Heart & Soul

Episode 54

Beware Of The Dog

By Allan Craig

 

Josh’s Apartment: Natalie’s Room

 

The early morning sun streamed through the blinds, waking Kyle from his deep sleep. He rolled over and looked at the clock on the bedside table…deeming 5.17 too early, he rolled back over and attempted to get back to sleep, although he noticed Natalie’s eyes were wide open.

 

“Someone’s awake early,” he grumbled, still half asleep himself.

 

“I didn’t sleep,” Natalie explained, her gaze still fixed on the ceiling.

 

Kyle propped himself up with one arm, “Are you okay?”

 

“I just can't stop thinking about what Leo said the other day,” Natalie’s eyes were heavy, but her mind refused to let her close them, “What if he tries to take this baby away from me?”

 

“He won’t,” Kyle promised, although deep down he was terrified of what could happen if Leo, with money to burn, came after Natalie, but he knew he had to stay positive, “He’ll get bored and move on next week. He’s probably just in a bad mood because he hasn’t been laid this week or something and wants to make someone else just as miserable as he is. I just hope…I mean…he can't just come storming in after changing his mind and everyone has to bow down and take it!”

 

“He’s a Sterling, he can do whatever he wants,” Natalie looked over at Kyle, “And that’s what scares me.”

 

Fix Coffee House

 

Alex made her way through the bustling coffee shop, trying her best not to bash anyone with mountain of bags that called itself her Christmas shopping. Spotting her friend, Felicia, she made her way to the table and dropped her bags at her feet as she sat down.

 

“Hey, sorry I’m late,” Alex smiled, “The queue at Wyndham’s was like a mile long.”

 

“Tell me about it,” Felicia rolled her eyes, “I was shopping for Savannah the other day and it took me damn near half an hour to get help from the sales girl. That sister of mine is so hard to buy for.”

 

“So is Ashley,” Alex managed a half smile at the thought of her estranged daughter, who’d gone halfway around the world to get away from her, “I don’t know why I’m bothering…not only is she probably in some obscure country a million miles away, but she hates my guts.”

 

“You have GOT to calm down with that,” Felicia insisted, “She’s young, she just needs time to think it over. It was the very same with Savannah and me when our parents died…one minute she’d hate my guts and a few days later she’d be fine. Just give her time and she’ll come around.”

 

“I guess,” Alex massaged her templates, a headache beginning to take shape, “I just wish I could turn back time…ever since I let this secret get out in the open it’s been one disaster after another.”

 

“You can't dwell on the past, things happen for a reason and this is just life,” Felicia took a sip of her coffee, “How are things going with John, anyway?”

 

“Hmm it could be great…but it could be a total disaster,” Alex kicked her shopping bags under the table to save a waitress from tripping over, “I just don’t know how it can work. I mean, yeah, there’s an attraction there, but so much history…so much BAD history…can't be good. But at least the secret’s out now.”

 

“Since when?” Felicia almost choked on her latte.

 

“Last week. Megan overheard John and Will talking and then the rest of his kids found out…but surprisingly they kinda accepted it. Although I don’t know if Megan will be able to get over the fact that she’s slept with her own brother.”

 

“Poor girl,” Felicia agreed, “But at least it’s out now…no more lies…”

 

Alex took a sip of the coffee Felicia bought her and gazed over at the Christmas tree in the corner of the room, watching the young staff member decorate it, “Let’s hope so.”

 

The Abbot House

 

Will closed the door to his house behind him to see his father sitting on the sofa frantically typing into his laptop, surrounded by various papers and documents that seemed to drown him.

 

“You know,” Will placed his keys on the coffee table as he took a seat on the edge of the sofa, “You really should take a break dad, it’s nearly Christmas after all.”

 

“I know, but this case is really important,” Wesley explained, not even looking away from his laptop screen, “These things don’t stand still just because some washed up soap actress is switching on the Christmas lights in the town centre tonight.”

 

Will raised an eyebrow and chuckled, “Fair enough, but you do need to slow down. Have you had any word from Ashley about if she’ll be back for Christmas?”

 

“Not even an email,” Wesley closed his laptop shut, “She’s probably too busy with all this globetrotting to even give a thought to us back in Oakridge. I heard that the shit really hit the fan at the Sterlings the other day…how did that go for you?”

