CHAPTER TWO

"Do you have any idea what this is about?"Dan asked as he and Sutton approached the country club.

"Nope,"Sutton answered. "Emma just said we were both needed here for something urgent."

They pushed open the main doors and found the lobby darkened. Cautiously, they made their way to the main hall. "You don't think..?"Dan began.

"SURPRISE!"shouted several voices as the lights came on. They were confronted with a large group of people, Emma, Ethan, Kristen, Peter, Laurel, Jordan, Char, Justin and Lexi among them. There were various tables set up with food at the far end, and above it all was a banner saying "Congratulations, Dan and Sutton".

The pair couldn't help smiling as well wishers came over to congratulate them. "Sorry, brother, but we couldn't let this pass,"Ethan told Dan quietly.

Dan patted him on the back. "It's okay. And…thanks."

Laurel had taken Sutton by the arm and led her over to where Emma and Lexi were waiting. "So, how's it feel to almost be respectable?"

"I have almost been respectable for a while,"Sutton argued.

Laurel nodded. "True. You are definitely not the Sutton of old."

Emma gave Sutton a hug. "Is it patronising to say I'm proud of you?"

"You're definitely kicking life goals,"Lexi agreed.

Sutton nodded. "It's been a long road here for all of us."

"We spoke to Mads,"Emma noted. "She said she might be able to make it later."

"It'll be good to see her again,"Sutton agreed.

Not too far away, Dan was chatting with Kristen and Peter. "Have I told you how happy I am that you make my daughter so happy?"Kristen asked him.

"I guess I've got you to thank for a lot,"Dan commented. "I know it can't have been easy accepting me and Sutton together at the start, given the age gap."

"Ted and I had our doubts certainly,"Kristen agreed. "But we could see even then that she was more content than she'd ever been."

Peter nudged Kristen and nodded across the floor. "Have a look at that."

Phyllis had arrived and Char was guiding her over to where Sutton and the others were standing. To everyone's surprise, she actually looked sober.

"Mrs Chamberlin,"Sutton greeted her awkwardly. "Thank you for coming?"

Phyllis nodded. "Well, I thought it was only right that I came and wished my niece well." She looked at her other niece. "Emma. I don't suppose we've ever been formally introduced."

Emma managed a smile. "No. But in some ways I guess we know each other quite well."

"Yes. I owe you an apology. I let my past issues with Sutton cloud things between us and…well, I hurt you. I am trying to be a better person now."

"Well, I wish you all the best, Mrs Chamberlin."

"Please stay and…mingle,"Sutton offered.

Char mouthed a thank you to her two cousins before going over to join Justin. "That went better than it could have done,"he offered.

Char nodded. "Yes, it did."

"And she's not even the worst person that could have showed up."

Char grimaced. "Don't even think about it."

Sutton joined Dan outside. "I was beginning to think I'd lost you,"she remarked.

Dan gave a smile. "Sorry. I just needed a moment."

"Feeling overwhelmed, huh?"

"Something like that."

"I hope that's not a sign of you having second thoughts."

Dan took her hand and softly kissed her. "Not for a moment." They were interrupted by his mobile ringing.

"You really should turn that off,"Sutton suggested.

Dan looked at the phone and a confused expression crossed his face. He answered the call. "Hello? Yes, this is Dan Whitehorse." He paused, looking shocked. "You're joking."

Inside, everything was relaxed. "I can't believe how well it went,"Laurel remarked.

Jordan put his arm round her. "No big disasters."

Dan suddenly came rushing up to the group, Sutton close behind him. "I need to talk to you, now."

"Well, hello there,"came a rather haughty female voice. Everyone turned round to see a man and a woman had just entered the hall. Emma immediately recognised them: Mads' mother Caroline and her husband Graham. "We weren't expecting this."

"We have rooms booked here,"Graham added.

It was only then that Emma realised there was someone else with them, hidden behind them so she didn't notice at first. She let out a gasp.

Thayer gave an enigmatic smile. "Hello, everyone."

End of Episode Two