Against All Odds Chapter 113 ( Regrets)

Stephanie opened one eye slowly and then another. Light streamed in from the open bay windows. She covered her face with one hand. “ Oh god.” Everything was moving. Just how much did she drink the night before? All of a sudden, the meal she had eaten for dinner had come back at her. Racing out of bed she hurried to the commode to empty the contents of her stomach. After retching for what seemed like forever she stood on wobbly legs to find the sink and splash cold water on her face. Staring into the mirror she hardly recognized herself. God, she looked horrible. Her eyes were streaked with mascara, her hair was wild all over her head and her skin had a pail pallor. “Just look at you.” She opened her nightgown to reveal her body. “Wrinkled body.” Her body had gone to pot over the years. She had love-handles, an expanding waist, not to mention sagging breast.” She sat down on the toilet. “It’s no wonder he prefers that bitch in heat over you.”

Eric splashed water over his face. He had stubble over his face and his hair was mussed about on his head but he didn’t care cause he felt good. Last night had been fantastic. The sex alone had him buzzing but it was more than that. It was her. Eric felt more alive that he had in years. Stepping out of the bathroom he went over to the sleeping woman. A small-satisfied smile slipped on his face as he watched her. She was such a beautiful thing a wondrous miracle that he couldn’t be expecting. Eric caressed her face lightly when her startling eyes opened up to gaze at him. “ Eric.”
“ I didn’t mean to wake you.” He murmured before kissing her naked shoulder.
Olivia noticed that he was dressed. She sat up clutching the bed linen to breast. “ You are leaving.”
“ I’m sorry but I’ve got to go. I’ve got a meeting.”
Olivia tried to hide her disappointment. Last night had been something that she had missing in her life. If she were honest, she didn’t want it to end. Being needed by someone like Eric had touched a place inside of her that she had long forgotten. Olivia pulled back the covers and put on the robe lying on ottoman at the end of the bed. Running her fingers to straighten her hair she turned and tried her best to give him a gracious smile. . “I’ll let you out I don’t want to keep you from your meeting.” Eric stopped her when she tried to walk past him. She turned to face him. Here was a woman of natural beauty. Yes, there were wrinkles that came with age but a mature beauty, natural, lovely and amazing as she was.
“ I want you to know that last night was a memorable night. It’s been such a long time since someone touched me the way that you did.”
“Well, I do have a way with my hands.” She said tracing his jaw line with her finger.
“That you do.” He replied capturing her finger and kissing the tip “But I mean more than that. You touched a part of me that makes me a man. A man with needs. A man, who was needed, wanted. I haven’t had that. Stephanie…well she had the children. She was always so obsessed in what was going on in their lives or destroying Brooke that she no longer wanted to spend any time with me. It’s been a very long time since I’ve had something like last night.” He admitted.
“ Your wife was a fool. Eric, you are an incredible man.”
“ My wife is a lot of things. I just wish foolish was all that she is. She’s a very cruel woman willing to hurt everybody who loves her. I’m tired of the man that I was when I was with her. I’m tired of making excuses for her behavior. I want to be someone to protect my family. I want to feel the way that I did yesterday and last night.” Eric took her hand in his and kissed the middle of the palm. “ I guess what I’m trying to say is that I don’t want this feeling to go away. I want what we had last night to be more than just one night. So, if it’s all right. I’d very much so like to see you again.
Olivia smiled. “ Eric Forrester. I thought that you’d never ask.”

Connor tried once again to get Trey but all that he got was his voicemail. It didn’t make sense. Trey was always professional and on time. He was supposed to have met him last night at his office. But he hadn’t come. Connor had checked the airport schedule and found that he had flown in yet Trey was nowhere to be found. “What’s going on Trey? What has happened to you?”
“ Talking to yourself?” KC asked as she put the dishes from breakfast into the dishwasher. She brought another cup of coffee over to him.
“ I’m just anxious. I was supposed to see Trey last night, he is working on a case for me, and he didn’t make it.”
“ Maybe something came up.”
“ He didn’t call. That isn’t like him. He’s always been professional. I tried his voicemail and his home phone.”
“ Maybe there was a family emergency or something.”
“ Maybe.
“ What else could have happened?” KC asked sipping her coffee. “I’m sure he’ll contact you today.”


The aroma of fried bacon greeted Brooke as she stepped into the kitchen. Sunbeams from the skylight above engulfed Caspian as he pulled the crisp strips of meat from the frying pan to the plate. Brooke tightened her robe before she came up behind him and caresses his chest playing a kiss on his neck. “ Good morning.”
Caspian turned giving her a hungry look that she was sure had nothing to do with food before his own lips found hers. “ Good morning to you.” He whispered between long lavishes kisses on her full lips. “Breakfast is served.”
Brooke noticed to bouquet of tiger lilies in the vase on the dressed. She was touched at how he always seemed to try to put her at ease. Unlike the men in her past, all Caspian wanted from her was her time. She thanked him when he placed a plate of hot scrambled eggs, bacon and buttered wheat toast in front of her. Caspian kissed the top of her head before he too sat down across from her.
“ It was my pleasure.”
Caspian looked at ease with his hair dishelmed slightly, a lock of curl falling onto his forehead. Brooke touched the lock sliding it into place. “There, that’s better.”
“ What is?”
“ This. You me, here with just each other and breakfast. With the entire world shut off if only for a couple of hours.” The whist fullness in her tone got to him.
“ Brooke if that is what you need, time away just say the word and I’ll have my plane ready to take off. Or we could take the yacht.” His fingers laced with hers.
“ I wish that I could take you up on that offer. Imagine that. No businesses to run. No fires to put out. No Stephanie to deal with.” Brooke grimaced as Stephanie’s face flashed on the flat screen TV mounted on the wall of the kitchen on CNN. Brooke picked up remote and cut the TV off. “ But I can’t leave. The children have to be tested to see if they are a match for Bridget. Rick is dealing with issues with Eve. Not to mention the showing is coming up in a month in a half. And Eric is divorcing Stephanie.”
“ He is?”
She nodded“ He gave her the papers yesterday.”
“ I’m sure that went over well with her.”
“ Believe me, I saw her yesterday. She was in rare form. Stephanie didn’t take the news of the ending of her marriage lightly.” Brooke nibbled on a piece of toast. “ I’m sure she’ll blame this on me. But that is the least of Stephanie’s problems. Because I’m as sure as I’m sitting here that she had something to do with changing Bridget’s paternity. There is evidence of her duplicity out there somewhere and I intend to find it.”

“This wasn’t necessary.” An angry voice said in a harsh whisper.
“ Don’t tell me what wasn’t necessary. He was a threat.”
“ No he wasn’t M. You could have talked to him. You didn’t have to tag him.”
“ Arturo is running the case not YOU. He said tag him so I did.”
Trey’s head was spinning as the words of someone’s conversation filtered within his brain. Where was he? He was going home from Italy. That was when he was going home, he thought.”
“ He’s waking.” A female voice said.
Trey opened his eyes. The brightness of the all white room made him wince and close them.
“ Be careful. It’s going to take a while for you to get your bearings straight.” A voice said Trey tried to move but felt immediately ill. “ I told you to be careful.” Something cool touched his lips. Plastic…it was a cup. He took a sip. “ Where am I.” He groaned.
“ You are going to be fine.” The first voice said.
“ What happened? Was I shot?”
“ Yes, and no. You were shot but not with bullets. You were shot with a tranquilizer gun. You’ve been out the last 10 hours. You are going to have a hell of a headache and a little motion sickness but you are alright.” A cool hand touched his chest.
“ Who…who shot me.”
“ I did.’
Trey opened his eyes regardless of the pain and saw two beautiful women. One a tall young woman with long black hair dressed in a tight black wife beater shirt that was labeled “Bitch” in hot pink on the front along with a pair of tight black leather pants and the other was the flight attendant from yesterday’s flight dressed in an expensive black suit.


Caspian looked up from the newspaper when Brooke hung up the phone. “How’s everything with Bridget?”
“ I’m not sure.” She said with disappointment. “ Katherine says that she and Taylor left very early with morning. They had an appointment.”
“ What kind?”
“ I don’t know.”
“ Are you worried?”
“ No. Well…not really. I just don’t trust Taylor.”
“ Because of yesterday.” He said pulling her into his lap. “ I can understand your feelings. It has to be hard not telling Ridge the truth about what his wife did.”
“ He has this idea of her being this saint when I know that she isn’t. Her interest in my daughter isn’t real. I know it; she knows that I know it too. But I’m not going to say a word. I’m going to watch her really closely to see what she’s up to.”
“ Then what are you going to do?”
Brooke looked Caspian in the eye. A steely determination came over her. “ I’m going to make her sorry that she was ever born if she does anything the jeopardize my daughter.”
“That’s my girl.” He said before he mouth found hers. The kiss deepened and turned passionate. Brooke moaned as his tongue stroked her. Caspian had dismissed his staff allowing them some alone time. His fingers slipped though her robe finding the folds of her womanhood. Sliding a finger inside of her he found her wet and warm. “ Is that for me?”
Brooke’s breath came out slowly. She felt his harden under her butt. Caspian gripped the side of her hips and lifted her slightly so she could straddle him on the sofa. Her pressed herself against him while his mouth trailed down the slope of her neck. His hands made quick work of her robe as it pulled the material off her body. In the morning light so was like a goddess. Her full breast, nipples erect for his touch. She was his. If only for a short while. The revelations of the couple days had gotten to him. He had hardly slept. Not because he wasn’t tired but because he had wanted to watch her sleep. He was almost afraid that she’d slip through his fingers if blinked. He had wanted her comfort. Her love. Her peace. That was why he had dismissed the staff. He hadn’t wanted any interruptions. Caspian had made a simple meal for breakfast just wanting to bask in her. The woman he loved, the woman who might not be his to ever share another morning with after this night. Thoughts of lost slipped out of his head as Brooke’s warm hands found him. Amazingly he hardened even more as she stroked him. Her lips wet, she licked them again as she played with his c0ck. Using her fingers, she used a drop of his seed to spread over his head. She was trying to kill him.
“Brooke…” He called with a strangled voice.
“ Shhh.” I just want to show you how much I love you.” She said hotly. With an agility. She was down on her knees taking him inside of her hot mouth. Her tongue played before her mouth suckled slowly. He closed his eyes as his body began to move. He pumped in her mouth as she had her way with him. Nails bit into his skin but he didn’t care. Brooke heard his groans of passion and felt a sense of power. It was she who ruled this powerful man. His hands caught up in her hair to pull her away but she wouldn’t let him. Soon, all that was heard were his cries as he erupted.

