~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~*~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 1
Disclaimer: None of these characters are mine, bla bla bla. They belong to NBC and James E. Reilly. I'm just borrowing them for awhile and I promise to return them.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
Dedicated to Bethany Note: This is a sequel to my earlier story, Most Prized Possessions. This story takes place 4 and a half years later. It's not completely neccesary to have read Most Prized Possessions before reading this story, but it may help.
A lot of things happened after Julian and Alistair dissapeared. Ivy, Sheridan, and Ethan had gained full access to the entire Crane Mansion and its many secrets. They made many discoveries while looking in the various safes that were hidden away. They discovered that Sheridan wasn't even a Crane at all, but a Winthrop. While Sheridan and Julian's Mother, Vivian, was married to Alistair, she started having a steamy love affair with Governor Charles Winthrop, Ivy's Father. Vivian soon became pregnant and Alistair destroyed their romance. Charles never did find out about his child. After Sheridan was born, Alistair began drugging Vivian until she eventually died. Upon her deathbed, Alistair told her that his revenge on her would be raising Sheridan as his daughter and making sure her life would be miserable. His revenge on Charles would be not only to ruin Sheridan's life, but he would ruin Ivy's, as well. The truth about "that night" was also uncovered. It turned out that Julian was the one who killed someone, Martin Fitzgerald. Alistair and Julian decided to brainwash Sheridan into thinking that she had something to do with the murder, but she was only a witness to it. Ivy, Sheridan, and Ethan all moved out of the Crane Mansion and it still sat on the hill, condemned and abandoned. Or was it?
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
"I can't believe that in less than a month I will be Mrs. Ethan Bennett." Theresa said to her soon to be Mother-in-law, Ivy, and her sister-in-law, Sheridan.
"I can't wait, Theresa. You really make my son happy and you two belong together." Ivy said as she gave Theresa a hug.
"Well hello, ladies. How is the wedding planning coming along?" Sam asked as he came into the family room.
"It's going good." Ivy said as she walked up to her husband and wrapped her arms around him. "You made the reservations for tonight, didn't you?" She whispered to him.
"Of course I did, honey. It's going to be an incredible night. By the way, where's Jocelyn and James?"
"Kay and Miguel volunteered to take them for awhile. They figured that we needed the time alone since it's our anniversary."
"Are they going to take them tonight?" Sam asked his wife as he kissed her on the lips.
"Yup. We're going to be all alone." Sheridan cleared her throat to remind them that they weren't alone right now. "Sorry."
"That's okay."
"Okay, well enough with the wedding plans. Why don't we go get some lunch?" Theresa suggested as she stood up off the couch.
"That's a good idea, Theresa."
"You ladies go ahead. I'm going to go back to the station and finish up some paperwork." Sam said as he gave his wife one last kiss and left through the kitchen.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
"Hey bro." Miguel said as he opened the door.
"Hey, Miguel. I was wondering if you and Kay wouldn't mind watching Bethany for awhile. I wanted to help Sam at the station with some paperwork so he can get off early."
"Sure, no problem."
"Thanks, Miguel." Luis said as he handed his four month old daughter to Miguel and set the diaper bag down inside.
"No problem, Luis. We'll just bring her over to Theresa and Ethan's for the party."
"Okay, great." Luis left, shutting the door behind him, and Miguel brought Bethany inside. He and Kay had been living together for a year now, and he couldn't be happier. Three years earlier, he and Charity broke up after he discovered that she was in love with Reese. He was hurt, at first, but then realized that it was for the best. Deep down inside, he always knew that he loved Kay and he couldn't be happier for Charity and Reese. They got married right after high school graduation and now had a one year old daughter, Hope. The four of them were the best of friends.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
*At the Party*
"This was so sweet of you to do for us." Ivy said to Ethan, Theresa, Sheridan, and Luis.
"You and Dad deserve it. You have both been great with helping me and Theresa with our wedding plans and you deserve an anniversary party." Ethan said as he wrapped his arms around his fiancee, Theresa. All of the sudden, Sam felt someone pulling on the bottom of his pant leg. He looked down and saw his three year old twins staring up at him.
"Dadda." Jocelyn said as she reached her hands up. Sam bent down and picked her up in one arm and James in the other.
"Hey there, sweetheart. Were you two good for your big sister, Kay, and Miguel?" Jocelyn and James looked at each other and then nodded their heads. James was carrying his juice cup and then he spilt it all over Sam. Everyone tried not to laugh, but they couldn't help it.
