Heart and Soul

Episode 85

Risky Business

By Allan Craig

 

Marc Monroe sat in his living room, reading the newspaper while the sports news played out on the radio in the background. The girls were having a morning nap, Megan was in the shower, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted through his home when the tranquillity of the home he shared with Megan was shattered by the sound of the doorbell.

 

Marc rose from his seat and made his way across the living room to the front door, opening it to see Kimberley standing on the front porch, her Chloe bag in one hand and a brown paper bag in the other.

 

“I brought muffins!” Kimberley announced as she cheerfully breezed into Marc and Megan’s home, turning to face her brother in law. “How is she today?”

 

“Better, I think…” Marc hoped; he wasn’t entirely sure that Megan was beginning to grasp motherhood, despite trying her hardest, but remaining positive seemed like the best way to soldier on. “She’s still insisting she does everything herself, but she seems to be coping well.”

 

“I swear to god, this is ridiculous: she’s like a man who won’t admit he’s lost and needs directions. What about you, how are you doing?”

 

“Fine, I guess. My dad’s in town, he wants to meet me later. Do you have any plans for today? I was hoping maybe you’d be able to keep Megan company for a while?” Marc knew that if Patrick saw how hard it was for Marc and Megan to keep on top of their lives now that they were parents, he would force a nanny on them. “I just don’t want to bring my dad here, you know she’d just get stressed that the place wasn’t tidy enough or that there was no sugar to put in the coffee or…”

 

“Like I need an excuse to veg out in front of the T.V. watching soap operas,” Kimberley grinned.

 

“Thanks, I really appreciate it.”

 

“Don’t be retarded, I’m totally happy to help. So, what’s your dad doing back in town?” Kimberley walked into the kitchen and helped herself to coffee.

 

“I don’t know, he said he wanted to talk to me urgently,” Marc’s father had a habit of dropping into town unannounced, but something told him that this visit from Patrick wasn’t going to be as fleeting as the previous ones.

 

“Well I guess you’ll find out tonight then.”

 

“I guess I will.”

 

“So is she upstairs?” Kimberley asked, rooting around in the refrigerator. “Don’t you guys have any skimmed milk? Trying to watch the calories here…”

 

“Yeah, but be quiet, the girls are sleeping and the last thing you want to do is wake them up.” Marc warned his sister-in-law. “And no, we don’t have any skim milk, sorry…there should be some coffee whitener in the cupboard, though.”

“Do you really think I’m not capable of being quiet around sleeping babies?”

 

“Would you blame him?” Megan interrupted as she walked into the room.

 

“Hey, you look pretty today…” Kimberley stroked Megan’s long blonde hair playfully. “Thank god you finally decided to ditch the sweatpants, I was beginning to think they were surgically attached. I brought muffins, I thought we could eat them while we catch up on All My Children. Lame, but you know…”

 

“Yeah, because watching those actresses try to cry without losing their fake eyelashes is the ideal way to spend an afternoon.” Marc rolled his eyes. “I’ve got to catch up on some emails.”

 

As Marc made his way upstairs, the sisters sat down on the sofa.

 

“So how are you really feeling?” Kimberley asked her sister as she opened up the brown paper bag and produced a muffin.

 

“Great, honestly.” Megan insisted. “It just feels like everything’s falling into place now, like I’m starting to get a handle on everything.”

 

“Well good for you.” Kimberley grinned, hoping that her sister wasn’t trying to hide the fact she was still struggling with motherhood by putting on a façade in front of her. “You know, I spoke to dad earlier, he was talking about setting a date for the wedding.”

 

“Which isn’t going to be weird at all…”

 

“I thought you had come around to dad and Alex?”

 

“I had, but still…dad and Alex…their relationship has hardly had a positive effect on our lives.” Megan reminded her sister. While she was glad that her father had finally found a woman that made him happy after years of being married to their mother, she couldn’t help but feel a little resentment for the mess that John and Alex’s relationship had caused in her own life.

 

“I suppose, but still, if you can get past the grossness and accept Will as our brother, surely you can come around to the idea of Alex being our stepmother, cant you?”

 

Before Megan could answer, the sound of one of the girls crying through the baby monitor caused Megan to jump from her seat at the kitchen table.

 

“Relax, let Marc get her.” Kimberley ordered her sister. “It’s about time you took a little time off for yourself.”