“Just who in the hell are you?” Stephanie demanded to the young woman sleeping on her couch.
Eve sat up. It took her a moment to realize where she was. Rubbing her eyes she turned to the older woman. “ Oh. Mrs. Forrester.”
“ Who are you!” the angry woman asked.
“ You don’t remember. Eve took brushing her matted hair back. “ I uh..I came by last night to talk to you and you were indisposed.”
“ Indisposed?” She snorted.
“ You were drinking.” Eve pulled her coat closer to her body. “ You were going on about Rick’s mother.”
“ Rick?” Stephanie’s eyes narrowed. “ What does Rick have to do with you?”
“ I told you last night. I’m his girlfriend. Eve. I’ve met you before.”
“ You were here last night?”
“ You were out of it. I didn’t want to leave you alone. I uh…well I helped you undress and put you to bed. I guess I sort of fell asleep on the sofa. I hope you don’t mind.” Eve said straightening out the expensive pillows that she had mashed in her slumber. Stephanie was a little shaky on her feet as she walked. Eve grabbed her arm to help her sit. “ Here. Let me get you some water.” The bar was stocked will alcohol and water, she poured Stephanie a glass. “ Drink this.” For once Stephanie did as she was told. “ You don’t look so well. I think that maybe we should get you something to eat.”
Bile started to rise in Stephanie’s stomach. The last thing she wanted was food. “ I don’t think so.”
Eve who was an expert on hangovers knew that the smell of food would make her sick.
“ How about some dry toast and a roast tomato with just a pinch of olive oil. It won’t make you sick and it will fill you stomach.”
“ I don’t think so.”
Eve knelt in front of the woman. “Please let me help you. I don’t want to step over any bounds but it seems that you might need somebody here if just to see that you eat something.”
Stephanie saw the pity in the girl’s eyes. “ You know don’t you?”
“ Know?”
“ That my husband has…” She stopped speaking. She couldn’t say it. She couldn’t speak of the words.
Eve saw the look of confusion and embarrassment on the older woman’s face. “ If you point me to the kitchen. I’ll fix you something to eat.” Grateful for the young woman’s tact. Stephanie pointed her in the right direction.

Olivia was enjoying an enormous breakfast of hotcakes, eggs over easy and sausages with a cup of strong English tea. She had never enjoyed those ups of cappuccino that her husband had favored for her it was always English tea. Maybe it was the Brit in her.
Honestly she hadn’t eaten such a meal this in years however she was ravenous after the night be fore’s lovemaking. Cutting off a piece of sausage she dipped into the maple syrup that she had with her hotcakes and placed it within her mouth. “ Mmm, delicious.” Memories of the night with Eric filled her head. “Who would have thought after all these years that I would be sharing a bed with you Eric.” Life was unpredictable. After all these years she had spent the night with the man that she had found so intriguing almost forty- five years before.
The door in to her Presidential out hotel suite opened and then closed. Isabelle walked into the living room and turned toward the left to the intimate dinning room find her mother eating breakfast. “Olivia”
Olivia stood in her black and white sleek nightgown and matching robe excited to see her daughter. “ Bella.” She said with a mixture of surprise and concern when daughter looked at her with fury in her eyes. Normally there was a coldness that would freeze her to the core. This was something different. Something, she knew, was wrong. Her daughter was the modicum for self-control. Today, she was anything other than that. Instantly she was alarmed “What has happened? Is it your brother?” She asked clutching her robe to the vee of her somewhat exposed bosom the nightgown reveled.
Isabelle didn’t sit. She stood her ground and loomed over her mother. “I’ve never known a mother like you before. What kind of woman does nothing to destroy the lives of her children without any thought or remorse?"
“ I haven’t done anything. I don’t understand.” She dropped her linen napkin on the table the food forgotten.“ What is this about?”
Isabelle stood feeling the fury run through her blood like lava. Her mother was always the same beautiful, and a self-serving bitch. But for her to stand there and act like she had done nothing began eat away at Isabelle.
“ Caspian knows all about Brooke and Lark.”
A coldness swept through Olivia.“ He knows what?”
Isabelle crossed her arms in front of her. “That they are sisters.” Bella informed her.
Olivia was rocked by this news. She held her hand out to find the Windsor chair to sit down to catch her breath. She honestly was floored. “How?”
“You.” Isabelle raked her mother. “Apparently it was something you mentioned something to him to make him investigate the matter. What did you say to him?”
“ Nothing I merely…” Olivia looked at her daughter with wide eyes. “ I merely suggested that he look deeper into the situation. The connections between Lark and Brooke.”
“Why couldn’t you leave it alone. He was happy and you had to ruin that.”
“ Caspian deserves the truth. He needed to understand the position he was putting himself in. That if Brooke were to find out that the she’d never believe that he loves her for her. I’m not even sure that he doesn’t see Lark when he looks at her. ”
“That is because you haven’t seen them together. He loves her NOT because she looks like Lark but because she’s who she is. Brooke is nothing like Lark. They are two completely different women.”
“ They are sisters. Twins separated. It isn’t healthy for your brother.”
“Healthy. Coming from you they could write textbook case studies about your parenting skill. Tell me Olivia, what is healthy about letting your boyfriend rape your daughter?”
Olivia sighed hating this. “That is nothing to do with this situation. Bella I’m not going to let you change the subject by brining up something that will instill nothing but guilt from me. ” Olivia pushed past her own pain. “ I’ve allowed that to go on far to long. I’ve said that I’m sorry countless of times. I’ve tried to make it up to you. I can’t because you won’t let me! You think that you have the corner market on being hurt? You don’t. I’m hurting too. I have had to live with the guilt and the pain but that time is over. I’m tired of apologizing on deaf ears especially since you don’t want to work things out.”
“ What ever gave you that impression that I wanted to have anything to do with you? That little speech about your pain doesn’t even equate the pain that I’ve gone through.”
“ You refused the counseling you needed to help you recover. It would have helped you face your pain and find real happiness. Instead you bottled everything up, all of your real feelings of emotions.”
“ Not my distain for you.” Bella reminded her.
“ Oh Bella.” She said shaking her head. “If only that were just all you felt.” Olivia whispered. She felt nothing put regret for nothing only Hugo’s rape but for the fact that she allowed Caspian to take over and be the parent she should have been. “ I allow your brother to take over when I should have been your mother.”
“ You didn’t have a choice in the matter. Grayson and Caspian wouldn’t let you. They knew that you weren’t fit to raise me.”
Olivia shook her head.“ That’s where you are wrong. We all have choices. I honestly believed that he was what best for you. Fighting them, I could do it.”
“ You were lucky you were allowed to live with what you had done.”
“Even the mighty Grayson knew that I suffered along with you. That your pain was mine. Though you never knew it. I made the mistake of not wanting to face you or anyone else. I ran away from my responsibility. I was very selfish. But things don’t have to be like that anymore. Bella, we have to deal with the past in order to have a future. Then we could move past it.”
“ Get past it. After what you did to Caspian and to me right here and now. You knew where to strike. To cause anarchy. The one thing that I loved in the life is my brother. He is one person that I could count on but right now he’s furious with me because of YOU.”
“How angry is he?” Olivia questioned honestly concerned.
Isabelle’s mouth formed a hard line. “Let’s just say that it’s a good thing that I’m his sister and his more violent side has been sated because if it weren’t for that heads would be rolling about now.”
“ Surely he’ll understand…”
“ He trusts me.” Bella cut her mother off. “Or at least he did. I was the one person he could count on and I’ve destroyed that trust. That’s what he said. What I did, I did because I love him. I wanted him to find happiness that he deserved. I wanted him to have the life that I couldn’t. Don’t you understand that? But you couldn’t keep your mouth your shut and allow him this.” Pain anger flashed in her eyes. “This wasn’t about manipulating him. It was about giving him his life back. Now he’s royally pissed that I tried to cover up Brooke and Lark’s connection. He feels that I’ve manipulated him. Worse off, he’s going to tell Brooke the entire truth.”
“ He is?” Olivia asked shocked.
“ Yes.” She gave her mother a bitter smile. “ I bet you are happy now. That’s what you wanted all along.
“ Only because I know the heartbreak he’s been through when he lost Lark. I didn’t want him to suffer it again. With Brooke it would be worse, it would be like losing Lark all over again.”
“ Spare me your good intentions mother. Now or later, it doesn’t matter he’ll be hurt. And Brooke, well her life is going to be turned upside down. I tried to keep that from happening for Caspian’s sake. Everything was taken care of expect for you.” Isabelle’s eyes turned at hard intense blue. “You I honestly didn’t count on.”
“ Bella, when are you going to learn that you can’t play god with other people’s lives.”
“God. Don’t mention to me. Where was he when my father was gunned down like a dog in the street? Or when I was being raped by your lover? Where was he when I had to kill the man I loved because he was nothing more than an agent looking arrest my brother? Where was your god when my baby died? Tears filled Bella’s eyes. “He was no where mother. God left me a long time ago.” Bella’s façade cracked. She showed real pain and human emotion. Olivia reached out to pull Bella into her arms. Her baby was hurting deep down inside. The tears she knew was a good sign, she hadn’t seen her daughter since the night that Caspian had found Hugo raping her. It means that Bella was completely lost to her. “ Let me help you. You aren’t a lost cause. I love you sweetheart. God loves you too.” Bella pulled away from her mother disgusted with both herself. She had to get a hold of her torrent emotions. To crack in front f her mother she couldn’t accept. Her mother had felt obligated to hug her of all things. Putting distance between she and her mother she turned to wipe away the evidence of her weakness from off her face. She had never been the kind of woman to give into her feelings ever. Caspian’s anger with her was affecting her in ways she didn’t like. In ways that she didn’t want to admit.
Olivia knew her daughter was confused. She had bottled up her emotions so long ago. She honestly confused her own happiness with Caspian’s. His happiness had become an obsession for her. It had been for years. Olivia wasn’t sure all that had transpired between Bella and Benito. She hadn’t been in the loop or aware of the situation until Bella had given up her beautiful baby girl. But Olivia knew all about pain and regret. Deep down inside she knew her daughter was filled with both.
Olivia watched the transformation in her daughter when Bella turned to face her. Gone was the real human emotion; in its place was a woman in control. Her face devoid of any expression or feeling. Her body language tight, controlled. It was the daughter she had faced for many years. “ It foolish of me to come here. I allowed my feeling to take over. Allowing my emotions to rule my actions is something that I don’t normally do.”
“ You aren’t used to your brother being angry with you. It probably frightens you.”
Isabelle picked up her purse. “ No. It doesn’t. Nothing frightens me anymore. But I will tell you who ought to be frightened. You.” Bella whispered. “ If his relationship with Brooke falls apart because of what you did nothing will protect you from my wrath.”
Olivia stepped toward her daughter. “ I’m not afraid of you Bella.”
Her cold eyes raked her mother. “Mother you ought to be.”
“ No. I’m not. I’m afraid for you. I’m honestly afraid that if you don’t release your emotions and feelings that you’ll never find the happiness that YOU deserve.”
The corners of Isabelle’s mouth turned up to become a sadistic smile. She leaned forward her lips almost grazing her mother’s ear. “ Be careful what you wish for mother. All that pent up hostility and anger that I feel for you just might come out in an unhealthy violent way.”

