Chapter 103: A Storm’s A Brewing

Caspian stepped down from his house into the spacious courtyard making his way down the winding cobblestones until he reached his garden. Birds flew above him as the hint of the breeze blew again his partially open cranberry shirt and ruffled his hair.
He didn’t know what compelled him to go to the garden since he never visited it for it was one of Lark’s havens. Finding his way toward the outdoor paradise of a variety of blossoms’ heavily scent filled the air. He moved toward the gazebo when he found the strangest vision waiting as if she had always been there. Lark stood in between the column looking as lovely if not lovelier than she ever had. She wore a cream-colored chiffon medieval style dress with long draping sleeves and train. The dress molded against her full breast while her small waist looked at if it were corseted. Her long waist length hair fell down in a mass of curls around her while her toes peeked underneath the dress. His “Little Bird”, had always loved the medieval period, choosing to read the stories of handsome knights and their beautiful maidens. Shaking his head for a moment he waited for the vision fade. He paused. She couldn’t be real. Was she an aberration of some sort? Had his mind made her up .Her eyes smiled at him full of joy and love? He remembered that look although it has been so long since he had last seen it. He reached out with unsure hands afraid that maybe she wasn’t anymore than air. Feeling the soft skin of her hands, he paused only a moment before he cupped her face in his hands and pulled her toward him in a soft gentle kiss. His mouth caressed and loved her as years of pain and love stood between them. Lark shivered as his mouth touched her warm lips and allowed herself to enjoy the rare treat of his touch. Tears formed in his eyes as he pulled his head away slowly.“ Are you real?” He caressed her hair just needing to touch it and smell her fain scent.
“ Only as real as anybody is in a dream.”
“ I’m dreaming?” It was perplexing. It felt so real. She felt so real. It didn’t feel like any dream.
“Yes.” She confirmed. He didn’t care that it was a dream because it was a chance to say all the things that he wanted to say to her after her death. Still, it was odd. All of his dreams of her had been the past, never something like this. Taking her hands, he led her down the steps toward the bench. “ I have so many things that I want to say to you.”
“ I know.”
Caspian felt his heart beating so fast as the memories of her death that horrible night came crashing back to him. ‘ I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry for the pain that I caused you that night. If only we hadn’t fought…”
Putting a finger on his lips she stopped him “ No. Don’t do that. What happened was meant to happen.” Knowing the pain that her death had caused him, Lark didn’t want to waste time with going over the past. He had suffered enough. “I wasn’t in the mood to listen or to be rational that night. Things got out of hand.” Covering his hand with her, she squeezed it lightly. “ I don’t blame you for my death.”
“ I should have listened to you. We shouldn’t have argued. I should have let you go.’
Lark’s sad laughter ring in his ears like a beautiful melody. “Oh ‘Spian, you’ve changed, haven’t you?” Her smiling face changed to become serious. “ You can’t go back and relive that night. It’s over. God called me. Don’t you think that you’ve spent enough time punishing yourself for it?” Caspian wished that were the truth but he knew that if he hadn’t been selfish that she still would have been alive today. Knowing what her husband was thinking, Lark was overwhelmed with guilt for the pain he had suffered because of her. She stood slowly, closing her eyes to allow herself to feel the breeze, to smell his scent it carried in the air. How she had missed him. How she had taken him for granted. Theirs hadn’t been a perfect marriage. He had been secretive and overprotective but now it didn’t seem like the crime it did all those years ago. Besides, he hadn’t been the only one with secrets; she had a few of them herself. They had so many hopes and dreams when they were married and although there were problems, still there had been love. However, she knew that she couldn’t stay married to him without being swallowed up by the dramatics of their life. In being his wife, she had been losing herself. She had been young, sheltered and confused to be married to such a powerful dangerous man. Being his wife had been a blessing and a curse. Rubbing her shoulders lightly, she turned to him and kneeled down sit on the grass. Placing her cheek on his thigh “Spian , we don’t have much time.” Hearing her call him her nickname for him filled him with memories of their lives together. She looked up at him with her doe eyes. “Besides, you’ve called me here for a reason.’
Confusion shown in his handsome face.“ I’ve called you?”
“I’ve been feeling your pain and your confusion. I’m here to bring you comfort. If,” she paused. “I can.”
“ My pain. If you felt my pain then why didn’t you come to me when you died? I was going through hell then. For years I suffered and I needed your comfort.” She could hear the anger in his voice and understood the reasons for it. There were so many questions that even she couldn’t answer.
“ Because I couldn’t.”
“Why not?”
“ Because it wasn’t possible but it is now. At least your mind is allowing me to do so now. Caspian, please tell me what’s wrong?”
He wasn’t sure what to say. How could he discuss Brooke with Lark? Lark read the confusion in his eyes and stroked his hands. When they had been married she had been somewhat insecure seeing how women threw themselves at her husband. She had been jealous and hadn’t been able to deal with it well. It hadn’t helped that Donnetta let her know every chance she got that she should have married Caspian. “ It’s alright. I know this is about Brooke.”
“ You do?”
“ Yes. And I’m glad that you’ve found her. I’m delighted that you’ve found love again. She’s a amazing woman.”
If she knew about Brooke then maybe Lark could answer some nagging questions. “ Did you know about Brooke when you were alive?”
She nodded. “ Yes. I found out about her one day.”
“ How?”
“ I saw her picture in a magazine. I was stunned. I wanted to know about woman who looked like me.”
“ What did you find?”
“ Not much of anything. I didn’t get too much of a chance to investigate to much.”
“ Why didn’t you come to me with this news?”
“ Because we were going through so much. The families were warring and I…” She looked away guiltily.
“ You didn’t trust me.”
It wasn’t that. She didn’t trust anyone during those days. She had been lied to and manipulated so many times. Not just Caspian but his sister and others. “ I’m not sure if it was that. It was that…this was something that I felt that I had to do on my own. I just never got the chance to find out more about Brooke because I died.”
A torrent of emotions filled Caspian. She hadn’t trusted him to come to him. It killed him to know that she kept things from him. Still, there was a burning question that he wanted to have answered. “ Is Brooke your sister?”
The last thing she wanted to do was to bring him more pain. She had done enough of that in her life and death. “ I’m sorry, I can’t answer that.”
“ Because you don’t know?”
“ Caspian, this is YOUR dream. You don’t know so I can’t tell you what the connection between Brooke and I is. But I can tell you to go to the source.”
“ The source? Who is that?”
“ You know. Deep down you know that there is one person who can shed some light on the truth. You must go to her, only she can help you.”
“ Her?” She was speaking in riddles. He turned her toward him careful not to grasp her tightly. “ You must tell me who this “her” is.”
Stepping back, Lark shook her head. “ I can’t. You have to figure things out on your own. Once you do, you have to make a decision to tell the truth to Brooke. Tell her everything. About me. About your past.” Giving up his control over situations was never his strong suit but she knew that he had to if he wanted to find and have real love. Lark caressed his face. “ You were never afraid of anything were you? But this... It scares you, doesn’t it Spian? I think that is why you never told me the truth about your family. Or what your family “business was”. You were afraid that I wouldn’t love you if I knew the truth.”
He turned away. He felt naked, vulnerable. This was a different Lark. A more mature one and she saw the truth. “You were good and innocent. I knew that I should have left you alone but I couldn’t. I wanted you so much. Deep down I knew that if you knew the truth about me, you’d leave.”
In her heart, she knew that he was correct. If she had known the truth, she wouldn’t have married him, no matter how much she loved him. But things were different this time. He was different and Brooke was stronger than she ever was.“ You aren’t that man anymore. I’ve been watching you. I’ve seen how you’ve changed. You left the family. You are a different man. You deserve to be happy but you can’t be until you tell Brooke the truth. Tell her everything. Don’t allow anyone to ruin it. Trust her. Trust her love for you. Search for the truth and tell her everything. Be the man with her that you couldn’t be for me. Have the life with her that you were destined to have. Be honest.” Leaning forward she kissed him softly before she faded away like mist. Caspian blinked feeling the coldness that the warmth of her being had given him fade away. “Lark. Lark.” He cried. “ Lark!”
“Caspian..” He felt a warm hand touch him as he opened his eyes. Lark face was above his own.
“ Lark?”
Brooke shook her head, her hair tickling his skin. “ Caspian, it’s me.” He blinked twice as if what he saw wasn’t her. “ Honey, you were dreaming.You were calling Lark’s name. Were you dreaming of her?”
Caspian sat up to find himself in Brooke’s bedroom with the sunlight of the new day shining in through the windows across the bed he had been sleeping in. “ I guess I was dreaming.”
“ You were dreaming about Lark, weren’t you? That is why you called me her name when you woke. You said that I kinda look a little like her.”
Scratching his head he looked away for a moment afraid that she’d see the truth in his eyes. It was far more than a look.“ Yes.”
She turned to head toward him. “You don’t need to be ashamed of her. She was your wife and you loved her. It’s alright to dream about her. It’s natural” Brooke scooted closer to him. She was lovely as a spring day with her light lime green satin robe and her long hair tussled all around her. “ Do you want to tell me about it?”
Fingering a long strand of golden hair, he pulled her down to kiss her gently. “ She was giving us her blessing.”
Brooke gave him skeptical look. “ Are you sure? You sounded distressed.”
“ Distressed? No,” He said rubbing his eyes. “I’m fine.” Brooke wasn’t sure if she believed him.
“ I felt you tossing and turning all night all night. You normally sleep peacefully. Something is bothering you, isn’t it?”
“ It’s nothing.” Brooke sat up giving him a disbelieving look. “ It is nothing. I’m just concerned about this stuff with Stephanie, that’s all.”
Groaning, Brooke collapsed into his arms. “ I know. Every time I think about what that bitch did to my daughter, I become so furious.”
“ Hey, don’t focus on her you need to focus on Bridget.”
“ I know. I called Ridge this morning.”
“ And?”
“He said that Bridget was sleeping. I just wish that she were here were I can protect her but it’s best that she is there especially since the press has gotten word of Stephanie’s arrest.”
Wrapping his arms tighter around her he turned so that she lay next to him. “ Don’t focus on the press.”
“ I’m not. I’m focusing on Bridget and dealing with her health. But next to that, I’m going to see that Stephanie Forrester stays behind bars, where she belongs.”
“ She will. We won’t let her get away with this.”
Brooke smiled as she lightly caressed Caspian’s chest. “ I like that.”
“ What?” He slipped his hands under her robe and lightly caressed her naked bottom.
“ I like that there is a ‘we’. For a long time when things got rough, I always had to deal with it alone. My family tried to help me but they lived so far away. I had to often fight by myself.”
“ You’ll never have to worry about being alone ever again. We are in this together.”
He studied with his dark eyes filled with unwavering love and dark emotion. “ I will never let you go Brooke. I love you too much.” His mouth found hers in a slow burning kiss, which changed to passion. He needed her, to touch her, to smell her, to be inside of her. Parting her robe, his mouth found her breast. Soon thoughts of Stephanie, Bridget and Lark were gone. Together their bodies found each other. Hands pleasured, mouth kissed caressed, they gave to each other. Brooke found her release at the same time as he found his and when it was over, he held her close to his heart. Lark was right, he thought. He was scared to death of losing everything. He couldn’t do that. He had to find out the truth and trust Brooke enough to be honest with her.

