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Current Episode Divisions is a work of fiction. All characters belong to the author. The images used are for representational purposes only to enhance the experience for readers. |
Episode 8.02
225 Shavano Court Andrea looked around the house that she had spent many Sunday night’s in having dinner with John Adams and his son Dan back when they were dating and then even after when they’d stayed just friends. But even after all that time had passed and they hadn’t gotten back into each others romantic orbits, part of her hoped that Dan would finally see the light and want her back. But now, that seemed to be something that may never happen if Patrick’s Cassie turned out be Dan’s. Dan came bounding down the porch steps, a large smile on his face when he saw her, “You will not believe what my Dad did!” Andrea hugged him, enjoying the brief moment she got to smell the scent of his soap and cologne and be in his arms. “What did he do? Why did you want me to come here, rather then the apartment?” “My Dad gave me the house.” He smiled from ear to ear, “How crazy is that? He decided to move to Texas to be closer to his brother and before he left he signed the house over to me.” “Whoa.” Andrea looked around, “How did the siblings react?” “Not sure, Sam’s kind of distracted with the whole wedding thing. He’s getting to be a groomzilla.” “And Abby is probably distracted by her daughter’s case.” Dan paused his eyes focusing in on Andrea, “Did you get a new clue or lead?” “No.” Andrea shook her head, her blond hair brushing against her shoulders, “Jeff Davis asked us to look over that case, the Siobhan Lane missing person case, and a few others.” “Oh, okay.” Dan felt his shoulders sag, “What other cases?” “Ones involving Sean McKay and Brighton Simpson.” Dan cringed. “Did you really get knocked out on a coffee table?” Andrea cracked a small smile. Dan rubbed his forehead, “Maybe. But I got shot in the stomach. You’ve seen the scar.” He teased. It took ever ounce of restraint she had to not think about when they would make love. She took a moment, “Yeah, so um I have to ask you something personal.” Dan sat on the front step of the porch, “What? Wait I know you can no longer resist the charm I have and want me back?” Andrea could tell from his tone he was just joking. He would never think she could want him back. “This is a little awkward and all but Patrick’s girlfriend Cassie, is that the same Cassie that you dated?” Dan leaned against the banister, he could feel the color draining from him. He sighed, keeping as much about Cassie as he could from Andrea had been easy all these years but obviously Patrick had brought her up. “Yeah, it’s the same. Patrick and Cassie dated for a little while after high school, before college. I met Cassie while she was in school, and then Patrick moved to town. Why are you asking?” “Patrick brought her up the other day at work. And well curiosity got the best of me and I had to ask.” Andrea looked down at her hands as she pulled apart one of the leaves that had blown towards her. “If Cassie were to come back to town and walk up to you, asking for another chance, would you give it to her?” Dan looked down at his hands, “I was ready to marry Cassie. I had her father’s permission to propose, I had the ring and I was just waiting for the right moment to ask.” He look up at the late morning sky, “Then she was in the car accident and next thing I knew she wanted to be with Patrick.” “Wait,” Andrea turned to Dan taking his hand in hers, “You guys were serious, she got in the car accident and then she dumped you for Patrick?” “Yeah.” Dan looked down at her hand clutching his. “She had some serious injuries. She had to relearn to walk and stuff.” “Did she?” Dan shrugged, “I don’t know, I would guess so. She moved to Nashville to try and start a music career.” “Oh.” Andrea released his hand just as her cell started to ring, as she glanced at the ID she sighed, “I gotta go, its Patrick. Just remember I want you to be happy.” Dan nodded and gave her a hug as she answered the phone and started on her way down the path, he thought for a moment he saw Cassie standing at the gate of her father’s house, but she wouldn’t come back to town now, would she?