 

“Yes, I want the most beautiful bouquet flowers you have. A box of your finest chocolates please to go along with it. Also, I’d like a tray of your chocolate covered strawberries. On the card I want it to say. Thanks for a wondrous night. Eric.” Eric paused. “ Yes, that’s all.” Eric hung up the phone. He hoped the flowers and chocolate would put a smile on Olivia’s face because she had done so much more for him. Turning back to the design he touched the face of the model in the sketch . The woman wearing the dress looked very much like the sensual Olivia D’Angelo.

Stephanie felt a sense of gratitude as flashes of memory of the young woman helping her had come to her over breakfast. The young woman had make her strong tea, toast and a delicious tomatoes that Stephanie had grown from her garden But instead of thanking her, she wanted to get to the root to why the young woman was here in her home. Rick and her hadn’t been on good terms since the whole Amber situation. “ Why are you here? Rick is my step-son but right now are aren’t on good terms.” She spoke finally pushing the plate away.
“I know.”
“ Then why are you here?”
Eve licked her lips nervously. “ It’s not about Rick.”
Stephanie quick eyes noted the girl’s nervousness. “ What is it? Spit it out. I haven’t got all day.”
“ I’m here for another reason. It’s about a deal that you made.”
“ Deal. What deal?”
“My best friend is and roommate is Trudie Hastings.” Stephanie’s blood ran cold. “ You made a deal with her regarding… Bridget’s paternity.”
Stephanie’s face turned red with anger. “ Get out of my house.”
“ Mrs. Forrester.”
“ You get the hell out of my house right now!” Stephanie marched to the back door in the kitchen and opened it. “ You bitch! If you and that friend of yours think that you are going to extort money out of me over some accusation then you’ll both be going down. I’ll see to it.”
“ No. You don’t understand. I’m not here to get money from you. I’m here to give you this.” Eve took the check out of her purse. “ It’s a check for the money that you gave Trudie. You’ll see that it’s all here.”
Stephanie looked down at the check. She closed the backdoor. “What do you want?”
“ Nothing I swear.”
“Are you wearing a wire or something? Is this some trick of Brooke’s to get me on tape because I’ve done nothing wrong.” She leaned forward into Eve’s personal space. “ You aren’t going to get me to say that I’ve done anything wrong. Because you aren’t going to get a damn thing.”

Victoria, flight attendant poured glasses of champagne into the glasses to make Mimosa’s for the passengers of the flight. Doors to the plane opened and instead of seeing the handsomely dressed business that she expected so found an extremely sexy looking man in his mid twenties with seimi blonde died hair, a trimmed beard with a beguiling smile come aboard wearing a Radio Head t-shirt under a tailored jacket and 200 dollar jeans and dark black Timberland Boots. He had on expensive Ray-Ban shades, a Patek Phililippe Grand Complications watch on and was listening to music from his Blackberry. He winked at her with his chocolate brown eyes, as he took the earphones out of his eyes. When he took off the jacket he exposed a trim yet well toned muscular body. A tattoo of some sort of artistic design started at his wrist and seemed to go up his arm but was concealed by the shirt. The man plotted down in the leather chair and took out his laptop before he turned to her. “ Is that for me sweetheart?”
“ Yes.” She gave him his glass. When he took a drink.
“ Will anyone else be joining you?”
“ Only him” He pointed to a very large yet silent man who had come aboard unnoticed.
She stepped back slightly at the massive black man dressed in all black. “ That’s just Val. Don’t pay him any attention. He’s here to see that I come for my summons.” Val said nothing but took the set on the other side of the private jet staring at her as if she make any move he’d paunch . Not taking her eyes off Val, she spoke.“ Summons?”
“ From my uncle. You see, I’ve been a very bad boy.”
“Bad huh?” the corners of her mouth could help but to turn up. With his good looks should could only imagine what that meant.
He leaned back in the chair. “Now I’m on my way to L.A to meet Uncle Caspian.”
“ Mr. DeAngelo? He’s your uncle.” Victoria straightened up. The DeAngelo were very rich and powerful not to mention her boss.
“ Yes and no. More like a friend of the family.” He leaned forward. “ You see we are all family so he’s kinda my uncle. I’m Dominick but my friends, they like to call me Dom.” He took her hand and kissed it. “What, do you call you?”
Victoria looked at the other man who had yet to say anything.
“ Don’t be worried about him. He’s a brick wall. He doesn’t see or hear anything unless you try to hurt me. You wouldn’t be trying to hurt me would you?” Dom asked with mischievous in his eyes.

Nicco followed M. out of the secured area. She was pissed off. M. had shot Connor Davis’s private detective, Trey, last night and brought him to the holding. M strode down the hall toward her destination her expensive heels striking the floor as they walked.
“ You have no right to pass judgment on me. I’m simply following orders.”
“By shooting an innocent man.”
“ I didn’t kill him. Besides, you’ve done worse.” M said keying her security code on the elevator. “ I did a job Nicco. One, by the way, that I shouldn’t have even been involved with. I got pulled off the job in Morocco for this one. It certainly doesn’t look like a promotion, does it.”
“ How was I supposed to know that Connor hired an investigator? I’m not on him. Beside does it matter if Trey tells Connor the truth about Caspian’s family?”
“ Arturo doesn’t want him to know.”
“That’s because he’s wasting his time trying to find any and everything he can to prove Caspian’s dirty.”
Both women stepped into the elevator. Both were beautiful, young with high IQ’s and perfect for the agency. But other than that, that were different as knight and day. M. was a petite black woman; very beautiful with a cute with an innocent looking way about herself. Nobody would ever think that she was the dangerous woman she was. M. was the initial that she used since she had so many alias it could get confusing. Her real name was Marcia Johnson. Unlike Nicco, she grew up in a happy home with two well adjusted parents who loved her spoiled her rotten since she was the only daughter of a family of seven boys. It had been growing up with all those brothers, most in law enforcement or in other forms of the government that M had learned to take care of herself. Sharp shooting, defense tactics and inscription. She had done it all. She often told Nicco stories of her big brothers not to mention her father was a retired Texas Ranger. Nicco had of course been jealous until she had been allowed to meet the wild bunch whom she spent Christmas and other holidays with. M’s mother, Mattie, had adopted her in a non-official way when Nicco had been 19, claiming the poor child needed a family to love. It was really a shame that Nicco wasn’t totally interested in men because Marcia had some fine ones in her family. Blessed with a cunning mind, the agency pulled M right out of college when she had only been 18. She was the perfect agent with a spotless record. She was bright, witty good at sleuth and could get the job done. She also had a humane side to her that although she tried to keep hidden, Nicco knew all about. It was that side, the one that could drink you under the table and curse at you in Russian, Japanese, Italian and Spanish. Nicco, who had grown up in the streets, had liked. Besides, M had one of best bodies around and she could go round to round in the ring with Nicco if she had to. But right now, M, was being a royal queen bitch.


