4×01 “Running Into The Dark”
Written by: Chris Coleman, Kristi Clark and Kelly Zollo
Warning: Episode may contain graphic violence, language and sexual content
Theme Songs: KALEO- Way Down We Go and Daylight- David Kushner

Hector eyed a shivering Max and for a brief second he felt horrible for the woman. Gia literally was about to snatch her child. “Does this look familiar? You saved your beloved Sebastian here Max and now you lose everything here.” He said as he looked into her eyes with a cold steel stare. Grabbing her arm he smirked as he pulled out two syringes. The first would induce labor and the second would kill Max. Stroking her face he looked at her and smiled slightly. “You are about to save my life and Gia’s. Things are going to change soon and you will be the catalyst. Isn’t that beautiful? Isn’t that the thing you want Max. To make a big scene? You will be legendary. Now strut now bitch.” He yelled, yanking her arm still as he looked into eyes. “I have felt how you must be feeling right now. Confused, scared and in fact hopeless. Your future his dimmed but everyone will remember you. Permanently frozen in time as the ice bitch who died with everyone else I killed. You see your boat was a beautiful vessel. I worked as a mercenary in the jungles before I became Gia’s friend. I killed people in wars and things you wouldn’t believe but tonight was my biggest art show. Killing so many people at once.” He said flippantly. “Boom! But this is also art Max. Giving life to someone who is so special you see your son is a legacy now. A secret between us all that will bond us forever.” Hector looked at her intently as he kissed her forehead. “Now I have to induce your labor and you will then get this shot that’ll stop your heart. It’s the only human thing to do, after all you deserve to die painlessly.” 

Taking her arm he looked Max in the eyes again wildly. “Tell me how it feels? To know you’re about to die a legend.” Injecting Max with a compound to induce her labor he watched her shaking and crying. “Stop fucking crying bitch or I’ll cut that fucking baby out of you. I don’t want to hear nothing but you screaming and pushing, got that Maxi girl? You aren’t to cry or whimper because I have no problem slitting your throat to get that child out and none of the Devonshire’s will find your body when I’m done carving you up.” Hector said as he stood up seeing Gia walking up cradling that dead baby inside of her. “Are you alright and ready for this? You’re truly about to be a mother to a child.” He looked over at Max shaking and trying to stifle her cries. “She’ll be giving birth very soon. I am proud of you securing your place right now Gia. Take what you want but I have to ask Gia. One question though: when are we going to kill Ronan? You see, the purpose of this kid was to join your families. Now when we get the kid you don’t need Ronan right? So when are we going to kill him?” 

Gia stumbled into the warehouse, bracing herself against the wall with one hand as she made her way towards Hector. Here she was heavily laboring, almost didn’t make it inside and he was playing with Max? “Does it look like I give two shits about Ronan right this very second?” She seethed. Grabbing the edge of a table, she tried to breathe like she’d learned in that one damn Lamaze class she managed to attend. “Ronan’s going to get what’s coming to him. You should be more concerned about what Ronan’s going to do to us if he walks on here and finds you sticking his precious little meal ticket with needles. Didn’t your mother teach you not to play with your food? The river must be swarming with search parties looking for her by now. Focus. We need that baby. I want my baby now Hector!” Gia lunged at him and beat her fists on his chest. “I am not going to lose another son and the longer you stand here yapping, the closer that wolf gets to our backs. I have to have this baby now!” She screamed as another contraction ripped through her and she doubled over, still holding onto the front of Hector’s shirt as she did her best to ride it out. There was no turning back now. She couldn’t hold on to her son any longer. It was time to say goodbye to those fantasies of what might have been and grab the crown that was dangling in front of her. 

With her son in her arms, Ronan would have no choice but to get in line. To give her the respect she deserved. It would secure her place at the top of his organization. She’d no longer be a joke to them. Not just the mob princess Ronan slummed with. If he wouldn’t love her, fine. She had his son and his legacy was something he would never deny. What did it matter if they removed him in a day or a week or a month? She would enjoy Ronan slowly realizing he would never get to love anyone else out in the open because you didn’t disrespect your child’s mother in their world. She wanted to savor that before they wiped him out of the picture. She snatched the remaining syringe out of Hector’s hand. She was posed to inject it when another contraction came. This one felt like it would split her in half and she dropped the syringe, grabbing a chair as her knees grew weak. She fell to all fours and helplessly watched the syringe roll across the floor and disappear under a palette. “Look what you made me do! If you had paid attention to me instead of Max that wouldn’t have happened! You’re an idiot!” She screamed, slapping her hand on the cold concrete floor, tears blurring her vision. She didn’t think she could stand back up though and crawled toward the dirty old tarp Hector had thrown down. At least he managed to pull himself away from Max long enough to remember to do that. It couldn’t look planned but she wasn’t having a baby on the floor of this damn warehouse. Max was a different story. Let her see how the other 99% suffered, wallowing in the mud so her and her family could live the high life.  “I think something’s happening. I think this is it, Hector. Make sure Max is ready. Make sure my baby’s coming. I just need him here and everything will be ok. Hector, come over here! I need you.”

Hector watched as Gia succumbed to the pain his eyes glistened to remove death from her body. To give her the one thing she wanted the most. As he walked around her almost like a carnivore looking at its prey. He instead went to the cllean blankets and pillows. Placing sterile gloves on. He knew deep down Gia not being able to give birth to a healthy baby had scarred her ego. That’s why she was so angry with Max and him. Stooping down he spread her legs, a position he’d desperately wanted to be with her. However not like this. This wasn’t his fantasy to see her so defenseless. The psychology of having labor pains and no baby was so interesting. Although she was going to end up with the baby, how would this change Gia? “I’m so sorry, I won’t disappoint you or your son. I have to protect him. Do you understand I’ll die for you Gia? Don’t you understand I wasn’t paying attention to Max I was protecting that little boy for you.” Hector said as he looked down at her. “Push!” He yelled hearing Max screaming in the other room. “Push this baby out of you Gia so I can go deliver your child.”

With that he could hear the blurring of screams of both. He felt his stomach dropping as he pulled out Gia’s unborn child. Handing her the dead baby felt an eerie serine surrounding Gia and her sadness was palpable. She wanted this baby which meant she actually in his mind wanted Ronan. His eyes glowed over with darkness as he leaned down and picked up the baby snatching it from Gia. Walking to the other room he saw Max halfway in and out of consciousness. Stooping down he pushed her legs apart seeing the head crowning. “Max push.” As he felt the baby sliding down into his hands. A cry that sounded like a roar from the little boy. He cut the umbilical cord and looked at the baby. Walking from the now unconscious Max who no doubt was overdosing now. Gone forever immortalized in her soon to be death. “Gia, it’s time to give me that baby and meet your son.” He said, rocking the little boy. 

The labor was intense but quick on account of the drugs. Hector had delivered on that front. When it came to drugs or firepower, you could always count on him. Destroying people’s lives was where he excelled and while he was guiding her baby into the world, she knew he could have no real place in her son’s life. She’d already lost too much to allow poison like him to seep in. At least her son’s first moments, only moments if you could even consider them that, would be safe and comfortable in her arms. She’d held on as long as she could, not wanting to let go of him but her body betrayed her. Everything progressed on its own and soon Hector had placed her son in her arms and her breath caught in her throat. The train of her dress surrounded them and she grabbed at it to wrap the baby, desperate to keep in the warmth imparted from her own body. She’d seen plenty of dead people, frozen in ugly poses by death. She would do everything in her power to prevent that from happening to her beautiful son. Every bit of him was so perfect. Nothing out of place except that his little heart failed to start. She ran a finger over his pudgy cheek and through the soft downy hair. She tried to be strong, to remember the fight she had ahead of her but her eyes stung with tears for the first time in so long. Maybe since she was a child herself. She pulled the baby against her and let herself cry for what would never be. For the fact that this was the only goodbye she would get. 

She heard Max screaming not far away and a vile hatred rose up in her. She wanted to destroy everything. For a second she hated that baby Max was delivering as much as she hated his mother. Why should their baby get to live? What had her son done to deserve this? Why should Max Devonshire get to have a happily ever after with the man she lured away? But she knew that baby was as innocent as hers and soon they’d be one and the same. She buried her face against her baby to shield herself from that bitches unholy commotion. It was clear Max had never suffered for anything and she had a lot to make up for. Her mind wandered then to Ronan, who she knew was likely on their trail. What if he walked in now before she could take her child from Max? What if he found her with their dead child and she had nothing left to broker peace between them? She clutched her baby tighter, his tiny unmoving body was easily cradled in one arm as she struggled to her feet. Gritting her teeth through the searing fire of pain as she moved. She carefully walked to the dock and looked out across the water, they were still alone but it felt like time was closing in around them and she made her way back to Hector. She arrived just as Hector deliver the baby and her grip on her own infant tightened, “He looks like Sebastian,” Gia whispered looking over Hector’s shoulder. “This isn’t right. This isn’t going to work. He looks too much like Seb. Ronan’s  waiting for me to screw up and when he sees the baby he’s going to know.” Gia sank to her knees beside Hector. A knot formed in her stomach and she thought she might be sick. “He’s been looking for a reason to take me out of the picture since I arrived. You saw the way he looked at me at my father’s funeral. You said yourself, you didn’t like it.”

Hector’s face scowled as he looked at Gia, his eyes fixated on her. “Look at me, Mi Reina, you have to take this baby. You have to take this baby or he will kill you. I did see it, but what I saw even more was the darkness in him. His father spilled your family’s blood now if you don’t get up now he wins. You will be gone by the weekend. Understand what we are doing. It’s for your survival! You grew up with Sebastian and that’s why you see that. You know what I see? Two people who have a mixed baby who will look like whoever we say he does. It’s a baby and you are equally Italian and Latina. This works but if you don’t let go of that child you will never get to raise this one.” Hector heard the sirens approaching and his heart raced because Max hadn’t been injected with the last drug. Not only that but if she didn’t give up the dead baby for the alive one Gia and he would be dead. “If you are ready for war I am here to stand with you. However you are looking to play the long game then protect yourself and gain what you deserve, motherhood.” Hector paused to see if Gia trusts him enough with this moment. “How could I not see it? You aren’t a mother, you are thee mother. Tell me why Max, get’s to have a baby and you are left with nothing? Gia take your son because you are his mother take him!” Hector with the commanding stare at her awakening the baby in his arms with a light pinch. The little boy’s cries seem to echo throughout the hollow warehouse. Hector knew that if Gia didn’t snap out of it if she didn’t take this baby, his life and hers was gone. “Please Mi Renia take your son or else we lose.” 

**********

Jackson rushed off the helicopter as he watched the team doing CPR on his wife. His eyes blurred with tears as he followed down the elevator with the team of skilled doctors and EMT’s. His heart was pounding because he had just screwed up and if he couldn’t fix it. He literally set all of this into motion by not telling Dani and not talking to her. He slept with Dru. The video showed it all and now he was sitting here thinking about all the ramifications. He got high. The morality clause at work and his children’s faces. “Dani, hold on for Donovan and Jolene for me. For us I know you hate me right now but baby please.” He whispered, croaking out each word hollowed and gutted feeling like this was his fault. No it was that disgusting alcoholic Brenda Kincaid’s fault and he loved Hunter but he was going to destroy his mother. He was going to leave nothing but ash in that old bitch’s wake. She would be buried underneath the jail when he was done with her and any chance of having a society position or a life was done. If the Kincaid’s weren’t so entangled in his family he would eradicate them all. His rage was blind but he held his wife’s hand praying for a solution. 

As the team burst off the elevator rushing to the OR he followed rushing with them. Refusing to let go of Dani’s hand. He would never let her go. They worked through everything and tonight he broke her heart but he wasn’t losing Dani she was his grace. His world and he honestly couldn’t think of a life without her. She was his soulmate and she gave so much and he just had to be there for her right now. She wouldn’t let him go so he wouldn’t be letting go of Dani. 

“Mr. Devonshire, we have to prepare Mrs. Devonshire for surgery. You have to let her go.” The nurse said gently.

“I’m not moving from this damn spot. Do whatever but she will know I’m here. She’s going to know I’m right fucking here! No, I’m not leaving my wife! Is that fucking understood? I’m Jackson Devonshire! My family own this hospital and has built St. fucking Christopher’s! You will let me be with my wife! You will let me have another moment with my wife. Oh my God look at my wife!” He screamed gasping for air to not completely lose it. As he felt someone touch his arm looking at Kelsey he felt her pulling him away from Dani. “No, I can’t leave her! I can’t leave Dani! She needs to know I’m here Kelsey. She needs to know!”

Kelsey and Willow had been on their way to the casino when the calls had come in all hands on deck at the hospital she had no idea what it would look like when she got there other than it was chaos. So many victims and she heard details coming in that someone had set off an explosion on the boat they didn’t know how many had died. She was normally in labor and delivery but in the chaos they needed her in the emergency room. She had been directing patients left and right when the EMT’s had requested the LifeFlight describing the victim and had been shocked her cousin was wheeled in from what she had gathered was a car accident and she looked over at Jackson who had no injury on him. She was getting the stats when she saw him losing it at the poor nurse who was just trying to do her job and simply intervened the best she could, her own fear being pushed back as she looked at her cousin’s body. Color had returned to her lips. There was a heartbeat but so far she hadn’t moved on her own and that worried her, what in the actual hell was going on? She saw another alert come in that Greer was on her way to the hospital as well and she didn’t know how she was going to handle it all.

“She knows, she knows. Listen I can go back with her David has a room prepared, he’s going to do his absolute best. You have to stay here though it’s the policy. You have to let go, before it’s too late to help. Why weren’t you in the car?” Kelsey said, looking at him. He looked so devastated and she still had no idea why he wasn’t in the car with her cousin. Or how it all happened but he looked crushed and she put her body weight into him when she watched their hands untangle and held him back. Motioning for another nurse to help her just in case, time was critical and then she saw David step out to take over. “David, I was just explaining.”

David had been brought back in even while an investigation into his relationship with Belle was ongoing and he would make Jayden pay down the line. He had received Dani’s stats on his way down the elevator and prepared the surgery room and made his way to the lobby where he saw Kelsey and nurse with Jackson and he looked at him. He had been unable to save Lowell, Lowell’s case was much different than this one and he wasn’t about to let another Devonshire die on his watch, especially Braden’s sister. He held up his hand while he met Jackson’s stare. “Kelsey’s right time is critical and I know you have issues with me but I will do my best here. I need to stop the bleeding and get her stable so the longer we wait out here, the further we come from her recovery. You’re in pain and I get that, I will not lose her on my table. I do, you can have my career. Say goodbye, for now and let me do my job.” David said hoping he would at least comply so he wouldn’t have to call security on what was an already chaotic environment with everything going on.

Jackson gulped as he listened to Kelsey repeatedly ask why he wasn’t with Dani. He wondered if he should tell her. He wondered if they would let him near her if they knew the truth. What he had done was deplorable and despicable to disrespect his wife like that. He was disgusted with himself and honestly didn’t want a hit of a drug he wanted to die. This feeling couldn’t be erased with a high. “I was with my brother handling DGI business.” It wasn’t a lie but it was a half truth. Tonight he’d single handedly lose his father’s legacy and maybe his wife. DGI however wasn’t shit to losing Dani. Dani was his soulmate and he knew that. He’d travel years to find someone who could love him so pure and from the core. It was ingrained in her to respect and honor him and that wasn’t given back. He felt like a fraud but losing Dani wasn’t an option and David’s words somehow pierced through Jackson’s thoughts. It wasn’t likely but he was going to save his marriage. Somehow Dani would see he needed her and couldn’t do it without her. “Save her David.” He said looking at her face, and her body was so bruised and hurt. Letting go of Dani he covered his face with his elbow, turning away from the room and he cried out. Retching out a guttural scream Jackson fell back. 

“It all happened so fast. It was so fast it was Brenda Kincaid. Brenda Kincaid hit Dani and Greer who just happened to be in labor. Her and Brock’s baby is in danger and she was drunk Kelsey. She was fucking drunk. I don’t know how this all happened so fast.” He cried trying to explain everything without revealing everything. “Chauncey is on his way here now I think I need my brother.” He said sitting down looking at Kelsey whose shock registered all over her face. “I’m going to bury that elitist slut in the ground where she belongs. Brenda may have done more damage tonight to my family and friends than anyone else has.” He paused as he looked at Kelsey’s shocked expression. Seeing the hospital bustling he looked at Kelsey and saw Lauren arriving along with Walter both looked worse for wear. It looked like they’d been through combat or something. “Kelsey? What else happened tonight? Are Walter and Lauren alright?” Seeing Chauncey approaching him he felt a slight sense of relief a Devonshire had his back up until the rest arrived. 

Kelsey looked at Jackson in shock. She wasn’t sure what else to say to him Brenda had crashed into her cousin’s car? Why was Greer in there to begin with, they couldn’t stand each other? She walked a few steps forward placing her hand on his shoulder while he was on the ground while she spotted Chauncey approaching him out of the corner of her eye. She saw some lights flash and got the notification that more victims from the boat were coming in and then she saw the call about Greer who she watched getting wheeled into labor and delivery. “I gotta go.” Kelsey managed to get out glancing at him before racing down the hallway.

Chauncey had followed the ambulance all the way to the front of the hospital and even followed Greer and Brock inside. It was mad chaos and that was all he saw as he looked around people gathered bandages on them, looking shell shocked and he finally spotted his brother on the floor. Much like he had done at DGI he got down next to him placing his hand on his shoulder he didn’t know if he’d ever seen his brother like this so broken. He watched as Greer was wheeled back into the labor and delivery ward and knew that would have to be his next stop, they had unfinished business. “Brock said Dani had a heartbeat, that’s a good sign Jackson. I’m sure they will do everything they can.” Chauncey said feeling his own anxiety raise just a hair and what if they couldn’t, he didn’t wish ill will on Dani but doctors hadn’t saved Logan. His mind wandered to Greer too, what if they couldn’t save her or her baby, possibly his baby?

He looked around the waiting room again and finally spotted Lauren and Walter across the room waving his free hand, surely Lauren would be able to comfort Jackson better than he could right now. Perhaps they had no idea about the accident and he caught a glimpse of red hair going into one of the exam rooms, Brenda and he kept Jackson from lunging across the room. It would have been completely justified in his mind but now was not the time. He also spotted that bitch Dru as she turned a corner into an exam room too, he’d have to add that to the list. If Jackson said he was set up he was going to give him the benefit of the doubt and back him on it, once Lauren had arrived he looked at her. “Lauren, there was an accident.” Chauncey said it was the only thing he could get out, not sure how to explain it as it was almost surreal they had watched the car drive off perfectly fine and instead they came across the mangled wreck on the side of the road not even an hour later.

Lauren covered her mouth as she gripped Walter looking at Jackson’s expression. She knew Dani was involved and her heart sank. “Where’s my daughter?” Her voice cracked. Her last little girl. Victoria was dead. Danielle wouldn’t and couldn’t be leaving her behind. No, not again. She couldn’t lose another child and she wouldn’t. “Where is Dani?” She asked again knowing the answer as she walked to Jackson. Yanking his face to her. “What happened to Dani? What happened to my little girl? Oh my God? Where is my daughter Jackson? You promised! You promised to protect her!” Lauren screamed at him.