 

“It could have been worse…it could have been better. It didn’t really come out the way any of us had expected. How did you find out anyway?”

 

Wesley stood up and walked towards the drinks cabinet, “Word travels fast around these parts…I hope, now that it’s out in the open, that he’s treating you like the rest of his kids and giving you what you’re entitled to.”

 

“Lets take things one day at a time,” Will smiled as his father handed him a drink, “I just want you to know this doesn’t change things for us.”

 

“That’s good to hear, son,” Wesley took a sip of his scotch, “I was thinking about Christmas day, do you want to go out somewhere or will I just cook? I wasn’t sure if there was much point if it’s just the two of us but if you…”

 

“Actually,” Will interrupted his father, “We’ve been invited to the Sterlings’ for Christmas dinner. I thought I should go, and, you know, make the effort.”

 

“Sounds nice,” Wesley lied, his heart breaking that his son was already choosing his new found family over him, “But I think I’ll leave it…I’ll go visit your aunt Macy or something….you go, though.”

 

“If you’re sure?”

 

“Of course I am…seriously…it’s fine,” it was taking everything he had to keep up this lie, but Wesley knew he couldn’t guilt trip his son into spending Christmas with him, “We’ll do dinner on Christmas Eve or something.”

 

The Masters House

 

Kyle closed the front door to his parents’ house, inhaling the fumes of the fresh paint that had just been applied to the living room…it had taken Eric and Valerie a while to get around to decorating their house to their tastes.

 

“Oh look what the cat dragged in,” Eric joked, looking up from his newspaper.

 

“Hey dad,” Kyle smiled, “Sorry I didn’t call to say I wouldn’t be home last night.”

 

“Don’t apologise to me,” Eric folded his paper shut and rested it on the coffee table, “You’re a grown man, you don’t have to explain yourself to me. Just don’t let your relationship get in the way of your studies. You’re lucky to get late acceptance, but you need to use the winter break to get caught up on what you’ve missed the last few months.”

 

“Oh you’re home,” Valerie walked through from the kitchen carrying two mugs of hot coffee, “I was getting worried. Can I get you some breakfast honey?”

 

“I’m not hungry, thanks, Mom,” Kyle took a seat on the edge of the sofa, “I stayed at Natalie’s. She was pretty upset…she had a run in with Leo.”

 

“He’s not still wanting her to abort, is he?” Valerie handed Eric a coffee.

 

Kyle wouldn’t have minded if that was all that was going on; the thing that bothered him is that Leo had just changed his mind out of nowhere and suddenly decided to fight for custody of his kid, “Nope. He’s now decided that he wants to be a part of the baby’s life and he says if Natalie isnt going to play ball then he’ll take it to the courts. She’s terrified that she’s going to have her baby taken away.”

 

“I don’t believe that kid,” Eric stood up from his leather armchair, “Who does he think he is, just changing his mind and expecting everyone else to just bow down and deal with it?”

 

“Exactly,” Kyle agreed.

 

“What did you expect from Jackie Sterling’s son?” Valerie added, the experiences she had had with the late Jackie in the past had been far from pleasant, “I just hope it doesn’t get as far as court…the Sterling lawyers will eat Natalie alive in court.”

 

“Not if I have anything to do with it,” Kyle insisted, determined that Leo would never get custody of the baby, no matter what.

 

“Don’t you be getting too involved,” Eric warned, taking a sip of his coffee, “What’s happening is happening between Natalie and Leo…support her all you wish, but don’t put yourself in the firing line. If you get too involved in this, it could easily come back and bite you.”

 

Rex and Jessica’s Apartment

 

Jessica angrily flipped her cell phone shut and tossed it on the mountain of catalogues that took up most of the large dining table. Her stress over planning Carrie’s baby shower had spiralled out of control and now she had decided to turn the event into a surprise engagement party for Carrie and Nate. Rex walked in from the bathroom, dripping wet from his shower, a gleaming white towel contrasting with his smooth dark torso.

 

“Someone seems a little stressed…as usual,” Rex joked, heading into the utility room to retrieve some fresh boxer shorts.

 

“I know, but after Christmas everything will be fine,” Jessica sighed, “This party is going to be great…I just hope Carrie and Nate enjoy it.”