“ You know that I can stay like this forever.” Brooke whispered against Caspian chest. They were sprawled out on the sofa after their lovemaking.”
“ You aren’t the only one. If I had to wake up like this every morning like this then I be the happiest man in the world.”
“ Really?” Brooke trailed her fingers down his chest. “ I must be doing something right.”
“ You are doing a lot of things right.”
“ Well, I just wanted to help you get your mind off what happened between you and Isabelle.”
He kissed Brooke. “ As charming as you are.” He groaned slightly when her foot grazed I’m not sure even you can do that.”
Brooke sat up. “I know that you are angry with her.”
“ You have no idea how furious I am at her at the moment.”
“ You too share a deep bond, a connection with one another.” She reminded him gently.
“ We’ve always been close. Bella was the only family that I had for such a long time.”
“ What about Grayson.”
Caspian knew that it would be difficult to explain without all the pieces. “Yes. I had him but Bella, she was my sister and my responsibility.” He stood regardless of his nakedness.”
“ You were young.” Brooke followed him wrapping her arms around him from behind. She rested her head on his naked back. “ You did the best you could do.”
“ Did I Brooke?” He quested her and himself. “Sometimes I wonder. Bella’s complicated. She doesn’t see things the way that most people do.” He wiped his face with his hand. He head hung low. “ It’s my fault.” He whispered with despair. “ I wanted her to be happy but she isn’t.”
Brooke’s fingered caressed his head. “ That isn’t your fault.”
How could he explain that it was? His sister was what he had made her. She hadn’t trusted him with the truth. It cut deep. Caspian turned and took Brooke into his arms. Now because of that a bad situation had become worse. He caressed her face. “This is my fault.” Whispered.
“ It doesn’t have to be. Talk to your sisters. What she did was wrong but I’m sure she didn’t mean to hurt you. She loves you. That I do know. Don’t be quick to let your anger get in the ways of her real motives which was protecting you. She thought finding Lark’s sister might hurt you. Sometimes we do things we shouldn’t do to protect the people we love.” Caspian knew all about that.

Eve looked at Stephanie. “ I don’t know why you think that I’ve been sent here by Rick’s mother but she has nothing to do with this.” Eve pulled away from Stephanie. “ She doesn’t have any idea that I’m here neither does Trudie.” Stephanie looked at with disbelieving eyes. “I’m not here to entrap you or anything.”
“ So you just want money.”
“ I don’t want that. I just want to give you the money that Trudie took from you back.”
“ Some girlfriend you turned out to be.” Stephanie snorted. “You don’t give a damn about Rick it’s about his money. Or better yet this is some way to get in his good graces.”
“ Rick doesn’t know anything about what has happened.”
“ I bet he doesn’t sweetheart. He’s gone from one lying tramp to another.” Stephanie shook her head.
“ It isn’t that way. I didn’t know anything about what Trudie had done until the day before yesterday. I was surprised.” She looked at Stephanie.
“ I won’t admit to anything if that is what you are hoping for.”
“ Blackmailing you for more money was wrong. I’m just trying to make it right.”
“ With a paper trail.”
“ That’s a copy of the check. I had it cashed at another bank. I will take you to the money or tell you where it is. But I just don’t want any trouble for Trudie.’
“ You expect me to believe that you’ve come here out of the goodness of your heart to give me my money back in all for exchange for nothing.”
“ It was wrong. The entire situation was wrong. What Trudie did? What you did.”
“ I have a life with Rick or at least I want to. I can’t have one not knowing that my best friend profited off some plot to hurt his sister.”
“ So you’ve come here to clear you conscience.” Stephanie scoffed. “Isn’t that just so sweet of you. You are here to cover your own ass. Well, it’s not going to be that easy.” It’s not that easy. For you or for your little friend.”
“She made a deal. I’m not going to be stupid enough to say what kind but she made it. Just like her brother did. There is no going back for her or for anyone.”
“ I have to make things right.”
“ By making things right, I know that you don’t mean telling Rick about this because if you do not only will I be in trouble but so will you. Just think about how Rick is going to feel about you. His girlfriend being a part of this.”
“ I had nothing to do with this. I only want to help Trudie get out of this mess.”
“ I sure that is what in your heart. You want to help your good friend. But that isn’t how it’s going to look. It’s going to look like you and your friend has taken advantage of him. Just look at Trudie. She had it good at Forrester’s newest hottest model yet she felt the need to blackmail me for money.” Eve turned her back on Stephanie but that didn’t deter the woman. Stephanie smelled her fear. “Rick has already been through one scandal, do you want to bring another in his life. It won’t look bad for just Trudie but for you. You knew what she did yet you said nothing to him. How is he ever going to trust you again after this.” She put her hand on Eve’s shoulder. “ I know that you are trying to do the right thing but sometimes it just isn’t enough to spare the people we love from being hurt. Everyone is going to get hurt. Trudie, Rick even you.” Stephanie put the check in Eve’s hand. “ Do the smart thing Eve. Keep quiet about everything that way nobody gets hurt or arrested. Trudie will keep her job at Forrester free from scandal while you get to ride off into the sunset with Rick. Amber’s gone from what I here. So there is nothing standing in the way of your happiness. But if you say anything to Rick, it will be over. If he doesn’t end it surely Brooke will. I’ve seen the hell she put Amber through, she’d certainly do the same for you.

 

Nicco and M were seated at the table in the conference room when Gus Arturo walked into the room. “Ladies” he said carrying a cup of coffee looking like he had been up all night in jeans a wrinkled shirt and jacket “ Don’t get up.” He plopped down at the head of the table. “So, what do we got?” He asked turning toward M.
“Trey asked questions and actually got a few answers from a Robert Gaffney. Grayson found out and Robert of course disappeared. We didn’t want the same for Trey so we faked a hit as you suggested.”
“So what does he know.
“ Trey found that Caspian was involved in underworld business in the past. He knows that his father was part of the Anterio but that’s all the information he had.”
“ The man got a lot of information.”
“ He’s good.” M. stated. “He did his homework and has some contacts. Some with the bureau. They gave him some of the classified information.”
“What. The f*cking FBI. They can never keep their mouths shut.” Gus was pissed. “Does he know that D’Angelo is under investigation?”
“ Not that we know. The truth serum that we shot him full of told us that much.”
“ I don’t understand why we had to do that. We could have simply asked him questions.” Nicco stated.
“Because we don’t have the time to sit and wait. I want to now everything that’s going on. Speaking of that, what the hell do you have on those codes.”
“ Nothing.”
“ Still nothing.”
“Yes, still nothing.” Nicco explained pulling up the file with the floor plans she downloaded for the LCD projector. “ I’ve searched the I keep telling you that I’ve searched almost the entire compound even in the highly secured areas and found nothing. Everything looks above board.”
M knew that stress that Nicco was under. She had voiced her opinion that there was a strong chance that MicroTech was exactly what it looked to be. “I’ve searched their bank records and private accounts. Every penny seems to be accounted for. The only irregular item we found was funds that started coming from a source we couldn’t identify, later we found that it was from Forrester Creations.”
“ Why would Forrester Creations be paying Caspian?”
“Because he own 10% of their stock.”
This was news to Gus. “Since when?”
“ Apparently his father helped Eric Forrester out many years ago. He invested in Forrester Creations. Sonny D’Angelo was given stock in return.”
“ I didn’t know anything about this. How did you find out?” Gus had tried to have the offices bugged however the D’Angeloes had their offices and homes swept twice a week. It was impossible for them to tap into any of their conversations.
“Eve mentioned to me that Caspian sits on the Forrester Board of Directors.”
Gus sat back. “ So he isn’t only banging Brooke Forrester, he’s owns part of her company too. Interesting.” Gus wondered if there was a way to use that to his advantage.

“ Wow, dad this is pretty amazing.” Kristen lifted the attached piece of material on her father’s latest design.
“And it’s only the beginning.” Eric said not looking up from the corner of his desk where he sat with his sleeves rolled up hard at work.
“ You did this morning?”
“ Yes.”
You really are on fire.”
“ I guess honey I just feel a sense of freedom. A fire in my blood.” He said picking up another colored pencil
“ I can see that.” She put the sketch down. “ So, what’s put you in such a good mood?
Eric thought about the night he shared with Olivia. “ Let’s just say that I’ve got a new lease on life honey.
“Does this have anything to do with mother?”
“Have you seen her?”
“ Not sense yesterday.”
“ It’s over Kristen. I gave your mother the divorce papers.”
“ I can only imagine how she took it.”
“ Not well. Your mother likes to control things especially me. She’s feeling very hurt and betrayed at the moment. She sees herself as a victim.”
“ She may be.” Kristen replied. “ Have you ever thought that she might be innocent?”
“ Honestly, no.”
“ She loves Ridge and Bridget too. I just can’t see her doing this to them. Brooke maybe but not Ridge.”
“ Oh, I’m sure that your mother has rationalized the entire situation out so that she feels she has protected the family against Brooke. Bridget was expendable because she still had a family. It was such a small price to pay for getting rid of Brooke.” Eric saw the disappointment in his daughter’s face. “Honey I know that you want to believe your mother. It’s okay that you do. You have a good heart and you want to see the best in her. But I’m different. I see the truth. I’ve been married to your mother for a very long time. It’s time that I face reality. She isn’t going to change. She’s a danger to herself and to this family. I have no choice but to divorce her.”