“I failed Lauren. I failed but Brenda Kincaid hit them both. Greer LeClerq we believe was in labor and Dani was taking her to St. Christopher and Brenda hit them drunk.” Jackson said, almost despondent. “She’s in surgery because her brain it’s swelling.” He mumbled not mentioning her mangled body or how they had to have a helicopter fly her to the hospital. How he used his name and clout to push them to do everything in their power. “Walter, can you pray? Dani said you were good at that.” Jackson requested as he gripped Lauren. “We have to believe Dani will survive this and you have to destroy your lover. Vengeance shall be mine, says the lord.”

Walter had come to the hospital to get checked out after the explosion where he found Lauren and then the chaos. By the time they had spotted his son in law on the other side of the waiting room he was concerned, where was Dani? When Jackson started to talk he watched his ex-wife break down beside him and did his best to comfort her before staring back at Jackson. It was simply impossible that Brenda would be that reckless to hurt Dani, maybe he was making excuses for the woman that he loved but he didn’t doubt that Brenda would actually hurt one of his children. It sounded so grave while Jackson spoke and his chest tightened to release he could do that pray and light a candle for his daughter. Lauren was more the religious one in their family but he could try his best. Dani was a Fraiser and a fighter there was no reason to think she wouldn’t pull through. “I think I can handle that.” Walter said looking at Jackson and then seeing Lauren pull him into his arms while he looked wildly around the room seeing Chauncey slink down the hallway.

**********

Yasmine’s eyes glazed over as she walked into St. Christopher’s. What had happened tonight as she looked over at Randall who was barely moving and still unconscious. She couldn’t believe what had happened. It was all moving so fast because one moment they were arguing and next Randall was flying down the stairs. She heard every word of what Philip said and a piece of her felt it. She understood but the other side of her knew damn well Philip and her father were down right evil. Forbes Montgomery carried a secret torch for Lauren and somehow it led to Randall and Blythe Sinclair adopting Victoria Fraiser aka Aspen Sinclair. It sounded like a Lifetime movie. It was crazy and it truly showed her what Rory and everyone was saying about her family. She just thought they were nasty people but this was a difference. It was gothic and demented nothing that she ever wanted. These people would kill for power and they would love you to death. Seeing Philip do that made her know he’d kill anyone to get to the top. His hunger was insatiable and daddy dearest wasn’t far off if not worse. His mind was sharp for business but even more lethal for revenge. Yasmine wasn’t sure but this white folk shit was giving her a headache. 

Watching the team moving to help Randall she gasped wondering if he was just another one for the grim reaper. Turning around she saw Rory and Aspen both looking worse for wear. Walking to them she knew she had to tell this girl about her father. Or at least one of her father’s. “Rory? Aspen, what happened tonight? Listen I don’t know what’s going on but something happened tonight at the mansion. My dad and your dad got into an argument and as he was leaving, Aspen your dad fell down a flight of stairs. It happened so fast. I am just so sorry and I came to the hospital with him. I think they took him into the ICU.” She looked down the hall as she flashed back to Philip pushing Randall. She shivered as she saw fury on the other girl’s face. Aspen or Victoria better keep it cool because honestly she could explode her entire life. “Tonight seems to be a night.” 

Aspen rolled her eyes immediately when Yasmine appeared. She always had a certain timing. Rory and she were completely filthy then here she comes looking perfect. Something about her always just rubbed her the wrong way. She sucked her teeth as she acted shocked the Nightingale exploded and she didn’t know? Yeah right as she shook her head. Then she started to listen to the words she was saying and her face went into horror. “What are you saying? My father is in the ICU. Lead with that you insipid bitch. What do you mean our fathers were arguing about what? You were there and you witnessed it so tell me? Because right now Max is missing! An entire boat full of people just blew up and my father fell down some steps? No, no, no, Yasmine what happened? What happened to my father? Where is my mother Rory!” She said gripping onto him. As he turned searching for Blythe in the crowd she stared satisfied that he was in her arms. She was so mean to Max and she couldn’t help but worry at this moment about her. Then hearing her father was in the ICU she had to find out. “Please find my mother and I have to see about daddy!” She let him go as she ran down the hall.

As she made it down the hall she saw David and her father being put on a ventilator. She gasped as covered her mouth. “David what’s going on? Oh my God? Is he alright?” Aspen questioned touching the glass doors. “Is my father going to make it? Does this mean he’s not breathing on his own? David, you have to save my father.” Gripping the man’s arm.”Please sometimes I feel like he’s all I have. He’s my dad and I need my dad David.” She begged him knowing he was the best of the best. “Please, you’re an amazing doctor. I know you can save him.”

He had been on the way to Dani’s surgery when Randall had been brought in and in the chaos Aspen had approached him talking to the team that would be taking over Randall’s care. What in the hell was going on tonight in this damned city? A boat bombing, car wreck and someone falling down the Montgomery stairs. “Aspen, I was just talking to the medical team, first we’re going to get an MRI. He took a pretty bad fall. From there I’ll have someone meet with you. I have to head into surgery but I promise I will send someone out as we have word.” David nodded to the resident who was helping him to get Randall comfortable and down for an MRI and scans before he made his way through the double doors to head to the operating room.

Rory had been on his phone at the hospital trying to pull every string he could to find his sister he was okay, Aspen was okay other than her head that they got fixed Max was still missing. His cellphone had been buzzing with other news like something about a tape with his brother and Dru but his main focus was on Max. He knew the police were looking and oddly enough Ronan too and he had wrapped Aspen in his arms about ready to head somewhere other than the hospital when Yasmine had come in looking gorgeous and elegant as always and he couldn’t help but look and then look away. The last thing he should be thinking about is how gorgeous and pretty Yasmine looked while his sister was missing but he was still pulled to Yasmine he supposed he would always be in a way and then he had to look at Aspen as they had wheeled Randall inside. How in the hell did someone like Randall randomly fall down a flight of stairs in some freak accident? He listened to David give a brief update to them as he glanced around the chaos so much destruction and death inside the halls of the hospital at that moment maybe Randall would be spared. He placed his hand on Aspen’s back seeing her staring after David almost like she was in shock in truth he probably was too.

“Let’s let them get him into a room and we can go find your mom. I’m sure there is a perfectly reasonable explanation that he went over to your uncle’s house tonight and that he fell. Isn’t that right Yasmine, marble can be slippery at times. Do you see your mom anywhere?” Rory managed to get out hoping that was the end of whatever was going to happen between Yasmine and Aspen. His fiance was already on edge and Yasmine seemed to be a trigger for her anytime they bumped into each other. He spotted Chauncey across the room and then Jackson too and wondered if they had heard from Max or even more why were they there in the first place. “It’s been a crazy night so far. Randall checked in with us before he left saying he needed to talk to Forbes. Max is missing, they haven’t found her yet, Sebastian, Ronan and the police are out looking for her. It was awful when that boat exploded, I’m glad you weren’t hurt. I’m not sure who else is missing.”

Yasmine leaned on the wall as she stared at Rory, almost wanting to comfort him because she honestly saw his fear. For what it was worth Max wasn’t nice but she didn’t deserve to be nine months pregnant and missing. Shaking her head she was at the mansion of doom stuck to keep this twisted secret. Her father was a very sick individual and her brother was a power hungry dictator coming up the ranks. Except she could tell Philip was more lethal. How he did Randall was cold but she wasn’t a snitch and they’d implicated she could lose everything. Selfishly Yasmine wasn’t up for kids losing scholarships and one of the few safe havens in Scottswood. Sucking her teeth she looked at Aspen. “Listen I can tell you what happened or you can keep calling me out my name and I’ll walk away. Your dad was raving and lashing out about some book and he wouldn’t say it. Whatever he knew he wouldn’t say it in front of myself and Philip. He was saying some awful things about my father which I believe and I think he was just moving too fast.” Looking at her she always loved and respected Dani and this girl was Victoria. Looking at her she had none of that Fraiser swag in fact she was a basic Cassie or carbon copy Max. She froze when she saw Philip arriving in the hospital. They made eye contact and he nodded at her. 

Aspen bit her lip looking at Yasmine. Whatever her father found out was that was so bad that he went up against uncle Forbes piqued her curiosity. They fought over something but what? Lowering her head she honestly knew that Yasmine was right she couldn’t keep going off on her. She was right; she witnessed her father’s fall. Looking around she saw her mother approaching her and she closed her eyes. Wiping her eyes she walked to her mother and clutched her tightly. “Mom dad’s in ICU and he fell. He fell down the stairs of the mansion.” As she looked at her mother. “Mom, what if he doesn’t make it? I have to make sure he makes it.” Aspen letting go of her mother and taking her hand. Watching the team rushing taking her father out of the room to the OR. “You have to get better father.”

Rory watched them call a cease fire for a time being he still had a lot of questions about it like what in the hell kind of a book was Randall even working on that he needed to talk about it with Forbes. That seemed so beneath the Forbes that he knew and had heard about why would he care about some b-list book? Instead he saw Blythe approach and let Aspen and her mother have a moment while Aspen stated that Randall would get better. He hoped that he would of course but falling down a flight of stairs seemed pretty bad, then again Natasha has survived a similar fall. He watched as Aspen and her mother went to the nurses’ station to fill out paperwork for Randall and wondered what he was supposed to do. Sitting around like a bump on a log seemed so beneath him and he had no update on Max his leg almost started shaking only he saw Yasine watching him and he stopped. He missed her more than he cared to admit as his friend first and foremost, but he had proposed to Aspen and the entire fall that happened he was partially responsible for.

“I really appreciate you not escalating things with her. With everything going on with Max missing and now Randall.” Rory said his voice began to fade off while he looked around the waiting room at the chaos and all the people in the filthy clothes from the explosion. He shuddered remembering how the blast had thrown him and Aspen to the ground. It was almost surreal that they were standing in the middle of a hospital relatively unscathed while others were not so lucky judging by the massive amounts of chaos that he was surrounded with. “You must not have been on the boat that is good. I do think I saw your sister with Thor there though, have you heard from them? I’m hoping that the police call with a lead on Max soon, they teamed up with Ronan to help look for her and Sebastian is a mess. I know that Max has been difficult lately but to just disappear tonight is really unlike her, maybe the good part is no one has called to find her body though you know?” Rory said he was anxious about Max’s disappearance but the longer she was gone the longer he felt that time was running out and it would end horribly for his older sister.

Yasmine saw Rory’s fear for his sister and honestly felt horrible for him. Frankly she felt horrible for them all even the banshee named Aspen or Victoria. Whatever name she wanted to be called, her life was forever changed by her father. “Max is a fighter and honestly I think that she isn’t the type to let an explosion take her down. She is too ferocious for that and I can admit that.”  One of the few Devonshire’s who wouldn’t accept her and Rory and she was far too grandiose to die in an explosion. Max was too much of a fire to be stomped out by whatever was going on. Reaching out she touched Rory’s arm to reassure him. “Look I’d be afraid for everyone else when Max gets in here. She’s not dead and she’s not a body, Rory, stop being pessimistic, your sister is a strong woman.” When she heard Thor and Cassie were on board her stomach dropped. Where are they? Were they hurt or alright? “I should go find my family, Rory and you should go comfort your girl. She needs you.” Yasmine looked at him and turned back around. “You look really handsome in your suit. Always did.” Walking away Yasmine went to find Cassie because she needed someone to help her with her insane father and even crazier brother. 

Rory had no idea why he watched Yasmine walk away like he did with a yearning, he was supposed to be this amazing guy with Aspen so that is the role he would be. He felt a bit more calm after talking to Yasmine about Max; his sister was strong and independent to boot, meaning maybe no news was the best news and she was right everything would end up like it should. Max would be found and her baby would be fine, Sebastian and she would work through whatever they were going through. He felt his phone buzz and took it out seeing the headline about DGI and a sextape involving his brother, just what the family needed more drama. He then focused his attention back on Aspen and her mother who had gathered in the waiting room chairs waiting for news on Randall. He took his phone out and texted his siblings to let them know that he was alright and at the hospital with Aspen. He would wait with her until he heard news about Max and then he would be there that seemed to make the most sense. We walked to where Aspen was sitting with her mother and placed his arm around her shoulder to comfort her. Wondering why Yasmine was still on his mind even now and what it all meant.

**********

Brooke walked down the halls of St. Christopher as she wondered what was wrong with her mother. This couldn’t be real that Brenda caused the accident that had injured two different prominent women. Dani had always been polite in passing and Greer was a vile social climber but this was horrifying. More horrifying than the bomb that went off earlier. Thank God Atticus’ team kept them safe and protected Anderson and Cara when they were located. Her mother was found with Walter and she wasn’t drunk then. When she saw her last she was grateful they were safe and now they were dealing with her possibly killing three different people. If Greer child didn’t make it, she shook the dark thoughts out of her head. The bitterness in her mouth tasted like years of regret. She should have said something about her mother’s drinking a long time ago and this now had happened. Then the elephant in the room was what was she going to do about a liver? Her father murdered and her mother dead because she couldn’t face her demon? Or jailed before her wedding? Brooke felt Atticus’ hand at her back. She exhaled looking back at her brother who had a similar exhausted expression on his face. “This can’t be real can it?” She asked rhetorically not really speaking to anyone. 

Looking at the handcuff on her mother as she saw her swollen and bruised face. Tears instantly formed and slid down her porcelain face. Gripping her hands into fist she looked at her mother and shook her head. “Wake up!” She commanded as she walked into the room. When she noticed her not waking she was ignoring her. She wouldn’t let her hold onto the vanity any longer or not talk about how she got here. How this happened. Picking up the ice water pitcher she tossed it in her face. “Get up! I said wake up damnit!” Brooke saw her mother jumping out of her skin and everyone was shocked at her expression of rage. “No more playing games mother you are about to go to jail. Do you hear me? It’s all because of you that Dani Devonshire and Greer LeClerq are fighting for their lives. Say something! Say something mother!” 

Brenda sat confused and soaking wet. Infuriated as she looked at her daughter. “Well Brookie you are every bit of a dramatic model. Look at you huffing and puffing all worked up but I don’t feel good. But like I told the neanderthal Jackson Devonshire I haven’t drank a sip.” She said slurred knowing she sounded insane. She felt inebriated but she hadn’t had any liquor although she desperately wanted one glass of champagne. Just one drop of her best friend. The bottle hadn’t betrayed her or turned their back on her and it was always trusting her. She had danced with many devils to get to the top and she wasn’t about to stop now. Tears were burning in her eyes. “I don’t know what has happened but I’m telling you and I’m telling everyone who will listen I’m not drunk. I haven’t drank and you have to believe me! I have no one but you all and I will not lie to you.” She yanked at her arm and looked at Anderson, her first born. Just looking into his eyes she knew he didn’t believe her. “Where is Hunter? He’d believe me because of how you are looking at me you don’t. Where can I go? Huh? Why are they cuffing me to this bed? I am telling you both the truth and I demand my children to trust and believe in what I am saying.”

It was a fucking mess was a good word for it the boat explosion had changed everything luckily for him Cara and the rest of their family they were alive. His running mate’s son in law however had perished and the press was swarming, he thought his family was in the clear. That was until he arrived at the hospital and watched as his mother was wheeled into a room by paramedics followed by Dani Devonshire and Greer LeClerq he had barely got the full story before he watched as a blonde detective Rebecca something had handcuffed his mother to the bed something about drunk driving. He was appalled the more he learned of the accident that Brenda had crossed the lines and hit Dani and Greer head on the other car swerving to avoid the impact on a very pregnant Greer. The family had gathered in the waiting room from information and he had carefully watched his sister with Atticus. Hunter had come by looking stoic at it all, simply leaning down to tell him that Bliss was with her family since Max had been found and admitted her son had passed away. He watched as his sister went into the room and confronted their mother, feeling himself jump when she threw the water on her.

“Mom, you crossed the lines when your car hit Dani’s and I know you said that you stopped but you’ve had a problem for a while. I think that is what Brooke is trying to get at.” Anderson said his voice stayed even while he shot his younger sister a glare. It had been a trying night. Throwing a pitcher of water on their clearly intoxicated mother wasn’t for him anyways the right solution. There were always better ways to handle things than flying off the handle. “I know that you said that you weren’t drinking anymore but the car crossed the line perhaps you fell asleep at the wheel? I know that dialysis has been taking a lot out of you lately. The nurses and David said it would make you more tired. Maybe we need to ask someone to run some bloodwork to check.” Anderson said, seeing Brooke seething at him a bit and he shrugged her off their mother was in liver failure and without a new one she was very ill and on borrowed time. He looked up at Cara for a moment when Brenda asked about Hunter. “Hunter is with Bliss and the Devonshires. I’m sure he will stop by later, Max lost her child.”

Brenda smiled as Cara handed her a towel to wipe her face. She scowled at her drama child and her mind raced wondering exactly what happened. She hadn’t touched the bottle and knew it for certain. “I assure you all I haven’t touched a drop of alcohol. I depend on my family trusting that I want to see my daughter who happens to be a damn brat be married and my grandchildren Fox, the baby Bliss is carrying, Poppy, and my beloved grandson Wyatt for sure marry. I plan on the Kincaid legacy rising so strong but right now I don’t feel like myself. It’s very possible that I could have fallen asleep but I’m telling you I wasn’t myself. I wasn’t Anderson and I Brooke I vow to you take my urine, test my blood do whatever but I’m telling you I didn’t drink. I haven’t drank since David put me on the list to get a new liver. I want to be around and I have the man I love for once my life is complete and I want to live it. So no drinking. None of you are you all listening to me? No, I won’t question if you’re listening to me! I’m demanding you pay attention to me. I’m not lying and…” She paused hearing Max Devonshire lost her baby. That explosion had stolen so much from them all. Fear crept into her soul if her family believed she hurt Greer and Dani then what would the general public think? Her head pounded as she gripped the railing on the bed. “I’m not guilty. I know this is bad but I would never hurt those girls. I wouldn’t do that to Walter’s daughter and that other girl is nine months pregnant. She has a baby inside of her, think I’m begging you to think. I’m not a monster. Please, you are my kids, believe in me for once! Brooke for once! Why would I fall off the wagon tonight?” 

Brooke looked at Cara and Anderson and wondered if she had overreacted but she was sick of this. The damage was done. Whatever had happened, two women were fighting for their lives. “Mom, if we test your blood right now and it comes back positive and Dani or Greer or Greer’s baby doesn’t make it then you are done. Are you sure you want that?: Then it actually dawned on Brooke that if her mother wasn’t drunk and what if it was something else? What if it was something worse than her liver failing? Anderson was right they had to clear her name or at least do more tests. “I’m sorry mother. I’m just freaked out and this is too much. You are in so much trouble. I need you at my wedding, I need my mom and I don’t have daddy anymore and Anderson isn’t around and Hunter is living a perfect life with Bliss but we are drifting apart and I need us.” She said, wiping her eyes as he looked at her big brother and walked into his arms. “God mom this is bad because what if it’s something worse? If you aren’t drinking, what if you are sicker than we thought?” Brooke said looking at Anderson finally feeling like she was on his wavelength. He was worried about this but didn’t say it.