Stephen looked from his newspaper sighing heavily at his wife.“ That’s enough Bethy.”
Beth frowned. She hated thinking about Caspian spending the night with her daughter. “Can’t he think of anything else but himself? Brooke has enough to deal with. Besides, what she is she thinking of allowing him to spend the night? Can you believe that he had his clothes delivered here?” She picked up the garment bag that Caspian’s valet had dropped off earlier.
Stephen put down his paper. “ Beth, you are going to give up this vendetta that you have against Caspian. He’s a good man.”
“Good man? You don’t know a thing about that man.”
“ And you to?” Pressing her lips together to make an unattractive line Beth said nothing more.“ You need to stop worrying about Brooke she’s a grown woman. She’s capable of making her own decision. Besides. I like the man.”
“ Just because he isn’t a Forrester.”
“ That’s reason enough but that’s not all. Look how happy he has made our daughter. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her this happy. Not crying or begging or depending on some Forrester. She’s more independent. I like the changes in her. The Forrester have never cared enough for Brooke’s welfare or our grandchildren. Just look at what that family has done to Bridget.” He threw down the newspaper where the one of the headlines dealt with Stephanie’s arrest. “ Because of that woman, our Bridget is going to be not only confused but her personal business is going to be carrion for the tabloids.”

Kimberly woke to find her condo empty. Last night she had waited and waited or Thorne to come home but he didn’t. Insecurity gripped her. Where in the hell was he? Walking around her spacious yet empty home, she was filled with angry. “ Why in the hell can’t he just accept us?” She talked to her stomach. Her baby was growing daily, she thought with disgust. It wasn’t that she didn’t like the baby, she did, but she was worried about her figure. However, her expanding waistline was only part of her problem. Honey was getting impatient and the check that she had written out to herself and cashed to give the blood-sucking bitch some hush money for the time being wasn’t enough. She needed more. She had no choice but to make new demands on Sally. Cutting on the flat-screen television in the kitchen she was just about to make some scrambled eggs when Stephanie’s face flashed across the screen with words about her arrest. Quickly, she looked for the remote control listening with horror of her mother in laws arrest.

Thorne hung up the phone while checking the press releases that the press department had created for this mess. He had already offered an official statement but that wasn’t enough for the vultures. They were out for blood. The way that he was feeling about this mother as the moment, he’d let them have her but there was much more than her. There was Bridget, Brooke and his father. His poor father was suffering. He knew that his mother hated Brooke but never this much.

Stephanie Forrester was furious. Furious for being treated like a criminal. She couldn’t believe that she had to spend the night in some holding cell with criminals. Thank god she had the foresight not to act scared. So when the biggest and baddest of the inmates got in her face, she gave back, blasting her with the ump that had gotten her out of a lot of stick situations in the past. The woman, Flo, had ended up leaving her alone looking for other fish to fry. Still, she was humiliated to be in this situation. How dare they treat her like this? Didn’t they know who she was? Well, it didn’t matter, when she got through, she’d own the damn police station. Her thoughts were interrupted by a guard calling her name an opening the doors to the cell. “ It’s about time!”
“ Don’t get to huffy. It isn’t about your arraignment, it’s your lawyer.”
Stephanie followed the officer into a small room where Jonathan was waiting. He blanched at seeing Stephanie in the orange inmate outfit. Clearly it wasn’t a Forrester Original. “ Stephanie, how are you doing?”
“How am I doing? How the hell do you think that I’m doing in some jail cell!” Her ever-watchful eyes noted the strain in his voice. “What have you done now?”
“ Done?”
“ Yes, I know that voice. That was the one you used when we had to hand that bitch our company. What’s the problem now?”
Looking down and going through a stack of papers in his briefcase, he didn’t look her in the eye. “ It’s now really a problem. It’s just a small conflict.”
“ Conflict? What type?” She noticed his pallor. It looked as Jonathan were going to shit himself. How she hated weak men. “ Just spit it out!”
“ I can’t represent you.” He mumbled.
In taking air to make her body bigger she stepped forward. “What did you say?”
“Stephanie, I can’t represent you in this case.”
“ Just why the hell not!”
“ It’s a conflict of interest.”
“Conflict, how?”
“ Well… You see Brooke, well she notified the board stating that I am Forrester attorney.’
“ You are my attorney.”
“ Yes, but you see. After that situation with Bridget, Brooke…well she made me resign a new agreement about being the company’s litical advisor, since I’ve given the company advice on certain matters. She said that if I wanted to be in charge of the company’s dealings, that I would have to sign the papers and I’m on retainer.”
“ What the hell does that mean?”
“ It means that I can’t personally represent you because she is suing you.”
“ Suing me! What! That bitch already has a lawyer, Connor.”
“ Yes, but he’s her personal lawyer. I represent the company, which isn’t just the Forrester but her. It’s a conflict for me to be your lawyer in any case that involves her, personally.”
“Why in the world would you sign a paper like that? You’ve always represented Eric and I.”
Jonathan felt his stomach tighten. “ Yes, and I can in other matters but not this one. Brooke has already had Connor file a motion this morning. I can’t represent you.” He loosened his tie under her heated gaze. “ It seems that…um..Brooke, well, she’s out for blood this time.”
“I don’t care if she’s out for blood or not. You don’t plan to let her bully into not representing me.”
“I can’t.”
“ Where the hell are your balls! Or is it just that you don’t have any of them?”
“Stephanie, you aren’t being fair. I can’t lose my license.” He closed his briefcase after taking out a piece of paper. “ I’m sorry. I wish that I could do something but my hands are tied. When I signed that document I never knew that Brooke would use it like this.
“ She knew it. She was pissed about that issue with Bridget’s stock.”
“ Well…I can understand her not wanting something like that to happen again. Look I’m sorry for this. I didn’t…
Stephanie ignored the idiot’s rambling. “ So where does this leave me.” She interrupted not interested in his apologies or excuses.
Seeing the very little concern that she had for him keeping his license the regret that she made any lingering doubts about what he would have to do vanish. He had made his decision and he wasn’t going to change his mind. “ I’ve made a list of defense attorneys to help you.”
“ Defense attorneys? You idiot. I’m innocent. I don’t need a defense attorney.”
“ Yes you do. For once in your life listen to someone. You are in some serious trouble. The police think that you bribed the technician in charge of Bridget’s paternity.”
“ Well, I didn’t.”
“It doesn’t matter at this point. What you need is a good lawyer to help you out of this mess Stephanie. It can’t be me. So, for God’s sake, look at this list and choose. There are four of the top defense attorneys right here in L.A. Pick one.”