“Rick you wanted to see me?” Trudie asked. Rick looked up over the different placements files that he had with all the different contracts regarding the fashion show to find Trudie in the doorway of his office. She didn’t look much like the glamour girl she normally did in her ripped jean and her white ribbed top. It was a simple since she look devoid out of makeup and her hair was pulled back in a ponytail however it worked.
“ Yes. I did.”
Trudie ran her hands up and down the legs of her jeans. She wasn’t sure what Eve had to done. Had she told Rick the truth? She hadn’t come home the night before so she figured that Eve had made up with Rick.“ Is everything alright?”
“That is what I wanted to ask you.” Rick got up from his desk and followed Trudie to the sofa. “Listen I’m not sure if Eve told you but I asked her to marry me.”
“ She told me.” She answered honestly.
“ So, I guess she told you she said no.” He asked slightly embarrassed.
“ Yeah. She did. Look Rick. I’m really sorry.”
“ It isn’t your fault.” He said standing up. “ I’m trying to understand her reasons but it bothers me that she said no.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “ I know that it came as a huge surprise but I wanted to let her know how much I loved her. Especially after…”
“ After what?”
He turned toward her. “After I found out that she had a job offer in London.”
“ London. Eve got a job offer to London.”
“ Yeah.” Rick saw the surprise in Trudie’s eyes.“ You didn’t know about it?”
“ No.”
“ She didn’t tell me either. I only found out because she left her book bag with the papers in it. She had an internship, an offer to study abroad but she choose to stay here with me.”
Trudie stood. “Wow” She bit her lip nervously. “She never mentioned it to me.” Trudie wondered why. “ Is that why you asked her to marry you all of a sudden because you felt bad about her giving up the job?
“ No. I know that it seems that way but it isn’t. When I realized what she gave up I thought about all the happiness she’s brought into my life and my son’s life. I love her True. I want to make her happy. I thought that I could.”
“ You do.” Trudie hated herself. Eve’s relationship was falling apart because of something she had done. “You’ve got to be believe me when I tell you that you are all she thinks about. She loves you. She loves your more than anything.”
“ Rick looked skeptical. “ A huge part of me knows it but I guess when I think about her saying no it hurts a part of me. It makes me think that maybe she doesn’t want me. Lately she’s been so busy and preoccupied. I just don’t know. Maybe I pushed for too much too fast but I just want to make her happy.” Rick took out the ring that he had brought for eve out of his pocket. “ I know that we haven’t broken up, that we are still together but ever since the night I asked her, there has been a distance between us. Last night I called her four times, I just wanted to talk. But she didn’t even answer the phone. It’s like she doesn’t want to see me anymore. Because of her, Trudie thought. She couldn’t do this anymore. She couldn’t allow Eve to take the rap for what she had done.

Kristen put the phone down. She had tried to call her mother but she wasn’t answering the phone. “ Where are you mother?” She wondered. She knew her mother didn’t take the news of her father’s plans to divorce her well.
“ Knock, knock.” Kristen turned to see Sam entering her office looking relaxed in her black valor sweat suit and tight white t-shirt. “ Sweetheart I brought you one of those honey crunch bagels that you love so much from Panera Bread.” She handed Kristen the bag.
“ That’s it’s just what I needed.” Kristen leaned forward to give Sam a kiss. Sam felt the tension in Kristen’s body.
“ Are you alright?” She asked concerned.
“ I guess.”
“ Still upset about your mom?” Sam asked taking the bagels out of the bag and putting them on paper plates. Kristen took her coffee and sipped it.
“ Yes, especially now. Dad gave her the divorce papers.”
“ Good going Eric.”
“Sam how can you say that?”
“ Because your mother is a bitch.” Sam pointed out.
Kristen frowned. “ Come on honey. You know it. I know that you want to support her and that’s okay but you’ve got to face the truth. Your mother brought this on herself.” Kristen winced at Sam’s candid tone. “ I don’t want to sound cruel but I’ve got to be honest. Your mother is a cancer in this family. She ought to be cut out or she’ll infect you all.” Sam also knew that Stephanie wasn’t the only one.

Trudie knocked on the open door to the office before she went in. Her stomach was in knots. She felt like she was going to throw up. The back door to the office opened and Eric Forrester and his assistant walked through it. “ Get Hong Kong on the phone. I want to make sure that this shipment gets there on time, we need that silk like yesterday.” Eric Forrester took off his glasses and looked at his visitor.
“ Trudie.” He said surprised.
She licked her full lips.“Mr. Forrester I hope that you don’t mind me coming here.”
“ Not at all, have a seat.” He held out his hand across to the chair from his desk.
Megan left the office leaving them alone to finish the errands that Eric had given her. “ I don’t think that you are scheduled for a shoot today or am I wrong?”
“ No. I was here to get a fitting down with Ridge. He had three dresses to do. I guess that he’s throwing himself back into getting his work done.”
“Yes, he certainly is. It’s good to see he’s back at work.” Eric poured himself a glass of juice. “Though he’s had a lot on his mind.”
“ I guess that you all do between the company and your family issues.”
Eric paused for a moment before answering. “Yes. We have.” There was a nervousness about the young lady made him think that something was wrong. “ Trudie, is everything alright?” Eric watched as the young woman’s head began to shake no. Her nervous hands kept pulling at the thread of her jeans.
“ No. Everything isn’t alright. I made a huge mistake Mr. Forrester. Tears filled her beautiful eyes. I know that you’ve got a lot on your mind. I won’t even come to bother you but Brooke, I mean Ms. Logan isn’t here and I need to get it off my chest before I get to scared and change my mind. It was clear to her that something happened.
“ Trudie. What is it? You can tell me.” Trudie felt awful. He was a very nice man, hell most of them were. She looked around the office and noticed the press AD mock ups for the WOW fashion show. They all centered around her. It had been her dream and it had come true. Now, if she opened her mouth it would be all over in a matter of seconds. She felt a hand on her shoulder.
“ Trudie. We are like a family here at Forrester, well most of us. Please tell me what’s wrong. If there is something we could do. I want to know.” Eric felt for the young woman. She had lost all of her family. “ So please, let me help you.

The hot water ran down Isabelle’s body from the spray of the double-sided shower. Her confrontation with her mother had stirred up so many of her emotions and feelings from the past. Her sense of loss dealing with Benito and her baby not to mention the pain from the past.. Dwelling on what she had lost had never been an option for her, it certainly wasn’t one now. Yet the pain was there, deep inside of her. She stepped out of the shower taking a soft towel to sponge her face. She stood before the frosted mirror for a moment before she used her hand to wipe the steam away. Looking at her reflection she felt empty inside. Sitting down at the vanity chair she studied the woman before her. One thing was for certain, she needed a little time and space to get herself together.

 

“ Get back here.” Caspian demanded to Brooke across the kitchen.
“ No way.” Brooke sprang out of his reach with a laugh.
“ Brooke.” He growled.
“ Come get me.” Brooke picked up some of the suds from the dishes she had been washing and threw it at him. He chased her. Running out of the kitchen, she dashed. He followed in hot pursuit grabbing her up. He hauled her across his shoulders playfully.
“Now that I’ve got you I’m going to…”
“What ” Brooke said laughing when Caspian stopped suddenly?
“ Caspian what…” Brooke looked up feeling her Caspian’s body tense. There standing in the living room was a woman smartly dressed in expensive ensemble of black pants with a scalloped black top under a custom fit red empress jacket with a starting Asian design that looked that it came from designer Karen Wong. Brooke took one look at the clothes, the 700-dollar Fendi bag along with a pair of Jimmy Chow shoes. A woman of wealth, elegance, a woman of beauty. One that was natural beauty not marred by botox or plastic surgery that many mature women foolishly thought they needed.

Olivia had watched her son in astonishment. He had been laughing. It had been such a long time since she had seen actual joy on her son’s face. Not only that, there had been a playfulness when he had hauled Brooke over his shoulder that she hadn’t seen since he had been a boy.
Caspian gently let Brooke down on the floor from over his should. His mother had standing in his living room wasn’t something he’d expected.
“ Caspian. I’m sorry to interrupt you but…”
“ How did you get in here?” he interrupted. “There are strict orders about how comes up here.
“ I told your doorman that I was your mother and it was a family emergency.” Olivia turned her attention to beautiful woman standing next to her son. It was amazing. It was like looking at an older yet sophisticated version of Lark. She honestly was riveted. Brooke looked at Caspian with confusion as the mysterious woman studied her intently.
Olivia snapped out of the daze that she was.“ I’m sorry. My son acts as if he has no manners.” She came forward extending her hand toward Brooke. “ I’m Olivia Caspian’s mother.” She gave Brooke a gracious smile. Caspian’s mother was beautiful.
Brooke shook her hand. “ I’m Brooke.”
“ Oh. You don’t have to tell me who you are, my dear girl.” She replied clasping her hands together. I’ve heard very much about you. Not from my son of course but I’ve heard wonderful things.””
Caspian couldn’t help but to notice his mother’s dazzling smile. What in the hell was so up to? He didn’t trust her.
Brooke thanked Olivia. The woman’s eyes keep staring at her to the extent that Brooke felt somewhat underdressed in her robe. “ You’ve made him happy.”
Her comment confused Brooke. “ What?”
“ My son.” Olivia smiled with tears in her eyes. “ I’ haven’t seen him like this in years. When he came out into the living room he had such a look of pure happiness. It’s because you.” She whispered. “ I’m grateful.”
“Olivia!” Caspian snapped broke off her connection. “ What do you want?”
“ Oh.” She reluctantly turned her attention back on her son. “ I uhh. I need to talk to you.”
Caspian had no intention to talk to his mother.“ I have nothing to say to you. Leave You’ve certainly done enough damage.”
“ I wasn’t lying to the doorman Caspian .We do have a family emergency.” I don’t plan to leave until we talk about it.” She looked at Brooke pointedly. “ One way or another.”
Brooke turned to Caspian. “ Honey your mother came all this way. Talk to her.”
Caspian didn’t like being put in this position. His mother had a big mouth. If she told Brooke the truth, it would hurt her. He had no intention of letting anybody else do what he had to do. “Please honey, for me.” Brooke looked at Olivia seeing the silent thank you in her eyes.
“ You’ve got five minutes.”
Olivia looked at Brooke. “ It’s a private issue. I hope that you don’t mind.”
Brooke nodded. “ I’ve got to get dressed myself. I’m already late for work. I’ll just leave the two of you alone.” She kissed Caspian’s frowning mouth before she headed up the stairs.
Olivia let out a long awaited breathe as she watched Brooke go up the stairs. “ My god.” Her hand crept toward her bosom. “ She looks just like her. I knew with them being….” Caspian grabbed her arm “ Ouch. You are hurting me.” She tried to keep up with her son as se hurried her into the study pulling her by her arm.
“I said five minutes” His nostrils flared with anger. “ I hope you don’t plan to try and beg for my forgiveness for your part in this whole Lark/Brooke debacle. Because I don’t forgive you.”
Olivia ribbed the sore spot on her arm. “ I swear both you and Bella get your stubbornness from your father. Neither of you listen very well.”
“ No, we get it from you. Time is ticking.”
Olivia sat down and crossed her legs. “ That may dear son is where you are wrong. You and I are going to have a long discussion. We’ve got a lot to clear up.”
“ I said five minutes”
“ I’m not one of your minions that you can order around. I’m your mother. Besides the last thing you want is for Brooke to come down and overhear our conversation, do you?”
Caspian gritted his teeth giving her a murderous stare that she surmised worked on others. “ Now. Why don’t you have someone to fix me some English tea and a piece of toast? I’d like that. Besides I didn’t get to eat my breakfast this morning since your sister interrupted me. She’s the reason that I’m here.