Brenda sat stoic wondering if Brooke had said the elephant in the room. Was she losing her mind and somehow this happened? What was really going on? “I want all the tests done right  now damnit. Get David in here! Get him!” She screeched as tears burned in her eyes.

Anderson pulled Cara to him tightly, seeing his mother handcuffed to the bed was hard but she made excellent points why now to fall off the wagon when Brooke was getting married? For once he wished that Hunter wasn’t embroiled again with the Devonshire family when he should have been with them in the hospital room instead. He got that he was also trying to be there for Bliss but he didn’t think Hunter owed Max anything at all, she had played his brother for years. So many affairs and treating him like garbage he was honestly glad when Hunter had grown a pair and divorced her. He got up from the chair bringing his little sister into a hug for support while he looked at his mother leaning down and squeezing her hand. “I’ll go find David or someone that can be trusted to run a full panel. We’ll get to the bottom of this.” Anderson said exiting the room and seeing Cara with him and he went straight to the nurses desk someone was going to run a full blood panel, whether it be the cute blonde at the station, one of the male nurses that was there or David himself.

**********

Forbes walks into the hospital untying his trench coat as he throws it in his arms. Looking around he saw mayhem, people all disorientated. A hospital full of people harmed by the mob life and no doubt Ronan Madden. He understood destruction at a cost but this was unnecessary bloodshed. When Cassie called him he knew he had to come for two reasons. One being Thor was always like a child to him. He was always his pick and Cassie had always had her mother’s taste in men. He despised Jon Harrison and Nicholas Wolfe was a treacherous snake. When he made it to the waiting room he saw people covered in dirt and grime but wearing Tom Ford it was quite a dichotomy. When he saw his daughter rubbing her growing belly he felt fear. “Did the doctor say anything about my grandchild? Are you alright?” She said that Thor protected her and he could feel Carla’s pride. Grabbing Cassie into a tight hug because her eyes didn’t know how demented he was. She had yet to learn the truth and he could tell Yasmine or Philip could never look at him the same. Philip had known or suspected for months disintegrating his respect for him. Forbes had no choice but if Philip thought he would be CEO of MontCorp he’d have to eliminate his own son. “I could have invested in the mob years ago and helped Carla. We were dear friends it’s moments like this I wish she was around. He needs her and Ronan Madden isn’t anywhere to be found for his brother.” He scoffed as he touched her red hair. It amazed him how much she looked like Audrey. 

“How is my boy? Thor must pull through.” He said, thinking about Randall now. He had revealed the truth and it was so disheartening because he’d always been fond of Randall but he was dead. Tonight he would die but painfully he knew some secrets needed to stay buried. “Tell me what they are saying about him? Is he going to make it.” Fear that Thor would die to his brother’s madness when he was stepping out of the mob life. The world wasn’t fair and looking in his child’s eyes he made sure she understood he was here for her. “I do have other things to discuss with you Cassandra. Once you’re done telling me how Thor is doing.” He could see her eyes drifting off to fear. “Cassie, are you alright?” Forbes snapped his fingers in her shocked face. It was like she was drifting off to another place.

Cassie had gone with Thor in the ambulance all the way to the hospital. It had been so chaotic on the boat all the destruction and the stench of death. She was certain that Thor had told her about the violence of the mob on and off but he’d always tried his best to shield her from it. If anything, when they would go on break it was often because he thought it wasn’t safe enough for them and she understood that they always seemed to find their way back. Part of him stepping back was to avoid that again, it seemed like a moot point Ronan always brought the worst out in his life. She had managed to go into the bathroom and wash the blood off her. Hands, though the bottom of her gown was covered in dust and grime, a red stain on her skirt where Thor’s blood had been. She had watched the blood go down the drain swirling and wondered if that was what her own mother’s blood had looked like when they drained the tub before shaking her head and walking back to the waiting room. When she saw her family arrive with Randall she stared ahead. What had happened to her uncle At the mansion? She barely heard her father till he snapped his fingers at her breaking her from the trance she was in. She actually wondered if anyone in Atlas Falls would be alright after tonight. For the first time the elite and the rest of the people had been caught in Ronan’s crossfire. 

“I’m not bleeding and I’m okay, they took Thor back into surgery one minute we were standing there on the boat celebrating and the next.” Cassie said her voice trailing off everything had happened so quickly they had been towards the back by the slot machines and the press had been taking pictures of her and Thor. She’d felt the ground shake and then a loud boom Thor had thrown her to the ground and she looked over at her father. “He had a huge shard of glass poking through his back. Someone blew up the casino. My guess Ronan Madden wanted to make his own statement or someone wanted to make one to him. I’m glad we got out of The club with him when we did. Could you imagine if they decided to target that?”

Forbes stayed silent as he listened and waited for the opportune time to speak. Cassie was a big girl, his beloved daughter. He wondered how Philip or Yasmine would spin his obsession with Lauren. How would his eldest daughter judge and condemn echoed richly throughout his mind. “I honestly can imagine Cassie a lot. Thor is strong and although I detest mob violence some things are unavoidable. You see the very people after Ronan wanted this to happen. The east coast don’s family blood spilled all across that sunken boat. I can’t seem to stomach the schemes and machinations that’s happening but I do need to tell you about MontCorp and tonight.” Forbes saw the concern about Thor fading and a shrewd businesswoman was emerging; he just prayed it was for his side and not against him. “Cassandra years I made a choice that is currently haunting us now. You see I helped you uncle Randall and Aunt Blythe with their adoption of baby Aspen. However I failed to tell a soul where I acquired this toddler. Randall and Blythe’s daughter happens to be the long missing Victoria Frasier and Lauren’s lost child as well as the mayor of Atlas Falls Walter. Randall has found out and your brother has made moves to protect us all but Yasmine witnessed us at our worst.” He said barely above a whisper. 

Forbes stood back letting the horror and shock resonate on his daughter’s face. She looked so much like her mother, a woman he had to be free of after her betrayals. “I loved Lauren once upon a time. You must understand that? You can’t judge me when you’ve crossed every line for love and I love deeply. Where do you think you get that from Cassie or shall I remind you of Nicholas?” He said nastily with all the venom he could muster. At this very moment he wasn’t mad at Cassie it felt like Audrey stood before him judging him. Judging that he staged her death and had to take Philip and Cassie’s mother’s life. She insisted on embarrassing him and he had to show Audrey. Stepping back Cassie stood before him. She was gone, Audrey was gone but he could still hear her laughing and mocking him. His lips sneered as he saw his sweet girl Yasmine rounding the corner. 

Yasmine saw her father talking to Cassie and her blood ran cold. Has he already bent her sister’s ear? Tussling her mind as if he didn’t admit he kidnapped a child for a twisted hero worship and a relationship that never happened. Looking in his eyes she could see he hadn’t admitted the truth. Taking a deep gulp she stood in front of Cassie. “I want to talk to my sister alone and I want you out of my sight. You disgust me.” She watched Forbes lurch off in the shadows. “If this makes any difference but I’m all but sure he gave you the abbreviated version but oh my God, Cassie it’s so much worse my God what Philip did. How he spoke MontCorp is not worth my soul. I don’t know about yours but my soul isn’t planning on burning forever. Cassie this is sick and I know you have a helluva lot going but this takes precedence girl. Philip almost killed Randall. I didn’t expect this being a Montgomery.” Yasmine blurted out her stomach clutching. Clearing her voice she looked into her sisters eyes. “Please tell me what to do Cassie.” She whispered as she wiped the corners of her eyes as tears threatened to fall.

Cassie watched as her father walked down the hallway gathering the information that was presented to her, she knew that Thor was with the best doctors in the hospital. He was strong and he doubted very much that he would give up on her or their child. She cut her eyes over to Yasmine and saw Philip in the hallway looking at her, of course her brother had to take things into his own hands. She knew her father had his dark side, she was well aware of that but to kidnap Victoria from that car and pretend to be a savior to Lauren was a complete mindfuck. Yes she had done things for love, most recently keeping the secret of Miles from Jon and she had been proved right in that quest. She met Philip’s eyes again as she hugged Yasmine, MontCorp swirling in her mind what would happen to their legacy if the truth came out. It would be tarnished, the scandal would be huge and she had always sworn to protect that legacy for her mother and most importantly for herself and Philip. Meaning she needed more information about Randall’s condition before she made a choice, but the bottom line was MontCorp had to come first.

“You can’t tell anyone what you saw tonight Yasmine let me and Philip handle it. Don’t worry about father. You are a Montgomery and we have to do what is best for us.” Cassie said, rubbing her sister’s back. She saw their father out of the corner of her eye and wondered what he was thinking, as she watched Philip make his way down towards where they were looking and caring for Randall. There had always been a darkness inside their family and she certainly didn’t want to be reminded about her past with Nicholas, not when her future was with Thor and her unborn child. She wrapped her arms around Yasmine as she led her to one of the window seats looking at the darkness in the sky. “Let’s just sit and see what happens, besides I could use some company till I hear how Thor is.” Cassie finished, looking cautiously at her obviously rattled sister only hoping that for now their secret was safe.

**********

Simon parked the boat against the opposite side of the lake, the seedy part of town away from all the cabins and the ski resort, his hand going to his chest it was still bleeding and he took a seat on the chair. Looking around the deck he spotted the first aid kit while he saw Hector scanning the area for signs of Max, Hector and Gia his hands were shaking as he flipped the case open. Blood smeared the top while he fumbled for something to press onto the wound on his chest from where Hector had caught him with a blade in the bathroom. The adrenaline was wearing off and it burned and was painful. He didn’t know if he needed stitches and found the antiseptic wipe and gauze and went to clean the wound seeing Ivan reaching to help him. He flinched a bit at the sting of the medication before he saw Ivan place the gauze on and then a bandage over it. Stopping the bleeding for now though he was pissed and annoyed that his shirt was now covered in blood too. He took a moment to catch his breath as he watched Ivan picking up the first aid kit.

“Thank you for what you did with your uncle. I probably should have listened to you earlier but I just thought that handling things my way would be better. I should have just let you handle this and none of us would be where we are now. Do you think Hector would harm Max?” Simon asked looking at Ivan, he knew that Hector was a monster from what he understood but Max was pregnant. Not even Ronan was that cruel from what he knew something about a code of ethics there in the mafia, which he honestly was a little taken aback with. On the other hand he remembered that it was one of the only reasons Lowell had agreed to the casino with Ronan and massive blackmail thanks to Jackson and Jamal’s mess with Ronan and Kendrick. “Any luck on cell phone reception?” Simon asked to reach into pocket to see if it was back up only to see cars arriving at the warehouse and he tried his best to see who was there. “Alright nevermind let’s go see who just got here and see if we can figure out where Gia and Hector went to.” Simon said as he took a few steps, wincingly deciding that he needed a vacation or a break.

Ivan took a deep breath as he used the binoculars to look around. He remained silent as he turned to look at Simon. “I know you’re hurt but we need to find Max. I don’t trust Gia and I believe that Hector is obsessed with her and.” He paused as he looked at Simon almost stumbling. “Look at me if you need to sit then stay seated. I will find them because I can’t trust that they’d really do anything but hurt Max to be honest.” Ivan saw Simon stiffen up and he took his hand and pulled him with him. Seeing the lights he prayed it was more people to possibly help locate Max and Gia. Both women had no clue how demented his uncle was. He wondered if Gia would be so down for him if she knew how twisted Hector truly was. Moving through the first warehouse the pitch black darkness showed they weren’t there. Then he spotted the only warehouse with lights flickering as the sirens blared in the background. Simon couldn’t keep up and he’d slow him down. Tonight it was going to end between his uncle and himself. He tried to rape his boyfriend and sickly tormented him with the abuse he was subjected to by him. “They are in there. I’m going inside and you stay here and lead the police to me and them.” Leaning down he kissed Simon forehead. “Stay!” Ivan rushed off. 

Sebastian and the AFPD had gotten word that some people had seen Gia and Max on a speedboat. His heart was pumping because Gia was insane as was her casually submissive thug who would do anything for her. If Max was with them and possibly in labor then it wouldn’t surprise him in least that all support would be to Gia. His fiance was in danger and that fear fueled him. For years he’d sat back and tried to change. He tried to be the man that had integrity. If his fiance had a hair out of place, he’d kill them both. Sebastian’s lip curled showing the rage building. He’d washed the money and his hands were clean. He wasn’t a monster like his parents who ran Spain. Who killed people in the name of the Navarro clan who were some of the deadliest mobsters overseas. Cosa Nostra power that Sebastian walked away from. Now all the fear and rage ate at him because didn’t have that power his infantile  little brother was in control. “Have you seen my fiancé and do you know how and why Max is with them?”

Ivan approached Sebastian as he walked to the warehouse. “I know that Simon was attacked by Hector and that they somehow got Max with them. All I know is she was on the speedboat with them. Other than that I know nothing but she might be in labor. Look, Hector is a lot of things but I don’t believe he’d hurt a baby so let’s go help them both.” He said with a calmness trying to ease his nerves. “The police have to arrest Hector afterwards though I think.” Sebastian could remember a time when his uncle played with fireworks. In some ways this screamed Hector an explosion. They approached the back of the only warehouse. The police entered the building sweeping in as Ivan and Sebastian followed as a hollow cry of a baby cried out.

“Max! Max! Max!” Sebastian ran up to the baby cries as he saw Gia laying on a dirty tarp holding a baby. His heart dropped as the officers surrounded Hector. Moving through the warehouse he knew that his fiancé was hurt or in trouble. “Max!” He said as he moved to the front and he saw her unconscious holding a very still beautiful little boy. He gasped she wasn’t moving and his son wasn’t either. Crouching down he touched his son and he was cold. Then pressed his finger on Max’s neck her pulse was faint.  He looked back at Ivan. “Please call an ambulance.” Looking at Hector he saw Sebastian going to lead the ambulance to them. Then he saw red as Hector ran to him. He needed to blame someone because his child was ice cold. His fiance was barely breathing and his entire world was unraveling. He knew that Enrique was gone but what happened? What had Hector done and what happened to Max? Sebastian charged at the man punching him repeatedly. “What have you done?”

Simon had forgotten about his injury as they made their way off the boat and right into sebastian. He kept up as best he could with Ivan as they scrambled towards the warehouse and then he heard the sirens in the distance thank fuck the police were almost there. He hadn’t been prepared for what he saw Gia clutching a baby clearly having just delivered and he saw Sebastian rush ahead to Max and he struggled himself to make his way there. He thought of Max like a sister; her brother was one of his best friends, once there though he simply sat down by her looking over at Ivan and then back at Max and the infant she held. The baby was so still and was clearly gone, Max was barely breathing. He saw Sebastian lash out in anger at Hector and he almost saw Ivan get into it as well until the police and paramedics stormed the building separating them. It was horrific and he watched Sebastian struggle, seeing them place a bag on Max to help her breathe while Sebastian trembled picking up his son. Simon felt Ivan touch his shoulder and he simply looked at him realizing that he was crying at the horror not even sure what there was to say if there was anything at all.

**********

Mason had rode in the car in silence watching the massive amounts of traffic that were piling up, even having to stop as he watched a helicopter take off and head towards the hospital. Once cleared he saw two mangled cars and turned his head to his sister, Kelsey’s words still being a jumbled mess none of it was making sense there was a boat explosion people were being brought in Zach was hurt. He had seen a call from Miranda and a voicemail that was on his phone but he hadn’t listened to it yet. He wanted to get to the hospital and find his husband and then everything would be alright and everything would go back to normal. Once they had reached the hospital and he looked across the main entrance to all the people’s clothes tattered and torn, smoke covered some of them, dirt and grime a sinking feeling settled into the pit of his stomach about what had actually happened. He finally spotted KC and Miranda and he made his way towards them. Each step feeling like he was sinking in concrete as he looked around at their sullen faces, he saw all the blood on Miranda’s shirt. What in the hell was going on?

“What in the hell is going on Kelsey called me telling me that Zach was hurt. Where is she, where is Zach? Why is their blood all over your shirt?” Mason asked, seeing Miranda looking up at him horrified and with tears in her eyes, he waited for a moment for someone to explain something to him. It felt like an eternity before he watched Miranda open her mouth to say something only to burst out in tears. He saw KC reach down to comfort her and an uneasy feeling settled inside of him almost like a hollow feeling. He saw Selina and his mother looking at them and saw people staring and he asked again this time his voice wavering as he did so. “Miranda what happened? Where is Zach?” He asked his gut telling him that he didn’t want to know the answer.

Miranda had waited in the waiting room with KC numbly staring at the wall after she had left the voicemail for Mason, her thoughts a jumbled mess. Zach was fine. Jayden didn’t know what he was talking about and she would wait for the doctor to tell them that, to prove she was right. He however had never come out to tell them otherwise. She freely let the tears fall as KC held her knowing that Jon was with Devin looking for Max Devonshire, the entire department would be devastated by Zach’s death and then she realized she hadn’t even called Zach’s parents, or Brock hell she hadn’t even seen Kelsey yet at the hospital. None of it was fair in her mind Zach had just gotten married, he and Mason were planning to start a family. How was it fair that Ronan’s ties to the mob would kill her partner and friend? For simply doing his damn fucking job and looking after innocent people and trying to protect the people of Atlas Falls. She turned to rage briefly at Ronan and the mob about how intertwined it all was at the casino, all under the premise of the Devonshire name, what a load of shit.

Mason’s voice snapped her out of her hazy thoughts before she snapped her head at him to look at him. She was still trying to comprehend what he was asking and she opened her mouth to say something only a huge sob came out and she couldn’t even speak. She took a few minutes to compass herself while Selina and some woman she didn’t know stared at her. “The boat, there was an explosion Zach was trying to signal to me that something was wrong. I think someone was trying to hurt Ronan. He wasn’t there when I came too and then KC and Jon found him in the water. They took him here and Jayden said he was gone but I know he’s not. Doctors make mistakes all the time. He’ll come out and tell us all that. I just thought you should know. He’s going to be fine.” Miranda said repeating it back in her thoughts while she could sweat that KC was looking at her and Selina was well, she saw KC shake his head at Mason and she let out another sob.

KC looked at the denial covering his wife and his heart sank. At this very moment her stoicism  was working against the good of this situation. Jayden had declared Zach dead and all he could do was shake his head. When his wife crumbled again in his arms he didn’t feel like a movie scene or had some reference to come up with. No wit or humor could fix the raw heartbreak Miranda was feeling. Not only that but breaking the news to Mason by just a look and gesture. He felt the weight of his friend’s loss and the pure agony that etched into Mason’s face. Holding her he looked at Mason and knew these words were going to be hitting him left and right. He was so sorry and that meant nothing. “Zach is gone but he died a warrior Mason. He fought all the way to the end.” Instead of stating how sorry he was he would honor Zach with knowing he protected the people of Atlas Falls with his life. Pulling Miranda into his arms he stared at Selina and a woman who looked shockingly like Gloria Delacroix. 