 

Megan smiled, taking a little time off and letting Marc help burden the strain sounded like the perfect solution, and with things finally calming down at Pulse now that they’d found someone to manage the day-to-day running of the gym, Megan was beginning to feel that things were finally going to get better for them,

 

 

Nate Rutledge woke up that morning with a sinking feeling in his stomach, following a restless sleep where he’d been haunted with thoughts that his life was about to take a turn for the worse. He couldn’t help but feel that he wasn’t safe, and if he wasn’t safe, then neither was Carrie.

 

“I’m just going to make a start on breakfast, do you want anything?” Carrie asked as she stood in the bedroom she shared with Nate, running a brush through her light brown hair before tying it up into a ponytail.

 

“I think I’m just gonna have toast this morning.” Nate replied, stretching his arms as he let out a yawn.

 

“Are you sure? I’ve got bacon, eggs…I was thinking maybe we could have some breakfast in bed…take advantage of Adam staying at Greg’s for the weekend?”

 

“I can’t, sorry. I’m checking out a site downtown.” Nate had recently begun to scope out potential locations for a bar, deciding that setting up a business in Oakridge would be the best way to prove to Carrie, and her family, that he was committed to their relationship.

 

“Okay…you know, I was thinking, when we get back from my parents’ place tonight, maybe we could have an early night?”

 

“Sounds good,” Nate managed a smile as he wandered over to the window and checked it was firmly shut.

 

“And then I was thinking tomorrow, maybe we could go for a drive, have a nice lunch somewhere…” Carrie suggested, running her hands over Nate’s bare back as she stood behind him at the window, taking in the view of the park opposite their home, the crisp morning sunlight reflecting against the icy grass made it sparkle.

 

“Yeah, sure.” Nate flinched as Carrie’s hands touched his body, smiling as he felt her lips against his neck.

 

“What’s going on with you?” Carrie asked, pulling away from her fiancé.

 

“What do you mean? I’m fine.”

 

“I just want us to be, like, a proper family, that’s all.” Carrie sighed; the idea that she was finally moving forward with her relationship with Nate becoming an increasingly distant thought. “I don’t want to feel like I’m burdening you by asking to spend time with you, I want us to share our lives with each other.”

 

“And we are.” Nate insisted.

 

“Hardly.” Carrie muttered, it wasn’t that she wanted to resent Nate, but the fact that he’d barely opened up to her about anything despite them being together for a few years meant that she couldn’t help it. She loved him, but she knew she couldn’t live her life with someone who was a closed book.

 

“I thought we’d been over this,” the last thing Nate wanted was to get into the same fight with Carrie that they’d been having for months. “You know I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You make it out as if I’m trying to push you away.”

 

“Well sometimes it feels like that.” Carrie admitted.

 

Nate sighed, he knew he had to bite his tongue on the matter, but the truth of the matter was Carrie would never know the reasons why he couldn’t open up to her, he knew she could never fully deal with his complicated past, and he couldn’t bring himself to open up a can of worms that could tear him and Carrie apart for good.

 

 

Later that day, Kristen Masters stood in the master bedroom of the penthouse apartment she had recently begun to call home, smiling as Shane gently zipped up her cream dress.

 

“And I was thinking, maybe a walnut floor in the hallway…I saw this really nice hardwood in an interior design magazine that would be perfect.” Kristen suggested as she turned to face Shane.

 

“I thought we were going for sleek, modern, contemporary?” Shane took a seat on the edge of their plush queen sized bed.

 

“We are, but you don’t want it to be too sleek and modern, it gets a little cold; I want our new place to feel like home, not a morgue.” Kristen explained, spraying perfume onto her neck.

 

“And it will…” Shane rolled up the sleeves on his shirt. “I just don’t want to end up living on The Little House on the Prairie.”

 

“Maybe we should just get a designer, you know? It doesn’t seem like we’re going to find something we both like on our own, maybe we need guiding?” sometimes it felt like they had two totally separate ideas for what they wanted their new home to look like, and as much as Kristen knew it was going to be just as much her home as it was Shane’s, the fact he was footing all the bills meant she could hardly argue over things she wanted, or so it felt.

 

“I don’t think that will be necessary.” Shane insisted. “We just need to work on finding some sort of compromise, something that suits both of our tastes. I mean when I was married to Nadine…I was living in her house. I mean, I may have bought and paid for the house and everything in it, but it was all hand picked by her; I just don’t want to live like that again.”