"Come here, you two." Ivy began as she took James and Jocelyn from Sam. "Why don't we go play in the other room with Hope, Bethany, and Delilah and let Daddy clean himself up." She said as she took the twins in the other room.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
Outside of the home of Ethan and Theresa, a stranger stood hiding in the bushes and watching through the window. He couldn't believe how many little rugrats he saw inside. It seemed to him that everyone had a child. "Well, the more the merrier." He said as he laughed to himself. "We promised our revenge on you and we Cranes always carry out our promises. You all my be happy now, but when I'm through with you, there won't be a smile left on any of your faces."
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
"Congratulations again. You two deserve to be happy. Especially after what Julian, Alistair, and Grace put you through." Eve said as she and TC prepared to leave. Soon after Alistair and Julian had dissappeared, the truth about Sam and Ivy was out and everyone knew. When Grace found out, she went ballistic and ran down Ivy and Ethan in her car. They both ended up in the hospital and almost lost their lives. Sam was not too happy about this and he arrested her and then divorced her. Eve and Ivy became the best of friends, especially when it was discovered that they had a lot in common: Julian. Julian and Eve's past came out after Orville opened up his mouth about it and Chad was discovered to be Julian and Eve's illigitimate son. Eve felt horrible and immediately took him into her home. TC took it hard, at first, but then forgave his wife and adopted Chad. Simone and Whitney also took it hard, but two boys entered the pitcure and took their minds off of it. Simone met Will and couldn't be happier. He fell head over heals for her and then she did the same with him. Frank Lomax, the private detective that Ethan and Ivy had hired to find Ethan's "stalker", came back and he and Whitney started a relationship. They married and they have a two year old daughter, Delilah.
"Thank you, Eve. So do you and TC."
"Thanks. Well, we better get going. I have to check on a patient at the hospital."
"Ok, buy guys." TC and Eve left. The next ones to leave were Kay and Miguel, who took Jocelyn and James with them. The only ones left were Theresa, Ethan, Sam, and Ivy.
"Well, we better get going now. Thanks for the party. It really meant a lot to us." Sam said as he grabbed his wife's jacket and helped her put it on.
"You're welcome. It was our pleasure." Sam and Ivy said goodbye and then left for the hotel that Sam had made reservations at. Unbeknowest to them, there was a car following.
Chapter 2
"You are such a great Mother." Luis said to Sheridan as he watched her hold their infant daughter, Bethany.
"And you're a great Father. I love you, Luis."
"I love you, too, Sheridan. What do you say we put Bethany to bed and then we can "go to bed" ourselves." Luis suggested as he raised his eyebrows at her.
"And just what are you suggesting, Detective? I'm a happily married woman."
"Well I'm sure your husband won't be upset with me for not being able to resist you. It'll be our little secret."
"How could I say no to such a sexy man." Sheridan stood up with Bethany and carried her into the nursery. Luis came up behind her as she laid her into the crib. He wrapped his arms around her as they tucked their daughter in. They left her room and then went into their bedroom to "go to bed".
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
Sam and Ivy pulled up to the hotel and checked in. They took the elevator up to their room and they couldn't keep their hands off of each other. When they appraoched the door to their suite, Sam picked up Ivy and carried her over the threshold. He laid her on the bed and began kissing her. She unbuttoned his pants as he worked on her shirt. Before they knew it, there were clothes everywhere and they were making sweet passionate love to each other. All of the sudden, they heard a loud bang right outside the door.
"What was that?" Ivy said as she looked up at Sam with a scared look on her face.
"I don't know. Stay right here." Sam said as he got out of the bed and put his pants back on. He grabbed his gun, which he always had with him, and walked slowly towards the door. He opened it and looked around outside. There was no one out there. He looked down and saw an envelope lying on the ground. He picked it up and went back inside, shutting and locking the door behind him.
"What is it, Honey?" Ivy asked as she got out of bed and put a robe on.
"I don't know." He said as he began to open it. "Oh my God!" He said as he discovered its contents.
"What is it?" She asked as she came up to him. He handed her the envelope and she was shocked at what she saw. The envelope was filled with pictures of Sam and Ivy. There were various pictures of them making love and then some family pictures. But one pitcure caught their attention the most. It was one of the them with Jocelyn and James with one word written across it in blood: SOON.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
"The party went really well tonight." Theresa said to Ethan as they got ready to go to bed.
"Yes it did. I hope we end up just like my Mother and Father. They're so happy together." Ethan said as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her.
"So do I. By the way, Ethan. There's something that I've been meaning to talk to you about."
"What is it, sweetheart?"
"Maybe you should sit down."
"This sounds serious. Is everything alright?" He asked as he started to worry.
"Just sit down." She led him over to the bed and they sat down. "Do you remember how we talked about starting a family?"