Selina covered her mouth as she stared at KC and what he said she looked at Mason’s body holding up his broken soul. The thought never crossed her mind, that Zach could die. He was fearless and just hearing what Miranda said she couldn’t believe, he was gone. With a snap of her fingers Zach’s life was over and all she could do was cover her mouth. Unsure of what else to do but she walked to her brother and wrapped her arm around him. Her lip quivering she looked at Miranda almost pissed she gave her brother a modicum of hope. “Where is the doctor?” Selina seethed as she looked around. “I want to know the doctor that worked on my brother-in-law and I want to know what happened? What happened tonight Miranda? You are his partner? Huh aren’t you two supposed to have some special police bond or something? Some code? My cousin never leaves Jon’s side! That’s what partners do right? Where were you Miranda? Why didn’t you have his back?” 

KC cut his eyes at Selina unsure if now was the moment that he’d have to snap. He was trying his damndest to be kind but Selina’s tone was far too pointed. “You want to blame someone, Selina? Huh? Blame the people you work for who covered up a mob operation that was then called a luxury yacht and casino. Don’t do that okay.”

Gloria looked at the young man before her and the crying cop bitch and had absolutely enough. She didn’t like how he spoke to Selina and once again nobody said a motherfucking word about where the doctor was. For all she knew crying white cop bitch could be right. However she wanted to slap the fuck out her for saying he was going to be fine. “Listen to me, my daughter is only asking the damn questions we all want to know trick.” Pointing her index finger in his forehead. “Now where the fuck is the doctor. My son’s motherfucking husband might be dead and we got you two dumb asses telling him. Where is a doctor? Why is everyone looking at us? Huh a decorated cop might be gone and his husband is asking what happened and nobody is saying shit!” She screamed with all her might. “What is it because I’m black?” 

“Enough!” Jayden yelled as he looked at them all and saw Mason and Selina. His heart sank for a multitude of reasons. “Listen, what you won’t do is insinuate that St. Christopher’s is racist or anything of that magnitude. You won’t stand here and disrespect this hospital or the staff. In fact if you have a problem with our care you are free to leave kee making a scene miss you’ll be escorted off the premises. I doubt you’d want to do that because you’re with your first children Ms. Delacroix.” Jayden turned to look at Mason and knew this was hard. “If you would like to talk to me. I have no problem answering any of your questions Mason.”

Mason looked at KC and at Miranda seeing the crushed look on their faces he knew what KC meant and he almost felt like his knees were going to give out before he leaned over and sat down in the hair numbly looking at his hands. Zach was gone, they had just talked about plans to move to Washington to look into adoption and they were meeting with a surrogate in a few weeks about maybe even starting their own family. It honestly felt like it shouldn’t be possible that this was happening to him at the moment or Zach they were good people. Zach was a good person, one of the best men that he knew and he looked back at his sister and his mother. They were angry and he got that but his sister was straight up out of line. “Selina.” He said his voice barely above a whisper before looking at Miranda and KC. “Zach respected the badge he wore. I knew what he did was dangerous. I knew what he saw and what it entailed, I just never thought.” His voice trailed off as he looked at his mother too, his head was still swimming when who he assumed was the doctor came out and he looked at the man and read his name tag Jayden Bradshaw. “I just want to know what happened and where my husband is.” Mason said feeling the sting of tears hitting his eyes and he wiped at them to keep them at bay.

“Listen man Zach is strong and he just wouldn’t quit on me, we were making plans to go to Washington he’d just gotten his FBI approval transfer. We were going to go look at places next week, we were talking surrogates and kids.” Mason said seeing the shock of the move they had been planning on his sister’s face and he brushed KC’s hand off his shoulder. None of it made sense Zach wouldn’t fucking quit on him like that he’d hang the fuck on for them for their future and he saw the doctor looking at him like he was crazy. He wanted to pace or throw something. What he really wanted was for Zach to come out of whatever room he was in saying it was a god awful prank and that they would be fine, that everything would be fine. “I want answers and I want to see Zach now and if you can’t provide those for me then I suggest that you do find someone that can provide me those answers.”

“I’m the person you are looking to speak with and I can provide you all the answers you want. We got a report that two officers dug your husband out of the rubble and debris after the explosion. Also from my understanding he was by the spot where the explosion began. Your husband no doubt to me was facing multiple internal injuries and due to those injuries we couldn’t save him. I did everything I could and my team fought hard. He was gone before he even got here. We could never resuscitate him and after working on him for almost forty-five minutes. I declared Mr. Fraiser dead and I truly am sorry if you want to see him, I will arrange that now. He isn’t fighting through this. This is something nobody could have prevented except whomever planted a bomb on a luxury boat casino. By the time he came here Zach was basically gone Mason. I am truly sorry to you and your family.” He cut his eyes at Miranda in her hysteria. She gave him some sense of hope or that somehow Zach would somehow come out of this. “Please come with me if you would like to see him.” 

**********

Lex and Charles had barely made it through the hospital’s main entrance when his father was swarmed by aides. He heard them rattling off updates as the group forged ahead towards the private room where Whitney was sequestered, leaving Lex all but forgotten in the lobby. Not that he cared. Being an afterthought or a never-thought to his father was the way of things his whole life. When he was useful, when he had something Charles wanted or could get it he had value otherwise, it was out of sight, out of mind. So, right now when he was facing the death of his best friend and brother-in-law – brother, if you asked him – the last person he wanted to be with was his sperm donor. He pulled out his phone and called Connor. His little brother answered on the first ring and had just caught wind of the news from that shithole Midwest hell where Charles had sent him as punishment for letting a sex tape get leaked. Or maybe it was having one in the first place. Or just existing to complicate his life. It didn’t really matter why, what mattered was that he was a part of this family and was finding out about the explosion on some late night breaking news report when he should be here. Ryan’s death wasn’t yet public knowledge, of course. The release of that information would be carefully controlled by Charles’ PR team. He’d announce it soon enough, his voice quivering with fake emotion at the great loss suffered by his family. At least Connor wasn’t hearing that third hand. He needed to call one more person  before Charles’ news conference. Ryan’s longtime girlfriend, Nova. The woman he’d cheated on Whit with for years. The one who would be waiting for him to return to Texas after the divorce. It might be fucked up but that’s what Ryan would have wanted. 

Keeping out of earshot of his father, Lex filled Connor in on all the details he had as he followed his father and promised to call as soon as they had funeral arrangements. As he hung up, he overheard two EMTs posted up in the hallway, decompressing after a long night, gossiping about Dani and the car accident. He slowed his pace, trying to pick up as much information as he could about his former fiancée. Everyone knew they weren’t together so he couldn’t very well ask the staff about her. He didn’t have an in with the Devonshire camp but Walter had always liked him. Before he could think more about it, he found himself in the doorway, watching Whitney break down with their father standing by. It was surreal watching the man who made his and Connor’s life hell, comfort his sister but for her sake he was glad. He was fighting his own tears, both for Ryan and his sister’s loss and he stroked her hair, letting his hand come to rest on her shoulder. “Whitney, I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” he said, wiping his eyes with his free hand. His father looked annoyed at the intrusion. Or maybe it was his lack of self control, letting his emotions get the better of him. “You know I’m here for you and the kids. Whatever you need. Me and Connor both. Just say the word.” 

Whitney looked across the private hospital room, the fluorescent lights humming in her ears, it was better than the ringing of the explosion and the chaos that followed. She and Ryan had been walking behind her father, Anderson and Cara. The boat shook and suddenly there was a hole in the ground and Ryan was no longer there. She had been flung into someone she couldn’t remember. It was all so blurry and chaotic when she woke screaming, she stumbled to the stairs along with everyone else looking for an escape. Trying to find Ryan in the chaos of the boat or her father and Lex. Only she took a wrong turn with the smoke and had landed at the bottom and the water had hit her first until she nearly slipped on a stair thanks to her heels. It was there she found Ryan, his burt body almost unrecognizable. The smell alone was embedded in her and she held him screaming and she didn’t even know how long she had stayed there locking eyes with two men on their way out. She didn’t even know who had drug her kicking and screaming from the water, she was simply numb as she broke out of her haze to the waiting car and her father’s team there. She had laid down on the backseat curling herself into a ball while in an odd moment of love she felt her father’s coat wrap around her and his hand rest on her shoulder.

Once they had reached the hospital it was more chaos, her father staring stoic into the hallways making sure she had the best room while his staff that had survived scurried. There had been barely a mention or a word from the man in front of her about Ryan. She loved him, he was the father to their two children, he was her brother’s best friend, simply put he was family. She was still sobbing when one of the nurses came and she was pretty sure they gave her some sort of sedative, she had put on a gown when the doctor came in to give her a once over. She had extensive bruising to her side thanks to being thrown so close to the blast and she was cold, they were going to keep her for observation. She watched as her father looked out the window and she turned her attention to the door relief to see her brother. “He’s gone Lex. He was there and then there was a hole where we were. It happened too fast, I left him there in the bottom of that boat in the water. I was awful to him the last few weeks.” Whitney managed to get out the tears streaming down her face while she clung to her brother, her grief taking over again.

Lex wrapped his sister up in his arms as she fell into him. He felt her wince and he loosed his grip a bit, to avoid hurting her but couldn’t let go. He held onto her as much to comfort her as himself. “I can’t believe this. What are we going to do without him Whit?” He asked, losing the battle to keep his tears in check. What the fuck did it even matter? It’s not like anything he’d do would impress Charles. Nothing would be good enough and Ryan was more important than any of that. “What are Miles and little Morgi going to do? They lost the father that adored them and they aren’t even going to remember him.” He knew it would be up to them. Him, Whitney and Connor to keep Ryan’s memory alive but how the hell were they going to accomplish that? He thought about the way his mom used to tell to him to take things one day at a time. He thought about it so often after she’d died. When the days became too long without her, when he wished he could see her smile proudly at him once more. It wasn’t fair that Ryan was gone. They needed him. They weren’t complete without him. They’d been through so many elections, so many late nights on the campaign trail, so many drunken nights until Miles had come along, of course. Then they’d really felt like a family, hanging out on a Saturday morning watching cartoons while Whitney worked on speeches. And yes, there’d been nights in Texas with Ryan’s girlfriend Nova that he felt guilty about but Ryan always cared so deeply for Whitney and it seemed inconsequential now. 

He pulled back and wiped his eyes, taking Whitney’s face in his hands. “Listen to me Whit. You did everything you could. You did everything right. If he had been there he would have been the first person to tell you to leave because Miles and Morgan needed you. He never would have been able to fight his way out of there until he knew you were safe.” He stroked her hair, looking out the window, needing a break from her sad eyes to collect himself. He hated seeing her cry. He gathered his thoughts and looked back at her, hands on her shoulders. “He loved you. No matter what you were fighting about, he never thought you were awful. He only saw the most amazing women in the world. You were his partner and the mother of his children. Even apart, he would’ve held that special place for you. He wasn’t the perfect husband by any means but he loved the fuck out of those kids, Whitney and he loved the fuck out of you. No matter what. That’s all that matters now. He wouldn’t want you sitting here replaying any of the bad stuff.” He felt her shivering and pulled the blanket up from the foot of the bed, rubbing her arms. “I don’t know what to do for you. I don’t know how to fix this so you just tell me what you need. You need me to sleep on the couch? Stay with the kids? Make you breakfast? Anything.”

“We are your family Whitney and I assure you that anything you need will be handled.” Charles said looking at Lex who had offered himself to be a nanny which wouldn’t help them at all. They had however won a huge win. Tonight Whitney would now be the grieving political widow. Her husband had been snatched from her by the violence of the mob and that was more clout than he could ever imagine. She would be able to parlay this into almost anything and he wanted to use it perfectly because maybe Anderson Kincaid wouldn’t be his heir. His daughter was sitting right here but she wouldn’t be his puppet like Anderson. Either way the Hessington’s could use this in so many ways to benefit them all. “I am going to promise you that whatever comes next we will face this head on and together.” He touched his son and daughter’s arms to show some sort of unity. As much as an utter failure Lex was, he was good for this. He was more emotional than he cared to admit. He just needed one more thing to fall in place because everyone saw the sextape that was now over the media. If he could secure Dani then they could forever secure the Hessington name. He’d always assure they’d be rich but he wasn’t about to be around forever and using The Fraiser Pub as a catalyst to get everything that he wanted was ideal. 

Charles walked to Whitney holding her tightly in his arms.His mind was running rampant with how they could spin this. Whitney political capital just skyrocketed. The grieving widow. He never saw much use for Ryan. Far too weak for his family and he always imagined his son-in-law more smart. The son of a lumber dynasty could never be good enough for the Hessington heiress. “I think maybe you should go to our home in Europe for a couple of weeks. I don’t think you should be here for all this. You will have to explain all this to Miles and Morgan is only a baby.” Trying to use this to their advantage. When he had the proper game plan he would bring her home only to hear an alert on his phone. He was shocked to see the DGI scandal and reports of Dani Devonshire, Greer LeClerq and Brenda Kincaid all in an accident. Walking to his son he leaned down and whispered in his ear. “Go find out what’s happened to Dani she’s been in some sort of accident.” Not wanting to further upset Whitney to find out her best friend was severely hurt. As someone knocked on the door he turned to see who it was. Who would have the utter audacity to interrupt a family moment of his? To disturb him or his family? When he saw Jon at the door his teeth gritted. This guy was like a fungal infection he wouldn’t go away. “Detective Harrison, I do hope you being here means that you have word on what happened on that boat. In fact I do hope the AFPD is ready for me because I plan on placing my foot so far up your asses that Ronan will be the least of your worries. I want him behind bars. A Hessington is dead, a Devonshire is fucking missing, and countless are dead. Jon please tell me you have something to say other than a flimsy apology. Your condolences are as vapid and no longer good enough. I’m going to shake the core of the AFPD believe that.” 

“Listen, I’m here to see Whitney if she doesn’t want me to say I’ll leave. You do what you have to Charles. You piss standing up right, you bleed red correct, and you breathe the same damn air as me right? No man will make me quiver or shake. You want to know why? I watched my entire troop be slaughtered in Iraq, I saw people get killed shot right in the head in my face. So a man in an expensive suit could never rattle me. Try your big bad Governor speech with someone else. I do have to question though where you were when we were requesting more help from your office. We’ve been overwhelmed with gang violence, mob activity and a constant parade of insanity from both. This city is called the Hampton’s of Pennsylvania but this city has another side and it’s called Scottswood. That side of Atlas Falls deals with shootouts, violence, and all of what you are experiencing this very day. This city isn’t all lollipops and I’m glad you can get off your perch and see it. You can get your head from your ass and see that Atlas Falls is on fire literally and figuratively. I just lost a dear friend and when I heard about Whitney being stuck with Ryan and his body. I had to come and see her and make sure she was alright. I won’t take being berated by anyone, especially you. Charles so if you are done I’d like to speak with Whitney if she wants to talk to me. If not I’ll leave. However tonight we lost one of our own and I can tell you I’d appreciate it if you come with all the man power and backing we need to finally take on Ronan Madden and all that comes with him.” Jon said looking at Lex and Charles then saw Whitney who almost looked amused. 

Whitney was still so numb from it all seeing Ryan’s body float past her in all the debris from the ship was haunting. She had yet to think about how she was going to tell Miles that his father was dead and Morgan too though Morgan was still a toddler and likely wouldn’t understand. She looked silently out the window into The darkness of the sky, the soft glow of the city light reflected back when she felt a shudder run through her and a shift in her world. Of course her brother was there to comfort her and her father actually showing affection about the situation was a bit unnerving as well, she knew very much so he didn’t quite approve of Ryan. At the time Ryan and she looked good on paper and that appeased his voters. She looked at him when he mentioned going to the summer house in Europe like she was supposed to take a vacation after losing her husband. Was he insane? She supposed that was her fathers way of dealing with grief but she couldn’t see herself doing that. She shook her head no at that she wasn’t going to go off and leave, Miles was in school and she wasn’t going to uproot him again to Europe for a few weeks. She had gone to say something back only for the door to open and Jon to come in.

Honestly she felt guilty when she looked at him realizing that she had almost crossed that line with him a few weeks ago, granted it wasn’t like Ryan had been faithful. She knew where he was and who he visited when he had gone back to see his parents and check on the lumber mill, Nova. She saw her brother look at her father like something else had happened and of course the annoyance that Jon was there too, she couldn’t blame her brother. Jon had inadvertently led to a lot of issues with her brother and her best friend at the time. “Hi Jon.” She said quietly as she held back the tears looking at him across the room, it was all so raw the way she had seen Ryan just floating there in that cold water while she clung to him. “I think what my father was trying to say and maybe not in the best way possible is that he does hope something is done to Ronan Madden and Gia Falcone for bringing even more chaos to Atlas Falls and our state.” She said seeing her father look at her almost like he was impressed, she had watched and learned from him and was more poised then he was thanks to her mother. “After tonight it is good to see you of course you can stay. I think we were just getting a plan together about how to tell Miles and Morgan about what happened.” She finished her voice barely above a whisper to the quiet room where it felt like you could hear a pin drop.

Ryan was Miles’ father just as much as he was, in many ways moreso. Placing his hands in his pocket he lowered his head. “Zach Fraiser was killed tonight as well. We just got word. Listen, I’m sorry if I overstepped Charles. I just get frustrated with all the red tape that we have to go through. I truly hope that you and Walter work together to ensure that we have the manpower to take down Ronan and Gia. Hell, the gangs in Scottswood and even more so the illegal activities that have plagued our great city.” He paused as he extended his hand to shake with Charles. He could tell the older man didn’t want to play ball but he wasn’t going to look like the bad guy. Politicians always cared more about their image than their emotions. He shook his hand as he stared at Whitney. “I heard that you were trapped with Ryan. I just want to tell you that I’m so sorry that you’ve lost Ryan. He held down you and my son. That is enough for me to see how amazing of a man he had to be.” Jon paused as he reached out to Whitney and touched her knee. “I think you should wait until you have plans to bury him. That’s just my opinion.” He paused, feeling his heart beating. The guilt of him almost kissing her and almost going further ate at him. “Please know that I’m here for you. I’m not going anywhere if you need a friend or someone to talk to. Hell we will both need someone because honestly I was just getting Zach and all my friends back. Now he’s gone and all I can think about is all the time wasted. All the anger I had for everyone. Now that I don’t live with that anger Whitney all I’ll have is the sadness that I missed this time with him.” He wondered if that was how she felt? How she was going to be after this. Would she break? Or would she stand strong? Either way he’d be here for her. “Anything you need?” 

Whitney simply nodded her head at Jon not sure what to even say she hadn’t even begun to piece together what her life would now look like that Ryan was gone. She felt her brother grip her shoulder and looked up at him and then saw her father looking at them both. Ronan was to blame and she would do everything in her power to make sure that he was brought down no matter the cost. Her priority would be to her children of course, but next to that it would be to rid the world of Ronan Madden for what he had taken from her and her family. “Thanks Jon, I think I could use a friend right now.” She finally managed to get out, the TV in the room playing the news reports on repeat of the devastation of the explosion.