“Don’t worry, that’s not going to happen this time.” Kristen assured her fiancé. “This time it’s going to be all about me and you. Now come on, we’re going to be late.”

 

 

“You wouldn’t believe the morning I’ve had!” Alex moaned as she sat down opposite Felicia in Fix. “John’s flying to Hong Kong tonight and he only just tells me now that he doesn’t know where his passport is. The apartment’s a big enough building site as it is, and there I am rummaging through drawers and boxes to find it for him. Doesn’t he have an assistant for that sort of thing?”

 

“Joanne has enough on her plate without having to find his passport.” Felicia assured her friend. “The poor woman is constantly running interference between John and Shane. You know, there’s a lot of talk that John and Kendall are trying to force Shane Baldwin out of the company.”

 

“I think they’re smart enough to put their personal feelings aside when it comes to Shane, the man knows what he’s doing, and he’s a good fit for the company.” Alex pretended, taking a sip of her coffee…as much as Felicia was her closest friend, she knew that certain things had to remain between her and John, especially when it came to Sterling Enterprises. “Sales of Commotion have skyrocketed since he installed his own team at the magazine, haven’t they?”

 

“Do you think you’ll ever go back to Sterling? The Banner could use someone like you on its editorial team these days”

 

“I haven’t worked there in nearly ten years…” Alex shrugged off her friend’s suggestion.

 

Felicia couldn’t help but let out a slight laugh. “You’re married to the C.E.O., I think he can make it happen.”

 

“Working for The Banner isn’t exactly top of my priority list right now. I have a wedding to plan.” Alex insisted, despite the fact getting married to John wasn’t on the top of her list either, it was definitely higher than going back to work.

 

“And you’re totally content with playing the society wife?”

 

“Not completely, but you know, I’m still getting to know my kids again; everything that’s happened these last few years has put a tremendous distance between me and Will and Ashley, I just want us to be a family again; John being a part of my life again is something that we’re all going to have to get used to. Right now, my career’s on hold; my family is what comes first these days.”

 

“I suppose, especially now that you’ve got John’s kids to take into consideration.”

 

“I’m hardly going to step in and be a mother to them; Diane’s enough for them to contend with.” Alex supposed, although she knew that John’s children, Megan in particular, probably wouldn’t exactly greet the idea of them getting married with open arms either.

 

“So have you set a date for the wedding yet?”

 

“Not yet; I mean we have a rough idea of when we’d like to get married, but we have to take things slowly, you know, tread carefully. There’s just so much going on with John’s family right now, we’re just taking our time and making sure that everything’s right.”

 

“Just don’t take too long, it’s very easy to get stuck in a rut in a relationship and then before you know it, one of you has had enough. After everything you and John have been through, it would be a shame to let it all fall apart.”

 

“I have no intention of letting that happen.” Alex insisted.

 

“Even still, just remember, your relationship is worth nothing until you get a ring on your finger.”

 

“I’m not with John for his money.” Alex couldn’t help but feel a little offended by her friend’s comment; she knew Felicia didn’t mean anything by it, but the very idea that she was with John for his money caused her to go on the defensive.

 

“I never said you were, just that until you’re married, you and John are in a gray area. When you’re Mrs. Sterling, your life is going to change like you wouldn’t imagine; you’d be more than just the mistress, you’d be the wife of one of Oakridge’s most prominent businessmen. It’s a lot to live up to. Say what you want about Diane, but she knows how to work a room: she’ll be a tough act to follow.”

 

Alex couldn’t help but wonder if her friend was right; Diane Sterling had the society wife act down pat, and she refused to let herself be second best to Diane; she knew if she was to be the next Mrs. John Sterling, she was going to work on her skills at playing the doting wife, although part of her doubted if that was what she really wanted.

 

 

“You’re serious about this?” Marc asked, unsure how to respond to the offer his father had just made him.

 

“Well after seeing the job you did on Pulse, I think it’s time we discussed your future within Monroe-Eldridge.” Patrick Monroe took a sip of his gin with the charm of an old Hollywood movie idol as he sat opposite his son. “We were very impressed with you, and I think it’s about time we talked about you having more of a hands on role with future developments.”

 

“And the fact that I’m totally under qualified?”