210 Shavano Court The fall air was crisp as Cassie Williams stepped out onto her Father’s porch. She looked around the neighborhood, amazed at how much it had stayed the same over the last five years, but also how much it had changed. Jack lived next door now, occasionally with his daughter Ava. Trista had married Mike McKay and they were raising her son Ryan. But John Adams, he would never leave. He would be a staple in the neighborhood forever. She was sure of that, until she saw his son Dan, the love of her life sitting on his front step, his arms around a blond woman. She leaned against the post, watching the interaction. She wasn’t close enough to see a lot but it was enough to make her curious, very curious. Slowly she went down the steps, leaning against the banister as she went. Her heart raced as she got a bit closer to the scene. That was most definitely Dan and that was no one she knew with him. She reached to unlatch the gate, but stopped herself as she saw them hugging. Before she knew what she was doing she was hiding behind a tree, just as Dan looked over at the yard. “Cassie, what are you doing?” She asked herself out loud as she watched Dan’s friend leave.
Pine River Recovery Center “Right this way Mr. McKay.” The woman’s voice was soft and calm as she led Conner down the hall to the visitor’s room. “Thank you.” He entered the room and saw Kendall sitting by the window dressed in her leggings and a PHU hoodie as she watched the scenery outside. The door shut and Kendall looked up, a smile crossing her face as Conner came towards her. “So, how are you doing?” Kendall shrugged, “I’m sober. The first few days were hell, but um, its getting better. Much better.” Conner reached out for her, and she eagerly went into his arms, hugging him tightly. “How’s Sharon doing?” “She’s okay, she misses you. But she’s too young to understand where you are.” Kendall nodded as she clung to her husband. “What about James?” “All he knows is that you left to get well.” Conner pulled away, taking a few steps as he looked out the window, “People are starting to wonder where you are Kendall.” “I have another week. Then I’m in outpatient care.” She took a step forward, “I’m getting better Conner. I’m going to be better.” “Better, like before or after you left our two young children home alone so you could run out and get more vodka?” He turned to her, the hurt he’d been building up for months was starting to come flowing out. Kendall took a step back, bracing herself. “I was so numb and stupid by that point Conner. I’ve been doing this for years. Since after James was born, I stopped when I found out I was pregnant with Sharon, but I started again the night Chariot opened.” Conner took a deep breath, “Why Kendall, why did you feel the need to drink?” She shook her head, a sad smile crossed her face, tears welled up in her eyes, “Maggie. You’re ex-wife. The way you looked at her back then, the way you still look at her whenever we go to get Sharon from school or a play date with Chelsia.” He ran his hands through his hair that was starting to get a bit grey as the years went on, “I, I’m sorry Kendall. How did I, do I look at Maggie?” Kendall leaned against the wall, “In a way you have never looked at me, in a way you never could. You look at her as if she’s the love of your life.” She shrugged, “Because, she is.” Conner took it all in. Unsure of how he was suppose to react, what he was suppose to say. He looked at the ground before finally looking up and looking his wife straight in her eyes, “You’re right. Maggie is the love of my life. But I lost her, and I found you. I chose to build a life with you.” “If I’m going to stay sober, then I need to start over.” Kendall looked down at her left hand at her wedding band as she slowly removed it, “I want a divorce.” Conner took her ring, staring at it in the palm of his hand, “No, you don’t.” “I do.” Kendall went to the door, “I’ll come get my things when I get out of here.” Conner just nodded, this was not what he’d expected when he came to visit Kendall, this wasn’t what he expected when he discovered she was an alcoholic. His life was changing again, and this time he had no idea what or where he was suppose to go now.
Pinon Hallow Herald “You look like hell.” Reese Lucas came out from his office and saw Dee Wentworth at her desk typing up her latest article. “I moved into the Shavano Inn for a few days until my new apartment is ready.” Reese leaned on the edge of her desk, “New apartment? You mean you and the Prince are over?” She looked up, running a hand through her red hair, “Yeah. I decided I was done being second choice.” “That’s good.” Reese smiled. “But you don’t have to stay in a hotel. I have plenty of room in my place.” Dee tried not to laugh, “Reese, you and I almost kill each other here at work. What makes you think that wouldn’t transition over to the home situation?” “I think it could just be what we need.” Reese got up to go back to his office, “Just let me know if you change your mind.”