"Of course. Why?"
"Because it may happen sooner than we expected. I'm pregnant."
"You're pregnant?! That is so great!" Ethan said as he wrapped his arms around her.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
"Are Jocelyn and James sleeping?" Miguel asked as Kay walked into the family room.
"Yep. They're sound asleep." She said as she walked over to him and sat on his lap.
"Good, cause I've been meaning to ask you something."
"What is it, Miguel?"
"Get up for a second." She got up and he sat her down on the couch. He walked over to the desk and pulled something out. He came back up to her and got down on one knee. "I know that this isn't the most romantic thing in the world, but it's the meaning behind it that's important. Kay Bennett, you have been my best friend for as long as I remember and then you became my soulmate and I couldn't be happier. That is, unless you agreed to marry me. So, Kay Bennett, will you marry me?"
"Yes, Miguel! Yes, I'll marry you!" She said as he slipped the ring on her finger.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
"Did you send the first message, Julian?" Alistair asked his son as he walked inside their lair.
"Of course, Father. And I'll send the rest tomorrow."
"Just wait til we carry out our plans. Their perfect little lives will crumble right before their eyes."
Chapter 3
"What does this mean, Sam?" Ivy asked her husband as they sat down on the bed.
"I don't know, Honey, but we should probably take this seriously. I'll go down to the station in the morning and have these pictures analyzed. But right now, I think we should go get James and Jocelyn from Kay and Miguel's to be on the safe side." He told his wife as he wrapped his arms around her.
"I'm scared. We can't let anything happen to our babies." She said as she held him tighter. They packed up their stuff and left for Kay and Miguel's house.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
"I love you so much, Kay Bennett." Miguel said as he wrapped his arms around his new fiancee.
"I love you, too, Miguel. I can't believe that we are actually engaged. I have waited years for this day to come." Their evening is interrupted by a knock at the door. Miguel gets up and answers it to find Sam and Ivy at the door with distraught looks on their faces.
"Sam, Ivy, what is it?" Miguel asked as he let them inside.
"Are Jocelyn and James okay?" Sam asked.
"Dad, Ivy, what's going on?" Kay asked as she got up from the couch to see what was wrong. Ivy immediately walked into the guest room to check on her children. She emerged from the bedroom and Sam walked up to her.
"Honey, are they okay?"
"They're sound asleep."
"Thank God." He said as he wrapped his arms around her.
"Dad, please tell me what's going on. Why would you think James and Jocelyn would be in any kind of danger?" Kay asked, confused. Sam and Ivy sat her and Miguel down and explained the photos that were sent to them. "Oh, God. You don't think it's serious, do you?"
"I don't know, Sweetheart. We have to take all of the proper precautions to be on the safe side." After talking for awhile, they decided that it would be best if Sam and Ivy spent the night. They stayed in the guest room with the twins and wouldn't let out of their site.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
*The Next Morning*
"Good morning, Charity." Reese said to his wife as he came into the kitchen carrying their daughter, Hope.
"Morning, Honey." She said as she kissed him and took Hope from his arms.
"I'm going to go get the mail. I forgot to get it yesterday." Reese said as went out the door. He came back a couple of minutes later with a stack of envelopes. He began going through the mail, starting with the top envelope. It was long and white and it had no stamp or a return address on it. He opened it and after looking at it, dropped its contents on the ground.
"What is it?" Charity asked as she walked up to her husband.
"Honey, I don't want to scare you, but look." He said as he picked up the picture that he had thrown to the ground and handed it to her. Charity was shocked at what she saw. It was a pitcure of Hope with one word written across it in blood: SOON.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
"Hey, Sheridan, what's that?" Luis asked as he walked into the family room to see his wife coming in from outside carrying an envelope.
"I don't know. I was just about to open it. It was sitting on the front porch." She opened up the envelope and by the look on her face, Luis could tell that something was wrong.
"What is it?"
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
"What are we going to do, Sam?" Luis asked as he sat down on the couch next to him.
"I don't know, Luis. This just doesn't make any sense. Whoever it is, they are out to hurt James, Jocelyn, Bethany, Delilah, and Hope. We have to protect them."
"I know we do. I can't imagine anyone trying to hurt those innocent children. Who would do such a thing?"
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
"I don't understand what this means, Ethan." Theresa said as she cried in his arms.
"I don't know, either." He said as he held her tighter.
"Why would someone write "SOON" on a picture of our baby's ultra sound picture? It doesn't make sense!"
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
"Everything's falling into place, Julian. We'll get our revenge soon." Alistair said as he laughed to himself.
"Yes, Father. My ex-wife and everyone around her will pay."