 

“What made you decide to make it an engagement party anyway?” Rex asked, sliding on some fresh boxers, “Isnt it a bit of a waste to throw away so much planning on the baby shower and redo the whole thing as an engagement party?”

 

“Yeah but this is more important,” Jessica looked up from the pile of papers sprawled across the table, “Besides, an engagement party is just the thing to rub it in Greg’s face…the way he’s blackmailing Carrie is despicable.”

 

“But still, since you’ve been planning night and day we’ve not had time to…you know…” Rex winked.

 

“I sure do,” Jessica stood up, running her hands down Rex’s wet, muscular body to the elastic waistband of his white boxers. She lay back on the table, pulling Rex towards her by the waistband of his boxers as the pair kissed passionately, the intense heat throbbing from them both was just incomparable to anyone else she’d been with in the past.

 

However, their moment of passion was cut short as Rex’s cell phone began to ring, cutting through the heat and intensity with one ring.

 

“Can't you just leave it?” Jessica insisted, running her fingers down his back.

 

“I can’t, it’s work,” Rex reached across the table for the ringing phone, “Davis here…um, yeah, seriously? Well, thanks for letting me know.”

 

“Who was that?” Jessica asked, pulling Rex back down on top of the table, despite him pulling back.

 

“I can't say, but listen, I gotta go get ready…there’s been a development in an important case and I’ve got to get down to the station.”

 

Rex kissed Jessica quickly before running to the bedroom, the news he had just received could destroy the happiness of many other people if his suspicions were correct. Flustered, Jessica sat back down on her chair and swept her long blonde locks out of her face with one hand.

 

Fix Coffee House

 

“You know,” Felicia rattled her teaspoon inside her empty coffee cup, “Maybe all of this is for the best. I mean at least now that it’s all out in the open there’s none of this watching what you have to say in case you let something slip that you shouldn’t.”

 

Alex sighed, she knew Felicia was right, but just didn’t like the way everything had come out. Ever since she had buckled to her conscience and told Will the truth about his paternity, her stomach had been even more tightly knotted as she feared the consequences, which seemed to come one after the other.

 

“I guess,” Alex agreed, taking a sip of her coffee, “But you know that way, with every secret that comes out there’s more backlash and more bad things happening, and the same thing happens with everyone that finds out.”

 

“But you said that Will told you John’s kids took the news well?”

 

“Yeah but I mean people react in different ways to getting news like that. I mean its life changing for them, and they’re probably still in shock. I just hope Will doesn’t get his hopes up and think he has this ready made new family, only for them to turn on him a few weeks from now. Especially not so soon from Christmas.”

 

“Oh for crying out loud, will you calm down Alex?” Felicia rolled her eyes, “So full of the melodrama....and it looks like we’re about to get a whole other dose of it.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

Felicia nodded across the coffee house, diverting Alex’s attention to John, who had just entered the busy café. Alex’s best attempts to shield her face with one hand, leaning into the table, were unsuccessful as John had already spotted them and was heading over.

 

“Alexandra, Felicia, how are you doing today?” John smiled, slipping his hands into the pockets of his suit jacket.

 

“Great Mr. Sterling,” Felicia smiled.

 

“Felicia, we’re not in the office,” John glanced at Felicia, one of Sterling Enterprises’ best PR Executives, “And even if we were, you know you can call me John.”

 

“So what can we do for you today?” Alex snapped.

 

“I just thought I’d come over and say hello,” John insisted, “But I can see you two are in the middle of something so I’ll get back to my Christmas shopping.”

 

“No need,” Felicia jumped up from her seat, “I really better get to the mall and pick up a few last minute extras.”

 

Alex glared at Felicia, ordering her not to leave her seat, but Felicia was already buttoning her coat and gathering her bags. She smiled at John and swiftly exited the café before Alex had the chance to say anything, leaving John and Alex alone.

 

“So do you mind if I join you?” John asked, trying to break through Alex’s hard exterior.

 

“You might as well,” Alex motioned towards the empty seat, “And you do have a lot of explaining to do. The way you let your children find out was diabolical.”

 

“Well at least I didn’t just announce it out of nowhere,” John retorted, sitting down on the leather upholstered chair, “And besides, they’re adjusting to it.”