Brooke and Caspian had made love once more before they finally got up and showered to start the day’s activities. Caspian was stepping out of the bathroom wet with only a towel as Brooke brushed her long hair when they were interrupted. “ Mom, I can’t believe…”
Rick caught Caspian just as he was about to drop his towel and found his mother clad in a robe. Seeing the intimate setting and the obvious tussled bed, he turned red. “ I’m..Sorry. I didn’t know that you were here Caspian.”
“ It’s alright Rick. Talk to your mother.” Caspian turned going back into the bathroom to put on a robe.
“ Sorry.” Rick grinned at his mother. “ You should have locked the door.”
Brooke paused for a moment, “ Really? You should have knocked.”
“ That’s true. Sorry.”
She put her brush down. “ I don’t think that I have to guess about what brought you here all upset this morning.”
“ Is it true? The news stated that Stephanie is being held on suspicion of bribing a doctor to change Bridget’s paternity test.”
“ Yes.”
“ I can’t believe this. My God, why would she? To think of what happened to Bridget.” He rambled on. “Did she do it?”
“ The police and I think that she did.”
Rick paced back and forth as Caspian reappeared in a robe. “ I can’t believe that Stephanie would be willing to do this to Bridget. I remember those days when you told us that Ridge wasn’t her father. I was only eleven and poor Budge was six. It broke her heart. I remember staying up late at night and hearing her cry. So did Stephanie. How could she be that cold to do something like this?”
“ It’s about Brooke.” Caspian answered as he rubbed Brooke’s tight shoulders “Stephanie’s hatred for your mother outweighed everything.”
“ What about dad?”
“ He knows. Stephanie was arrested at Forrester. He knows Bridget and her illness.”
“ Why didn’t you tell me?”
Brooke caressed her son’s frowned brow. “ I didn’t want to worry you. You had such a wonderful day yesterday. Besides, I was dealing with Ridge, Stephanie and your sister.”
“ I’m not a child. You should have told me. I should have been here for you.”
“ My sweet boy. I wasn’t alone.”
Rick frowned. He didn’t like his mother calling him that especially in front of Caspian. “I’m not a child.”
“ I know that you aren’t.”
“ Then don’t treat me like one, damn it! When something happens to you and Budge. I want to know about it.” Rick was frustrated.
Caspian saw the startled look on Brooke’s face at Rick’s outburst and intervened. “ She knows you are not a child.” Caspian answered. He put his arm on Rick’s back and led him outside of the terrace. “ She’s you mother. She’ll always be your mother no matter how old you get. She didn’t want you to worry.”
“ I should have been here to protect her and Budge.”
Caspian understood the young man’s wish to be the man of the family. “ Of course you should but last night there was nothing you could do. She didn’t want to worry you. No matter what, you are her son. Think about your son. Would you want to worry him, if you didn’t have to?”
Rick loved Eric and would do anything for him. “ No.”
“ So, let your mother be a mother. She didn’t mean to exclude you. Okay?”
Rick nodded. “ Besides, your mother isn’t alone anymore Rick. She’s got me. I won’t let her down.”
“ You had better not. She’s had enough of that.”
Brooke who had been eavesdropping stepped into view. “ Alright cavemen, that’s enough. The damsel in distress is quite capable. And you…” She winked at her son. “ I appreciate you wanting to support me but I’m alright. Actually it’s your sister and your dad that I’m most worried about. If you want to help, why don’t you go and see your father this morning. I’m sure he could use a friend.”
Rick nodded. He leaned down to kiss her on her cheek. “ Sorry that I yelled at you. It won’t happen again.”
Brooke smiled. “ I know honey.”
“ Catch you later Caspian.”
Caspian nodded as Rick left the bedroom. “ That’s one wonderful boy you’ve got there.”
Brooke nodded. “ He is very special. I want him to find happiness. I think he is. Working at Forrester, finding Eve, being a father. It’s done wonders for him.”
“ Ahh, Eve. I’d like to meet that young woman.”
“ You haven’t met her?”
“ No, I’ve heard of her but she is elusive.”
“ Elusive? Huh, No just working her way through college. That girl is hard worker, smart and sweet. I adore her.”
“ Well, I adore you. Ms. Logan.” He said as he wept her up into his arms.

KC came off the elevator in Forrester almost running into Megan who was loaded down with files in the process. “ It’s a madhouse out there isn’t it?”
Megan nodded following KC.“ We’ve been bombarded all morning with reporters. They blocked the delivery van with our fabrics. We had to turn the phones off because they keep calling.” The two headed down to KC’s office. Pulling off her dark brown suede jacket that matched her short suede mini that she wore with a eggshell boatneck acrylic top with three quarter sleeves. KC put her cup of coffee on the table. “ It’s bad isn’t it? Connor was gone at the break of dawn” Crossing her legs that looked extra long in her high-heeled chocolate boots, she sat down.
“ Connor’s at it already?”
“ Yes, he had some matter to take care of this morning and then I think he’s off to Brooke’s house. Do you know how is she doing?”
“ Last night she was pissed off. She had it out with Stephanie and even slapped her.”
“If Stephanie did do it, I’d have a few slaps for her myself. Bridget is a sweet girl. It would take a pretty sick and twisted woman to cheat her daughter out of a life with her father.”