 

“You’ll learn.” Patrick insisted, having started at the bottom himself, he knew how hard it was to rise to the top, something he was keen for his son to avoid. “Honestly, son, I have every faith that you’re going to be able to rise to the occasion. I’ve spoken about it with Grant and he agrees, we think you’re going to be a good fit for the company.”

 

“The company?” Marc didn’t exactly know where his father was going, although he knew it was bound to involve a suit and a boardroom.

 

“Well it’s only natural that you’ll follow in my footsteps and eventually run the company, I mean Grant’s son is hardly capable and…”

 

“Wait, since when has it been ‘only natural’ that I’m going to end up running Monroe-Eldridge?” Marc interrupted his father. “I mean running Pulse is one thing, but you know I’ve never had an interest in the business side of things…”

 

“…but you’re a father now, your priorities will change,” Patrick told his son.

“No, those are your priorities. Dad, when are you going to realize that I’ve got my own dreams, my own goals?”

 

“You’ve got a family to provide for now, son, you need to step up to the plate.” Patrick’s words struck fear into Marc, having been trying his hardest to provide for Megan and the twins, he didn’t know if he’d be able to devote any more time to a more demanding job without neglecting his family. “Listen, you don’t need to make your mind up right now. I’ll be back in town next week, maybe I could take you and Megan for dinner? By which time I hope you’ll have given my proposal a little thought and will have an answer for me?”

 

“I’ll think about it.” Marc knew he had to say no if he wanted to be a good father, but he couldn’t bear the thought of not being able to give his daughters the same type of upbringing he was afforded; he didn’t want his family to struggle, he didn’t want Christmases and Birthdays to be an issue…he didn’t have to grow up that way, so why should his girls?

 

“Don’t think about it for too long; the opportunity isn’t going to be open forever.” Patrick warned.

 

 

“Do you think this is a little too revealing for a dinner with my boyfriend’s family?” Taylor asked as she smoothed down her chic black dress; the knee length part was fine, but the exposed shoulders were an issue.

 

“Not at all.” Kimberley insisted as she watched her cousin twirl around uncertainly in the mirror. They sat in Taylor’s bedroom in the penthouse apartment Taylor lived in with Diane and Joseph, where clothes were strewn across the room as Taylor raided her closet for suitable outfits for dinner at the Masters’ house.

 

“Besides, I can always wear a sweater over it.” Taylor supposed as she took a seat at her dressing table and began to play around with her hair.

 

“What time are you due at Kyle’s place?” Kimberley asked as sprayed Taylor’s perfume onto her wrist.

 

Taylor glanced at the time on her cell phone. “I should leave pretty soon. What are you doing tonight?”

 

“I dunno; probably just meet some people for some drinks or something.” Kimberley supposed, her social calendar unusually empty for a Saturday night.

 

“Some people, or Josh Denman?” Taylor teased.

 

Tired of hearing about her one night stand with Josh, Kimberley rolled her eyes. “Oh get over it. Me and Josh, it was just sex, that’s all…”

 

“If it was just sex then why do we keep talking about him?” Taylor asked, sensing that her cousin’s feelings for Josh may have begun to go a little deeper than ‘just sex’.

 

“I’m not the one bringing it up every time.” Kimberley insisted. “Josh and I, it’s not going to happen, okay? Can we just drop the conversation?”

 

“Looks like Santa Claus brought someone a little attitude for Christmas. What’s up with you?” Taylor was taken aback at Kimberley’s defensiveness.

 

“I’m just worried about Megan, that’s all. I was over at her place earlier and…I dunno, she just doesn’t seem to be coping with the twins well at all.”

 

“I thought Marc said she was doing better?”

 

“He did…I mean it does seem like she’s doing better, she seemed fine when I was over there, but I don’t know if she’s just acting like she’s coping for our benefit. I mean it’s not like she wants to admit that she’s totally struggling to hold it all together, or make him feel guilty for going out and working; the man just wants to provide for his family…”

 

“…and Megan doesn’t want to take any of his or her parents’ money, right?”

 

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be telling you all of this, you’re supposed to be going out and having fun.” Kimberley began to feel guilt about unloading her worries onto Taylor, but it was beginning to feel like Taylor was the only one she could vent to without worrying them.

“With my boyfriend’s parents, it’s hardly Mardi Gras.”