Charles watched the exchange between Whitney and Jon being careful to mask any emotion, this could work in his favor. His eyes met his sons and he motioned for him to step into the hallway with him shooting him a look of now closing the door after them. “As I said earlier before Jon came in. There was another accident tonight, one if my aides informed me. Dani was in some sort of accident with Greer LeClreq. Given that video need I remind you what is at stake? I will stay here with your sister but I need you off working that other angle are we clear? Walter understands if anything he is on our side, use that to your advantage this time.” He saw Lex almost roll his eyes at him and he could swear if you looked closely enough you could see him flex his jaw. “Keep clear of the other girl. Should you do this perhaps it can convince another trade back for your brother. Contract negotiations fall through all the time, now go.” He said seeing the press making their way towards them and he went back into the room with his daughter leaving his son to deal with it all.

**********

Chauncey looked at the vanilla tile in the hallway of the hospital replaying the events of the last few hours. The meeting at DGI where his own wife came against the company. If you could even call Natasha that now, she was an enemy now with a target and he would make sure she never got her hands back on SandStar even if that meant being cordial and working with Jackson to ensure that. The fact that Gloria was alive and well had shocked him and he noted he needed to check in with Selina; they were still friends and shared Maddie together. He had simply left the room when Gloria ordered found out about Greer and then went to find her to only bump into his brother. Who was staring off into the distance of the waiting room looking towards the double doors that led to surgery. He honestly wouldn’t wish what was happening on anyone let alone his brother. He’d been there with Logan and his chest tightened, remembering when the surgeon had come out to tell him that she had died and how the air had left his body. His sister in law was too damned stubborn to die or at least he hoped that was true for his brother’s sake. 

Regardless he was now waiting to hear news he had heard something about victims from the boat coming in as well. What he was more concerned with was Greer and her unborn child and the awkward meeting they had. She was hiding something from him how out off she was about him even being around her and the unborn baby. He’d started to suspect the truth at the Summit and then again at Masons’ wedding that he was actually the father of her baby  the timing was just too perfect for it to be Brock knowing that he had slept with her before she had reunited with him. Between that and the emotions and attitude Greer was giving him he wanted to know. And if she thought his child would be raised by Brock or the Fraiser’s she would learn no one kept a Devonshire from the family. Plus he would be damned if he let the Fraiser’s take a hand is raising his son if it were true. e looked around the waiting room surely there had to have been a nurse he could implore to run a test or even a doctor perhaps. it was then he had spotted Pierre LeClerq in the hall the man that had been at the meeting and was likely partially responsible for the mes Greer and her unborn child was in the first place.

“Pierre.” Chauncey said looking at him and then around the room, he hadn’t expected that Pierre wouldn’t be there but the sudden care he showed towards Greer made him at least suspicious. From what he had gathered Greer loved her father enough to do anything to please him, it was what led him to falling for her to begin with. He didn’t think that Pierre could actually give her that type of love back; it seemed to be conditional, much like sometimes he felt his own father’s love was. “You called Greer to DGI after your little meeting. I do have to wonder why? Wasn’t releasing that awful tape enough? Oddly enough I know my brother better than you ever will. It was convenient don’t you think how it all played out after Dru’s advances were rejected repeatedly. Then Natasha was there to simply vote on the matter to your side with Gloria and all this right after my father died? Now I assume you’re here for Greer but I do wonder if she really wants to see you.”

Pierre had been at the meeting when he learned that Greer had arrived after a text that he had sent to met him at DGI they needed a new plan to ring in the new era that he was envisioning at Le Clerq Media and with a partnership with DGI with Tess at the helm everything was working in his favor. He hadn’t actually discussed releasing the video with her or Harvey but knew it would draw in the ratings and be a huge blow to DGI all thanks to his alliance with Dru. The moment he had been informed of the accident he dropped everything, even Tess at DGI to be by Greer’s side. He eyed Chauncey before him the man that was simply way too beneath his little girl to marry, he was far too selfish and too toxic in his mind and he wondered why he was sniffing after Greer anyway, when what he should have been worried about was the downfall of his own family and company at the hands of his little brother. Chauncey had always been egotistical in his mind thinking that the world revolved around him, then again maybe it was that his daughter was hiding a secret that she didn’t want to tell. Was Brock the father a small smile appeared at the thought of his daughter conning over Lauren’s nephew of all people at the thought. It would be well deserved after everything that the Fraiser’s had done to him and for what pride?

His eyes landed on Chauncey and he almost wanted to laugh at him now he wanted to pretend to be some noble knight? Over his dead fucking body Greer was his daughter and he would decide what was best for her unless Lauren’s nephew wised up and did it first. He had to admit that had surprised him about Brock that he was so devoted to Greer, even though surely he had to have known what was going on. Regardless if it was Greer’s wish to be with Brock and it meant the man before him got to suffer through not knowing his son, much like Agnes had never known Greer or he had been denied he’d do it. It was a small price he could pay with Greer in the long run in order to make sure she had the very best. “I didn’t realize that you cared so much about what I asked Greer to do for LeClerq media. You basically discarded her for a woman that played the long con to your face in Natasha. If your brother didn’t want his secret out he shouldn’t have fallen into the nannies’ web. Even your father was smarter than that.” Pierre said looking at Chauncey and over his shoulder at one of the nurses wondering what he was up to. If he had to guess Chauncey was there to get close to Greer, “My daughter was brought into the hospital while in labor with my grandson. I have every right to be here. Meanwhile your entire life, company and family is in ruin and yet here you are sniffing around my daughter. Go away, before I have security escort you away.”

Chauncey looked at him incredulously from what he gathered Pierre couldn’t stand Lauren or Walter so why was he so tolerant of Greer’s new relationship with Brock? Calling security seemed drastic at best and so he simply let out a chuckle at him, the man that sold his own daughter out for revenge on his father was going to call security on him? “Tess must have had to drag you kicking and screaming out of DGI when Gloria made her little announcement. You all may think that you have had some big win at the moment. I assure you that you don’t sometimes the sleeper horse is the one you shouldn’t count out. Odd how you turn back up in and out of Greer’s life at a moment’s notice, but we both know deep down Harvey is the father she loves. At least he didn’t sell her out like a whore in your fucked up scheme with Zerick. Throw me out? The biggest hospital donor, I’d like to see you try?” He said seeing Pierre seethe he knew he had hit a note with Harvey. He did wonder where Greer’s uncle was where Pierre was, his father said Harvey wasn’t far behind.

“It must pain you that she’s going to marry Brock after having his baby, rumor is that you can’t stand Lauren. Don’t worry you learn to adjust accordingly with the lessers moving into the family in your case though I do wonder if Harvey will run back to her.” Chauncey said he still couldn’t stand the Fraiser’s but he didn’t wish his sister in law ill will or death. It was fun to rile her every now and then he saw a priest walk by both him and Pierre and enter the room where he finally spotted Brock by Greer’s side and he swore the color almost drained from his face. Was Greer really going to marry Brock Fraiser on a fucking hospital bed in a hospital gown? He would have given her the wedding of her dreams, something Brock could never afford and he knew that he needed to act fast about the DNA test he needed to do. She had dropped that line at the crash site and he was going to get to the bottom of it. “Looks like you’ll be having a reception at the farm in no time.” Chauncey managed to get out seeing Pierre looking through the window.

Harvey clutched a large manila envelope in one hand as he followed the prison guard through the bleak hallway of the prison. His younger brother had barely begun a lengthy sentence for a slew of charges levied against him as the scapegoat in the DGI financial scandal. Now he wished they’d never met Lowell Devonshire let alone become involved with DGI. The media circus had died down once the press found fresh meat to skewer on the public spit, but that’s how the business worked. LeClerq Media had chased their fair share of scandals and intrigues so they knew the tides would turn eventually. After all, embezzlement and wire fraud were boring white collar crimes when it was all said and done. Lowell’s grandstanding was the real draw. He’d always been the ringmaster and they’d realized it too late. When Lowell packed it in, he moved on to the next big thing and the LeClerq family was left in the ashes; this was going to haunt them for years if not the rest of their lives. Harvey had missed the sentencing, instead escorting his brother’s wife back to Paris to welcome Pierre and Agnes’ baby into the world. He gripped the envelope tighter, thinking about the photos inside of the baby who’d pay more than any of them because she lost both of her parents in the blink of an eye. In the empty, white hallway, the echo of their footsteps wasn’t doing anything to distract him from the memory of the plane ride where his niece was born and her mother died in the space of a single breath. Better he replay it in his head now so he could recount it properly for Pierre if he asked. As if he hadn’t thought about it every day since and turned over every action in his head trying to make sense of the tragedy. For this visit, he’d left his niece in Paris with a cousin instead of his wife, Freya, who had no interest in mothering another woman’s child. He could feel his marriage would be another casualty in all of this but he would never turn his back on little Greer. He was so lost in his thoughts he nearly ran into the guard who stopped abruptly in front of a private meeting room. Harvey peered in the small window in the door, meeting his brother’s intense gaze through the wired glass. 

The lock clanged as the key turned and suddenly there was nothing more standing between the brothers. The news of Agnes’ death would soon rush in behind him and grab his brother by the throat and squeeze the air from his lungs. If he wasn’t careful, a piece of him would die along with her. Harvey would be helpless to help from thousands of miles away where he’d be raising Greer in France as Agnes wanted. Pierre’s gaze never left him while the door was opening and Harvey had the uneasy feeling that he knew something was off. His brother’s instincts had always been on point. He was so unsettled, he only registered the brusque comment letting him know they had an hour, as the guard was closing the door. He sat in the chair opposite his brother, sliding the envelope across the table towards Pierre. “How are you?” He asked gently, unbuttoning his sports coat and placing his arms on the table. In truth, he didn’t expect niceties from his brother in return and it was a stupid question but what else do you say to someone taking the first steps into a painful void in their lives? “Congratulations, little brother. You’re a father. See for yourself,” Harvey tapped the envelope. The pictures inside were of Greer in her little bassinet, one of him holding her. Conspicuously missing would be the pictures of Agnes holding her new baby. How did he bring that up? How do you start that conversation? “I didn’t think bringing her to visit would be a good idea just now. She seems so fragile. Too innocent for this place. When she’s older, I promise I’ll bring her to meet her papa. Wait until you see her. She’s beautiful. Big blue eyes, and little cherub cheeks. Mon ange. That little girl will spend every minute knowing she’s loved. I give you my word on that.”

Pierre had been inside the Allenwood Federal prison for about a month since his sentence of twenty five years for embezzlement and forging business records for Devonshire Global International. No one had stood up for him at his trial one by one they had all turned on him so he spent his days inside the gray walls of his prison cell. He’d made friends of course behind the metal bars and cold bricks that were now how life and only hoped that Agnes in her beauty had made it to Paris and was living with what he had managed to legally get her and their unborn daughter to his brother. Luckily for he and Harvey, they had never let LeClreq media get tangled up in DGI even though Lowell had wanted them to invest. He had gotten the call that he had a visitor and wondered who it could have been. Perhaps it was Lowell here to gloat or worse Walter the slimy bastard that had refused to testify on his behalf all because Lauren decided that she couldn’t let his brother go, they both would pay. He honestly even considered that it could have been Forbes who had tucked his tail and ran to Mexico when his trial came, letting Lowell out them all and then setting him up to where he was now. Instead he looked at Harvey while the guard let him inside the room. He had money in the commissary that he knew that Harvey had been supplying him, meaning he could afford protection and make friends, he could be comfortable.

“I’m in here just like Lowell planned all along so as you can imagine after Walter refusing to help me I’m doing splendidly. I do hope you haven’t come all this way to mope over that awful bitch again. Was she yours or is her little brat Walter’s?” Pierre said bitterly in his voice while he stared at Harvey. Sometimes they could be close but Lauren Cummings would always now be between them. He took the photos and looked at his newborn daughter and his heart swelled with a certain amount of pride, his little girl blonde hair, Agnes’ eyes staring back at him and he couldn’t help the tears of joy. He flipped through the stack taking in the moments that he had already missed and a sense of slight resentment built that it was Harvey who was holding his daughter, Harvey would be the father to her while he sat behind a prison wall and waited. “I understand you did not bring her here, it’s hard and cruel. Where is Agnes, I had hoped that she would have come with you at the very least. So I might see her. We’d be entitled to a visit at the very least.”

Harvey cleared his throat, leaning back in the chair as he watched his brother glance up from the photos and speak about Lauren and her baby. For once he didn’t mind because it offered him a distraction from what he had to tell him about his wife’s death. The secondary reason for his visit, after the baby announcement. “Well, for starters, she’s not a brat. She’s a child and… she is not mine. Not for lack of hoping on my part. Hell, I didn’t even care that she carried Walter’s DNA. As far as I was concerned, she was mine from the second I knew she existed. So, I’m asking you not to refer to her as a brat. As I would hope you would do the same for any of my children. I would have gladly raised her as mine but… I guess Lauren didn’t feel the same. She chose Walter. Of all people, she chose to spend her life with that miserable bastard. Can you believe that? She wanted Danielle, that’s her name, and Braden to have a real family.” It pained him to think about it too much. The future he’d lost with Lauren; but she’d made her choice and he did as she asked, leaving her in peace. It was a gift that he’d been given Greer. Not as a replacement for having lost Lauren’s baby daughter but as a place to pour all that love. Of course he had his boys as well but there was something magical about a new baby. Something his wife was blind to but his sons adored their new cousin and he could work with that. 

Pierre finally steered the conversation towards Agnes, of course. He ignored the question for a minute, instead pulling one of the pictures of baby Greer towards him and smiling at her big blue eyes. She really was a beautiful baby. But he could feel Pierre’s eyes boring into him and he had to face the music. “I don’t know how to say this so just bear with me.” His throat was tightening against the words he was trying to form. He cleared his throat again and leaned forward, blowing out a breath. “There were complications with delivery.” He felt a chill run through him as the words came on their own. He felt like a puppet and someone was forcing him to speak. “Pierre, Agnes didn’t make it through the birth. She, she uh…” he coughed trying to clear the way. “She passed away, just as the baby was born.” He watched his brother. He watched the words sink in. He watched him slowly grasp what was being said and grapple with the reality of losing his wife. Of his daughter being left motherless while he was trapped in this hellhole thanks to Lowell Devonshire. Lowell, who was probably in his mansion right now, sitting on his piles of money with his beautiful wife and kids while his brother lost everything that had any meaning in his life. “She went into labor on the plane. Mid-flight. We were somewhere over the Atlantic. The doctors said later it was a blood clot. What do they call it? Un embolie pulmonaire… a pulmonary…” he struggled for the word and Pierre finished it for him so he waved his hand in agreement and repeated “…embolism, yes. It was quick. She didn’t suffer. I’m sorry Pierre. If there was something I could have done, I would have. Agnes was an angel. What do you need from me?” 

Pierre looked at him when he talked about Lauren his brother was a damned fool no wonder Freya was nearly done. He understood Harvey’s weakness during his trial to be with Lauren, his first love and rumor was Walter had been ready to leave her for Brenda, but it burned him that Lauren would always come between them. Part of him was relieved that her daughter had no connection to his brother, Lauren didn’t deserve Harvey the other part he knew Harvey wanted that more than anything. “I warned you about Lauren, she will never give you what you want. Let her be miserable with Walter, you have Freya and the boys. I would have loved to look her in the eyes though when she told you just to see her crushed afterall Walter could have testified and like the coward he is…” Pierre said his voice trailing off as he looked at the picture of Harvey holding his daughter and a jealousy he didn’t know that he could have overpowered him. That should have been him in the photo and he looked up full of rage when he said that something had happened to Agnes. Agnes who had never done or did an awful thing in her body was kind to everyone including the woman his brother was fucking around with during his trial. He felt his hand gripping the photo as he let it flutter to the table afraid he would rip it.

“I had booked the flight she was cleared to fly, what do you mean something happened on the damned plane? Agnes was healthy and we assured she was. I want to see her, is she in the hospital? What do you mean the doctors said later? Get me an attorney. I need to be by her side.” Pierre said, rising from the table and slamming his fists down on it in rage and he saw the guard step forward and then watched as Harvey waved him off. He couldn’t mean dead over the Atlantic none the less. What had Agnes done to deserve that and he looked at his brother’s tear filled eyes before it hit him that Agnes had died. He felt it in that moment looking at the picture of their daughter on the table and he picked up his chair throwing it against the wall on the other side of the room while he let out a harrowing scream before falling to his knees. “No, God no, it wasn’t supposed to be like that for us. I’d serve my time and then we’d be together, I promised her. Lowell and Walter did this to me as punishment in their sick game!” He shouted out knowing it was nonsense but for him it was the only way he could wrap his mind around it while he sobbed grieving the love of his life.

Harvey knelt by his brother, placing a hand on his shoulder. He wouldn’t go so far as to say they were close; he often didn’t understand the way his brother chose to go about the things he did but they were family and that was unbreakable. To see anyone suffer broke his heart but his own flesh and blood even more so. He wrapped his arms around him, something he didn’t think was in Pierre’s nature normally but this was an exceptional situation and his brother didn’t fight it. “No one took her, not even Lowell or Walter could be so vile as to take an innocent woman from her family, a mother from her child. This isn’t your fault. It was one of life’s unexplained cruelties. Agnes wouldn’t want you to carry that kind of hate around in your heart.” He pulled back to take his brother’s face in his hands. “You have to focus on getting out of here for your daughter. Agnes’ daughter. She needs you more than ever now.” He picked up one of the pictures from the floor beside them. It had fluttered off the table when Pierre took his pain out on the furniture. He held it up to his brother, forcing him to look at Greer. To acknowledge this innocent child that was waiting for him. “I’m so sorry you lost Agnes. She was the great love of your life, but Pierre you have to be strong for her. For the part of Agnes you have left. You hold onto that little girl with everything you have. If you let this hatred consume you and eat your soul from the inside, you’ll lose her too.”

Pierre was so consumed with his grief over Agnes he simply stepped back from his brother, his brother that had everything he could ever want, an ex-wife that adored him, two sons, getting to raise his daughter. He let Harvey cling to him, honestly surprised that the guard didn’t come in and yell at them that no contact was allowed. He supposed it was only fitting that the one thing that Harvey wanted he couldn’t have Lauren, he wasn’t sure how long he stood there in the room looking at the furniture scattered and turned over, the pictures on the floor before the guard let them know that their hour was up. He pocketed the picture of Greer seeing Harvey looking for him to say something to him and he wasn’t sure what he was going to say or do. He was confined to the walls of a prison cell thanks to Lowell and by default Walter. Others could have stepped up, maybe Forbes or Gloria those days were long gone. “No Harvey you are wrong you see if I wasn’t in here in this God awful cell Agnes would have never had to leave the country to France to see you and Freya for support with my daughter. We would be at the family house together instead I’m here and she’s gone. Lowell and Walter did this to me, did this to Agnes and mark my words. One day I’ll get out and I will destroy both of them for taking her from me.” Pierre said, casting a glance at him before the guard led him out down the dim lit hallway knowing that part of him was gone now the good part.