Beth watched as Brooke put the coffee cup down on the china tray next to her plate of uneaten fruit and bagel.“ You really need to eat something honey.”
“ I’m not hungry.”
“You aren’t going to do Bridget any good if you become worn down by not eating.”
“ Your mother is right. You’ve got to keep up your strength. Marta has made eggs and bacon along with buttermilk biscuits.” Caspian stated coming out of the kitchen bringing her a plate.
“ You go ahead. I’m just waiting for Connor.”
“ He’ll be here in no time. You need to eat to keep up your strength.”
“ I’ll eat when this is over.”
The doorbell rang and Stephen opened it to admit Connor. It’s a madhouse out there.” He said quickly stepping into the house. Reporters were bombarding the gates to Brooke’s home.
Stephen closed the doors quickly.“ Those damn reporters, don’t they have anything else to do?”
“ It’s big news.” Brooke answered. “ They are out for blood and if it was just about Stephanie I’d give them one hell of a story. But this involves Bridget. I’m just glad that she isn’t here to see this.” Connor knew that the one thing that Brooke loved was her children. She didn’t want their lives splashed all over the television sets. “ Is the motion filed?”
“ Yes, it’s taken care of. Jonathan can’t represent Stephanie.” He poured himself a cup of coffee and took a cheese Danish off the tray. “ I had wondered why you had him on retainer after what he tried to help Stephanie and Eric do with Bridget.” He said before biting into the Danish.
“ It was a calculated move to ensure that he didn’t to anything else.” Caspian stated before shaking Connor’s hand. “ Good to see you again.”
“It always seems to be at the wrong moment. We’ll have to get together some time under not so stressful times.” He said with an agenda. He had plans to find out as much as he could about Caspian to ensure Brooke’s safely. “ Was this plan yours?”
“ No. I can’t take the credit for it. It’s all Brooke’s idea.”
“ I just wish that I could have see the look on his face. That smug bastard. However, Brooke may have helped Stephanie. Jonathan isn’t the best for advice in the defense area or any area if you ask me.” He finished off his Danish. “Brooke are you ready?”
Brooke was lost in thought and didn’t hear Connor. He turned to her. “ Brooke?”
Caspian made his way to her kissing her slightly on the head. “ Honey. Are you ready?”
Blinking she nodded. “ Yes. I’ll get my purse.” She left the men heading to upstairs. Connor saw the look of concern on Caspian’s face. Whatever the man was, he did seem to care deeply for Brooke. “ How long has she been like this?”
“ Most of the morning.” Caspian turned to Connor. “You know how protective she is. I think that she has called Ridge three times just to check on Bridget.”
“ Forrester. How is he taking all of this? I’m surprised he isn’t at the courthouse defending his mommy.”
Caspian poured himself another cup of coffee. “ No. This time is different. Sometimes there is a time when a man has to look the truth in the eye and accept it. Ridge is starting to understand what his mother is capable of.”
Connor’s eyes narrowed. “ It sounds like you are talking through experience.”
Caspian’s dark eye found Connor’s. “ We all pay a price for ignorance. Ridge is starting to pay for his. Still,” he paused. “ He doesn’t deserve this.”

Taylor watched her silent husband as he stared out of the huge bay windows of the Big Bear cabin. Ridge hadn’t slept well at all the night before and opted to spend the night in solitude. She hadn’t bothered him. She knew that he had needed time to cope and allow the events of yesterday to sink in. “ Ridge.” She took a hesitant step toward him.
He turned around and his haunted eyes found her.
“ Doc” Seeing the welcome in them, Taylor took her natural place in his arms.
“ Sweetheart, do you want to talk about it?”
“ I’m sorry if I seem to be shutting you out. That’s the last thing that I want to do.”
“ Honey. I know.” Clasping her hands in his she led him to the sofa. “ Yesterday was pretty rough on all of you.”
“ Rough isn’t the word for it. Our whole families’ secrets exposed for the entire world. I can only think about what this is going to do to Bridget when she hears.”
“ Honey. I truly believe that Bridget is going to be alright. We will sit her down and tell her the truth.”
“ Which truth? The one that mother is arrested and it’s a mistake or the one where mother is arrested and she did it?” Ridge snapped with is face turning red with frustration. “ The truth is that I don’t know what happened. I have no clue.”
“ It’s not up to use to decide what happened when we don’t know all of the facts.”
Rubbing his hands against his face the strain and lack of sleep showed. A painful silence greeted her and Taylor wondered what Ridge was thinking when he finally opened his mouth.
Startled, Taylor wasn’t sure what to say. “ Ridge I just don’t…”
“Taylor, you’ve been close to my mother especially during those days. Was there? Did she ever say anything to you.”
“ About the paternity test? No. Ridge if she had said something to me. I would have told you.”
Seeing the pain in his wife’s face hit him hard like a punch in the stomach. “ God. No. Taylor I wasn’t suggesting that you had known any of this. I just I thought that maybe mother mentioned something to you.”
“ No, she didn’t. But…”
“ But what?” Taylor shifted under Ridge’s heavy gaze. “Taylor if you know something, please tell me. I’ve got to get to the bottom of all of this confusion. Because I know that something is wrong otherwise you would have suggested that we go visit mother or see that she gets the best attorney.” Like a balloon with all of it’s air deflated, Ridge turned to his wife. “ You think that she did it, don’t you?”
“ I just don’t know.” She answered with full honesty. “ I just know that back then. She made it clear to me not to go back to Paris that things were changing.”
“ It was like…” She paused.
“ It was like what?”
“ It was like she knew that something or someone was going to see to it that you and Brooke weren’t married.”

There was a great deal of hustle and bustle at Forrester when Sam headed down to Thorne’s office. She knocked and opened to door when told to come in. “ Hey.”
Thorne looked up from the papers on his desk. “ Hey Sam.” Turning toward Janet, he gave her file. “Take this downstairs. I don’t want this publicity to ruin the momentum of the WOW fashion show. We need something to get their minds off this scandal. I want a meeting with all heads of the departments ASAP.” Janet wrote down all of his comments. Thorne printed out some information from his flat screen computer. Call my brother Rick and ask him to come in. He needs to get a moving with his ideas about the fashion show.
“ Alright. I’m on it.”
“ I want him to have an office. There is one down the hall, make sure it has everything he needs. I want that office taken care of by the end of the day.”
“No problem.’ Janet exited the office.
“ Wow.” Sam who looked comfortable and cute in her light blue form fitting sweater with a curved neckline that displayed a bit of her ample bosom, white pants and matching blue flip flops. “ I can see that a promotion and a new office is good for you.”
Thorne stopped. “ What are you talking about?”
“ Your new take charge attitude. I think that I like it.”
“ I didn’t have a choice in the matter everybody’s gone. Dad’s a mess. Ridge has taken Bridget away to get her away from the reporters. Brooke isn’t coming in today. And my mother…” He sighed. “This whole thing is a mess.”
Sam felt for the entire family. “ Kristen said that your father has had really difficult time of it last night. She said that he was up all night. ”
“ I’ve never seen him like this before. He is so angry. I don’t think that things between them will ever be the same.”
“ He has a right to his anger. If your mother did this him. I don’t see them working out in the end. I’m not the biggest fan of your mother, however is there a chance that this is some sort of mistake? Could she be innocent?”
Thorne squeezed his eyes tight pinching the bridge of his nose. He was tired and worn out. He had been up all night throwing himself into his work trying to figure out what was really going on. He had hoped that it had been some sort of mistake but in his heart, he knew that it wasn’t. “ I really don’t know Sam. Deep down, I don’t think so.” He walked over to the bar pouring himself a drink of orange juice. “ My mother is a complicated woman. She has done some things that I haven’t been proud of and most of those things have been to Brooke.” Thorne remembered the night that Stephanie found Brooke at Big Bear when she had tried to kill her. “ I knew that she hated Brooke but it never crossed my mind that she’d have anything to do with that paternity test. If my mother has done this. She destroyed an entire family just to get rid of Brooke. It wasn’t just any family. It’s our family.” The weariness all but shown on his face and Sam felt sympathy for him.
She reached out and hugged him. “ It’s going to be alright.”
“ How?”
“ Right now focusing on your mother may not be the thing until you have all the facts. Focus on your father, Ridge, and especially Bridget.”
“ What about Brooke?”
“I think that Brooke has somebody to help her get through this.”
“Caspian”
“ Yes. You know that he’ll be there for Brooke.” It was the cold hard truth. “ Besides, I think that you have enough on your plate starting with your wife.”
He groaned. “ Don’t even mention her.”
“ You aren’t still sleeping with her, are you?”
“ Hell, no! That was one of the biggest mistakes that I’ve ever made well, next to sleeping with her the first place.”
“ If you ask me, staying in the marriage isn’t going to make anything better for Kimberly or you. You can be a father to your child without being married to it’s mother.”
“ You sound like dad.”
“ Maybe you should listen to him. It seems to me that you aren’t happy being tied down to a teenaged girl whom you don’t love or want.”
“ You don’t think that I don’t know that? I want to do the right thing by her and the baby. I owe her that much.”
“ Owe her. That’s the second time that I’ve heard you say that. Why do you believe that you owe Kimberly?” Thorne’s answer was cut off a knocking at the door.
“ Thorne, I hate to bother you but Lola Benson won’t take no for an answer. She says that she has come all this way for a private showing and she won’t reschedule. You’ve got to talk to her. Use that Forrester charm on her.”
“ Damn.” Lola Benson and her dog Mr. Wiggins were both a pain in an ass, however she brought at least almost a million dollars worth of dresses each year. He’d have to smooth things over with her.
“ I’m on the way.” He said to Janet. Turning to Sam. “ I’m sorry.”
“ It’s alright. We’ll finish talking later.”
“ How about dinner tonight? After today, I could use a friend.”
“ Dinner sounds wonderful. In fact, I’ll cook. I think that staying out of restaurants is the best bet.”