Eve studied the check within her hand while she sat in her car. She had tried to make things better and failed miserably. Now Stephanie Forrester had almost threatened her. It was true. Her plans of giving Stephanie the money and coming clean to Rick had turned to dust. Honestly, she didn’t know what to do anymore. Not at all.


Brooke had showered and dressed before she put the finishing touches to her makeup, which consisted of a little eye shadow and a little lipgloss, before she decided to head back downstairs. She had waited to give Caspian and his mother time together. Whatever had brought Olivia here must be something serious. She found the living room empty as well as the kitchen, she knew that he wouldn’t been in the gym or the breakfast room. That left the study. She walked toward the door that was slightly ajar when she heard voices.

Olivia had eaten under the rearing gaze of Caspian. “You’ve had your tea and your toast and even eggs.”
“ Which is very good by the way. Imagine that, you cooking . I never would have thought that I’d see the day.” She pushed her tray away.
“ I dismissed the staff this morning.”
“ To allow you and Brooke some time together? That seems awfully romantic. She brings out a softer side of you. I can see why your sister wants you together so badly that she’ll go through extreme measures to see that you are together. Even keep secrets from you to insure that you’d never find out the truth.”
“ Isabelle.” He frowned.” You’ve found out that I know all about your little conspiracy. Naturally you are here to defend yourself. Don’t bother. Nothing you do surprises me anymore..”
“ I’m not here about myself. You’ve been angry with me for years. I already know that nothing I saw to you has ever changed your mind.”
“ Keeping secrets is your specialty. You’ve known from the beginning about Lark’s sister haven’t you?” He added not wanting to mention Brooke’s name.
“ Don’t look down on me for what I thought was best for Lark. You’ve kept your own secrets by the way. Lark confided in me. She was thrilled at the aspect of having family especially a twin sister. I wasn’t going to tell you because she didn’t want me too.”
“ I should have been told.”
“I owned her loyalty”
Caspian scoffed at that idea. His mother had never been loyal to him. “Loyalty. That is something new to you.”
“ No. It isn’t. I was very loyal to your father.”
“ I really could tell since you took up with Hugo months after he died.”
“ Our marriage was complicated. I didn’t like being alone when he died but I loved him. Make no mistake.” Olivia said noticeably hurt. “ You have no right to imply that I didn’t.” Caspian knew that he had hit a nerve. He may have certain issues with his mother but she had loved his father even with his flaws. “For too long you’ve blamed me for having the relationship with your Lark that you couldn’t.”
“ That’s because she didn’t understand what a bitch of mother you were to Bella. She only saw the good in you.”
“ Maybe because I never pretended to be something that I wasn’t! You hid behind a mask and when she finally saw what you really were it scared her to death.” Pain swelled up in Caspian’s eyes. Olivia flinched. “ Caspian, I’m sorry…I didn’t mean.” She turned away.
Brooke listened at the door. Why would Lark be afraid of Caspian? He may be intense but he’d never hurt the woman he loved. The conversation she had stumbled upon was perplexing to her. Brooke continued to watch the conversation between mother and son.
“ I didn’t come here for that for any of this.” She moved toward his desk. “ Why is it whenever we are together all we seem to do is to strike out and hurt each other?” She whispered sadly. “ I didn’t mean what I said. I know better than anyone why you kept things from Lark. I didn’t come here to hurt you. I love you.”
“ Your love is the kind that hurts.”
Olivia blinked back the tears that stung her eyes. “ Yes, I’ve hurt you and your sister very badly but that doesn’t mean that I’ve stopped caring just because you’ve given up on me.” She stepped toward him holding her hand out. “I love you both.” She said with regret. “Bella’s the reason that I’ve come to talk to you. I saw her this morning and I’m very worried about her. I know that you think that she’s betrayed you but you’ve got to talk to your sister and make things right.”
Brooke had heard enough. Olivia may not have been a good mother to her children but she was here on behalf of Bella, that told Brooke that she did love her children. She knocked on the partially opened door. Caspian turned from his mother to Brooke. “Sweetheart.” He went to her kissed her lightly on the top of his head. His eyes then found his mother in a silent warning to keep her mouth shut. The last thing he wanted was for Brooke to find out the truth from his mother.
Olivia watched the exchange. Brooke was indeed a very beautiful like Lark yet she had a sophistication and sultriness that Lark hadn’t had. Brooke looked naturally alluring in her white summer halter dress with it’s perfect splashes of pink, oranges and yellow. The dress was lovely with a hint of allure since the back, when she turned, was almost backless. She wore golden colored high heeled sandals that matched her purse a matching purse. Her long blonde hair fell across her shoulders while golden dangling earrings hung from her ears.
“ I hate to leave you right now.” She turned her head to look at Olivia.“ But I think that you need time to talk about things. Besides, Eric called me, he needs me to cover for him in a meeting in an hour. I’m sorry that we haven’t gotten a chance to talk and to know each other maybe some other time.”
Olivia nodded with a soft smile at the mention of Eric’s name. “ It would have been nice to get a chance to talk.” She reached out to touch Brooke’s hand. “ I’m sorry that we had to meet like this, it would have been nice to have a dinner or something together.”
“ I don’t think that is going to happen.” Caspian said.
Brooke turned offended that Caspian would dare to answer for her.
Olivia waved her perfectly manicured hand in the air.“ Ignore my son. He thinks that I would try to dissuade you from being involved with him.” She looked at her son deeply in his eyes. “But he’s wrong.” Olivia she whispered.“ I don’t disapprove of you or your relationship. Seeing you here today I finally understand.”
“ Understand what?” Brooke was confused.
Olivia took Brooke’s hand into hers as a bright smile came over her face. “You see, my son was smiling today.” She looked at Caspian quickly before she looked back at Brooke. “Not only that, he was laughing and looking so….carefree.” Her eyes found her stoic looking son. “He doesn’t do that very often, in fact I haven’t seen his smile in years. He’s moved his business to be close to you and from what I hear has become human. You aren’t an ordinary woman Miss Logan.” Olivia squeezed Brooke’s hand. “Thank you for brining my son joy. I never thought that he’d be able to get past Lark.” She tilted her head down for a moment before she found her son’s eyes. “ I was very wrong.”
Brooke didn’t know what to say so she said the only thing that she could think of. “You are welcome.” She said a little embarrassed. She didn’t know what to make of this woman. Caspian’s mother honestly didn’t seem like the monster he had described as a heartless woman. Instead she seemed to be an elegant woman wanting her son’s happiness. Caspian observed his mother during her speech to Brooke. His mother had been against his relationship from the start, what was she up to now? Whatever it was, he was sure that no good would come out of it. He wasn’t going to allow Brooke to be sucked in by this mother’s selfish intentions. He pulled Brooke back toward him wrapping his arms around her. “I’ll see you out.”
Brooke touched his chest lightly with the palm of her hands. “ You don’t have to.” She looked at Olivia for a moment before she turned to him. She kissed him lovingly on the lips. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“ No it’s alright.” He followed her out of the study. He stopped her before she left..
“ I’m sorry for the interruption.”
“ Don’t be.” Brooke kissed him wrapping her arms around him. “As much as I’d like to stay I’ve got to get to work. Bridget has a doctor’s appointment today that I can’t miss. Besides Taylor and Ridge’s children are being tested today.” She leaned forward close to his body. “Besides, you have family matters to attend to.”
“ How much did you hear?” He had known when she had come up to the door. He just thanked god that Olivia had said nothing to hint to who Lark sister was. He would admit, he mother was good at keeping her mouth shut when she wanted to. He surmised it came from living with his father. His father had been a man of many, many secrets.
“ Not very much.” Brooke paused looking back at the double doors that led to his study. “Not at all what I would have expected. She’s very beautiful.”
“ She knows it to. Be careful she’s cunning.”
“Cunning or not. I think that you and your mother need to talk. Regardless of what you think, she’s here because she’s concerned about Bella. Find out what is going on. It might be something important.”
“I’ll see you tonight.” He kissed her.
“Wild horses couldn’t keep me away.” She said one more time she kissed him before she left.

