her up," Rachel said.
"That's got to be it," Kyle said, "She's a teen, she probably didn't think to leave a message."
"I know it's a long shot, but I should call the school and see if she's there," Rachel said, "If she's not, I have to call Kevin."
"I'm sure she will turn up with a good explanation," Kyle said.
"I just hope she's not with that boy," Rachel said.
While Traci was watching Diana, Kyle enlisted Jack's help to do a more thorough search of the property. Rachel called Faith, Fen and even Billy to see it anyone knew where Susie was.
Pacing the floor Rachel responded to a knock on the door. She ran to answer, when she discovered Kevin on the other side.
"Did she come back?" Kevin said.
"No, I don't know where she is," Rachel said, "I'm really scared."
Kevin hugged Rachel, soothing, "We will find her. Chloe's at home and will let me know if she shows up there."
"What if Susie is with him?" Rachel said.
"The boy she likes?" Kevin said, "She better not be. Did you try calling her phone?"
"I have the phone," Rachel said, "I took it from her as punishment."
"Do you still have it?" Kevin said, "Did you check?"
Grabbing her purse, Rachel said, "It's right here in my…" Rachel paused as she searched through it, "It's gone. Susie must have been in here and she took it."
"That's good," Kevin said, pulling his phone out, "If she has it on, I can track her."
Kyle walked through the door, saying, "Sorry, my Dad and I couldn't find any sign of Susie."
"I just realized she has her phone with her," Rachel said, "Kevin thinks he might be able to track her location."
"I thought you took her phone away," Kyle said.
"Well, she took it back," Rachel said, "It turns out it might be for the best."
"It could take several minutes," Kevin said, "But it should start picking up her signal soon."
"Then we can go and bring her home," Rachel said. Kyle put a comforting arm around her, rubbing her shoulder.
"I don't know what's gotten into Susie, to make her act this way," Kevin said, "Rebelling is one thing, but running off in the middle of the night is another."
"I think that boy has been a bad influence on her," Rachel said.
"He's going to be sorry, if I find out he has anything to do with this," Kevin said.
"I just hope she's alright," Rachel said, "She thinks she's so grown-up at fifteen, but she's still my little girl."
"I feel the same way," Kevin said.
"Would anyone like a coffee or…" Kyle's suggestion was cut off, by a signal beep on Kevin's phone.
Checking his display, Kevin said, "Bingo!"
"Did you find her?" Rachel said.
"I don't believe this," Kevin said, "I know exactly where she is."
"A pastry run before work," Summer said, walking into the coffeehouse with Fen, "Such a good idea."
"It's also to celebrate our impending living arrangement," Fen said.
"I'm so excited, I don't know how I'll concentrate on work," Summer said.
Summer shared a quick kiss, with Fen as a familiar face passed by. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt."
"What are you doing here?" Fen said.
"Good day to you too," Austin replied, "I came for my sister's wedding."
"I know, but I thought since then you left," Fen said.
"My wife and I decided to visit in Genoa City for awhile," Austin said, "See some old friends."
"Certainly you don't mean us," Summer said.
"So, where is your lovely wife?" Fen said.
"She's at Society," Austin said, "I'm meeting her there, but there is someone I have to talk to first. If I can find him."
"Good luck with that," Fen said.
"I think I will look elsewhere," Austin said. He took a few steps away, before pausing and saying, "I thought you two were just friends, but you look cozier than that."
"Not that it's any of your business," Fen said, putting his arm around Summer.
Austin put a hand on Fen's shoulder and said, "Don't' screw it up this time." He left with a chuckle.
"That guy…" Fen fumed.
"Is none of our concern," Summer said. Pausing she said, "Do you hear that?"
"What?" Fen said.
"I believe that's a strawberry pastry calling my name," Summer said, turning towards the front counter.
Fen laughed, his eyes scanning the coffeehouse, when a young couple on the patio caught his eye. Frowning Fen walked towards them and stood beside their table staring down at the young girl.
Looking up and recognizing Fen with a stern look, Susie sighed, "Oh brother."
"What are you doing here?" Fen said.
"Having breakfast," Susie said.
"Aren't you supposed to be in school?" Fen said.
"I don't feel like going today," Susie said
"That's too bad," Fen said, "Do you know your Mom and Dad are worried sick about you? No one knew where you were!"
"As you can see, I'm perfectly fine," Susie said.
"Don't give me your attitude," Fen said, "Here's what's going to happen. You are going to call your Mom to alleviate her worries and then I am personally taking you to school."
"Hey dude, take it easy," Susie's breakfast companion said, "She told you she doesn't want to go."