Mercedes Vega sashayed down the hall down the corridors of Benson & Garret Law Firm, one of the best law offices in LA. She had no doubt with her courtroom record, her growing list of connections and gifted mind, that it would only be a matter of time before her last name would be added to as an associate. Mercedes knew it would be challenge but she lived for challenges. She almost loved it when people would say that she couldn’t do something because that would only make her more determined to prove them wrong. Coming from Hispanic decent, she was more than proud of her heritage and of the hard work and sacrificed that her parents made to ensure that she went to law school. At age 32 Mercedes’ reputation preceded her in the courtroom and she was known as a hungry, somewhat manipulative yet brilliant defense attorney. She was often known at that “bitch” but she didn’t care. She had been even known to blast Elton John’s “The Bitch is Back” on occasion when she heard coworkers whispering about her. Standing at only 5 foot 3 ½ inches, she didn’t let her small stature get in the way of a thing. She had a big mouth and even bigger attitude when confronted. Bilingual she knew how to converse in not only Spanish, English but Japanese as well. With gorgeous golden brownish skin, long brown hair with golden highlights and a magnificent figure with full breast, hips and ass that even Jennifer Lopez would kill for, she had it all. To top it off her face was thing of pure beauty that sometimes called into question if her time spent as a paralegal and her as an assistant to some of the most politically connected judges in LA had been because of her looks or her behavior in the judges’ chambers. Mercedes laughed at all of the rumors. Yes, she knew how to work it, being a creative lover hell she had been told more than once that she had been one of the best, but never had any of her lovers been a judge or a co-worker. She never mixed business with pleasure. She planned to make it but not on her back with her legs spread. She had no intention of playing out some stereotype of what people had about Hispanic people or any other minorities, not to mention women. She liked her salsa hot as well as her dancing, not to mention her men but when it came to her job she was very serious as a heart attach. But she loved the law even more. Mercedes stormed into her lavish corner office in her white Stella McCarty suit, with the shrunken jacket accented with a striking limegreen blouse with the fabulous green Valentino sandals heals that gave her the height that she wanted to allude. “ Reba” she called out to her administrative assistant and right hand woman. “ The Williams case has been delayed. That will give us additional time to find out more about Officer Jensen. I want to know if there is anything dirty about that cop. If so, we’ll nail him.”
Reba nodded. “ What about the Hammonds case?”
“ It looks good. I’ll wrap up with summation the day after tomorrow. Then family will finally be able to try to put their lives together.” The Hammonds was an African American couple whose two children had been killed in a fire. The police had originally blamed the parents for the fire but with proper investigation they had found that the apartment building’s furnace had been compromised. It was what caused the fire, in which the parents had tried in vain to save their children. Although a pro-bono case, it been more than just a thrill of winning for Mercedes, it had meant giving back especially to people who were innocent. Besides working for her rich clients who paid her at minimum, five hundred dollars an hour, she spent with a lot of work for a local community center that needed lawyers for the member of the community who need lawyers or legal advice. Picking up a piece of sliced apple and cheese, Mercedes munched on her morning snack as she read the brief in her hands.
“ Anything else?”
“ Yes, a call about a new client.”
Mercedes sat in her sleek leather chair. “ I’m booked up. You know that the waiting list booked for the next three months.”
“ Actually it’s five months, based on your docket.” Reba effortlessly slid the file off of Mercedes desk as she headed to the door. “ So, I guess you wouldn’t be interested in Forrester case, would you?”
Mercedes almost choked on her hot Carmel Latte. “ Did you say Forrester?”
Reba waved the folder, her flawless ebony skin with no wrinkle or creases that allowed people to think that she was much younger than her 50 years. Slightly graying the mixture of sliver in her black hair made her shoulder length hair was the envy of most of the women at the firm. Perfect white teeth with a soft smile kind chocolate eyes greeted Mercedes.“ I thought you didn’t want anymore cases.”
“ If this is the Stephanie Forrester case. I want it.” Stephanie Forrester was big news in L.A. She was extremely rich, connected and the backbone of Forrester family. This case was new and news meant publicity. Reba strode to the door in her burnt orange silk blouse and black skirt.
“It’s in your portfolio case. I’ve already highlighted and made notes the case. She’s charged with bribery and forgery paternity test for a Bridget Forrester, her own granddaughter. I’ve contacted her bank for finical request that you’ll need. Once you’ve decided to take the case, of course.”
Reba who was a mother of two teenaged twin boys had come into the community center that Mercedes had done work for when she had sued the state for her husband’s death when he, a worker for electric company, had died when the company hadn’t used all it’s safety precautions. Mercedes had gotten a friend of hers to represent Reba, and the two had become fast friends. Even better, Mercedes had used Reba to help her research some information on a case one day when she was in a bind and found that the twenty-two year veteran schoolteacher was more an apt to help her research and complete the task that she needed. Offering her a job with better benefits a triple pay increase and a great deal of investigative fun, Reba had signed on as Mercedes administrative assistant. She however was so much for to Mercedes, she was her eye, ears and trusted friend. Reba, who was like family and teamed up with Mercedes’ mother to make sure that she took care of herself.
“ Reba.”
“Yes.” Reba held the door open. “Clear my schedule for the rest of the day.”
“ Done.”
“ And if I haven’t said it today. Thank you.”
“ You are welcome. So, are you taking the Forrester case?”
Mercedes didn’t say a word. The smirk on her face said it all.