Pierre glanced at Chauncey, the memory flooding in like a wave and he wasn’t about to stand and make small talk with Lowell’s son and he looked at Chauncey cuttingly. “For your information Greer is required to have emergency surgery soon with my grandson. She certainly doesn’t need you here for it. So kindly leave.” He gently opened the door seeing Brock look at him and the priest that he didn’t know was Greer crazy, getting married so quickly and in these circumstances. He was of course nervous about her surgery but he also knew Greer could be  stubborn and he wanted to make sure that she was well aware of what she was doing. “Qu’est-ce qui se passe ici? Un mariage de dernière minute entre Greer et un prêtre ? Je pensais que tu voulais le monde, pas ça. En plus, c’est bien en dessous d’un LeClerq.”

“Père, je ne pense pas que ce soit le moment de juger mes choix. Je vous demande d’appuyer mon choix et il s’agit de Brock Fraiser. C’est mon mari maintenant et je peux avoir le monde avec lui.” Greer said defiantly as she looked at father. “You are my parent now, my father but you can’t control me. Now stand back and let me make my choice.” Looking at Brock and Chauncey outside her door. “Father, nobody can ever know that Chauncey is the biological father of my son and if this C-Section doesn’t go as planned. If something happened and it’s a situation like mom. I need you to promise me Chauncey or Brock can never know the truth.” Greer pleaded to her papa. She could see Kelsey, Chauncey and Brock outside. “I’m marrying Chauncey… I mean Brock and that’s that.” 

Pierre looked at Greer and then back over his shoulder at Chauncey and Brock, what would Harvey do? He would of course swoop in and obey Greer’s every demand and wish and he would likely be right. But would it be for the reasons that the family needed? He despised Lauren and Walter, but he hated Lowell Devonshire more so if it meant that Chuancey was kept in the dark about his own child, well that wasn’t on him. Lowell had ripped years of his life with his own daughter from him, would it be that awful if he did the same to Lowell’s grandson and son, no some might call it poetic justice karma even. He didn’t like the idea of Greer sacrificing her dreams for the farm and the life that no doubt Brock wanted but LeClerq Media was still theirs and he had no doubt that Brock would have no choice but to get into line. “If that is what you want, I will do everything in my power to see that it happens.” He said switching to English now that the two men were out of earshot and he had decided what he was going to do.

Walking to her he took her hand in his, she was his only child, of course he wanted his grandson to be born healthy as well but nothing was more important to him than Greer. He couldn’t lose her; she was all he had left after Agnes had died. He had been ripped from her by Lowell and extension Walter, he would never forgive them for any of it. He had never been one of a lot of words but he also wasn’t completely cruel. “You will be fine, I assure you. I may not say it much but I do love you. Medicine has come quite a way and I will make sure Brenda Kincaid pays for what she has caused.” Pierre said, kissing her forehead he saw a nurse come into the room and squeezed her hand. “I will call your uncle and be back soon.” He said casting a glance at her before exiting the room, seeing the Fraiser family gathering and watching Brock enter the room giving him a simple nod. He pulled out his phone pulling up Harvey’s name sending a simple text.

She needs you.

**********

Selina had never seen Mason like this and her entire heart was broken for him. It felt like the air had left her body. Nothing was going to protect him from this pain and it wasn’t anything that she could do. Losing their father was a shared pain; this was something he could only face alone. Losing the love of your life in the line of duty. It was crushing as she gasped. She didn’t know where he ran off to but she was broken for him. It felt like the air was escaping her own body. When Elliot approached her she held her hand for support as she looked at her mother who was still lurking in the background. When she looked at her man she shook her head. “I’ve never heard him so defeated and so lost. I don’t know how to help him through this. I don’t know how to make this better for my brother. I’m broken for him.” She said looking at Elliot who was seemingly holding her on her feet. Staring at him for a moment she felt so safe with him. 

“The only thing you can do is take your power back, you two deserve the power to never let this happen. You don’t see any Devonshire’s dead! That boy was a part of my family and although I could do without a whiteboy being in my family he loved Mason. I will always fight for my own and that boy was ours as much as a Fraiser. Now girl this deal is a limited time offer. I can’t keep it on the table forever but CEO Selina. It’s time for you to step out of the shadows. You aren’t secondary my beloved and I’ve seen how you fought back against that Dimitri motherfucker. You can’t shine as a background singer when you are a lead baby. The Devonshire’s are only in it for the Devonshire’s. They will never and I mean ever let you be a CEO. How many times does your simple ass have to be skipped over to see it? You have been a mother to one of their own and taught her dignity and class she’d never have without your blackness and you seem to not get it. You’ll never be one of them! So take your own!” Gloria spewed as she looked at her daughter incredulously. 

Without a doubt Selina had enough of her mother. She had insulted her with her tough fake love one too many times. As she broke free of Elliot’s embrace she walked to her mother and with all her might she backhanded her. “Bitch, how dare you! You come here and claim to love me and my brother and then want to use our collective smarts and intelligence to help you take down the only family that has had our backs? Protected us when we were the only little black kids in the room? You have no idea what it was like to be me. Secondly and most importantly Mason is mourning his husband and that’s what’s on your mind. Who are you, what kind of damn mother are you? Finally don’t let my prim and proper fool you. I will drag you up and down this hallway. I have dealt with women who have underestimated me my entire life. You don’t get to bring up Dimitri ever understood? Ever!” She roared at Gloria.

Holding her cheek she was shocked Selina even stepped to her like that. She guessed she had it coming. “That’s one little girl you only get three strikes before you’re out. But watch it little girl because you can’t read me. You can’t hate me before I give you all you want to know. Remember you came looking for me. Don’t forget that Selina.” Gloria said with a malice that was laid in sugar. She said it proudly because Selina was the only one clever enough to see through the charade. It was at that very moment her eyes met the one and only Jackie Devonshire. The bitch still looked good. She was flawless in that eternal way. She’d always looked good but good black don’t crack and she wasn’t shaking. It had been a long time and her lip curled in a slight disgust. “Hello Jackie, good seeing you girl. What’s the matter you’d think you saw a ghost?” She said sarcastically. Placing her hand on her hip. “I heard you helped my babies out shocked me because you hated me right? Or is it hate me because I’m alive and here to get what should’ve been mine thirty years ago and what I fucking set in motion. You like how I told Tess that Lowell wanted her?” She sneered pridefully seeing it all click. Yeah Lowell dumb ass had to be occupied by something and it sure as hell wasn’t Ms. Perfect Jacqueline Davis. “Whew, you look a little flushed girl you alright?”

Jackie had been still on the outside deck with Julian taking in the view when the boat shook and shot up into flames and she was pretty sure she and everyone around her began to scream in terror. The aftermath was like nothing she had ever seen as she watched people huddle and get onto the lifeboats when the Coast Guard came to help them all off. Once they had reached the dock and all the emergency vehicles had arrived it was worse than she ever imagined as she saw them lining up the bodies from the boat placing a sheet over them. Julian had a cut on his head while he had shielded her from the blast and they had ridden to the hospital as soon as they could on the way there she had gotten the text from Rory Max was missing. Her concern now was only for Max’s well being and she had gone from station to station to see if Max was at the hospital to no avail. She had also been there when she had seen Mason arrive with Selina and a woman from a distance that she didn’t recognize. She heard the harrowing scream that followed from her godchild and she made her way towards it hearing a few people whisper something about Zach. She saw Mason turn down a hallway and rounded the corner to hear Selina arguing with a woman and she froze, what in the hell?

She eyed Gloria Delacroix up and down. Yes, Tony had asked her and Lowell to lie to Selina and Mason about the fact that Gloria was an amazing woman and mother but she saw that woman dead in a casket at a funeral home. She had touched Selina’s shoulder as she had clung to her father and Mason as they had buried the casket into the ground. She had been there to fix and heal every wound as best she could in the aftermath. How was this even possible? She looked at Gloria and then looked past her to Selina. She would deal with the comment about Tess later that the woman was a menace but it was a little validation to hear what she always assumed that Gloria had encouraged Tess back in the day, Lowell had thought with his lower head in that case. “What happened?” Jackie asked, her voice breaking wondering what was going on. She saw Gloria looking at her and faced her. “You look a little ashen perhaps it was the dirt you were under or was any of that actually real? What kind of mother puts their children through that?”

“The same type of mother who stays with a man who cheats on her over and over again even though it is literally corrupting your own children.” She snarked back as she tapped her foot against the cold marble. “My son lost the love of his life and none of you Devonshire’s are here to catch him. Tony and I asked you to be there for them and you couldn’t even do that. In fact, didn’t you and my daughter recently have a spat about her taking up space? She wants no; she deserves to have a place in DGI but since you won’t make it. I’ll give her something DGI wants. I am here to claim my space and tell my babies to take up as much room as possible. Suck the motherfucking air out the room in fact. I think CEO Selina Delacroix DuVal eventually has quite the ring to it.” Knowing she knew nothing about the DGI meeting made everything sweeter like extra icing on a cake. “What makes matters worse is your dog ass son. Well worst for who? Not me because I finally get to watch Tess take DGI and your son is the catalyst to you losing it. Tonight your worst nightmare came true bitch I’m back from the grave and Lowell’s legacy is once again out of his hands.” Gloria said with a smile on her face seeing Jackie’s shock. 

“Oh you didn’t know your boy is out here like Kim Kardashian? Yeah he was fucking the nanny and was all coked up. And guess what it’s all on candid camera. Crackhead as the CEO Lowell ass really was losing it.” She sneered as she folded her arms. “I’m back for my children and my children are all I am thinking about. They deserve a place at the table and since you won’t make any room I’ll bring the table to them. Either way it’s over Jackie and I’m finally where I belong on top of your white ass.” Gloria said, looking her in the eyes. “Just know I’m the baddest dead bitch you’ll ever see.” Looking at Selina she curled her lips. “My babies don’t need you no more so go away on your broomstick Jackie.”

“You’re one to talk, did you and Jeremiah carry on like rabbits? I stayed because I loved my husband and I chose to forgive him for all the things he did wrong, because we created a life together. I actually came over here to check on Mason, the boy we helped Tony raise and who I think of as my own. Selina and I had a conversation. Yes we had a disagreement but I wish her nothing but happiness and I would hope that she knows that.” Jackie said, containing her rage at the woman before her while she looked at her god daughter. She loved Selina but she knew that Selina was her own woman and would make her own decisions, plus she had stayed on at the company so that had to mean something that Selina was still who she always was. “What in the hell are you talking about? In case you didn’t notice, a boat full of innocent people was blown up at Max’s launch. What happened to Mason?” Jackie said, casting her eyes at Gloria and then back at Selina.

She felt her phone buzz and saw the headline with the boat and then the one with Jackson and Dru and she felt the blood almost drain from her face. What had her son been thinking? She almost covered her mouth wondering what in the hell had happened, she had told Jackson to be careful and her daughter in law wasn’t her. She snapped out of it to glare at Gloria tossing her phone back into her purse. “Lowell knew what he was doing and so what? Jackson had a setback, nothing more. It happens in addiction, we all know that his wife knows that. He’ll come out stronger. Did you put the nanny up to it?” Jackie said her hands shaking at everything that was going on from the boat, to not knowing where her daughter was and now the tape that was plastered everywhere. She didn’t even know what had come over her when her hand raised and she backhanded Gloria for all the pain and suffering she had put Selina and Mason through. For the pain she felt for her own family. “Keep my son’s name out of your mouth you bitch. No one wants you here dead or alive, seeing you had to crawl back after your children were grown to even make it.” She finished seeing Selina’s shocked face at her actions. 

Without a second thought Gloria returned the favor and backhanded Jackie right back. “You must have lost your damn mind. Bitch I will end you! It’s not my fault that junkie ruined your chances of keeping and getting DGI. You’ve been coddled and made to believe you can’t be taken down. I will not be disrespected so believe me when I say if you want we can take this outside because bitch I been itching to rip your boney ass apart. My relationship with my children isn’t your business and I am absolutely back now. So you won’t be playing momma no more Jackie. I want you away from my babies and I want you to understand one thing. I left them with their daddy and he raised them. Girl you did what you could but you don’t speak for them because right now I’m here in the darkest day in my son’s life and I will be here for them both forever from now on. I messed up and I know that. I however won’t be pushed out of Atlas Falls again. Your husband threatened me. He made known he was going to hurt me and it was either me or my children. We both know Tony wouldn’t have stopped until he had me found so taking my children wasn’t an option back then. Now he’s dead and I can come home for mine.” She saw the shock on Selina’s face as she heard that Lowell was the reason she wasn’t around. “Tell me Jackie, what do you think you are going to stomp your foot and I’m going to vanish? Bitch you can’t get rid of me any more. I’m here. I’m here and I’m not going anywhere! That’s to you both! Momma is back with you Selina and Mason and I swear I’m not going anywhere!” She wiped her eyes as she looked at Jackie with rage. 

“You have no idea what I’ve been through and I won’t explain it but I’m here. I’m going to be here for my children and my family. Tony is gone and I won’t let him down. I’m going to for once put Selina and Mason first so go on Jackie. Take your white ass on! Go be with your family because I got mine! These two don’t need a Devonshire for shit no more! You hear me? These two are protected by me and I won’t allow it to be any other way. So go on Jackie because my kids don’t need you anymore. Got me?” Gloria said knowing that this wasn’t over. “Please respect Mason because I don’t want to fight right now. But believe me we will have our dance bitch and I when I’m done spinning your head around Linda Blair bitch you gonna spit up pea soup.” She seethed, stepping back.

Jackie’s hand went to her face when Gloria dealt the blow back and remained composed while Gloria went off revealing even more secrets about her now dead ex-husband. She knew that Lowell had told Gloria her time at DGI was short back then Gloria had overplayed her hand at the time. Tess was still in and out and she had decided that she had her own people at DGI she could trust, mainly Simon’s father who was happy to report back to her. “I don’t think Lowell would have had to threaten you out of DGI if you would have simply just left like he asked but you always have to come after what isn’t yours don’t you? DGI was never your legacy Gloria and that is the root of all of this, you wanted what was never yours so much so your lies destroyed who Lowell was when it all started. You were the one that planted that ridiculous idea in his head that I was having an affair with Walter Fraiser of all people. Then suddenly he’s freezing his best friend out, placing you at the head of the table all while you knew that he was sleeping with Audrey and you sliding Tess into the company while pretending to be my friend. Let me not even mention what happened with Katie. I doubt Tess got the idea to lie all these years from herself, I wonder who helped her?” Jackie seethed back seeing Selina and Mason looking between them.

“So please spare everyone here about your sob story Tony had every right to make sure your claws never sunk into his children. Lowell and I stepped up because you burned every other bridge in this damn town and your children needed us. You keep saying you want to put Mason and Selina first yet you’re still all about you here.” Jackie spat back at her before turning her attention to Selina and Mason. They were her god children and she would respect their wishes Mason wanted her to leave she would, if Selina asked for her to leave she would. “I’m sorry for whatever wrong you both may feel that Lowell and I ever did to you over the years, we simply thought we were helping. I am here for you both and always will be, but I understand if neither of you want me to be here. Please would someone tell me what happened to Zach?” Jackie asked softly knowing that she wanted to be here for Mason.

Mason was still numb from what happened with Jayden how he had come out to tell him that Zach was gone, they had been waiting to go see his body when Jackie had approached. He glanced between his mother and the woman that helped raise him. In many ways both Jackie and Ophelia were more of a mother to him than the stranger in the room. So many secrets came out Lowell had been part of the reason that his mother had left, he wondered if he could ever forgive her for the fact she faked her death. As if death was better than sharing custody with his father and maybe Jackie was right, the real reason she did it was because she knew she could never get DGI alive. It made him question the entire meeting at DGI as well now, how much did Gloria know about Dru and what part did she play? His mind was spinning when he thought about that and how his husband’s cousin had looked in that meeting. He then realized he hadn’t even reached out to Zach’s family.

“Both of you need to pull it together its about the fact Zach risked his life for this fucking city and Ronan Madden like always unleashed chaos to the point he died. Jesus Zach’s family doesn’t even know yet, I have to call them and Dani, someone needs to reach out to her.” Mason said feeling like the walls were now closing in on him while he stammered the words out, he didn’t want any of it to be real that Zach had died because of a bomb at the casino. He saw Jackie’s horrified face and he felt tears running down his own. “I don’t know about anyone else on the boat Jackie.” He said knowing she wanted to know about Max and then he turned to his mother. “What was your game plan in that meeting? Did you hire Dru to come to town to terrorize Zach’s cousin for months on end and mess with my best friend? What makes you think that I would ever forgive you for that let alone faking your death?” Mason said feeling Selina gripping him while he began to cry. “I want my husband back, don’t any of you understand that!” Mason wailed letting out another sob into his sister unsure of what to do as his body crumbled against the wall in the hallway.

Gloria brushed past Selina and rushed to Mason. Folding her body into his she let him cry in her arms. She just balanced his body on hers and let him just wail and cry. “I don’t know that girl Mason. Dru isn’t my scheme and if I had it my way all this wouldn’t be happening right now. Maybe we should take you home? Baby this can’t be good for you and I know you don’t know me. I know I’m a stranger but I breathed life in your body. I’m asking for a chance to be the mother you need. I know you want him back but God wanted something else. I’m not super religious but I enjoy praying. I enjoy asking God for some solace. Understand that I am not here to hurt you. Or you.” She looked at Selina. “I’m here to help you and love you. Jackie, I don’t want to fight you right now. Now I need to try and protect you both. Do you hear me? I’m not going anywhere and I know you hate me right now but you both need someone. You need me here and I need to be here. Understand me? I need to be with my children.” She said, kissing Mason’s forehead. “Please just let me be with you both.” Gloria said, looking at her children. Then staring at Jackie. “Gloves off for now.” 

Selina stood silently and wondered what Mason would want? It was up to him. After all, she just wanted to comfort him. “I just want my daddy right now because this is all too much.” She walked to Mason and sat by him. “Whatever you need Mason. Whatever! You hear me? If it’s our mother then that’s what I will do.” Selina whispered in his ear. 

**********

Jackie stood outside her daughter’s hospital room watching her sleep, sedated was a better word for it, the doctors had come and said there was nothing anyone could do the baby had passed a few weeks earlier. She only wished that perhaps the OBGYN had caught it earlier, the pain of knowing that the child was gone and wouldn’t make it outside the womb, perhaps Max knew and that was why she was so nonchalant about wanting no attachment. It made sense if that was the case she had come to the floor as soon as she had gotten word that Max had been brought in. Mason of course was hurting from losing Zach, Max was her baby girl though her daughter. Her pride and joy and to see her looking so despondent when she had come in was horrific and she watched as Sebastian had tried to do his best to comfort her, Max;s screams would forever echo in her head watching her plead to see the baby. Now that she was sedated though she had to take the lead as her mother. She entered the room silently coming up behind Sebastian and touching his shoulder.