Home Cookin’ Maggie filled the piping bag with chocolate as she looked at the two dozen plates in front of her. She was trying to get these pieces of raspberry cheesecake finished so that she could go and get ready for whatever campaign event Jeff had that evening. She admired her husband’s drive and hope for change but this was getting to be too much for her. At least right now. “Slaving away at it still I see.” His voice sent a chill down her spine. Maggie looked up from her work and frowned, “What do you want? Why are you here?” “This.” He tossed a set of legal documents on the table and Maggie looked at them. She grabbed his wrist and dragged him into the walk in freezer, “Are you out of your mind Carl?” He shrugged, “I want, no I need to know the truth Maggie. I need to know if Chelsia is my child.” “She’s not your child Carl. She’s mine and Jeff’s.” She looked at the paperwork, “If you want this done we don’t do it here in town, we don’t do this anywhere near here. No one can find out that this is being done. This is the worse time for a scandal to break. Jeff’s about to be the next Senator from Colorado.” “I know.” Carl smiled and couldn’t help but reach out for Maggie. “Carl, no. We never should’ve happened. I was being stupid and I used you when we had an affair.” She walked to the other side of the freezer, “Besides, I have to be honest with you. You can never have the place in my heart that you want. Jeff can never have it either and neither could Mike or Luke or Carsyn or Kevin. It belongs to Conner.” Carl stood behind her, his hands on her shoulders and he breathed in the soft scent of her shampoo, “I know I will never be the love of your life Maggie. But, I want to be with you. Let me have the piece of your heart that does belong to me. Leave Jeff, accept that I am Chelsia’s father, and the three of us can have a life together—in LA.” Maggie could feel the warmth of Carl’s body against hers, part of her ached to feel more but the door opened, breaking the spell. “Well Carl, it was good to see you again. Good luck with your show. I know Amanda is very proud of you.” “Thank you Maggie, that means more then you could ever know.” Carl walked out and Maggie followed behind and went into the office. Suddenly afraid of how much worse this day could get.
Hallow Hills—Pool House “This is going to be awkward.” Andrea watched as Patrick reached over for the doorbell. Abby came to the door, “Hi guys, what’s up?” “Mrs. Davis, we’d like to speak with you and Mr. Davis regarding your daughter.” Patrick announced. Andrea poked him and glared at him. “The Mayor requested we look into the case and several others.” “What others?” Abby opened the door to let them in and Chad came in from the hallway. Andrea gave Abby a smile, “Actually, the ones involving Brighton Simpson and Sean McKay.” Chad felt his heart race, “Which cases?” “All that we have files on Chad.” Patrick took out a notebook, “You were married to Brighton’s sister correct?” “Yes, Brighton was Bethany’s twin brother.” Abby answered, she could see how uncomfortable this was for Chad. “Why are you bringing Brighton and Sean into this now?” Chad looked at Patrick and Andrea. “Neither of you know why sort of hell these two men created. Or who helped them.” “Then tell us what you know.” Andrea looked at Chad and Abby, “If we can find Fallon, wouldn’t you want us to.” “Of course! We miss our daughter every single day. But, no one has found her yet. Not even when Derek Manning showed up in town.” Chad’s hand balled in a fist, “Brighton and Sean got away with everything because of Derek. Toni Monroe, the former ADA, was in cahoots with them to. It all leads back to Derek.” “Chad, if that was true then why would he allow Michelle and Del to hang around each other?” Abby’s frustrations regarding Chad’s theories on Derek were released. “Just because you wrote an article that exposed his cult doesn’t mean he’s out to get you.” “Oh but Brighton is the only one holding a grudge? Come on Abby!” “Whoa, calm down you two.” Patrick stood between the two, “I know this is difficult but we need you to focus. Who at the time would have something against either of you to take Fallon?” “Derek, Brighton, Sean, that’s where you should start.” Chad put his hand up letting Abby know he wasn’t going to stop until he found out if Derek was involved “Just find out whatever you can because Dan and Sam haven’t and they have connections with federal agencies.” Abby glared at Chad before grabbing her car keys, “Excuse me, but I need to go pick up Del and Michelle from school.”