 

“Even still…you go, have fun.” Kimberley urged her cousin. “I’ll see you when you get back.”

 

 

The Masters family’s cosy lounge was filled with loved ones as Eric and Valerie welcomed Carrie, Nate, Kristen and Shane into their home, the scent of home cooking filled the house, while easy listening music played softly in the background. Nate stood in the bay window, trying his best to feign interest in the conversation he was having with Shane, whilst Kristen left her father to talk to the men upon catching sight of Kyle repeatedly checking his cell phone.

 

“I thought you said Taylor was coming tonight?” Kristen asked as she approached Kyle, perching herself on the edge of the sofa.

 

“She is, she’s just running late, that’s all.” Kyle insisted, referring to the text message he had just received from Taylor.

 

“Nice of her to bother to show up on time” Kristen muttered, taking a sip of her drink as Eric approached them.

 

“And at least this one doesn’t have all the baggage that Natalie came with.” Eric remarked

 

“Dad…” Kristen warned her father, she knew Eric didn’t exactly approve of Kyle and Natalie’s relationship, but seeing as Eric had been able to keep it under wraps while they were dating, she didn’t see the need for him to suddenly bring it up now.

 

“What?” Eric shrugged his shoulders, not seeing any harm in being honest now that Kyle and Natalie were safely over. “The girl was carrying another man’s child…”

“Shane’s son’s child.” Kristen muttered under her breath, glancing across to the window where Shane stood talking with Nate in an attempt to shut her father up.

 

“That’s right, I forgot your future husband already has two children by two different women.” Eric whispered, jokingly nudging his daughter. “That’s a real catch you have there.”

 

“I need a drink, anyone else?” Kristen asked, raising her voice to include Shane and Nate.

 

In the kitchen, Valerie stood at the counter with Carrie, fixing drinks for her guests. “So you and Nate seem pretty happy tonight, I take it things are on the up with you?”

 

“I don’t know, I guess they are…” Carrie supposed; Nate’s mood had certainly picked up as the night went on, causing her to wonder if maybe she’d been overreacting about his distant nature. “I mean, it seems that way just now, but I don’t know how long it’s going to last this time; it’s always just one step forward and two steps back with us.”

 

“Who are we talking about?” Kristen interrupted as she entered the kitchen.

 

“Your sister and I were just discussing how well things are going with Nate.” Valerie explained.

 

“Well he doesn’t seem to be as brooding as usual, in fact I think I saw him crack a smile earlier.” Kristen joked as she helped herself to a top up of wine. “Things are finally getting better?”

 

“I think so.” Carrie smiled, not wanting to disappoint her mother and her sister; although she couldn’t help but wonder if maybe things were finally getting better after all.

 

 

“So, Taylor, are you in college?” Valerie asked as she took a seat at the table next to her son’s girlfriend, having served up dinner for Eric, Shane, Kristen, Carrie, Nate, Kyle and Taylor.

 

“Not yet, I’m taking a year out right now, although I’m applying to med school for next year.” Taylor explained, glancing at the impressive feast in front of her before looking back to Valerie.

 

“Impressive.” Eric remarked, beginning to feel that he’d underestimated Taylor due to her surname.

 

“Very.” Kristen reiterated, taking a sip of her wine, although she was beginning to lose count of just how many glasses she’d had.

 

“You know, it’s great to see a girl your age who actually wants to make something of her life.” Shane praised the petite brunette, charm oozing out of every pore. “Instead of these insipid debutantes who want nothing more than to go to parties and get photographed by the paparazzi. It’s inspiring, truly…”

 

Kristen took another sip of her drink, not quite sure what to make of Shane turning on the charm for the benefit of her family.

 

“Dad, did you know that Nate’s thinking of opening a bar?” Carrie interjected, hoping that maybe Eric would finally begin to warm to Nate if he felt Nate was capable of providing for her and Adam through honest, hard work.

 

“You never told me this…” Eric glanced at Nate before turning to face his daughter.

 

“It’s still in the very early stages of planning.” Nate explained, not exactly sure what to make of Carrie’s announcement considering he was still not entirely sure if his plans would ever come to fruition. “Nothing too fancy, just a relaxed, casual place to have a few drinks with friends.”

 

“Well I for one think it’s a great idea.” Valerie smiled warmly. “This city has too many stuffy bars…”

 

“As long as you’re not going to be neglecting my daughter and throwing yourself into your work…” Eric warned, winking playfully at Carrie.