“Is there anything I can do for you? Should I call your mother or your family? None of this is your fault Sebastian, no one could have predicted this. Sometimes in life we hope for the best with children and it doesn’t work out.” Jackie said knowing how unfair it sounded but it was a reality she had a miscarriage in between Jackson and Max. Selina had her fair share of them over the years where she saw and grieved with her. Natasha losing her other grandchild had been awful as well, this stung though to know the baby was whole and almost to term she hadn’t dared look at the precious baby boy. It was too painful for her. She couldn’t imagine what it was like for her daughter and Sebastian. Bliss of course was pregnant but Bliss wasn’t her blood daughter it was different and she didn’t even know when or if Jackson and Dani would have anymore grandchildren. She wondered if their marriage would even survive. “I have let her siblings know about what happened. I’m sure they will want to visit. I need you to promise me something. She will need you Sebastian more than she ever has before. She may have had her way of showing that but she does care and love you. I need you to be strong for her.” Jackie said, looking at him again while she took a seat next to the bed and touched Max’s forehead with her hand like she did when she was little to comfort her.

Sebastian sat stoic, no tears had fallen. He was in shock. How do you go from planning a future family to just the two of them again. This was brutal and the pain he felt enraged him. He wanted to hurt someone. He wanted to cry and he wanted to crawl into bed with Max and hold his fiance. She however wasn’t affectionate and he was sure Max wouldn’t want a soul around. When Jackie asked about his family, he’d texted his mother and she said she was on the way. She had to get through traffic due to the accident and now everyone is rushing to St. Christopher to see if their loved ones were dead. Hearing Jackie say Max loved him he sure as hell didn’t feel it the last few weeks, hell months. A piece of him wondered if Max would even care or after the tragedy of it all passed would she feel like him. Empty and a piece of him got ripped away. A piece of the normality that he wanted was stolen because now he had no reason not to return to his mother and their way of life. “My family is on the way, Jackie. No need to call anyone for me.” He said gruffly. “They said she’s lucky to be alive. I think when she wakes up that she’ll wish she was dead. He was so beautiful Jackie. He was absolutely beautiful.” Seb wiped his eyes as he bit his lip. 

“I promise that I’ll never let go of Max. She’s the love of my life. Is she selfish and self absorbed? Absolutely she is. She’s like a flower and I find a new layer to open and bloom daily. It’s been hard these last few months but I kept telling myself once the baby came. Once our Enrique came into this world she’d see the bigger picture. We had a life to take care of and make this little person great. Jackie I don’t know how to love her through this. I don’t know how to tell her that our son is gone. I don’t know how to say those words that our little boy that we loved so much. So she can pretend and act like she was so bothered but Max loved our son. I love her so much and I am so lost on how to get through this. We have rooms painted, toys, gifts and what do we do with all those broken dreams and expectations? What do we do with all those images in our mind? Enrique talking, walking, his first soccer game, him losing a tooth, me teaching him how to shave, his first date, his first heartbreak, his mother terrorizing the poor girl he brings home to marry, our grandkids and we don’t have any of that. We just have broken dreams.” He said looking out the window. “I’m not letting your daughter go. I’m not letting her deal with our pain alone.” 

Jackie looked at Sebastian and wondered if it would be wrong of her to ask to see her grandson to gaze at him and she bit back tears as Sebastian mourned. She would mourn later when everything was sorted out and she knew she couldn’t be the one to fall into a puddling mess. Not now when her daughter and Sebastian needed her, when her other son was down the hall while his wife was in surgery. Her family needed her to be the wall right now, so she would be the fucking wall. “Perhaps I can speak with your mother when she arrives and we could discuss arrangements. I know we haven’t exactly had time to meet with everything. Max was so insistent that she didn’t want anything before he came and only reluctantly agreed to a shower after.” Jackie said her voice trailing off when Sebastian looked at her, she knew Max had different views on the baby but had hoped she turned a corner when she agreed to a shower. Now that was out the window and she couldn’t bear to think about her daughter and Sebastian returning back to that condo they shared and that Seb had painted all the pain and reminders in their face. “I know that Max can be difficult at times but I do thank you for sticking by her side.” She offered placing her hand on Sebastian’s shoulder.

She looked again at Max about everything the doctor had said about the delivery and shuddered at the blood loss that Max had gone through, no medication and it seemed like the shock of the explosion had caused the labor. She then gritted her teeth at how Gia Falcone had been the one to help her daughter off the boat to the warehouse where she had delivered the baby among filth, it was all such a disaster. She had removed her hand at the thoughts of all the anger and unfairness that Gia got a healthy baby while Max and Seb had lost everything. “I know there aren’t any words that I can give you that will make this any easier but maybe when you and Max are in a better place after this you will have more children. It won’t replace Enrique of course no one is saying that but you and Max can still have a life together.” She said gently knowing that it wasn’t likely what Sebastian wanted to hear but she wanted to offer encouragement for him with it all. She saw the bed stir and then stepped back as Max began to twist and turn in the bed unsure if she should get the doctor or not. Surely the sedative that they had given her hadn’t worn off that fast?

Max had been sleeping, not sure what she was dreaming about. It started off that she was walking the vineyard in Spain that summer she had met Sebastian and his family. Passed over their summer and then arriving back in Atlas Falls. Then making love in the tub at the penthouse to her looking at the pregnancy test on the eve of her brother’s wedding reception. She saw her office at DGI and all the work she had put in there and heard the faint music from the mobile that Sebastian had picked out for the crib. It then turned dark around her like she couldn’t see where she was, everything except her stomach in her hands and then it went pitch black. She scrambled in the dark only for a faint light to appear and she looked down her hands empty her baby back and she screamed. Her eyes opened to the bright light and she flew her hands outwards trying to figure out where she was. The last thing she remembered was the boat rocking under her feet.

“Enrique!” She managed to scream out the bright lights above her coming into view while her hands were shaking and she heard beeping going off all around her. Where in the hell was she? Where was her baby? Her eyes slowly adjusted to the lights and she could make out Sebastian and what looked like her mother in the room. The machine kept going off like an alarm and she looked down at her arm seeing it hooked up to what appeared to be an IV and she reached for it to rip it out. “Where is he! What happened!” She managed to scream out again as she felt her mother reaching for her free hand and she shoved her back only to feel Sebastian wrapping his arms around her to keep her from ripping out her IV. The last thing she remembered was the rocking of the boat as whatever had caused the explosion happened. She was pregnant then she felt the baby kick, where was her son. She looked at Sebastian who was still blurry and she felt so weak and frail her words came out in anguish. “Where is he Seb, where is Enrique? I want to see him!” She pleaded as she was pretty sure more people had come into the room, likely nurses or doctors, while her mother stood back shocked.

Sebastian stood stoic as he watched Max start to flip out. His heart had risen to his throat and the words just wouldn’t come out as walked to her bedside. “Hector and Gia found you in labor. They took care of you from what I understand. Not only that Hector helped deliver Enrique. I don’t know what happened Max. I just kept punching him because our son is gone. When I found you Max you were near death and he was already cold. I don’t want to um think about him like that. He was so still but he looked perfect.” He said with his lips quivering and tears falling down his face. “Our little boy is in heaven now. He’s gone Max and I think it’s best if you calm down and relax because we gotta figure out what happened. How you went from being completely healthy and how our son died.” Shaking his head he bit down on his lip. “Please stay calm.” 

**********

Gia was sitting in her hospital bed, holding her sleeping baby. The nurses had wrapped him in a receiving blanket so perfectly all you could see was his angelic little face. She was sore all over which felt like a small consequence to have this healthy child in her arms. If she let her mind wander too long, she’d start thinking about the other baby. The first baby. The one that had grown inside of her until he didn’t and the one she’d delivered who never cried or took a breath. The one who was never warm despite the fact that she’d wrapped him in the train of her dress. The one she would’ve given anything to not have to leave with Max Devonshire. Of all people, that horrible, wretched, shrew of a woman would be the one to say the final goodbyes and see her baby off to his eternal fate. She bent her head and inhaled the scent of this baby deeply. This was the way it was supposed to be, her with a baby to love and protect. They were meant for each other and the two of them would face the world together. She would fight monsters for him. Starting with Ronan Madden, if need be. The greatest gift in all of this might just be the fact that Ronan has no real connection to this baby. None of that treacherous Madden lineage tainting his blood, 

The nurse had wheeled a little bassinet into the room but Gia was terrified to put him down. Haunted by the fear that someone would figure it out and were waiting for her to put him down so they could take him away. The Devonshire name could move mountains but no one ever asked if they deserved any of the rich rewards they took home. She was saving Max as much as this baby. Max would’ve been a horrible mother. Too selfish. Too greedy. Too precious to deal with the reality of having a baby. Max would’ve gone mad with the mundane existence of being someone’s mom. Now both of her babies would be safe from Ronan’s grasping hands. Her biological son would be safely entombed in whatever hallowed ground the Devonshires kept their dead lest they mix with mere mortals. And this baby, the one that God himself had seen fit to give her, would grow up with no memory of Ronan if all went right. Like a bad omen, the door to her hospital room swung open and Ronan swept through the door, in all his malevolent glory bursting the little dream of mother and son, making their way through the world alone but whole. She smiled widely and that was real but the rest of this part she’d practiced so often, the words would roll off her tongue sweet as baby’s breath. “Ronan, you made it and thank god you’re not hurt. Look. He’s here. Our son came roaring into the world so bold and fearless. He’s everything you would expect from our union.” She watched Ronan carefully, his eyes were fixed on the baby. Regina Navarro used to always brag about how Seb carried the strong Navarro genes. She tried not to hold her breath but this was the moment of truth. If he sensed something was off now, he could ruin both of their lives. He reached out and touched her immaculate child with his grubby, murderous hands and she knew he was under the spell, like she was. He was reaching for him. She didn’t want to share her baby but she knew she’d have to let him hold her son so she carefully placed him in Ronan’s arms. 

Ronan had gone from the casino to the warehouse first the moment someone down in Scottswood had told him they spotted lights on at the warehouse. He had wanted to go to the hospital to check on his brother but his people were also trying to work with the police to find out where Max Devonshire was. A small price to pay to keep tabs on the AFPD and get them out of his hair and business, he also had people looking into what happened on the boat. Who wanted him dead that bad to blow up the boat? He hardly knew anyone who passed and his brother had stepped down so why come after him now? The attempt on his life reminded him starkly why he let Brooke go, he wanted her safe and his life would only lead to her injured or worse a coffin. Once they arrived at the warehouse and he was aware that Gia, his son, Max and unfortunately a stillborn boy born to Max had all been taken to the hospital he was on his way. He tried to heed Thor’s warnings to him of Gia and the suspicions but there was something nagging there. How she had suddenly disappeared after the explosion to miraculously save Max seemed almost calculated, then again maybe she had honestly been just looking out for Max seeing that they were both pregnant. He of course felt for Lowell’s daughter and that bastard Sebastian in their tragedy but none of that was his fault. Once he was at the hospital he made his way to the maternity wing where one of the nurses escorted him back to the private room where he saw Hector like always posting guard.

“Hector.” Ronan said simply moving past him and opening up the door to the room where he took a look at Gia on the bed holding the newborn in her arms, his son. He looked at the beautiful baby in Gia’s arms and despite his misgivings about Gia and her intentions the boy had his dark hair and he swore a bit of his family’s dimples. He saw that she was reluctant to let him hold the baby and he almost scowled at her until she offered to let him hold his son. When she placed him in his arms he felt such pride in that moment looking at the babies face before glancing back at Gia perhaps their union wasn’t all that bad, or maybe it was regardless he had a son and he wondered if this was how his father had felt when he was born or when Thor was born. “He’s beautiful, you should have reached out to my men to assist you and Max. Having Hector there was not necessary, someone tried to kill us. You wouldn’t have any idea who had a hand in that would you? Thor is in surgery as we speak thanks to a shard of glass into his back.” He said looking at her while he rocked his son in his arms seeing her desperation to have him back in her arms and he was gleeful at that. “Why were you lighting my shipments on fire Gia? I thought we had an understanding.”

Gia’s chest felt tight as Ronan held the baby, his expression was filled with a look of love and wonder, or so she guessed. She’d never seen such a display from him but it meant she could breathe a little easier where the baby was concerned. No one would be sounding an alarm about whose child he really was. She might be caged but her baby would be safe. She and Hector would take the secret to their graves. She was watching the baby sleep, checking that his chest was rising with each breath when Ronan asked about the shipments. She’d been right to worry after all. She was helpless while he had her son in his arms. She glanced at Hector whose eyes were trained outside the door where she couldn’t see. His men would be outside, enough of them to overpower Hector judging by his posture but Ronan was too cool headed to make a move here. Especially not after Hector’s little fireworks display at the boat earlier. He might, however, walk off with her baby and what could she do then? “Let me take him,” she said reaching towards the baby. “He’ll be hungry again any second.” She held Ronan’s gaze, but he wasn’t moving to give her the baby and she understood the stakes.

She took a deep breath and adjusted the sheet around her, adjusted her pillows but Ronan was still waiting. “I can’t believe you’re bringing this up after everything me and the baby have just been through. When those shipments were destroyed, I barely knew you Ronan. Of course I knew of you but not enough to trust you. You had only just come into my life. Hector had received a very credible tip that those shipments were going to be seized and I had a vested interest in those shipments on the back end.” Hector discreetly flashed her a quick glance. It registered in her peripheral vision but she knew Ronan wouldn’t have caught it. One of those quirks of working closely with someone for a long time, they could have entire conversations in the blink of an eye. Hector would make sure the trail was laid if Ronan went digging to corroborate the story now. “Your little friend Kelly O’Connor didn’t tell you that, did she? Surprise, she’s not the mob oracle. There’s plenty she doesn’t know. I assumed someone of your status in our world would do their homework and peel back a few layers. Naturally, I assumed your ignorance was all an act and that we simply weren’t going to speak about it. With all the upheaval in your organization at the time, was it really safe to openly carry on those discussions? One thing Kelly’s going to do is manipulate a man and twist them to her will. You’re the little fly caught in her web and you’re not bringing me down with you. Our son’s legacy isn’t going to be trashed because you can only think with your dick. Now, if you’re not here to celebrate the birth of our son with me you can leave. Give me my baby. He needs me.” 

Ronan looked over at Gia curious as he held the baby in his arms, while he listened to her stammering up an excuse and if he was gullible he would have bought it. He however wasn’t that gullible and now knew who the woman before him was a monster. A monster that he needed to keep close for His son’s sake and he rocked the baby back and forth In his arms knowing that he would do anything to protect Michael, that was his name one he knew Gia would absolutely hate but it was a small price she would have to pay for him to keep her alive. “Michael has such a nice ring to it doesn’t it Gia. He is my son and a Madden. I’ll give him back in a moment for now you are useful he’ll need you to feed him of course. You didn’t really answer my question about why you lit anything on fire? Especially my product, I thought we were a partnership and that trip you and Hector took to New York while I was gone? I’ll have to look into what you were doing there.” Ronan said seeing Hector watching them for a moment and then he turned his head back to Gia seeing her shifting anxious in the bed, he held the baby close to him as he took a seat close enough that she could at least touch and see him but not enough that he wouldn’t be in control.

He remembered to keep his temper in check while she tried to imply that Kelly had been lying to him or manipulating him, seized his ass, his contact at the station or the feds would have let him know. He’d keep that to himself for now she didn’t need to know, he stroked the baby’s head and again looked into his son’s eyes. “Odd that you seem to keep attacking someone I respect gravely and you always seem to have an explanation when it comes to who you interact with and why. Though it seems now you’ve finally caught on, you see I only want one thing from you my son. What value could you possibly have now that you’ve provided me with Michael?” Ronan said, still holding his son in his arms as the baby began to fuss and he looked at Gia’s horrified face as he held all the cards. “Do you want to know the plan going forward, that is if you want to live of course?” He finished rocking the baby gently in His arms.

When Ronan called the baby Michael, Gia held her tongue, gritting her teeth to keep from blurting out her true feelings. Naming her son after Michael Madden? She’d rather he stab her and get it over with but this way would reinforce Ronan’s connection to the baby and for now at least, they needed that. She would give him that concession. It was just a name on paper that could be changed at any time. “Naming him Micheal is a beautiful tribute,” she said, to lure Ronan further into the web. Her body tensed when the baby started fussing and for a moment she thought she could grab the baby and order Hector to stab Ronan in the throat but that would cause far more problems so she sat up a little straighter instead, ready to play his games so she could have her baby back. “The value remains the same for both of us, Ronan. The reason we got together in the first place. We both have something the other needs in order to become more than what we were separately. And now, we have a reason to solidify our partnership for the sake of our son’s future. We’re stronger together. A true partnership now.” She said, watching him closely, trying to read him. 

Ronan honestly was enjoying toying with her too much. If he was honest she would be her own undoing but he knew as long as he had Michael in his arms and his home she wouldn’t try again. Even her right hand had to have known that meaning he could either get in line or he could make a few calls to have that taken care of as well. He looked over his shoulder at the door his eyes meeting Hector’s and he swore he saw jealousy in his eyes, something he could use to his advantage, Michael started to fuss again only for him to rock him again in his arms to soothe him, he’d remembered seeing it once in an aunt and at other events. “I’m so glad that you agree with me on that Gia, I’d hate for something to keep us from building our partnership now that Michael is here. Of course there will be some paperwork to sign that I will have my lawyer draw up, you can never be too careful nowadays can you?” Ronan asked to see her wince and he almost laughed and then leaned down to her letting her see the baby while he spoke again.

“We’re getting married as soon as you are discharged from the hospital there will be no show or huge event, you see someone blew up my boat and I have a feeling you know exactly who did it. You wanted this partnership, you have it trapped with me, with me running things on both our ends. I’ll fuck who I want when I want. But love you? I don’t think so. You get to live and raise our son. That seems fair don’t you think?” He finished seeing her furious face as he took a few steps back still holding his son who beamed up at him and he swore he saw the newborn smile. He didn’t look at Gia again while the door opened and one of the nurses let him know it was time to take the baby to the nursery, he simply nodded and left Gia to stew in the bed while he followed his son down the hall knowing me may of just started a war but he held all the power now.

**********

Walter walked down the hallway of the chapel of the hospital his chief of staff had interrupted him while he had lit the candle and prayed for Dani, he even took the moment to allow the press to snap a photo of the event and he agreed to take a few brief questions. When asked about the explosion he gave no comment the police and the FBI were involved. He has been asked about the accident and if he blamed Brenda, he said no and when someone asked about the tape between his son in law and the nanny he had simply glared and said no comment before ending the presser in the hallway. He then let his chief of staff handle the rest while he went back to the waiting room making a detour to the cafeteria for two cups of coffee, black for him cream and sugar for Lauren, the least he could actually do. He had no idea how long Dani would or wouldn’t be in surgery and he took out his phone as he saw a message from his son saying that he and Tamara had arrived. He and Braden would discuss Dani’s marriage to Jackson and what the best cause of action was for her, in his mind a damned divorce. 