Chapter 4
"So, what did you want to tell us?" Ivy asked Ethan and Theresa as they gathered in the Bennett family room. Ethan looked over at Theresa and she nodded her okay.
"Well...Mom, Dad.....Theresa and I are going to have a baby." Ethan said as he squeezed his fiancee's hand.
"Oh, Ethan! That is so great!" Ivy said as she stood up and threw her arms around Ethan, and then Theresa. Sam stood up as well, with a huge smile on his face.
"I am so happy for you, son." Sam said as he gave his son a hug.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
"When is Ivy bringing over the twins?" Miguel asked hs fiancee as he went into the kitchen.
"Ethan and Theresa were going to see her and my Dad this morning about something and then she was going to bring them over afterwards."
"Her, Theresa, and Sheridan sure are busy with those wedding plans."
"I know. Which reminds me, I wanted to talk to you about something...."
"What is it, Kay?"
"Well, I was thinking about Ethan and Theresa's wedding and how stressed everyone is about it. I just don't think we should get married----" Miguel cut her off.
"You don't want to marry me?"
"Of course I want to marry you, Miguel. I love you more than anything. I was going to say that I don't think we should get married right after Ethan and Theresa. We should get married before."
"What do you mean, 'Get married before'?" Miguel asked, confused.
"I mean that I think we should elope."
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
"How are you feeling, Sheridan?" Luis asked her as he wrapped his arms around her.
"I'm ok. A little scared that someone wants to hurt our precious Bethany."
"It's going to be okay, Sweetheart. I'll make sure nothing happens to our little girl. Why don't we go get something to eat?"
"What about Bethany?"
"I'll give Miguel a call and see if he and Kay can watch her."
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
"Elope? I don't know, Kay...."
"Come on, Miguel. It would be a lot less stressful on everyone. I don't need an elaborate wedding. I just need you." She said as she wrapped her arms around him.
"Okay, then. We'll elope. I love you."
"I love you, too." They are interrupted by the phone ringing. It's Luis and he asked Miguel if he and Kay could watch Bethany. Miguel agreed.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
Sheridan and Luis dropped off Bethany at Kay and Miguel's and Ivy dropped off Jocelyn and James.
"Honey, I have to run a quick errand. Would you mind watching the kids while I'm gone?" Miguel asked her.
"Of course I won't mind. Take you time." Miguel kissed her on the lips and then left the house, leaving Kay and the kids alone. About 10 minutes after he left, there was a knock at the door. Kay, who was carrying Bethany, went to the door to answer it. When she opened it, she saw two men carrying guns and she screamed. One of them put their hand over her mouth and the other one grabbed Bethany. Kay tried to get away, but the man was too strong. He then pulled out a needle and injected her with it, causing her to go unconcious. The man laid her on the ground and then went inside the house. He spotted James and Jocelyn asleep on the couch. He went over and picked them both up and the two men left with the three children.
Chapter 5
"That went more perfect than I expected." Julian said as he held Bethany. "What now, Father?"
"Now we must make sure we stay out of sight and one of us has to stay with the children at all times. Now that we've kidnapped the babies of two of Harmony's police force, there will be cops everywhere. But they're still no match for the Cranes. We're still not finished destroying their lives."
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
"How are you feeling, Kay?" Miguel asked as her eyes finally began to open. She looked at him in confusion for a brief moment, but then became aware of her surroundings and remembered what had happened.
"Where are they, Miguel?! They have to be okay!" She yelled. She looked around the room and became even more scared. There were cops swarming in her house. Standing in the corner was her Father holding Ivy why she cried. She felt like she had failed.
"Calm down, Sweetheart. We don't know where they are, but we'll find them." He said as he tried to comfort her.
"No, Miguel! This is all my fault! They're missing because of me!"
"This is not your fault, Kay." Ivy began as she came towards her and knelt by her side. "Honey, you were a victim in this. Don't blame yourself."
"Thank you, Ivy. I am so sorry!" Kay said as she hugged Ivy and started to cry. Ivy tried to calm her down, but she couldn't keep from tears. Her babies were gone, as well as her niece.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
"I can't believe that someone got her, Luis. Our precious baby is gone." Sheridan said as she looked down at a picture of Bethany and cried. Luis wrapped his arms around her.
"Shh...It's going to be alright, Honey. We're going to find our daughter and your niece and nephew. Nothing will happen to any of them." Luis said as he tried to help his wife get through this. They had been through a lot together and just after they were finally happy, this happens. "Why don't you go to sleep. You're exhausted and you need your rest." Sheridan protested, but Luis held his ground. She finally gave in and fell asleep in his arms.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
"Goodnight, Delilah. Be a good girl and go to sleep." Frank said to his daughter as he tucked her in her crib. Delilah just gave him a little smile and then pretended to close her eyes.