 

 

Mercedes had arrived at Stephanie Forrester house an hour ago finding the woman nursing a hangover and a serious problem. She had listened to Stephanie’s story about, Rick Forrester’s girlfriend Eve, who had come to give her back her bribe money. Stephanie Forrester had made a huge error and it would only be a matter of time before it came to light that Christopher Hastings had changed the paternity test. Stephanie guilt’s had no affect on how Mercedes planned to handle the case, she was getting paid for a good defense, now that she had all the facts she would be able to plan properly.
“ What do you know about this girl?”
“ Nothing. All I know is that she’s Rick’s girlfriend.”
“ Are you sure she hasn’t said a thing to him?”
“ No. She was afraid of what would happen if he were found out.” Stephanie said confidently. “ She won’t open her mouth.”
Mercedes scribbled some notes down. “ You aren’t sure of that. She came here to protect her friend but she also ties to Rick. What can you tell about her?”
“Not much. They’ve been seeing each other for a few months or so. I think that they went to school together.”
“ That’s all you know?”
“ She had no family. I think that Eric mentioned that she was in foster care or something. I’m not sure. I haven’t had the time to think of Rick’s girlfriend.”
“ Do you think she’s one to manipulate or take advantage of a situation?”
“ A gold digger.” Stephanie shook her head. “No. At first I thought so however I watched her reaction to things. She wants to help that slut of a roommate. Besides, she was very kind to me today.” Mercedes had heard from Stephanie that Eric wanted a divorce. She had to start getting a press release to put out that particular fire. Stephanie didn’t understand that she was getting roasted in the eye of public opinion. If it got out that her own husband wanted a divorce she was going to look worse than ever. But the situation with Eve and Trudie Hastings could be very damaging in court.
“ What about Trudie? She told her roommate what she did, do you think she would tell anyone else?”
“ No. Eve was clear. She had broken down and told her. Trudie is a selfish bitch. She doesn’t care about anything but making her money. She didn’t even think about how blackmailing me was going to affect her job at Forrester.”
“ What’s Eve’s last name?”
Stephanie frowned. “ I’m not sure.”
“ Find out.”
“ Why?”
“ Because I have to get her investigated. I need to know what we are up against. I had Trudie looked into last night when you told me about her. Now I need to find out everything on Eve. Then I’ll be able to figure out a way to handle her.
“ As for you, stay away from her and Rick. The last thing we need is for him to find out any of this although there is a chance they will.”
“ What? That can’t happen. If this comes out Eric….I won’t be able to change his mind. He’ll leave me for sure.”
“ Stephanie, you need to be realistic to the fact that you may not be able to win your husband back.”
“ Eric’s only angry. In time he’ll come around.”
Stephanie was deluding herself, Mercedes thought. Her husband clearly knew the truth though he may not be able to prove it. What the woman did, changing her own granddaughter’s paternity test in order to get Brooke Logan out of her family was unforgivable. But it wasn’t Mercedes job to judge, it was to get Stephanie off. “Eric, really shouldn’t be your focus. I was contacted earlier today, they are pushing your trail date up. We don’t have much time to work.”
“ I’m not going to lose my family.”
“Stephanie I’m not sure that you fully comprehend the gravity of the situation. We are talking about keeping you out of jail. The charges against you are very serious. Ones which you could spent quite a few years for if you don’t listen to me. Which you’ve got to do.” Mercedes sighed. “ It was good that you didn’t take that check or admit to anything you did. Eve could have been wearing a wire, though I could have argued entrapment. I’ll handle Eve and Trudie. Let me take care of them it’s my job.” Stephanie agreed. She wasn’t about to lose her family to Brooke. Eric wasn’t going to leave her. Not now, not ever.

Olivia waited for Caspian to come back and didn’t have to wait too long before he strode angrily into the study slamming the door behind him. “What in the hell are you up to?”
“ Nothing.”
“ You have been against my relationship with Brooke from the start then today you come here with all he warm sentiments. I don’t buy it.”
She didn’t expect him to. “It’s the truth. You may not understand but seeing you together it really opened my eyes in many ways.”
“ I’m not going to stand around and discuss my relationship with Brooke with you.”
“ Are you really going to tell her the truth?”
“ That’s none of your business.” He refused to tell her. “ You’ve done enough damage.”
“ By not telling you she was Lark’s sister. Finding out the truth will be difficult for her especially now with everything else going on.” Olivia fingered her the fine china she had eaten up. “ But you don’t want my advice on your relationship.”
“ No. I don’t.”
“ However, I do have a say when it comes to Bella. She’s the reason that I’m here. I’m very concerned about her.
“ What did she say?” He finally asked.
Olivia hid her smile. No matter how upset he was at her, she knew that he loved Bella very much. Nothing would ever change that.“ You and I both know that she’s a master at hiding her feelings from just about anybody. There however was a moment that I saw real emotion and pain coming from her because of you and your disagreement. She’s not used to you being angry with her. It made her more than uncomfortable.”
“ It should. She had no right trying to hid the fact that Brooke and Lark were sisters.”
“ She was trying to protect you.”
“ She was up to something.”
“ Naturally but that’s never bothered you before. Caspian get past your own ego and look at the entire situation. Like it or not she really was thinking about you. She wants more than anything for you to be happy. It’s all she lives and breathes for. It’s not normal.”
“ Bella isn’t normal surely you know that.”
“ Of course I do. But your needs and your feelings are much more important to her. It’s almost symbotic . It’s not healthy for her or for you. You know it, deep down inside.”
Caspian knew that Bella were complicated. He knew that his sister wouldn’t allow herself to connect with anyone. It had been the culumation of many things, Benito, their father’s death and the lost of her child. Not to mention the rape. It was too much. “ I’ve tried.” He said with guilt. “I want her to have love, a husband and a family. She won’t think about it. She feels that she’s damaged.”
“ She is.”
“ Because of you.”
“ Because of both of us.” Olivia answered honestly. “I failed her and a mother. You tried to step in but you couldn’t take the place of two parents who were no longer. Isabelle needed someone to help her to look at her pain. She wouldn’t allow you to do it.”
“ I didn’t want her to look at it.” He answered honestly. “ I didn’t want to her relive it.”
“ But she did. You couldn’t have understood. I didn’t either. But, there is something we can do now.”
“ We?’ Caspian was incensed. “ I don’t want you to go anywhere near her. She’s been through enough.”
“But you are angry with her right now. After all she lied to you.”
“ That doesn’t mean that I don’t love her. We are family. I’m furious with her but that doesn’t mean that I don’t care about my sister.”
Olivia smiled softly. “I know it. She needs to know it. She may not admit it but you are all that she has. Your anger with her hurts her more deeply anything else could. Make things right with your sister. Let her know that no matter what happens that you still love her even when you are disappointed in her. Sometimes we have to get past our own feelings for ones we love. I didn’t do with her or you when should have. Don’t make the same mistakes that I did. Learn from me.” She picked up her purse. “ Once you and Bella make up force her to get the help that she needs. She has to focus on something other than you. Because you and I both know if Brooke doesn’t take the news of sister well and ends things with you. Bella would take matters into her own hands.”
“ Bella would never hurt Brooke.”
“ I didn’t say that she’s hurt her but she’d find a way to make Brooke yours one way or another. You and I both know what your sister is capable of.”

“ So what are you saying?” Nico asked Gus.
“ I want somebody at Forrester Creations.”
“ That’s going to be hard.” M answered. “ They have a very little turnover rate. They are very good to their employees with fantastic benefits, health plans not to mention scholarships. Even if we could, it would be hard to put an agent there simply because the Forrester know their employees personally. We simply can’t slip someone in.”
Arturo scoffed. “ I don’t want to hear that crap M.” He waved his hands in an aggravated state. “ All I want to hear that it be done. D’Angelo may not be able to have his office wired but that doesn’t mean that same thing for his hot little girlfriend.” He leaned forward pressing his hands on the table. “ Find a way even if I have to go in myself as a dress up as some pansy dressmaker.
“ I don’t see what Forrester has to do with the case.” Nicco said.
“ It has everything to do with the case Nicco!” He kicked a chair. “ I’m not asking you both, I’m telling you. Do whatever it takes to get that information. You got me.”
M. looked at Nicco. It wasn’t like Gus to be so emotional. “What about Trey?”
“ Let him go.”
“ Let him go?” They had shot and scared this man for nothing.
“ Yeah. Did I stutter?” Gus spat. He took out a cigarette and lit it before he ran his fingers through his hair. “Let him know about the investigation but be clear that he’s to keep his mouth shut. I don’t want Connor Davis or anyone else poking around.” He puffed before he picked up his file. “ Do whatever it takes to get him to shut up. “ Gus looked at his watch. “ Gotta go. Nicco, shouldn’t you be on your way to work at MicrTech? Get cracking.” He left the conference room.
M shut down the computer. “ Don’t say a word.” She said to Nicco who gave her a pointed look.
“Now do you see what I’m talking about. Gus is losing perspective. There is nothing going on. You know it and I know it.”
“ We’ve got a job to do Nicco. Do whatever it takes, there is a lot more at stake than just bringing down the D’Angeloes. It’s about finally finding out who your parents are.”

{A few hours later}
Brooke finished up the meeting that she had covered for Eric and was signing some documents when Megan walked into her office. “You still don’t know where Eric went off to?”
“ No. He was talking to Trudie and then he canceled his work for the rest of the day. It’s a shame because he had started designing a beautiful gown. Besides he was in such a good mood.”
“That doesn’t sound like Eric to just cancel his appointments. But maybe he had to deal with Stephanie.” She said frowning. Brooke downloaded the compressed files with her newest designs on them that she had gotten from Ridge earlier that day on her PC. They had a good conversation about Bridget and for the first time Brooke really thought that they were starting to develop a rapor as parents. It would be difficult not having Bridget live with her all the time, but they came up with a weekend situation with two weekdays at Ridge’s house.Brooke knew that more than anything Ridge needed time with his daughter. Locking the computer with her password, she turned back to Megan. “ If Eric comes back when I’m gone tell him to call me on my cellphone. Oh, that isn’t going to work, it has to be turned off. Just tell him to leave a message. I want to talk to him. If you need me I’ll be at the hospital.”
“ Are you going with Ridge?”
“ No, he’s already headed out. We thought that we didn’t need anything to set Taylor off. She’s in protective mode.” Brooke said fixing her lipgloss and hair.
“ She really needs to get over herself. This is about Bridget not you and Ridge. I just wish that people would see past that act of hers.”
Brooke picked up her purse, hit the key code on the safe on the wall and took out the real reason that Taylor had changed her mind. She slipped the letter into her Coach briefcase. “ Taylor can’t see past herself. And they call me the selfish one.”