 

“Believe me, that won’t happen.” Nate assured Eric.

 

“Like Jessica…that cop she was dating barely made any time for her.” Valerie remarked, her unintentionally controversial remark causing Carrie to glance uncomfortably at Shane.

 

“Have you heard from Jessica lately?” Kyle asked his sister, unaware that the subject of Jessica was the last thing either Carrie or Shane wished to discuss. “How’s she doing?”

 

“She’s doing well, actually.” Carrie was eager to avoid any further talk of Jessica, considering Shane was the reason she left town in the first place.

 

“Well that’s good.” Shane smiled, taking a sip of his drink. Carrie glanced at Shane before looking at Kristen, was this really the man her sister was going to marry? The type of man who would happily sit through a conversation about a woman who his affair with led to her leaving town?

 

 

“Sorry to drop by unannounced.” Kimberley smiled as she entered the doorway to the apartment her father shared with Alexandra.

 

“You know I’ve always got time for you, princess.” John insisted. “What can I do for you?”

 

“Does a girl need a reason to pay her father a visit?”

 

“A girl doesn’t; you, on the other hand…”

 

“If this is what I get for trying to help you…”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Earlier when I was leaving Taylor’s, I saw Madison Chase. I guess she was going to see Joseph.”

 

“What gave you that impression?”

 

“The doorman told me after I slipped him a fifty.” Kimberley admitted, resting her purse on the sofa as she watched her  father pour them both a drink. “Look, daddy, I don’t want to get involved in whatever you and Kendall are planning with Sterling Enterprises, but I think you guys should really think hard about trusting Joseph.”

 

“Why would we have to worry about trusting Joseph? If anything, him meeting with Madison Chase is for our benefit; the woman works for Shane Baldwin, maybe Joseph is trying to get some information of her.”

“Without telling you? That doesn’t exactly sound like he’s doing it for anyone apart from himself. Honestly, daddy, I don’t know why you thought it was a good idea to get into bed with Joseph on this. The man’s shown plenty of times in the past that he’s not to be trusted.”

 

“He’s my brother…”

 

“And he’s shacked up with your ex wife. He tried to steal the company from Kendall when her mother was barely cold in her grave, and now he’s meeting in secret with some skanky lawyer chick who’s probably double crossing Shane to give him inside information that Joseph hasn’t saw fit to share with you yet despite the fact you’re supposed to be working together. Doesn’t that sound even a little bit strange to you?”

 

“So what am I meant to do with this information?”

“That’s where I come in…” Kimberley smiled.

 

 

“I didn’t know you were back in town.” Alex said as she took a seat at Jazz & Co.’s polished bar next to Patrick Monroe, resting her handbag on the stool next to her as she smiled at her old friend.

 

“It’s just a flying visit.” Patrick suddenly wished that he didn’t have a flight to catch.

 

“Oh really? Is it business or pleasure?”

 

“Strictly business, I’m afraid,” said Patrick. “I had things to discuss with my son.”

 

“How is fatherhood treating Marc?” Alex felt guilty that she had barely seen Marc or Megan since they’d become parents, especially when she was close to marrying John and should really have been taking an interest in his children if she wanted to reach out to them.

 

“I was about to ask you the same thing, seeing as you’re about to become his stepmother-in-law. How is the old ball and chain, anyway?”

 

“I presume you’re referring to John, and he’s fine, thank you for asking” Alex flagged down the bartender for a martini. “Dare I ask if you’re seeing anyone these days? The last I heard you were shacked up with Pamela Lockwood before she left town…”

 

“Pamela and I were over a long time ago.” Patrick insisted, not wishing to discuss how things had fizzled out with the woman who had caused him to consider settling down and building a future in Oakridge. “Jessica told me that Ashley’s back in town, you must be happy about that.”

 

“Extremely, having my daughter in my life is very important to me…you know, I never thought I’d see you single again, you and Christine always seemed to be the perfect couple.”

 

“Appearances can be deceptive.” Patrick took a sip of his gin, wondering why Alex was so insistent on discussing his failed relationships. “Once the kids had grown up and moved out we just didn’t have anything in common: I wanted to see the world and run the company from my laptop, but she didn’t want to give up her social calendar. Like you’re one to talk, I had no idea you were keeping all sorts of secrets about your past with John; I never had you down as the type who would be content to play the other woman…”

 

“I wasn’t, which is why things didn’t work out first time around.” Alex supposed, forgetting to mention John’s dragon of a wife at the time and her responsibility in the downfall of their relationship. “This time there isn’t anything holding us back, we’re committed to making things work this time around.”