Karen Roberson, the new ADA had been just finished her morning coffee and reading the brief that she been preparing when her assistant came in. “ Karen. Mr. Davis and Ms. Logan are waiting to see you.”
“ Logan. As in Brooke Logan?”
“ It’s her. They are here about the case against Mrs. Forrester. You should see her; she looks even better in person than she does in those ads? Mother of two children, how does she do it?”
Karen wasn’t concerned about what Brooke Logan wearing. “ Send them in.”
Connor Davis and Brooke Logan walked into her office. “ Mrs. Roberson. I appreciate your willingness to see us this morning.”
“ Anything that I can help you with Ms. Logan.” Karen noted that Brooke Logan indeed was breathtaking woman. Wearing a very expensive Japanese silk suit, with the embroidered Japanese style collar, the black and gray design was intricate, detailed and tailored to her exact measurements A pair of diamond and black pearled earrings finished off the look while Her hair was slicked back in some elegant twisted coif. She showed the elegance and style that Forrester was known for.
Brooke answered the question. “ I know that your time is very valuable so I don’t want to waste your time. I’m here about the case against Stephanie Forrester.”
“ I thought so.”
“ I’m sure that you know about the Forrester family.”
“ Yes, your family is very famous. However, that fame doesn’t excuse Mrs. Forrester for any crimes that she may have committed.”
Admitted relieved that the D.A felt that way Brooke continued.“ I agree. That’s why I’m here. I don’t want her to get away with anything. As you probobaly have read, Stephanie Forrester and I don’t have a good past however, what she has done here is not only a crime but an immoral act.” Sliding a small wallet size photo of Bridget on Karen’s desk, Brooke continued. “My daughter has spent her life being confused about who her father is. She lost the father that she loved, had him replaced only to find out that Eric Forrester wasn’t her father. My daughter has lost years with her biological father and the damage that has been done to her is irrepable. I want make sure that you comprehend how traumatic this has been on my daughter and my family. Stephanie Forrester tried to play God with my child and her life, not to mention mine. She stole my family. My family is more valuable than Forrester Creations to me and I want her to pay for it.”
Karen heard the passion in Brooke’s voice. “ Mrs. Forrester.”
“ It’s Logan. I haven’t been a Forrester for many years.”
“ Sorry. Ms. Logan. I can understand you being very upset over this matter and assure you that the D.A plans to prosecute Mrs. Forrester to the full extent of the law.”
“ Good. Because I don’t want her to get away with any crimes she committed.”
“ And she won’t.” Karen straightened up. “ However, I want to be honest with you. I can’t discuss the case with you but I’ve looked it over.”
” And.” Connor asked.
“ It won’t be easy to prosecute this case.”
“ Why?” Connor asked.
“ Connor, you know that I can’t get into this with you right now. This case is still developing.”
“ Still, couldn’t we find up what we are up against.” Brooke asked. Seeing the indecision on her face, Brooke begged. “ Please. This is my daughter. If is something I could do to help the situation.”
“ Like what?”
“ I have a record of Stephanie Forrester’s finical documents. I’ve gotten proof that she has made payments someone for years.”
“ How in the world…” Karen stammered. She stood up. “ Don’t tell me how you got you that information. Her bank documents aren’t supposed to be at your disposal.”
“ If this was your daughter, wouldn’t you try to get to the bottom of the matter?”
Karen sighed looking at Connor. “ You approved of this? It’s unethical.”
“ I had no idea that Ms. Logan was going to get Ms. Forrester financial records.”
“ If you want to know. I acquired the records during an investigative matter before now. I didn’t know who this person is but I plan to find out. Do you know who she’s paid off.”
“ Ms. Logan. I can’t say.”
“ But if you know who this person is what would it hurt telling who he or she is.”
“ Because it’s complicated.”
“ It isn’t. Let me help you with this investigation. I know that Stephanie has been paying someone.”
“ I’m sorry but I can’t do that. It’s part of an ongoing investigation.”
“But..”
Connor put his hands on Brooke’s arm. “ Brooke, that’s enough.” There was no point in her pissing off the D.A.
“ Ms. Logan. I wish that I could tell you more. But I can’t. I just want you to know that I will do my best to see that Mrs. Forrester doesn’t get away with this crime.”
Brooke looked at Connor and than nodded. “ Thank you. I just want to make sure that justice is served and that my daughter’s interest is being protected by the law.” Brooke stood and shook Karen’s outstretched hand.
“ I do my best to see that justice is served for all the parties.”
“ Thank you. That’s all that I can ask.”
Brooke picked up her purse as Connor placed her hand on the small of her back.
“ Ms. Logan….Brooke. I am sorry for what has happened to your daughter but have some advice from one mother to another. Focus on your daughter and not this case. Let me do my job and take of her while you take of Bridget.”



Kimberly was pissed off, rightfully so. She couldn’t believe that it took a Forrester intern to tell her that her own husband’s office had been moved. Not only that, he also had a promotion. Storming off the elevator in a cream colored off the shoulder sweater that rounded nicely against her tummy and pair of jeans, she almost slipped in her highed healed stelltio boots. With no more care for her baby than if it were a doll, didn’t seem to mind the danger she placed her child in walking so fast in such heals. Stopping only a moment to check her hair and makeup, she plastered a sweet smile on her face and opened the door to her husband’s new office. “ Thorne honey I…” She stammered a moment to find that her husband wasn’t there instead she found Kristen’s lover, Sam. Sam looked up at Kimberly and noted the look of repulsion on her face which she quickly covered with a saccharine smile. “Kimberly.”
“ Samantha.” She said in a huff. “ What are you doing here?”
“ I was waiting for Thorne but I think he’ll be a while.”
“ Waiting for Thorne? Why?”
“ Why not? Thorne and I have always been friends.”
“ Friends? Well, I can’t see why MY HUSBAND would be any of your concern after all he isn’t YOUR type.” She said with a shudder.
The girl’s callous attitude surprised Sam. So young and so cold.” You do know about what is happening. The Forrester family is in crisis.”
Waving her hand as if she were weaving away a fly Kimberly shrugged her tanned shoulders. “ The family is fine. This thing with Bridget is nonsense. Probably something Brooke made up.” Kimberly said as her eyes took in the finery of Thorne’s new office.
“ You don’t really believe that.”
“ Well I know my mother-in-law and she wouldn’t change Bridget’s paternity test.” Circling the room, she picked up a family photo and frowned. No pictures of her. That was Brooke’s doing, no doubt. “I’m sure that this is Brooke’s way of getting back at Stephanie because..”
“ Because of what?”
Kimberly put down the picture. Brooke was caught between a rock and a hard place. She couldn’t tell anybody what Kimberly had done with Gunter. “ Nothing. The old history, you know.” Frowning at Sam. “ Why are you interested? Don’t tell me it’s Brooke YOU are interested in Brooke as well? Are you going to become her next champion? Well, I’ll tell you a little secret. As much as a whore she is, she isn’t into women. I guess that you’ve have to settle with Kristen.” She picked up her purse and looked at her watch. “ I’m going to look for my husband. When we come back. I suggest YOU be gone.” Sam watched with anger as the young woman sashayed her way out of Thorne’s office.

Connor studied Brooke. “Are you sure that you want to do this?”
“ Yes.”
“ Brooke, you don’t have to…”
“ Yes. I do.”
Connor sighed “Karen’s right. Maybe you should step back from this thing and focus your attention on Bridget.”
“ This thing, as you put it is my daughter’s life. I don’t plan to stand by and watch. I plan on making that woman pay for every moment of pain that she’s caused Bridget.”
“ I’m not saying that you shouldn’t but doing this. Brooke you’ve got a lot of anger inside of you.”
“ Good because it will fuel my fire. Stephanie played God with my daughter. She in one single moment altered my daughter’s life with little thought. She raised doubt in my family making them think that I had something to do with that first paternity test when it was her the entire time. She stole my life. She stole the life of my daughter. I’m not going to let that slide. She is going to pay for what she has done.” Connor was quiet. He had never seen Brooke this determined. He was worried that this vendetta was going to get out of control hurting not just Stephanie but Brooke as well.