225 Shavano Court She could do this. This was nothing, she was just going to ring the doorbell and say hello. What would be so hard about that? Its not like seven years before when she knocked on his door and confessed her love for him. She stopped at the gate, a memory of that first real kiss between them flushing over her. Dan looked around his living room, honestly unsure of what he was going to do with all the stuff he’d had up in his old apartment. It was time to be an adult, time to let go of the past and time to really grow up. As he opened a box he found himself pausing, it had been closed for years, every memento of his time with Cassie, including the ring he’d gotten her. He’d never been able to return it or sell it. He just couldn’t let it go, like the part of him that had never let Cassie go. Cassie stepped up the stairs, holding onto the banister, trying to support herself as her limp seemed to get worse the closer she got to the door. Perhaps this was a bad idea, maybe she should just turn and walk back to her father’s house and not think about the fact that the man of her dreams, her heart, her soul was just across the street. Dan took the ring as he went and sat on the window seat. Looking at the cut in the sun, and thinking back to how he’d planned to propose to her. He looked over at the Williams’ house, and pulled out his cell phone. He couldn’t help but wonder if her number was still the same. So he highlighted Princess, even five years later, and three cell phones he’d transferred her number over each time. He hit send and could hear the phone ringing just as the doorbell rang. A chill ran through his body as he went to answer it. Cassie stood on the front porch, her finger on the buzzer just as her cell began to ring. She looked at the number just as the door opened. “Hey.” “Cassie?” Dan turned his phone off and watched as she stuffed hers in her pocket. Finally after a moment of just looking at her he spoke, “What are you doing here?” “I um, I just wanted to come say hello.” She looked down at her hands, nervously rubbing her thumbs over her acrylic nails. “How did you know to come here?” Dan supported himself against the doorframe. His heart was racing, but he had to stay calm. He had three options, stay calm, yell at her, or kiss her. Calm seemed to be the best one. She looked over towards her father’s house, “I saw you from the porch when I was checking the mail.” “So you’re here for a visit and then back to Nashville I suppose.” He folded his arms over his chest wishing this didn’t seem so familiar, so right. She shifted nervously on her feet and looked up. Her eyes locking with his, “I’m back, for good. Nashville didn’t work out. I gave it my best and that’s all I could do.” “Wow, I wish things had worked out a bit better for you.” “So um, why are you at your Dad’s house?” She stuffed her hands in her pockets and felt her cell phone. Curiosity bubbling inside her to find out why he’d called her. Dan pushed the front door open, “Funny story. Dad calls me to come over the other day and hands over the deed. He left for Houston the next day.” “Oh wow, finally getting you out of that apartment huh?” Dan nodded, “I was just thinking about you actually.” “Is that why you were calling?” She took a deep breath, wishing her heart would slow down. Wishing that Dan didn’t have this pull over her. She wished she could just kiss him. He smiled, “Ya know the last time we did this you came over to confess how in love you were with me.” As soon as that statement escaped his lips Dan felt sick. Did he really just bring that up, with the woman that broke his heart? “Hey now, I wasn’t the only one confessing how in love they were with someone that day.” She ran her hand through her blond locks, “I do have something I want to say, something I need to say.” Dan could feel his body tense, brace itself to have his heart broken into a million pieces once again by her. He just knew she was going to tell him she came back to marry Patrick. Then he’d have to see her all the time when he would be Andrea’s date for the policemen’s ball or at some other event in this town since everyone seemed to cross paths more then they should. “What is it?” “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I broke up with you five years ago. I’m sorry I ran off to Nashville after rehab. I’m sorry I lied to you and let you think I’ve loved Patrick all this time. Because that was nothing, nothing but a big lie.” She took in an unsteady breath as she felt tears in her eyes. As a tear escaped and started to crawl down her cheek Dan reached over and wiped it with his thumb, “What do you mean you lied about Patrick? Why would you do that?” Cassie reached up and took hold of his hand. A hand that fit so well with hers, “I was so scared of putting you through a life where I couldn’t take care of myself. I was so afraid I wouldn’t walk again and if that had been the case, I just couldn’t handle the guilt of putting you through all of that. Not after all the other stuff I had already put you through.” Dan looked down at her hand in his, “Cassie you silly fool!” “I knew I shouldn’t have said anything. You’re with that blond I saw you sitting on the steps with earlier aren’t you?” His body was flooding with emotions; anger, hurt, love. “Larry never told you I asked his permission to propose, did he?” She was still. This was the part of this dream where she normally woke up. She never got past this. “Dad, never mentioned that.” Dan reached in his pocket and pulled at the ring he’d been looking at just before she arrived at his door, “I was going to ask you to marry me, even after your accident. Cassie I was ready to share the rest of my life with you. And then one day I go to see you and you tell me you love Patrick.” “I am a fool.” She started to back away but Dan didn’t let her, he pulled her back. Her body was pressed against his, looking into his eyes. Dan studied her eyes, “Are you and Patrick going to get married?” “God no. I could never marry him. Not when my heart belongs to you and always has Dan.” Her heart was racing faster now. Nervous energy was flowing through her. “So you came over to declare your undying love for me, right?” “Something like that.” Cassie was sure this was the moment where she’d be pushed away and told to go to hell. Dan could see she was scared, he was scared. This was one of the last things he expected to happen today. “Promise me, you won’t run away from us again. I can’t go through that again Cassie.” “I promise, I won’t run away again. I can’t run away again, I don’t think you’re going to let me go.” She could feel his arms around her. He smiled, “You’re right, I’m never letting you go again.” Cassie rose just a little on her tiptoes and felt her lips against Dan’s. She could feel the strength of the kiss in her knees, all over her body. How she ever had been stupid enough to run from this, she would never know.