 

“Well I’m happy for you both.” Patrick placed his empty glass down on the bar. “Listen, I have to go, I’ve got a flight to catch. Next time I’m in town we should meet up…catch up properly.”

 

“Definitely.” Alex agreed.

 

“It was nice seeing you, Alex.” Patrick stood up and slipped into his jacket, shooting Alex a charming smile.

 

“You too…take care.” Alex smiled as Patrick made his way out of the bar, hoping that it wouldn’t be long until she saw her old friend again.

 

 

“How was your dad?” Megan asked as Marc entered their home.

 

“He’s good…” Marc muttered, not wanting to drop the bombshell that his father had offered a much bigger responsibility at the company when bigger responsibility meant more hours. “He’s going to be back in town next week, wants to take us for dinner.”

 

“That sounds good, I’ll see if I can find someone to babysit the twins.”  Megan set down the box of Christmas decorations she was in the process of packing away for another year and perched herself on the edge of the sofa. “So what did Patrick want to talk to you about?”

 

“Just business…stuff to do with Pulse…boring really.” Marc lied, thinking that there was no point in stressing Megan out with news of a more powerful job until he’d actually given it some thought. “Although he was saying he was thinking about relocating to Oakridge on a more permanent basis.”

 

“That’ll be nice, it will be good for him to see the girls grow up.” Megan smiled. “Plus it’ll be nice that the girls get to know both sets of grandparents.”

 

“Well except from my mom. Apparently she’s too caught up in living the high life on the Riviera to visit her granddaughters.”

 

“Well at least they’ll have grandpa Patrick.” Megan supposed.

 

 

Making their way in from the cold winter night, Nate and Carrie walked up the steps to their brownstone and entered their home. Once inside, Nate unzipped his leather jacket whilst Carrie undid the buttons on her winter coat. Nate glanced uncertainly around the street before following Carrie inside the house.

 

“Well tonight was fun, wasn’t it?” Carrie smiled as she flicked on the lights.

 

“Yeah, I guess.” Nate mumbled, pulling on the doorknob to check that he had locked the door behind him.

 

“You know, I think my dad was quite impressed with your ideas for the bar.” Carrie continued as they walked through to the kitchen. “I think he might finally be accepting the fact that we’re serious about out future.”

 

“Maybe…” Nate checked that the back door was safely locked before drawing the blinds in the kitchen as Carrie switched the kettle on.

 

“Tea?”

 

“No, I’m good, thanks.” Nate peered through the blinds, unable to shake the feeling that he was being followed. “I think I’m going to have an early night.”

 

“I might just join you.” Carrie smiled as she made her way up the staircase behind Nate. Once inside their bedroom, Nate peered through the blinds as Carrie undressed, unable to shake the feeling he was being followed. “Kristen seems pretty happy with Shane, doesn’t she?”

 

“The guy’s a tool.” Nate decided. “It’s funny, the man’s a known drug lord, his junkie son nearly died as a result of the shoddy drugs he’s distributing, and yet his reputation is pristine.”

 

“That wasn’t ever proven…” Carrie tied the knot on her robe.

 

“Money talks,” Nate glanced again through the window onto the street. “You of all people should know that, being married to a Sterling.”

 

“Greg wasn’t like the rest of them.” Carrie didn’t know exactly why she was defending Greg, but the notion of him being put in the same category as the rest of his family didn’t sit right with her.

 

“Even still…” Nate pulled down on the blinds again.

 

“What’s up with you?” Carrie asked, noticing her fiancé acting on edge.

 

“Nothing, I’m fine, honestly…” Nate insisted. “Let’s just go to bed.”

 

As he climbed into bed next to Carrie, Nate’s stomach churned, unable to shake the feeling that he was being watched. He knew he was probably being paranoid, but part of him was unable to stop thinking that someone was following them, cementing the fact that he was never going to be able to leave his old life behind; he may have been able to move on and settle down with Carrie, but he knew that he could never control the fact that one day, a face from his past could turn up and destroy it all.

 

TO BE CONTINUED…