"I know you're still awake, young lady. Don't try to fool Daddy like that." Whitney teased as she bent down and kissed her daughter's forehead. "Goodnight, Sunshine." With that, she pulled the covers over Delilah and she left the nursery with Frank. They were both exhausted from their long day of work, so they went straight to bed and didn't hear a man come in and take their daughter away into the night.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
*The Next Morning*
"Reese, do you have Hope?" Charity asked as he came into the kitchen. "I have to take her to day care and go to work."
"No, I don't have her. Did you look in her crib?"
"Oh my God! She wasn't in there, Reese!" Charity sobbed as she began to panick.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
"Where are you going, Ethan?" Theresa asked as she came out into the family room and saw her fiancee getting ready to leave.
"I didn't want to wake you. I'm going to go help Luis and my Dad look for Bethany, James, and Jocelyn." Ethan told her as he finished tying his shoes.
"Okay, but be careful. I don't want to lose you." She told him as she wrapped her arms around him.
"You'll never lose me. I'll be back later, Theresa. I love you."
"I love you, too." Ethan gave her a kiss on the lips and then left. Theresa was still tired and feeling a little nauceaus from morning sickness, so she went into her bedroom to lie down. As she opened her door, someone grabbed her from behind. She tried to scream, but her assailant covered up her mouth. She was terrified and she kept trying to get away from him.
"Stop struggling, Theresa. You and your baby are coming with me." He said to her as he put his hand over her stomach.
Chapter 6
"Let's go over what we know." Sam said as he sat down in one of the interrogation rooms inside the Harmony Police Department. Luis, Ethan, TC, and Frank had been sitting in there with him for hours trying to come up with some sort of explanation to what was going on. They left Reese and Miguel to take care of Charity, Kay, Sheridan, Ivy, Whitney, and Eve. Sheridan and Ivy took it the hardest because of what had happened to them when they were kidnapped 4 years earlier. They feared for their children and for Theresa. Charity had complete faith that God was watching over her daughter, Theresa, and the other children, and believed that they would be returned to them safely. Whitney tried to be strong for everyone, but it was hard for her. Eve stayed with her and tried to get her through it. Kay was not handling it well. She blamed herself for James, Jocelyn, and Bethany's kidnapping. Miguel was doing all he could to comfort her.
"Alright, we have the photographs that all the victims "received". Sam, you and Ivy got the first envelope and it contained more explicit photographs than the other ones. This could be a clue that you're the main target." Luis suggested.
"If we're talking about differences in what the victims received, we can't forget that Theresa received a picture of her baby's ultrasound. This could also mean something." Frank analyzed.
"If anyone hurts her or any of the children, I'll kill them." Ethan said through clenched teeth. He wasn't taking this whole thing well. His fiancee, unborn child, brother, sister, and cousin were all missing. He felt like it was his fault for leaving Theresa the moring she was kidnapped. He just wanted things back to the way they were.
"Calm down, Ethan." Sam began as he went up to his son. "Getting angry like this isn't going to help them. We need to be calm. And that goes for you, too, TC." He said as he looked over at his best friend. He knew that he had a bad temper and he didn't want it to get out of hand.
"I will, Sam." TC told him.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
"How are you holding up?" Miguel asked Sheridan as he went up to her. She was just sitting on the couch like a zombie. She was utterly terrified that something was going to happen to Bethany.
"I'm really trying to be strong, but I can't. I miss her." She said as tears rolled down her cheeks.
"It's going to be okay, Sheridan." He told her as he pulled her into a comforting hug. On the other side of the room sat Ivy, with Kay sleeping in her lap. Since Grace had been put in jail, Ivy became a Mother to Kay. As far as Kay was concerned, Ivy WAS her Mother. Grace never cared about her anyways and she knew that Ivy loved her a lot. Ivy knew that Kay was taking the kidnapping hard, so she tried to assure her as often as possible that it wasn't her fault. Charity and Reese were sitting at the kitchen table praying the Rosary together. They always felt that prayer would help them through anything. Eve and Whitney stood staring at the window as if they were desperately searching. They were all startled from their positions when the door suddenly opened.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
"Please let me and the children go, Mr. Crane. I promise that I won't tell anyone that it was you and your Father." Theresa begged as she stood up next to her bed. She just wanted to go back to Ethan and tell him how much she loves him.
"You and the children aren't going anywhere. And that goes for your unborn child, as well. My Father and I are going to raise all these little brats to be Cranes, through and through. They will be even more destructive than we are. We have chosen you, Theresa, to be their Mother." Theresa just looked at them in disgust and terror. She didn't know what she was going to do now. She was stuck in the Crane Mansion forever.