Observing Karl and his shoulder length brown hair, Fen said, "Who are you?"
"I'm Karl," he said, "Susie's special friend."
"I'm going to take a wild guess that you should be in classes too," Fen said.
"I go when I feel like it," Karl said, "Which isn't very often." He followed his statement with a laugh.
"This is who you ran off with?" Fen said.
"Is this your Dad?" Karl said.
"No, he's just my annoying cousin," Susie said.
"I'm going to annoy you more if you don't get out of that chair," Fen said.
"Fen?" Summer said, walking over, "What's going on? I see you found our missing person."
Smiling, Karl said, "Hi gorgeous."
Summer looked at Karl with distaste. "Who are you?" she said.
"Someone who would like to get to know you better," Karl said, "I could show you a good time."
Susie at looked at Karl in shock, as Summer said, "My gosh, what are you twelve?" Fen couldn't hide his smirk.
"Come on Susie," Karl said "Let's go. Your overprotective family is killing the mood."
"She's not going anywhere with you," Fen said.
Susie hesitated, prompting Karl to grab her arm and say, "I said let's go!"
Flipping Karl's hand away from Susie, Fen said, "Don't you ever touch her again."
"I don't need this," Karl said, "It's not worth it. I'm out of here."
"But…" Susie stammered, "What about us?"
"There is no us," Karl condescended, "I thought you would be more fun than this. You're too much of a little girl who needs her family to protect her."
"I'm glad you realize she's too young for you," Fen said.
Looking at Summer, Karl said, "You blew it too blondie."
"Oh, I'm so sad," Summer retorted, "Get lost."
"Don't you ever let me catch you near my cousin again," Fen said.
"No problem," Karl said, walking way.
Noticing the tears in Susie's eyes, Fen said, "Are you okay?" The tears spilled out as Fen put an arm around her, causing Susie to cry on his shoulder.
Relief washed over Kevin and Rachel, when they spotted Susie sitting with Fen on the patio, of the coffeehouse.
"Susie!" Rachel said. Noticing she was crying she said, "What's wrong?"
"Are you hurt?" Kevin said.
Susie shook her head. Her tears were preventing her from talking.
"I was just about to call you," Fen said, "How did you find her?"
"I tracked Susie on her phone," Kevin said.
As Rachel tried to soothe Susie, Kevin said, "Do you know where's she's been?"
"When I saw Susie here, she was with a boy, said his name was Karl," Fen said, "Creepy kid. She obviously liked this guy and he said, he was her special friend."
"I hope that doesn't mean what it sounds like," Kevin said.
"Once I started grilling them about why they were out of school together, he turned on Susie and dumped her right in front of me," Fen said.
"That's the best news I've heard all day," Kevin said, "I hope that means he is out of her life."
"Sounded like it," Fen said, "I think that's what she's crying about."
"Thanks for taking care of her," Kevin said, giving Fen a pat on the shoulder.
"Susie," Kevin said, "Fen just told me what happened with Karl. I'm sorry you got hurt, but him walking away, was for the best."
"He was so nice to me," Susie sobbed, "He told me I was beautiful and special to him. I thought he really liked me."
"Guys like him are con artists," Rachel said, "They say whatever they can to get you to trust them."
"Why would he do that to me?" Susie said.
"Because he wanted something from you," Kevin said, "I sincerely hope he didn't get it."
"We didn't do anything," Susie said.
"Well, I find that hard to believe," Kevin said, "I know guys like Karl and he would have tried to pressure you."
"You don't know him," Susie said.
"Actually, I do," Kevin said, "Because I used to be him. I was 17 once and didn't have the most wholesome outlook on life. I know what goes through a guy's mind at that age, especially when they see a pretty girl."
"Susie, it's very important you are honest with us, if something happened," Rachel said, "You left in the middle of the night, are you sure you didn't spend special time with him?"
Susie looked at her mother with wide-eyed embarrassment. "We didn't do, what you did with Kyle last night, if that's what you want to know!" Susie blurted out.
"Just how is it, you know what goes on, behind closed doors?" Rachel said.
"I could hear you," Susie said.
As Rachel tried to hold her composure, Kevin said, "Susie, that is not an appropriate thing to say to your Mom. Nor did you answer the question."
"We just kissed a for awhile," Susie said, "That's all."
"You are in quite a bit of trouble," Kevin said.
"No phone for two weeks," Rachel said, "And no stealing it back."
"Also," Kevin said, "You will be staying with me, grounded for two weeks."
"But that's Christmas!" Susie complained.
"Your grounding will be over Christmas Eve," Kevin said, "Until then, you are not to go out except for school and someone will drive you and pick you up."