44 Rio Grande Drive “I really think we should put this section towards the back. Draw them in and make them have to go through the shop to get to it. Thus having to see what else we have.” Amanda pointed to a section of a blueprint. Kit looked at it, studying it for a moment, “That could work. How big is it going to be though?” Amanda started to flip through her notes when the doorbell rang. Kit sighed, “Great.” He muttered as he got up from his seat on the couch and went opened the door. Jack smiled from the other side, “Hey, is Ava ready to go?” Amanda stood up, “Where are you taking her today?” “We’re going to the zoo. She wants to see the penguins.” Jack took a step in, his eyes on Amanda. After all this time he hadn’t gotten over her, and wouldn’t any time soon. He’d tried, with Shayna and a few others who had come but quickly gone since no one could compare to her. Kit watched the way Jack looked at his wife and wanted to take him out back and settle it with a fistfight, but he knew Amanda wouldn’t appreciate it, nor would Ava understand why her Daddy and Papa were fighting. Ava came racing into the room with her jacket and backpack, “Daddy!” Jack swooped his daughter up in his arms, “Hey Ava. You ready to go to the zoo?” “Yes! I want to see Penguins!” Jack laughed, “Well I think we can do that.” “Don’t let her stay up to late Jack.” Amanda reminded him as they went to the door. She leaned in and kissed Ava’s forehead, “Be good for Daddy.” “I will! Bye Mommy! By Papa!” Ava called out as she and Jack left the house. Kit stood behind Amanda, “I thought I’ve just been imagining it, but I haven’t.” “What are you talking about?” Amanda was closing the door as she looked over at him. “Jack is still in love with you.”
Pinon Hallow Middle School “What are you going to bring in for that assignment Miss. McKay gave us today in class?” Michelle asked as she and Del sat on the grass outside of the school waiting for Abby to arrive. Del shrugged, “Its something that means something about our history. I don’t know, maybe I’ll ask Lysa—I mean Miss. McKay for something or go ask my Grandmother. What about you?” Michelle picked up
an aspen leaf from the ground, “Not sure yet, but I think I have
something in mind. I’ve had it for as long as I can remember.” “Hey Del, what’s with that room across the hall from yours. The one that’s always locked.” Michelle took out her notebook and was sketching the leaf now. Del got stiff, “Um, that’s my sisters room.” “I didn’t know Lysa lived in the pool house.” “Not Lysa, Fallon.” Michelle looked up, a chill going down her spine, “You’ve never mentioned her. Is she older to?” “Only by a few minutes. She’s my twin, she was kidnapped when we were really young. My parents are still looking for her, but its been a very long time.” Del pulled on some leaves of the grass. “It really upsets my Dad, so we don’t talk about it much.” Michelle nodded, “I could see that. So Del is only one half of a whole. Think that if your twin was here, she and I would be friends?” “Yeah, I think you would.” Del decided just as Abby pulled up, “Come on, lets go. My Mom is here.” |