Chapter 7
The door to the Bennett house opened and Jessica came in. After Ivy and Sam's anniversary party, she went to stay with one of her friends in New York for a couple of days and hadn't heard about any of the kidnappings. She was completely confused when she saw all the sad faces staring back at her.
"What is going on here? Is something wrong?" She asked as she shut the door and came towards the couch.
"Jess, Honey, we have some bad news." Ivy began. "James, Jocelyn, Bethany, Theresa, Hope, and Delilah were kidnapped." She said through tears. Jessica just stared at her in shock.
"Oh my God!" She yelled as she sat down on the couch next to Ivy in tears. Kay, who had woken up when the door opened, was sitting on the other side of Ivy. "I'm so sorry, Mom." Jessica yelled as she hugged Ivy. She had also considered Ivy to be her Mother and called her Mom. Kay looked as if she felt a little left out, so Ivy pulled her into the hug as well. As the three were embracing, the door opened and Sam, Luis, Ethan, TC, and Frank came inside. Sam saw his daughters and his wife on the couch and couldn't help but smile. He was glad that Jessica and Kay had accepted Ivy as their Mother.
"Luis, did you find anything out?" Sheridan asked with hopeful eyes as she ran up to her husband.
"No, Sweetheart. I'm sorry." He said as he hugged her. The men filled in the women, Reese, and Miguel in on everything they talked about at the station. It started to get late, so everyone left the Bennetts. Kay refused to leave, but Miguel finally convinced her to let him take her home. Sam and Jessica were talking in the kitchen while Ivy took a shower.
"Dad, I better go to bed now. I'm exhausted." She said as she stood up from the table.
"Alright. Go get some rest. Night, Jess."
"Night, Dad." Jessica said as he went upstairs. Sam looked at his watch and realized that Ivy left to take a shower almost an hour ago. He started to worry, so he went into the family room. He was relieved when he saw his wife sound asleep on the couch. He picked her up and carried her into their bedroom.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
"Luis, I have something that I need to tell you." Sheridan said as he climbed into bed beside her.
"What is it, Honey? Is everything alright?" He asked her with a worried expressions on his face.
"I don't know if it's going to be alright. I'm pregnant, Luis."
"Pregnant?! That's great! Why do you look so sad about it?"
"I want this baby more than anything, but what if whoever took Bethany, Theresa, and the other kids tries to take me and our unborn baby?" She asked in tears.
"Oh, Sheridan, it's going to work out. I promise you that I won't let them get you. I won't let you out of my sight, even if it's for two seconds. Come here." Luis said as he wrapped his arms around her. Before they knew it, they were sound asleep in each other's arms.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
"Resa, where's Momma n Dadda?" Jocelyn asked Theresa as she sat in her lap. Alistair and Julian had locked Theresa in one of the rooms with all the children so she could take care of them. Bethany, Delilah, and Hope were all sound asleep in their cribs, but James and Jocelyn, being older, knew that something wasn't right and refused to go to sleep.
"Jocelyn, they're not here right now. You're going to have to be a good girl for me and help me take care of the babies. Can you do that for me?" Jocelyn shook her head, but the tears were still coming down her tiny cheeks. She missed her parents so much. She went up to James and hugged him. They finally fell asleep and Theresa laid down in the other bed and fell asleep as well.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
Kay couldn't sleep, so she decided to go for a walk. The night was cool and the sky was clear. As she approached the pier, she saw someone that looked familiar talking on the phone and hid. She couldn't think of who it was until the man turned around and she saw his face. It was Julian Crane. She listened as intently as she could to see what he was saying.
"Yes, Father, I got the baby formula and diapers. I'm on my way back to the Mansion right now. Bye." He hung up the phone and was out of sight. Kay couldn't believe what she heard. She ran back to her house to tell Miguel.
Chapter 8
"Kay, where have you been? I've been scared that something happened to you." Miguel asked as Kay ran through the door.
"Miguel, I know who has the children." She said, almost out of breath. Miguel stared at her.
"Well who is it?"
"It's Julian Crane."
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
Sam and Ivy laid sound asleep in their bed when the phone suddenly woke them up.
"Who would call at this hour?" Ivy asked her husband as they sat up.
"I don't know." Sam said as he picked up the phone. "Hello?"
"It's Miguel. Kay knows where the children are."
"What?! Are you sure? Who has them?" Sam could hardly believe his ears. Ivy noticed his sudden outburst and listened intently.