 

“I just don’t want Will to get hurt when they turn around and decide he’s to blame for all this commotion and disown him.”

 

“But he’s not to blame. Will’s my son too, and I have his best interests at heart.”

 

“Oh great, you wait twenty five years to decide to play father,” Alex did her best to resist eye contact with John.

 

“That’s not fair and you know it.”

 

“Whatever,” Alex rose from her seat and began to gather the mountains of bags she had accumulated on her Christmas shopping spree, “I’ve got Christmas shopping to be getting on with.”

 

“I’ll call you…” John watched as Alex did a last minute scan to see if she had forgotten anything.

 

“Don’t bother,” Alex didn’t even look back as she exited the coffee house, leaving John to sit alone, dumbfounded at Alex’s sudden coldness towards him.

 

Metro Hotel: Foyer

 

Natalie walked through the automatic doors of the chic hotel and scanned the spacious foyer, impatiently searching for Leo. Once her eyes locked on him leaning against a wall, she marched over to him.

 

“This better be good,” Natalie hissed, resting her hands on her hips and staring intensely at Leo.

 

“I just thought we should meet, you know, talk about the baby,” Leo explained, always one to turn on the charm.

 

Natalie’s eyes narrowed, still unable to comprehend Leo’s sudden change of heart, “You mean the baby that up until a few weeks ago you were telling me to abort? The baby that you insisted you’d have nothing to do with?”

 

“I’ve told you I’m sorry for that,” Leo sighed, his patience with Natalie’s attitude was wearing incredibly thin, “Why do you keep having to bring that up?”

 

“What is it with you?” Natalie folded her arms, doing her best to control her volume in the quiet lobby, “Do you get some kind of kick from playing with people’s lives? You cant just pick people up and put them down as it suits you.”

 

Leo rolled his eyes, “I just want to be a part of this baby’s life, a part of both of your lives. I’m doing my best to be nice here Natalie but you’re just not making it easy for me. I just don’t understand why you’re so against me being a part of MY baby’s life.”

 

“Because you didn’t want it…”

 

“…stop bringing that up. I was in shock, but Natalie, you could do a lot worse than having my kid. I mean I’m hardly strapped for cash, I just want to be able to give my kid a good life and provide for both of you.”

 

“You just want to fuck up a few more lives, that’s what it is. And do you know something? I’d respect you a hell of a lot more if you’d just admit that.”

 

“Listen, Natalie, I’m doing my best to be nice here. I’m not trying to cause any trouble, but if you’re going to be so immature about this then I will be involving my lawyers.”

 

“What do you mean?” Natalie could feel her heart sinking to the pit of her stomach, dreading the next words that were about to come out of Leo’s mouth, wishing she had never asked the question in the first place.

 

“I mean, if you’re not going to play ball and be reasonable about OUR child, then I’ll be taking this to court, and I’ll make sure that it’s YOU that has nothing to do with this baby, not me.”

 

The Abbot House

 

Greg rung the doorbell as he reached the porch of the house, clutching a six pack of beers in one hand. As awkward as it felt to accept Will was his brother, he knew he was doing the right thing in making an effort…he would hate to be in Will’s position and was determined to make Will feel more comfortable and welcomed within the family.

 

Will opened the door and smiled to see Greg standing in front of him. Sure, it was a nervous smile, but a smile none the less.

 

“Hey little brother,” Greg joked, attempting to break the ice, and just saying that felt weird. Will Abbot was his little brother; it just hadn’t sunk in yet,” Are you free?”

 

Will didn’t know what to make of Greg’s visit, and was totally clueless about how to act in the current situation, “Um…yeah…sure….come in.”

 

“Thanks,” Greg rushed inside, eager to get inside to avoid the winter chill, “I just thought I’d stop by to see how you were doing, I guess it must have taken a lot out of you having this secret brought out with no warning.”

“Yeah, well don’t get me wrong, I’ve had a few months to cope with the shock of finding out that John was my dad, I mean I still cant get over it or anything, but I’d braced myself for it coming out,” Will explained, “Although the way it all came out wouldn’t have been my personal choice, but I guess these things happen.”