Helena, Caspian’s secretary, put the Summerset file on his desk. He had asked earlier to retrieve all information in order to review the operation policy of newest projects. Although Caspian had been very busy in meeting all morning she knew that his mind was on the dealings of Stephanie Forrester. The flat screen television didn’t just display the raise and fall of the stock market on CNN; it also showed the news of Stephanie Forrester’s arrest. Helena had come from Italy to work in L.A however she enjoyed it here. More than that, she enjoyed the change in her employer. Caspian DeAngelo had been a workaholic who seemed to have very little time for anything other than business. Countless of women had tried to ensnare him but none of them had made him happy. And none of them had the type of effect on him the way that Brooke Logan had. Seeing the change in Caspian made her heart warm. He was loving and caring with her, more that that, she had seen how he opened himself up to her. No longer the over worked workaholic, Caspian had a joy inside of him that she had never seen before. When she saw him with Brooke, she saw him light up like she’d never seen before. He was in love. Knowing how much he loved Ms. Logan, Helena was sure that he’d see to it that Stephanie Forrester didn’t get away with changing the paternity test. Lately he had been preoccupied and she couldn’t help but to wonder if Stephanie Forrester had anything to do with it. Caspian came into his office followed by his friend Roberto Keys, like Caspian, Roberto was a very handsome businessman. If only he wasn’t married and she were a few years younger. “ My I get you anything Mr. Keyes. Coffee, tea or something to eat?”
“ No Helena I’m fine. Thank you.”
“ Caspian?” She turned to her boss.
“ I ate breakfast already. Thank you.”
“ I’ve left the Summerset file on your desk. I’ve also made arrangements for the jet to be ready for your overseas trip. It’s on stand by. Also, you also had a call from Mr. Mackenzie. Here is the message.”
“ Thank you.” Caspian read the phone message and frowned.
“ Bad news.” Roberto asked as Helena left the office.
“ I’m having someone investigated and I was hoping for something other than the information that I already had.” Crumbling up the paper, he threw it in the trash.
“ Is that what has you preoccupied this morning?”
“ I’m not preoccupied.”
“ Lately you have been. You canceled our tennis match this morning. And you’ve seen tense.”
“ Tense.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “ Tense isn’t the word for it.”
“ So, what is it?” Roberto had known Caspian for many years but he had never seen anything rattle him in any sense. There were moments that he wasn’t with him and his mind was on something else.“ Caspian, obviously something is bothering you.” Stonewall silent, Caspian didn’t say anything. “ Listen. I know that there are things that you don’t talk about. If you can’t, I understand however, if something is bothering you. Maybe I could help.”
Picking up a photo of Brooke and he together outside in her courtyard that had been taken no less than a month ago, he studied if for a moment. “ I wish it was that simple. But it isn’t.” Noticing the picture, Roberto wondered if everything was all right between Brooke and Caspian.
“ Is there something wrong between you and Brooke?”
Placing the photo on the desk, he turned toward the view outlining the city. “ Her life is in such chaos at the moment. This thing with Stephanie is killing her not to mention her worrying about Bridget’s health. But our relationship it’s stronger than it’s ever been. I can feel the bond between us strengthen as time goes by. My love for her grows each day and I’m constantly amazed that I’d be so lucky to find someone like her.” He lightly skimmed another photo of Brooke on his desk. In this one, Brooke’s face showed with a yellow satin background, it was lovely.
“ After all of these years I’m happy that you’ve found love again. You deserve it.”
“ Do I? Sometimes I have to wonder.”
This brooding wasn’t like Caspian “Wonder what?”
“ Wonder what price I’m going to have to pay for it. Everyone pay for their mistakes some time. You can’t outrun the past or destiny no matter how hard you try.”
“ Past? What past are you trying out outrun?”
Caspian turned to his long time friend. Roberto was a good man and become a good friend yet there were so many things that he had never told him about. How could he? It was too dangerous. Taking a key from his pocket, he unlocked a hidden panel in his desk and took out a heavy silver picture frame. Pausing for only for a moment he handed him the photo. Roberto took the photo and studied it for a moment. It was a picture of Caspian and Brooke outside of some villa in Italy. “ It’s a photo of you and Brooke. What does it mean?”
“Take a long look at it. Notice how young she looks.”
Roberto studied it again. Brooke did look younger. In fact there was innocence to her expression that he had missed in other photos of her. “ She looks different doesn’t she?”
“ Yes.”
“ That’s because that photo was taken well over fifteen years ago.”
“ Ten years but how could that be…”
Roberto looked down at the one thing he missed. The engraved nameplate at the bottom of the photo was Caspian & Lark. “ Lark.” Roberto’s eyes widened with honest surprise.
“ Yes. Roberto.” Caspian added sadly. “That is a picture of my dead wife.”

Stephanie paced back and forth in her cell. How had it come to all of this? She was sure that she had handled all of the details when it came to Bridget’s paternity. Yes, Trudie had found out but that was after she has seen the contents of her brother’s safe deposit box. She had taken care of Trudie. Christopher had died with their secret. Or had he? The police had evidence but what kind of evidence did they have? It wasn’t their so-called evidence that worried her so much as much as it was that she hadn’t heard a thing about her family. Being shut off from them was killing her. Everything that she had ever done was because of them. She has wanted to protect them from ever danger including Brooke. She hasn’t wanted to hurt Bridget. She loved that little girl but she couldn’t let Brooke sink her claws into her son. Bridget had a father, who better than Eric to love and take care of her if not Ridge. “I did what I had to do to protect us all.” She said to herself with resolve. A chill went through her body as she thought about the look in her son eyes. Ridge had always been her stronger supporter yet he had not come to the jailhouse. He had sent no word at all. Deep down, it worried her. Did he honestly believe that she had done this? She couldn’t allow him to think so. She couldn’t afford to lose her son. She loved her children, but Ridge, he had always been special to her. Right now, he and Eric were her main concern. Eric, she knew was angry but as soon as she got home, she’d explain things and they’d be back better than ever. Stephanie’s manic thoughts were cut off as another guard coming to fetch her. Expecting her new lawyer, a Mercedes Vega, she sat down when the door opened behind her. The sound of high heals greeted her before she looked up to find not her lawyer but Brooke. Brooke walked around the table taking in the sight of the grand Stephanie Forrester, void of makeup, hair amuck wearing a horrific orange jumpsuit. “ How the mighty have fallen. I wish that the reporters who are hounding my house and my company would see you now. The immaculate Stephanie Forrester looking like the common criminal she is.”
“ What are you doing here Brooke?”
“ You mean, how did I accomplish this little visitation? You’ve be amazed on how clout and money has an effect on people to get you want you want. But then again, I think that maybe you would know about that, wouldn’t you.” She slid into the seat directly across from Stephanie. Brooke studied the woman who had brought a great deal of fear and pain in her life. Somehow the tables had turned and she wasn’t afraid of her anymore. Gone was the wide-eyed girl from the valley who has looked up and then feared the “Great Stephanie Forrester.” Under Brooke’s scrutiny Stephanie almost shifted her position but she refused to. She’s never bow down or become weak because of the likes of Brooke. “I wanted to take a long hard look at the woman who has done nothing but try to destroy me over and over again. But you know what. I don’t see her. I don’t see the overbearing, controlling Stephanie Forrester. Instead I see an old, bitter woman who is about to lose everything hat she holds dear.”
Stephanie ignored the remarks. “ I’m not going to lose anything. I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“ Sticking to your story, aren’t you. Still refusing to admit that you are wrong. Everything that you do, you always have an excuse. But there is nothing that can excuse you for what you’ve done to my daughter. Your own grandchild! But you don’t care about that or her, do you.”
“ I love Bridget very much. I always have despite who her mother was.”
“Love!” standing so quickly, Brooke accidentally knocked over the chair she had been sitting in. “ Don’t you dare tell me about your love. Your sick obsession with your own son has caused you to destroy one your own. You don’t love my daughter. You don’t give a damn about her.”
“ I’ve had enough of this nonsense Brooke. Why in the world would I change Bridget’s paternity test?”
“ Because it meant getting rid of me. You couldn’t stand it, could you? You tried Lauren. You tried Taylor but Ridge didn’t want them. He wanted me and was committed and our family. There was nothing that you could do to destroy the happiness. We were a week away from having it all and so planted that letter in my home.”
“ Still delusional I see. Still obsessed with marrying my son. Any son, it doesn’t matter. Ridge, Thorne, Eric. You never could make it with any of them. Sooner or later, they all get tired of your antics. Sex, isn’t enough in any relationship.”
“ As usual. You are trying to shift the blame. Goad me away from my mission but it won’t work this time. I know what you did.”
“ I was surprised like the rest of you when I found out about that letter.”
“ Really because the more that I think about it, the more that I know that you lied. At that time, I was dealing with so much in trying to prove that I was innocent that I didn’t question the letter. I should have. Ridge picks up a book that holds a letter that accuses me of bribery that I never committed. I never questioned how that letter got into that book. A book that was never in the condo that I owned when I had been married to Eric and would have supposedly bribed the doctor. I never dawned on me that it didn’t make sense. But it would make sense if you, who had access to my home, planted that letter in that book for Ridge to find.
“ That’s utter nonsense.” Stephanie had changed the test but she hadn’t written that letter.
“ Is it? I see things so clearly now. I see a cold hard calculated woman who do anything to get she wants even it means hurting everyone in the process. It doesn’t matter who you hurt. But this time, you didn’t hurt just me. That, I could understand. But you hurt my daughter. You took away her father and her identify. For years, you blamed for something you did.”
“ I’m not going to discuss this any further. This is some mistake that the police and that incompetent hospital has put together to take the blame on me. My family and those children are the most important thing to me. Why would I make Ridge suffer the lost of losing his daughter? Why would I hurt Eric like that or even confuse that sweet girl. She’s my granddaughter Ridge’s child. I’d never hurt her. Ever. Surely even you know that.” Brooke cocked her head to the side for a moment.
“ You know, I’d almost believe you. IF I didn’t know what a coldhearted bitch you are. You have gotten away with so much all these years. You attacked me, you conspired to steal my children more than once, you forced my family out of town, you convinced a seventeen year old to abort her baby and you even tried to make Morgan drink an abortionate to kill your own grandchild. I’m quiet sure that there are more acts on your part that I don’t know about. And its all been about your obsessive relationship with Ridge. All those years you called my love obsession when it’s been you who has been obsessed the entire time.”
“ My relationship with my son in none of your business.”
“ Really? If that were true than where is he? Where is your son?” He isn’t here, is he? Why? Maybe because he has finally understood what manipulative bitch you are.” Brooke leaned down. “ And that is your greatest fear. Losing it all. You’ve already lost your company but that isn’t all you’ve lost.” Brooke slid her purse off the table. “ I’m going use every piece of information that I have of your past and present crimes to see that you rot in jail.“ Brooke’s eyes narrowed into an intense squint. “ I going to see that you pay if it takes every last dying breath in my body to do it. Once I’m done, I’m going to take what your family and make it mine. With that as a parting remark, Brooke called for the guard and left Stephanie, for the first time, a tad bit shaky in her wake.