Susie sat with her arms folded in defiance.
"Is that understood?" Kevin said.
"Yes," Susie meekly said.
Susie stood up with her parents, not looking forward to the start of her punishment, when Fen approached them.
"I know you want to get going with Susie," Fen said, "But can I talk to her for just a few minutes?"
"Sure," Kevin said, "Just remember, we have to get her to school in time for afternoon classes."
Once the two were left alone, Susie said, "You got to me just in time."
"What do you mean?" Fen said.
"No one is going to see or hear from me for the next two weeks," Susie said.
"Grounded," Fen nodded.
"Big time," Susie said.
"You do the crime, you do the time," Fen tried to make her smile.
Susie gave a small laugh, before Fen continued, "I hope you're not mad at me for interfering today."
"No, I'm not mad," Susie said, "Maybe you did me a favor. I must be really messed up to fall for someone like him."
"You don't need guys like him, in your life," Fen said.
"Why can't I find someone like you?" Susie said.
"Trust me, you don't need a teenage version of me in your life either," Fen said.
"I bet you were a lot of fun," Susie said.
"Fun and defiant," Fen said, "I drove my parents crazy."
"Kind of like I'm doing?" Susie said.
"Something like that," Fen said, "You and I know, you are not going to agree with everything your parents say, but no more running off like that again, okay? You worried a lot of people, including me."
"Sorry, I will try to be better," Susie said.
"Listen, once you have been sprung free, you will still have some Christmas break left," Fen said, "Let's hang out, do dinner and a movie."
"I would love that," Susie said, "It's a date…well, you know what I mean."
Fen smiled at her and said, "You better get going."
"I guess so," Susie sighed.
Standing up, she surprised Fen, by giving him a hug. "Thank you," Susie said.
"For what?" Fen said.
"For being you," Susie said.
"Thank you for that," Fen said.
"Well, I'll see you," Susie said, heading for the patio doors.
"Hold it!" Fen said. Susie turned around, as Fen pointed to the indoors of the coffeehouse.
"You can't blame me for trying," Susie smiled.
"I'm so glad that crisis with Susie is over," Rachel said, as she stood in Kyle's office, his arms around her.
"You must be so relieved," Kyle said, "I was worried about her too."
"The whole time Susie was missing, it reminded me of Miranda," Rachel said, "I would hate if Susie went down that path too. I couldn't bear the thought of losing touch with her again."
"Susie knows you love her," Kyle said, "You and Kevin have raised an amazing young girl. I'm sure she has a great future to look forward to."
"But what about Miranda?" Rachel said, "It's almost Christmas and where is she? All alone again and running from the law this time."
"She can't run forever," Kyle said.
"But I wouldn't help her last time, the way she wanted me to," Rachel said, "So I'm sure she won't come to me."
"You never know," Kyle said, "I think she knows deep down that you love her."
"I hope you're right," Rachel said, "I can't believe Christmas is around the corner."
"I know," Kyle said, "Diana's 2nd one already."
"It's going to be great, she will enjoy it much more this year," Rachel said.
"I can hardly wait to see that sparkle in her eyes," Kyle said.
"Plus, we are together this year," Rachel said.
"We spent the holiday together last year," Kyle said.
"Yes, but I was just a guest," Rachel said.
"You have been and always will be a part of the Abbott family," Kyle said.
"You know, Susie said, something else that threw me," Rachel said.
"What's that?" Kyle said.
"Kevin and I were trying to determine if she had been intimate with this boy, which she swears she wasn't," Rachel said, "Although, Susie threw it in my face that she didn't do, what you and I did last night. When I asked her how she knew about that, she said she could hear us."
Kyle nodded and said, "I can see that being true."
"What can I say, I saw you and got a little excited," Rachel said.
"I think it was more than a little," Kyle said.
"I do seem to remember feeling the earth move last night," Rachel said.
"So, it wasn't just me," Kyle said, "And all the more reason to move into the main house. We can have a room far away from everyone and make as much noise as we want."
"I can hardly wait," Rachel said. Moving closer to him, she said, "What if we lock that door and pull those blinds, and put that couch to good use. Let's see if we can make Jabot shake too."
"You have no idea how tempting that is…" Kyle said, watching Rachel walk over and lock the door.
"I have a ton of work to do…" Kyle continued, as Rachel pushed the button to close the blinds.
Rachel rubbed Kyle's shoulders and pulled his jacket off. "I guess, I'm due for a break," Kyle said.
Rachel took Kyle's hand and led him to the couch, where he took her in his arms and kissed her.