Brooke arrived at the hospital twenty minutes later because of traffic. “ Charlie.” She said when she spotted her coming off the elevator wearing a white doctor’s jacket over a bright blue sweater set that matched her eyes and black pants.
“ Hey Brooke.” Charlie gave a chart to a nurse and started over toward Brooke with a wave.
Brooke gave her a quick hug. “ How are you doing?”
“ I’m holding up best I can. Morgan called me this morning.”
“She did. What did she say?” Charlie walked with Brooke down toward the doctor’s office.
“ She said that she needs time with Dylan. She says that he’s fine. She rambled on about me not caring about her. Siding with you. Wanting Ridge, being jealous and hung up.”
“ Charlie. I’m sorry.” Brooke said honestly.
“ It’s not your fault.” She answered truthfully.
“ To tell the truth, maybe I was getting a little to close to the baby. He isn’t my son.”
“ Dylan needed you. He still does. I’m sure that once Morgan calms down she’ll see the light. I’m just sorry for the pain that this has caused you and Ridge.”
“ He called me this morning to apologize to me. He said that he had talked to you. Thanks.”
“ Ridge can be an ass sometimes but he knows just how lucky Dylan was to have you. Besides when Ridge sees my brother all reason goes out of his head.
Charlie played with a black pearls. “ Storm mentioned that.”
“Stormy had been mentioning a lot of things to you.”
“ He’s a good friend to have.”
“ Friend? I have a feeling that he wants a little more than that.”
“ Maybe.” Charlie thought about the night before.
“ He’s a good man. And he may be coming to live here permanently.”
“ Really?”
“ His law firm is thinking of expanding their offices to an L.A base, if they do Stormy will be here full time.”

 

 

Caspian had a lot of think about especially dealing with the two women in his life. His sister and Brooke. Brooke was an issue that he had to deal with tonight but today he had to deal with Bella. He may not have liked it but Olivia was correct, he had to let his sister know just how much he loved her. Now that didn’t mean all was forgiven, he was very angry with her but she was family and his friend. He had found that she hadn’t come into work and stopped by her home to find it empty. The door to his office opened Helena walked in. “Mr. D’Angelo, Mr. Peterson is here.”
“Send him in.”
Pierce walked into his office. “Caspian.” The two men shook hands.
“ Thanks for coming.”
“ If you hadn’t called me, I would have called you myself.”
“ Do you know why I’ve called you?” Caspian asked the doctor.
“ It has to do with your sister. You two had a disagreement and she’s fallen apart, well as least as much as a person like Bella would allow herself to fall apart.”
“ you’ve seen her.”
Pierce took a seat. “Yes. Last night. She came to see me.”
“ She did.”
“ She was upset. About something dealing with you.” Pierce waited for a reaction from Caspian but he got none. Nor did Caspian say what they had been arguing about. She didn’t say much but for the first time I thought that we might be making a breakthrough emotionally. She showed real pain for the first time but then she masked it immediately.”
“ I was only hoping…”
“ Caspian I’m not sure what your relationship is with your sister. She never says but from her behavior Caspian. I’m not sure it’s a healthy one for her or for you.”
“ I know Pierce. That’s why you are here. I want to help her. You care about my sister.”
“ I’m in love with her.”
This admission surprised Caspian. “ Does she know?” Then he answered the question.
“ Of course she does.” He looked down at the picture of his sister sitting on the desk. “That why she ended things with you.”
“ Yes.”
“ Our family. We have a lot of issues. There are things that we don’t discuss with outsiders. Pierce I think that you may be the only person who can help me help my sister. I think that she could be happy with you.”
“ I believe that too but she needs to be open and honest with me. Caspian something happened to her to make her afraid of her feelings. What happened?”
Caspian closed his eyes. “ Something horrible.”

Brooke waited for her daughter in the Doctor Levine’s office flipping through the newest issue of Vanity Fair when Bridget came through the door.
Bridget saw her mother. “ Mom you are here already.”
Brooke dropped the magazine on the floor when she saw her daughter.“ Bridget what in the world have you done to your hair?”
“ I got it cut.” Bridget touched her shorn hair which was cut very short except for a few longer pieces of hair that curled on the top of her head and in the front of her face. Those pieces had been lightened to a wheat colored shade of blonde. The short haircut made Bridget’s lovely face stand out. She instantly “popped”, her face became bigger as she took the look of artistic beauty. The lines of her graceful face and neck stood out. Her eyes became more dramatic as the hazel color shined with a bit of turquoise eyeshadow that matched her white camisole and blue peasant skirt with matching turquoise belt. Her pierced ear displayed a new piercing at the top with a half-moon earring while dangling earring graced her ears. The cut, wouldn’t have worked with just anyone but a girl with Bridget’s naturally beauty, it looked stunning.
Taylor stepped into the office. Brooke looked at her. Taylor’s hair too had been cut. Gone was her shoulder length hair for now she had a highlighted shag cut with that stopped just below her ears. She held the twins hands in hers.
“ Do you like it Brooke?” Taylor gave Brooke a gloating smile. “ I had an appointment at Emerald’s Salon and Bridget went with me for a spa day. We had apricot facials, mud massages and our manicures and pedicures.” She hugged Bridget. “I thought that we’d have a girls day. I jut love having an older daughter. So what do you think of Bridget’s hair? Don’t you just love it?” She premed.
“ No. I hate it.” Brooke said.
“ What? Mom, it looks great.” Bridget’s glee turned to disappointment. Emerald said that I had the perfect look for this haircut.”
“ You do honey but Taylor isn’t your mother. She had no right to allow you to cut your hair without my permission. Besides, it’s too grown.”
“ Nonsense Brooke.” Taylor touched the girl’s hair. “ It’s not too mature. I think that you are only jealous because I had the time to take Bridget.”
Bridget saw a fight brewing between her mother and Taylor. “ Mom, can I talk to you for a moment.”
Brooke looked at Taylor smug face. The bitch had planned this from the beginning. She knew that Brooke would be pissed. Brooke turned to her daughter. Taylor what I don’t understand is that you know that Bridget has to be very careful about what goes into her bloodstream. That dye is going straight into her bloodline. You can’t have that.”
“Mom’s it’s okay. I remember that, that why it’s highlighted. The dye is on the tips of the hair. It wasn’t on my head. I wore a cap which they pulled the hair through. It’s not in my blood system. I promise.”
Ridge came into the room with Thomas. He found Brooke looking upset. “What’s going on?”
“ Brooke’s upset with me for allowing Bridget’s hair to be cut.” Taylor said putting the girls on the chairs.
Ridge looked at Brooke. “Logan. You aren’t upset. Are you? It looks great. Taylor thought it would be a nice way to get Bridget’s mind off of today.”
“Mom, don’t be mad with Taylor. I’m the one who wanted to cut my hair.”
“ You’ve never said anything about it to me.” Brooke said hurt.
“ I just never thought much about it until I was in the salon chair. I wanted something different but I also wanted something else.” Bridget looked a tad bit uncomfortable. “ I’m going to lose my hair.”
“ Honey you won’t…”
“ Yes, I will one way or the other. If I’ve got to get the radiation it’s going to be gone. Grandma ,she gave me a bandana but I wanted to lose my hair in my own terms. This way I did. I won’t be the girl who cuts her hair because of leukemia but because I wanted a new haircut that everyone will want to run right out to get.” Bridget looked at her mother with pleading eyes. “Please don’t be mad at me mom. This was my idea.” Brooke had forgotten how scared her daughter was. No matter what was going on, Bridget was still a teenager. It was a lot for her to take. Being sick. Losing her hair. This was much more than a haircut, it was Bridget taking over her destiny.
Her daughter’s needs was more important than any vendetta she had with Taylor.“ It’s alright honey. If you want to cut your hair, I can understand it.” Tear filled up Brooke’s eyes. “ I guess I am jealous that you didn’t want me to go with you. It does look beautiful. You are such a beautiful girl. We could have matching cuts.”
Bridget looked at her mother’s beautiful long blonde hair. She fingered a strand. “You would have done that?”
“ For you anything.” Brooke said hugging her daughter. Her eyes found Taylor. “Anything.”

Taylor held her sniffling daughter. Taking the blood had upset Steffy so much she had. “It’s okay. You did a very good job. Mommy is so proud of you.” He kissed her daughter on top of her head. There was still one more test that the girls had to take and it was going to be painful. She didn’t like seeing the pain her daughters was going through. She looked at Brooke was sitting across the room. She wasn’t sure what Brooke was going through. She kissed her daughter once again. She may not like Brooke but she did feel sorry for her, as a mother. Bridget was going to have a go through a great deal if she was going to get well. It had to be hell. To watch a child in pain was the worse thing that a mother could go through. Regret and shame touched her. All this time she had been focusing on the wrong thing. She really should have been focusing on Bridget. She had seen the pain in Brooke’s eyes as the doctor had explained how the procedure would help her daughter. Not to mention Ridge. Her husband was suffering. He was very scared for her daughter and so was she. In that moment, Taylor realized how selfish she been. She looked over at Brooke who was sitting next to Bridget who was reading a book to Phoebe. She didn’t like Brooke. The woman had tried to steal her husband and make her life hell. She had blackmailed her, lied and did her best to threaten her family. She didn’t want Brooke anywhere near her children. She watched as Brooke smiled down at her daughter. BUT Bridget was Ridge and Brooke’s child. Nothing could change that. Bridget was a sweet girl regardless of who her mother was. She didn’t want anything to happen to her. Taylor looked up and found Brooke watching her with that perfect squint of hers. Brooke and she had a bad relationship. They didn’t like nor trust each other but for the first time Taylor wondered if she ought to handle Brooke differently. Maybe, just for the time being she ought to try to be more understanding to the fact that Brooke was frightened to death of losing her daughter.

Lt. Burke was at his desk when he looked up to find Eric Forrester coming into the station room followed by a young woman holding a box. “Lt. Burke.”
“ Mr. Forrester.” He stood and nodded to the young woman.
“I’m sorry to bother you but we’ve got to talk to you.”
“ If this is about your wife’s investigation. I’m sorry but I can’t talk to you about it.”
“ I think that you will talk to us. Because we have everything you need to put my wife behind bars for a very long time.

 

 

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