Kimberly was tired of looking for her husband. It seemed that he was wherever she wasn’t. Worse it seemed that most of the employees at Forrester didn’t want her to find him. She didn’t care. They were just jealous. Jealous that she had the most wonderful loving husband. “ Wonderful and loving huh?” A voice rang out in her head.
“ I’m not paying you any attention.”
“ You ought to.” Mocked the voice. Macy’s voice. “ He doesn’t want to be around you.”
“ That isn’t true. He’s busy.”
“ Busy? Thorne was never that busy when he was married to me.” Macy’s imagine shimmered in front of Kimberly. “ And…if he were married to Brooke. He wouldn’t be busy. It’s you. He can’t stand being around you for any amount of time.”
“ That isn’t true! Do you hear me. It isn’t true. Throne loves me. I know it!” Kimberly screamed loud startling Antonio, an employee as he came down the hall. Ant gave her a queer look. “ Are you alright?” He looked around. Just who in the hell was Mrs. Forrester talking too?
Kimberly watched as Macy smirked before she disappeared in front of her eyes. “ Yes. I’m fine.”
“ You didn’t seem fine. Do you need some water or something?” He took her arm trying to escort her to a chair. When Kimberly yanked her arm away.
“ I said that I was fine! I don’t need your help.” She stalked away leaving Antonio stunned by her strange behavior.

“ I’m telling you she’s nothing more than a little spoiled bitch.” Sam remarked about Kimberly to KC. “She has no concern at all about the pain that this family is going through. All she cared about was where Thorne was and how he didn’t tell her about his promotion.”
“ To tell you the truth. I care for her that much.” KC finished fixing the hem on the short sheer mini skirt that Autumn was wearing. Taking a pin out of her mouth, she looked up at Sam who was lounging her one of her chairs. “ I still find it hard to believe that Thorne would even look at her twice. She may be beautiful but she’s too young and way too immature.”
“ Immature isn’t the word for it. I really feel sorry for that baby.”
“ At least the baby will have Thorne for a father. He’s a sweet guy.”
“ Hot too.” Autumn added. “ A lot of models really went for him. “ We still can’t even figure out why in the world he’d go for crazy Kimberly when he was engaged to Brooke.” Autumn turned to allow KC to fix the other side of her skirt. “ Brooke I can understand but Kimberly.”
Sam was silent for a minute. “ Why do you call her crazy.”
“ Because she’s nuts. That’s what Trixie says and she’d know she shared a dressing room with her.”
“ Trixie?”
“ That would be Bellatrix, right?” KC supplied. “ She’s the lead model for the Princess Line since Kimberly was fired.”
“ Kimberly hates Trixie. It’s like she blames her for what happened when it was Kimberly’s own fault.”
“ Is Trixie here in the building?”
“ No. Not at the moment. She and Eboni are at Trudie’s house. Trudie’s furniture is coming today.”
“That’s right.” KC added. “ I heard this morning from Curtis that Trudie brought a beach house.”
“ A really nice one from what I hear. Brooke must really be paying her a lot of money. From what I gather, that house is worth a quite a bit.”
Sam looked at KC. “ What are you doing for lunch?”
“ Tuna on wheat bread. Why?”
“ How about a nice shrimp salad at Captain Nemo’s that new seafood restaurant. I hear the food is good.”
“ And near the beach, right?”
“ Yes. I want to talk to Trixie.”
KC put the pins back on the pincushion she wore on her wrist. “ What are you up too?”
“I’m not sure yet. I’ll let you know when I find out.” Sam has always gone with her gut instincts when it came to things. More and more she was positive that there was something wrong with Kimberly. She wanted to find out more about the girl. She’d start with Trixie.

Antonio knocked on Thorne’s office door. “Come in.”
“ Thorne. Look, uhh. I hate to bother you with everything that’s been happening. But..”
“ Go ahead. Is something bothering you?”
“ Well. It’s just. It’s your wife.”
“ My wife?” Antonio noticed that Thorne looked confused.
“ Kimberly. She was acting very strange in the hallway.”
“ Strange. How?”
“Well, I think that she was talking to herself.”
“ I’ve done that from time to time myself.”
“ No. This was different. The way that she was acting was strange. It was like if she was talking to someone who wasn’t there.” Finally, Antonio got Thorne’s attention.

Roberto drank down the last of his drink. Although it was still pretty early in the day his conversation with Caspian called for a vodka tonic. The story seemed like something out of a storybook. It was improbable. Two women, both a dead ringer for each other finding love with the same man.” My friend. You certainly have a complicated situation. “ If Brooke finds this out from the wrong person. It could ruin your relationship with Brooke.”
“ She’d easily think that I’m only with her because of Lark.”
“ Are you?” He asked the question that had been burning in his head.
“ I’ll admit that is why I wanted to meet her. I just wanted to see her but then it turned into something else.” Placing the two photos of the women side-by-side Roberto could clearly see the slight differences between the two. “ They look so much alike however there are vast differences. Lark was sweet, innocent and naive. She didn’t want anything to deal with her father’s company or business. Instead, she was content with her writing.” He picked up her photo. She was like a delicate creature that would only thrive in just the right climate. She was so sweet and so soothing.” Placing her photo down he turned to Brooke’s different. She’s full of fire, life and excitement. She’s unpredictable yet in a good way that she keeps you on your toes. Her mind so quick she’s always thinking of some new adventure or business idea. She’s a risk taker but the same time, she’s always thinking of others. You should see her with her children. She such a great mother to them. She has such a great capacity to love and be loved, it amazes me. Sometimes when we are together, I feel as if I’d burning up because those emotions that I have for her are so intense.” A look of wistfulness entered his eyes.
“ What are you going to do about it? Sooner or later, you’ll have to tell Brooke the truth.”
“ I’ve never been one to back down so I don’t see me doing that now.”
“ You have no proof that they are related?””
“ No. Both Lark and Brooke were born the same year but supposedly on different months. They have two different sets of parents yet. I can’t let go of my instincts that say there is more to this. No matter, I find I have to know the truth.”
“ Where are you going to find it?”
“ At this point, there is only one place to go. I’ve already made the arrangements and I plan to leave tonight.”

Rick’s Lexus pulled up to his parking spot at Forrester. He only had a few seconds to jump out of the car and help Eve out before a mass of reporters attacked them.
“ Rick what’s going on with the family?”
“ Have you seen Stephanie?”
“ How is your sister doing? How long has she known that Ridge is her father and not Ridge?”
“ Do you think that Stephanie is guilty?”
“ No comment.” Rick said over and over as he pushed past the thong of people. He pulled Eve along while camera’s flashed into their eyes. Running behind Rick she was surprised at what a circus that all of this had become. Rick closed the front doors to the building behind Eve.
“ Is it going to get any better?”
“ No.” He shook his head. “ It’s only going to get worse. This is just the calm before the storm.”
“ Storm? What storm?”
“ My mother.”

Brooke closed her eyes standing in the hallway of the jail. She had been shaken by her own anger and intense emotions at the situation. She had meant every word that she had said to Stephanie. She was going to make sure that Stephanie would stay behind bars where she belonged. She would trade just about anything to see that but Brooke hoped that she wouldn’t have to trade her soul.

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