"Okay, calm down. Julian and Alistair Crane have them. Kay overheard a telephone conversation they were having while she was taking a walk. They're keeping them at the mansion."
"Oh my God. Call Luis and Sheridan and let them know. I'll call Ethan, Reese, and Frank." Miguel agreed and they hung up the phone.
"Honey, what's going on?"
"Ivy, we know where the children are. Julian and Alistair have them at the Mansion." Ivy felt both relief and fear. She knew where her babies were, but they were with two very dangerous men.
"Oh no. What if they hurt them? I could never live with myself if something happened to them." She said as she began to cry.
"Listen to me, Sweetheart. They're going to be okay. I want you to go back to sleep while I call Ethan, Reese, and Frank. I'm going to have everyone come over tonight so we can come up with a plan. But I want you to rest." Ivy was about to protest, but Sam gave her a passionate kiss and she knew that she couldn't argue with him. So she agreed and tried to go back to sleep.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
After about 20 minutes, Miguel, Kay, Ethan, Sheridan, Luis, Whitney, Frank, Charity, and Reese arrived. Kay went into Sam and Ivy's room and went to sleep in there with Ivy. Sheridan refused to leave Luis' side, so she fell asleep on the couch. Charity and Whitney went into the spare bedroom, which had double beds, and slept in there. Everyone else was gathered around in the family room trying to think of a plan to get inside the Mansion.
"Julian and Alistair are probably closely watching it. I don't know how we'll get inside and find out where they're being kept." Luis said as he sat on the couch next to a sleeping Sheridan.
"Well, we'll have to find a way. They're not going to win." Sam said as he paced back and forth.
"I know how to can get in." Ethan spoke up. Everyone turned to look at him.
"How?" Miguel asked.
"I lived in the Crane Mansion. I know it's layout. So do Sheridan and my Mother. I remember some of the secret passage ways. I can go in there and find them."
"I don't think that's such a great idea. I won't put you, your Mother, or Sheridan in danger." Sam said.
"Come on, Dad. They have Theresa and our unborn baby. I have to save her. I know you would do the same thing for Mom. This may be the only way in." He pleaded. Sam looked at him for a minute, and then realized that he was right. They had no other choice.
"Alright, Ethan."
Chapter 9
Everyone woke up and prepared to put their plan into action. Sam tried to convince Ivy to stay at home, but she refused. She wanted to help Ethan get into the Mansion. Sheridan also tried to go along, but Luis brought up the subject that she was pregnant and he didn't want to take the chance that they could get their other baby, too. She agreed to stay at the Bennett home with Charity, Kay, Whitney, Eve, Reese, and Miguel.
"Ivy, are you sure you want to do this? It could get very dangerous." Sam warned, trying to make sure that she really wanted to go through with it.
"Yes. I want to do this. I know that house inside and out. Ethan and I will find them."
"Okay, then let's put this on you." He told her as he held up the bullet proof vest. She put it on, along with two wires and a small hand gun as a precaution. Ethan put the same equipment on. Finally, they were ready to go to the Crane Mansion.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
"Where are you going, Father?" Julian asked Alistair as he came downstairs to find his Father holding a suitcase.
"I have business to take care of, Julian. I want you to stay here with Theresa and the children. I'm trusting you to take care of things while I'm away. Don't let me down."
"I won't, Father." Alistair nodded and then abruptly left the mansion. Julian poured himself a Brandy and sat on the couch. He sat there for a few minutes, and then found himself difting off to sleep.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
Ethan, Ivy, Sam, Luis, Frank, and TC arrived at the mansion and kept a good distance away from it. Frank and TC stayed back by the main gate in the bushes, while Luis and Sam escorted Ivy and Ethan to where they were going to sneak in. It was a small door that was hidden by large vines towards one of the back doors. Not many people knew about it and it lead to one of the back staircases. Sam gave Ivy a quick kiss on the lips and he and Luis wished her and Ethan good luck. Sam moved to one side of the wall and Luis moved to the other. Sam, Luis, Frank, and TC held listening devices so they could hear everything that Ethan and Ivy were saying. Ivy and Ethan slowly opened up the hidden door and procceeded to go inside.
"Okay, Sam, we're in." Ivy began. "Ethan is going to go look around in the other room and I'm going to go check upstairs."
"Okay, Baby, just be careful." Ivy walked up the stairs and began quietly checking the rooms.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
"Dad, I'm going into the living room now." Ethan told Sam through his listening device. Ethan lowered his voice as he saw Julian. He stepped out of the room before talking again. "I just found Julian. He's sound asleep on the couch. But I don't know where Alistair is."
"Okay, Ethan, just get out of that room and go watch the backstairs to make sure your Mother is okay."