 

“Beer?” Greg was impressed at how calm Will was being about the situation. Will smiled and Greg handed him one, “So you don’t find it weird that…”

 

“That I’ve slept with my half sister?” Will found it hard not to laugh at the situation now…a few months ago he’d have been suicidal, but now it had sunk in he had gained a real clarity on life, “Well obviously that’s weird…in fact it’s beyond weird it’s just plain disgusting.”

 

“I guess,” Greg took a sip of his beer. He couldn’t believe Will could be so flippant about such things, although he realized that people deal with things in different ways, he just worried about how Megan would react when the news hit home properly that she had slept with her half brother.

 

Nate & Carrie’s House

 

Nate closed the door following Rex’s entrance and followed Rex onto the couch. Nate could tell by Rex’s face that there was something not quite right.

 

“Can I get you a beer or anything?” Nate offered, still not sitting down.

 

“No thanks man,” Rex insisted, sitting down, “I’m on duty…in fact that’s kinda why I’m here. I need to ask you some questions. Off the record, but I need to you to be totally honest with me.”

 

“Sure man, what is it?” Nate was worried; he had this overwhelming feeling that there was trouble brewing right under his nose.

 

“We received news this morning that Michael DiCenzo was found dead in his apartment in New York. Now you need to tell me…did you have anything to do with it?”

 

Nate couldn’t believe what he was hearing…Michael DiCenzo…the man that had caused so much misery for so many people over the years and had caused Nate to have to go on the run with Carrie, was dead. Although he felt like a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders, it was as if another one had been lumped back on top of them…was he really under suspicion for murder?

 

“I cant believe it…he’s dead?” Nate wanted to do nothing more than smile, but knew it wasn’t wise.

 

“Apparently so. He took a bullet to the head,” Rex explained, “But you’re not answering my question…did you have anything to do with this?”

 

“Of course not,” Nate insisted, “Seriously, no matter how much I’ve wanted to see the guy dead, this had nothing to do with me.”

 

“Cool, I just needed to clear that up, you understand.” Rex got up from the couch, “You might need to come in to the station and give a statement, but for now that’s all I need from you.”

 

“Hey, Rex,” Nate added, watching Rex head from the door, “When you find out who really was behind his death, let me know.”

 

“Why?” Rex folded his arms, “You’re not going to be causing more trouble, are you?”

 

“Of course not,” Nate smiled, “I want to send them some champagne.”

 

The Masters House

 

“Come in,” Kyle stood aside to let Natalie into the house, closing the door behind her. He could tell she was stressed out, but knew not to say anything, not until Natalie brought it up.

 

“Natalie,” Valerie smiled, emerging from the kitchen, “Have a seat. How are you? You haven’t stopped by in a while; can I get you a drink or anything?”

 

“No, thanks,” Natalie sat down, smiling at Valerie’s kindness towards her, especially as she was the girl who was dating her son when she was pregnant with another guy’s kid, “I really like what you’ve done with this place. It looks great.”

 

“My mom loves a good project,” Kyle joked, sitting down next to Natalie, “Something to distract her from the hustle and bustle of the big bad world.”

 

“Very funny,” Valerie laughed, “So anyway, Natalie, tell me what’s been going on with you. I hear that Leo’s being quite difficult over the baby.”

 

Natalie didn’t quite know how to take Valerie’s comment, she knew Valerie only meant well, but felt slightly uncomfortable. But she knew Valerie was on her side, she radiated a warmth like that, and knew she could open up, “He’s just deciding all of a sudden that he wants to be a part of this kid’s life, and I know he has a right to and all that, but just the way he was being a few weeks back…he’s done a total about turn and changed his decision and I don’t think it’s right that I’ve just to lie down and take it or risk losing my baby altogether.”

 

“He didn’t say that, did he?” Valerie was shocked at how Leo could be so heartless.

 

“I’ll kill him,” Kyle snarled.

 

“You’ll do nothing of the sort,” Valerie ordered.

 

“It’s seriously best just to leave it, Kyle,” Natalie added, although deep down she would have just loved for Kyle to beat the hell out of Leo, “I guess I’ll just have to play ball, for the sake of my kid.”

 

Natalie hated the fact she had just uttered those words…she really had made a deal with the devil. All she could do was wonder what she’d let herself in for…was Leo really going to be a part of her life for the next eighteen years?

 

TO BE CONTINUED…