"Okay, I'm on my way." Ethan said as he went towards the back staircase.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
"Resa, I'm hungry." James complained as he gave her a sad look.
"I know, James. I don't know where our food is." All of the sudden, they hear footsteps.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
Ivy continued checking the rooms. She came up to one at the end of the hallway and tried the hanlde. It was locked, but she remembered where Julian kept the key. Like an idiot, it was still above the door. Ivy grabbed the key and unlocked the door. She gently opened the it.
"Momma!" Jocelyn yelled as she saw her come throught the door. Ivy was immediately in tears. She ran up to her and took her in her arms.
"You found us, Ivy!" Theresa excalimed, with Hope in her arms.
"Sam, they're okay!" Ivy said through the wire.
"Thank God! Honey, you need to get them out of there ASAP. I sent for back up units and Ethan found Julian asleep in the living room."
"Okay, tell Ethan to get up here and help us."
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
Ethan came up the stairs and went into the room. He saw Theresa and his heart almost stopped. He was so happy to see her again. He ran up to her and pulled her into a passionate embrace.
"Ethan! I love you so much."
"I love you, too, Theresa. I thought I was going to lose you forever."
"You're never going to lose me."
"I hate to interrupt, but we have to get out of here." Ivy said as she picked up Bethany from her crib. Ethan nodded and smiled and then went and picked up Delilah, while Theresa took Hope. Jocelyn grabbed ahold of Ivy's hand, while James took Ethan's. They left the room and went down the stairs as fast as they could. Surprisingly, they made it out the door safely. Luis and Sam caught sight of them and ran towards them.
"Bethany!" Luis yelled with tears in his eyes as Ivy handed her over to him. James ran up to Sam and Ivy picked up Jocelyn. In a few seconds, there were cops surrounding the Crane Mansion. One of the cop cars was carrying Sheridan, Kay, and Miguel. The other one held Charity, Reese, and Eve. They got out and ran to Luis, Sam, Ethan, Ivy, Frank, and TC. They were finally reunited with their children. Julian was arrsted for kidnapping, but Alistair was no where to be found.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
*Three Days Later*
"Are you ready?" Ivy asked Theresa as she walked into the dressing room.
"I'm definately ready to become Mrs. Ethan Bennett!" Theresa said as she gave Ivy a hug. The door opened and Kay came in wearing a long white, silk dress.
"Oh, Kay, you look absolutely beautiful!" Sheridan said as she saw her.
"Thanks, Sheridan. And thanks, Theresa, for letting me and Miguel get married with you and Ethan. It's a lot better than eloping."
"It's no problem at all. It's going to be a lot of fun!" The four women are interrupted by a knock at the door. Ivy opened it and Sam came in.
"Hello, ladies. I just wanted to let you know that the grooms and guests are in place. Theresa, Kay, are you ready?"
"Yes!" They both said simultaneously.
"Okay, then let's get the show on the road."
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
The wedding march began as the guests stood up. Ethan and Miguel nervously awaited for their brides to come to the altar as Ivy, Sheridan, Charity, Whitney, and Jocelyn stood on one side of the grooms and Reese, Frank, and James stood on the other side. In the back of the church, Theresa, escorted by Luis, and Kay, escorted by Sam, walked down the aisle to marry their true loves.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
*At the Reception*
"Do you want to tell them, Kay, or do you want me to?" Miguel asked his new wife anxiously.
"You tell them, Honey." She said as she took his hand in hers.
"Kay and I are going to have a baby..." There were cheers coming from everyone.
"Oh, Kay, I'm so happy for you!" Sam said as he hugged his daughter.
"Thanks, Dad."
"You're going to be a great Mother." Ivy told her.
"Thanks to you, Mom."
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
*After the Reception*
"Look at how precious she looks." Sheridan said as she and Luis watched their daughter sleep.
"I know. She's our little angel. I can't wait to have another one." Luis said as he put his hand on her belly. She smiled at him and then pulled him into a passionate kiss.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
"Thank God Delilah is alright." Whitney said as she watched Frank hold their daughter.
"I don't know what I would have done if something were to happen to her. You know, Whit, I was thinking. What if we had another one?"
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
"I can't believe Kay is pregnant." Ivy said as she climbed into bed next to Sam.
"I know. First Theresa, then Sheridan, and now Kay. Things sure are going to be hectic." He said as he began kissing her kneck.
"If you think things are hectic now, just wait until our baby is born." Sam stopped dead in his tracks and looked up at her. She had a huge grin on her face.
"You mean, you're--" He began with a huge smile on his face.
"I'm pregnant, Sam."
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
THE END!!!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~*~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~