If the Fraiser’s did anything well they did at least rally and despite his many shortcomings he knew that Braden would always be there for his sister. He rounded the corner and then froze as he saw one of the examination rooms ajar and nearly jumped thinking he saw Brenda though younger only to realize it was Dru. What in the hell was he seeing lately ghosts of his past coming back to haunt him. It was bad enough that Jackson had accused Brenda of driving drunk deliberately into Dani, he still refused to believe that. But looking at the girl on the table and the door wide open he took a moment and then spoke. “I suppose I have you to thank, you see Lauren finally let a wolf into her hen house and Dani now knows that the Devonshire’s simply can’t be trusted just like I told her. I do have to admit I didn’t actually think Jackson would have it in him and here you were trying to convince me and Brenda the other day that she was wrong about you. Bravo for a game well played. I am sorry I haven’t reached out about Kendall. I was processing and Lowell is gone and Lauren she’s suffering enough at the moment so I figured there wasn’t much left I could do since she is gone.” Walter said, looking at her and then seeing his watch buzz with another text from his son. “Has anyone ever told you that you look like Brenda when she was younger, why is that?” Walter asked, wondering if there was more to the girl that his dead daughter did know.

The baby was alright. The baby. Dru never had a maternal bone in her body. She didn’t want this child and wasn’t going to have it. The doctor was seriously happy and all she could do was weep. Her eyes began to water in anger. A baby wasn’t in her plans. She was praying that this wasn’t the outcome. Who was the father and then it struck her. Who did she want it to be? Zerick obviously cared for her and she liked him as well. While Lex was a fun fling and partner. Ronan literally got some of the richest people in this city blown up and Philip was a rich prick. Yet this baby could be the ticket she needed to get anything she wanted and Dru hadn’t thought of it yet. So she’d be a mom? So what if she got gross then instantly she knew she’d get plastic surgery. Every one of those men were filthy rich and she knew whomever she chose as her baby daddy she was set for life. This baby was her meal ticket. When Walter came in and started rambling about his man pain she rolled her eyes but then her ears perked up when he mentioned her. So he did think about her? She wanted to know more about what he thought. Another thought flashed in her head if she wanted it could be Jackson’s or so he thought. 

“Please I don’t look like her.” She said immediately, fluffing her hair trying to disguise what he saw. Instead she saw more wonder in his eyes. “Also don’t you believe in privacy? You just came into my room? You aren’t my family and you aren’t my father. You want to know about Kendall? Huh? Let’s talk about her! She had a shitty life we both did. We had so many dreams and she really wanted to meet you and Brenda. In fact she talked about how once you two came for her how everything would be different. How you would be a great dad and not like her pervy adopted father who told her that her breasts were getting bigger. Or how everyone made fun of her and I because we were poor in Cape Kenitrich, the richest part of Florida. You aren’t a good man Walter. You don’t get to congratulate me because I slept with Jackson. You talk to me like I’m just some whore or some brainless Barbie. I’m not and I knew what I was doing. I have been treated like I’m just some swamp rat by you and everyone in this city. You all thought I was dumb and I had no brain but baby did I show you all. I showed you all that I’m not to be played with. I’m not just a swamp rat from Florida I’m the bitch that took down Jackson and Dani! I’m the bitch who has hurt you and your family! That bitch and her family that’s why that drunk is handcuffed to a bed. She hurt your daughter and you don’t care do you? You don’t care about anything but Brenda Kincaid. Not even the daughter she threw away. Get out! Get out Walter right now. I swear to God if you don’t leave I’ll say something you’ll regret.” She stormed up feeling slightly weak but she wasn’t going to be rewarded by her own father for sleeping with Jackson. “You don’t have to leave, I’ll do it for the both of us.”

“The door was ajar and it wasn’t like you told me to leave. I thought the polite thing to do was to come see if you were alright. You seemed quite rattled at the boat. You do look like her in some ways. When she was younger Brenda had bright red hair like my sister did, in the lighting you could easily pass or be mistaken for her. You’re right I’m not your father. I’ll congratulate you how I see fit, you did something I didn’t think was possible. Jackson is just like his father in more ways than one. I told Dani that and now she will know that. I am quite curious to know why you went after my daughter though? Are you one of the many women Jackson fucked while high? What is it exactly that you want from me or my family?” Walter said staring at the girl ignoring her pleas about Brenda, he still didn’t believe that Brenda would deliberately crash into oncoming traffic; it was why the Kincaid’s had a driver on call. Why wouldn’t Brenda utilize that? “Of course I care that Dani was hurt.” He said more to the room and for himself than the girl in front of him, he went to say more only to see his son at the doorway. “What is it Braden?”

Braden had arrived at the hospital after fighting traffic for over half an hour. Tamara had stayed home with Delilah and what he arrived to was complete and utter horror. He had seen his mother first and looked at his brother in law in the lobby, his sister was in surgery fighting for her life and what he gathered was something about an accident and Brenda hitting her and Greer head on. Brock had come out in shambles from Greer’s room as Miranda had come over to tell them all that Zach died, his cousin had begun to sob along with the rest of the family and he had been tasked with finding his father. The text messages had come while he went looking for his father down the hallway the video was out and he really wanted to punch Jackson in the fucking face but he didn’t know all the facts. He stared at the girl on the fucking table and gave his dad the best really look he fucking could he was down the hall chatting it up with the woman that Jackson fucked while his sister was in surgery?

“Mom was looking for you, Miranda came to find us and Brock.” He said waiting a moment for his father to move for privacy and when he didn’t he shot him another look the last thing he wanted was the woman that fucked Jackson having even more information on their family. “Zach was killed in action tonight at the casino, Brock’s taking it really hard. Greer had to go into surgery. Something is wrong with the baby, Brock called in a priest before she went. I think Kelsey’s doing the surgery.” He saw his father’s face go through a range of emotions and simply looked coldly at the woman on the table, in his mind part of the damn reason his sister was back with David to begin with. “It would be nice if you could pry yourself away from the woman that Jackson fucked to actually show up for Dani.” He said looking at his father for a moment before he looked back at Dru. “As for you what kind of fucking person comes into a family to manipulate my mother’s heart to give you a job at the bar and then be handed the position of a nanny for you to betray my sister by fucking her husband? I better never see you around her or my niece or nephew ever again, you got me?” Braden seethed at Dru, he’d ultimately let Dani decide what to do about her marriage but he wanted the woman before him gone from his family.

Dru looked at Braden and shook her head. She defiantly shook her head as she stared at him. The audacity of him to judge her. “Didn’t you lose you DA position for your actions from getting your junkie wife off at work? Get the hell out of my face and not babysitting those spoiled brats is going to be a pleasure. Your father was just leaving. So don’t threaten me with all that Fraiser bravado because I see what you don’t. Your family is a joke and your family should consider that you leave and destroy all you touch. I’m sorry about Zach, I kind of liked him.” Grabbing a cup of water while taking a sip.  “I’m done with your father and you Braden.” Looking him up and down. “You Fraiser’s are so morally superior. Look at you putting your nose in the air as if I’m a bad person. Did you ever think what Dani and Jackson did to me? I’m glad that you will never know my truth. I’m done.” Dru slinked out the room as she passed Lauren. 

Lauren grabbed Dru’s arm as she spun her around. “You little bitch. I brought you into my family and you do this to them? How dare you Dru? Listen to me if you don’t leave town, I swear to you I’m gonna make your life miserable. Do you understand me? I am going to ruin you, Dru you little bitch you sabotaged my daughter’s marriage, you plotted on them. You are nothing but a whore understand if I ever see you again. Near my family I will make sure you are buried and underneath the ground. Got me sweetheart?” 

Dru pushed Lauren back and before she knew it, she felt Lauren’s hand strike her face. With all her might she slapped the older woman back. “I won’t be one more of your bitches Lauren. If you touch me again I swear to God, I will press charges and was that a threat on my life? Remember who’s sleeping with a mobster honey? It’s not you. I’ll make you swim with your dead ass daughter, so don’t play with me Lauren. Poor little Lauren, you think that I’m scared of you. I have every right to hurt your family. One day you all will know why you aren’t in Lauren. Neither is your husband well ex-husband nor is your son. Neither is your beloved daughter Danielle. None of you have a right to judge me and I won’t sit back and allow you to.” She saw Brock, Braden, and Walter approaching them. “I’m out of here.”

Lauren covered her mouth and shook her head. “Please get rid of her Braden! Please or I’ll be in jail for killing her.” When she brought up Victoria, her heart sank. How could she be so cruel to say those words when she slept with her daughter’s husband. She betrayed everyone’s trust and she thinks that she’s the victim that is insane. “ I will kill her if she says one more word about Victoria or Dani. I swear to God Braden I swear I don’t know what this girl’s problem is, but I will hurt her if she doesn’t leave.” Lauren watched as Dru slinked away and she grabbed Brock. “Oh baby, come here.” With Greer in surgery and Zach dying she was so devastated for her nephew.

Braden’s lip curled a hair at the redhead in front of him and he’d be raised never to strike one but Dru Price was wearing thin on his patience the audacity to cast blame on everyone for something she did infuriated him. What was the worst thing that his sister ever did to her other than give her a cushy job that warranted what she did with Jackson? He had gone to say something only to watch as his mother did so and the ensuring slaps that happened. When Dru mentioned Vicki though he knew all bets were off and he looked at Dru shooting her a look to leave. Satisfied when she did and he watched his dad comfort his mother, he squeezed her shoulder and hugged his cousin, before turning to Jackson and taking a seat next to him. As much as he hated what was on that video most of the other Devonshires were spread out around the hospital some at the party, he knew for a fact Max had been brought in. Meaning Jackson was there waiting for news on his sister, it felt like something his sister would want him to do until she told him not to.

Walter had meant to say something else to Dru until his son had shown up, if anything Braden had always been protective over both his sisters Dani especially. Victoria too, but Dani after the accident. He deserved what Braden had said, Dru intrigued him though he didn’t quite understand why but she reminded him of someone and she did look like Brenda in her youth. When Dru left and Lauren confronted her and all hell broke loose though he did place himself between them both. He saw his son shoot Dru a disgusted look before the girl walked away and he turned his attention to Lauren, who was embracing his nephew Brock. He gently placed a hand on Lauren’s shoulder in support before doing the same to his nephew, it was agony to wait for his brother and sister in law to arrive for now he would hold down the family. He had no idea what Dru’s intentions were with his family but there was something going on with her and he was going to figure it out.

**********

Mason had finally moved from the main waiting room after wandering around the hospital to see where the other half of his family were gathered, Zach’s family and he took a breath looking at them all. He saw Lauren praying in a chair Walter standing behind her watching and texting he wondered if he was reaching out to Zach’s parents. He had no idea how long he had wandered the hospital halls or where his sister had gone after his mother and Jackie had gotten into it and he had left. He hadn’t even gotten to the point that any of this felt real enough for him to do that. He then looked at Brock sitting in a chair, his eyes red, while Braden was beside him doing the same and then he glanced over at Jackson slumped against the wall, head bowed, his fingers running in his hair. He then noticed that Dani wasn’t there and panic set in. Dani was more than Zach’s cousin, they were super close like best friends. What in the hell was going on? He took a few steps forward and stopped, not sure what he was supposed to say to any of them. He was so caught up in his own grief and he turned to look behind him when he heard his sister approaching. 

“I’m sorry that earlier when I ran off I needed space and to just walk. I know that I should reach out to Brandon and Helen but I don’t know what to tell them. How do you tell them the man that you married, their son was taken like he was? Maybe I should have gone to the opening instead of being at the DGI meeting.” Mason said his voice was wandering and breaking while he spoke unsure of what else he was going to say. He had barely begun to wrap his head around what Jayden had told him about organ donation and he hadn’t even ventured in to see Zach’s body, honestly he wasn’t sure he could. The waiting room felt tense though almost like a mix of death and waiting, he turned to look at Zach’s family again and saw Jackie approaching to whisper something to Lauren who absently nodded her head and he watched as Jackie went to his best friend before looking at his sister again. Selina looked upset as well like she knew something that he didn’t and his eyes pleaded with her and then he spoke again. “What in the world is going on?”

Selina took her brother’s hand and sat down with him. Across from Lauren and Walter. “Earlier tonight, Dani and Greer were in a car accident. It’s believed that Brenda Kincaid was the one who hit them. Dani had to be flown here by medevac. Greer is currently in surgery. Her baby might not make it and she might not either tonight is a lot for the family. I’m scared for them. I have known them since I was little and I have never seen them so broken. It is heartbreaking right now. I have lost my brother-in-law. I feel like I’m losing you because I can’t reach out the way I need to. I brought our mother back into our lives. I can’t help but to feel so helpless right now I wanna comfort you. I want to tell you that everything is going to be okay. However, I know that that can’t be real. You just lost the love of your life. There’s something else you remember that mother and Pierre along with Tess might have taken DGI. Tonight is a mess Mason, but I don’t care about any of that. In fact I could give a damn bout who Jackson is screwing. I just want to protect my brother. I want you to know if I knew that our mother was alive. I would’ve never went looking for all of this. I would’ve never brought her back into our lives. You have to know that.” Selina wiped her eyes as she held his hands tighter. 

In her mind, this was all her fault. She went looking into the past. Even when Jackie and Ophelia warned her not to, how the tables had turned on her. At one point she would’ve given anything to know who her mother was. Now she was facing a monster that she never knew could scare her this bad. Gloria was nothing like the woman, Jackie and the entire town told her she was. At one point her mother was seen to be an angel. Now she understood why her father truly never talked about her. It wasn’t because he was so hurt by her death. It was because he knew she was never good enough for them. “Mason, is there anything I can do? Do you need anything brother? We have always taken care of each other. Jamal, you and I are always a team. We are the DeLacroix family. That is something that Tony our father instilled in us. I will not abandon my brother. I will not let you hurt and feel this by yourself. Anything you need Mason tell me anything I’m here.”

Mason felt like a ton of bricks had gutted him again, an accident he knew that Dani had left DGI angry, hell who wouldn’t be and he had watched Jackson chase after her. He had tried his best to chase after Jackson to tell him about Dru but he got that his friend just wanted to go after the woman he loved. How in the hell had Greer got into Dani’s car it wasn’t like they were besties. Had he and Zach failed? Not speaking up sooner about what they thought they knew about Dru, he knew for a fact that Zach wanted to be sure. Speaking of her he looked around for the red headed bitch that he had the dirt on and found her nowhere to be found. He saw Brock talking to Lauren and Walter and he wanted to reach out to the other side of his new family, but what was he supposed to say? His husband was stolen from him by Ronan and Ronan’s connections. Did he think any of that was Selina’s fault, no he glanced around the room looking for his mother in truth he barely remembered Gloria in that capacity. He just knew her as the woman that died, the woman that raised him and was his mother that he remembered more was Ophelia.

“I know something about Dru and I think I know what mom and Pierre showed at DGI. I can’t explain it fully yet, does anyone know if Dani’s going to be okay? If Zach was here….” Mason said his voice trailing off while his eyes welled with tears knowing what his husband would do. He’d demand answers to see his cousin and his best friend, he’d comfort the entire family like Dani had done for him when Dante died. Yet that wasn’t going to happen. The reality was it would never happen again, he’d never hold Zach in his arms again, they’d never make plans or make love at the house. He honestly at this point was numb and wanted to go back to the bridge where Zach had convinced him to get down and jump, and a shudder went through him. “None of this was your fault sis, you had no idea what would happen at the casino. I put blinders on about everything with mom, I just wanted to preserve what dad had said about her what everyone had said about her you know? That she was a great person, looking at her in the flesh and knowing what we know now, none of that was your fault. Can you make Zach come back to me that is what I want for everything to go back to how it was a few hours ago. To see him smile at me one more time while we got ready for work in the morning, to eat out on Friday’s cause we both didn’t want to cook. I want those moments back.” Mason said, looking at her and gripping her hand. “Mom being back doesn’t change that for me, I don’t remember her like you do.”

Selina touched her brother’s hands clutching them as if she could pass her very own strength to him. Life had taught her how to navigate some situations but this was overwhelming. The loss of the love of his life how did she help Mason through this? What could she do? This felt so final and sudden. Zach’s death ate at Selina for losing a new brother-in-law and all the years they all had been robbed of. She tried her hardest to be strong but right at this very moment all she wanted to do was cry for her brother. To question God and ask why Zach was stolen so viciously from Mason. It was unfair. Everything about it was unfair. Mason didn’t deserve for this to happen. Hell she had been around the Frasier’s her entire life and this was a mighty blow. Zach somehow managed to be controversial due to his sexuality but also remained the peacemaker in the family. He broke all the ties and his relationship with everyone was special. She listened to him speak on there mother and when the time was right she’ll ask about if Mason wanted a relationship with Gloria. “I can’t do that, I can’t give the love of your life back but I can be by your side.” She said softly as her eyes locked in on his. It looked like an ocean of tears was about to burst out of Mason. 

Selina saw Brandon and Helen arriving looking devastated. It was a look that would haunt her for the rest of her life. It was like the soul had been sucked out of their bodies. She wondered if her brother would smile again or love again after this. This cruelty wouldn’t be just taken. She knew that the AFPD and DGI had to get revenge. Someone had to fight back against Ronan and all of his corruption. That’s when she saw Devin, Merci, Jamal and Ophelia all walk in. She felt a sense of relief. Looking at her mother she saw her shock that Ophelia was back in town. Not only that but they’d finally be meeting face to face at this very moment. She stood up greeting Devin, and Merci with hugs as she watched Jamal and Mason gripping each other tightly. Ophelia had walked into the embrace and she knew that she had back up. People who loved Mason dearly and wouldn’t allow anything to happen from this point on. She trusted the Fraiser family but they’d be consumed with their grief. She needed Mason to know he wasn’t an afterthought. “Cousin this is so awful.” She whispered as she looked at Merci and Devin. 

Gloria with as much subtleness as a sledge hammer approached Mason who was just crying. Her son was broken. That boy Zach had truly changed something inside of him. He wasn’t going to be the same after this and that haunted her. That made her feel something she hadn’t felt in years maternal pain. When her children were hurting, she felt it. “Mason.” She whispered as Jamal and Ophelia embraced each other. “I know you don’t know me baby but please let me help. I’m not the enemy. I might be a bitch and motherfucking reckless at the mouth but you are my son. I can’t think straight, seeing you like this baby. Please come here.” She looked at Ophelia. “That’s right his real mother is here.” She said as she looked at Jamal. “Remember me? I met you at the wedding, little boy.”

Devin was technically still on duty but the FBI had quickly ushered the local police department out of the explosion. He instead, along with Jon, had come to the hospital to await the news he knew would come for Zach; he had seen it in Jon’s eyes on the boat. Merci was uninjured thanks to being towards the back of the casino and on the sidelines as the planner it had been chaotic to say the least. He hugged Selina before casting using eyes at the other woman. Did she really just say son to Mason? As in his deceased Aunt Gloria? That didn’t make any sense; he was a little younger than Selina when she died but he remembered her funeral; he and Braden had gotten in trouble for running the halls in St. Paul’s. He looked at Selina raising his eyebrow at her before embracing Mason. “Anything you need I’m here for you and I know the rest of the force is too.”

Mason was so overwhelmed by all the emotion everyone was showing him about what happened he couldn’t help it but start crying again. It was so much, too much and he nodded his head absently at the condolences when they came none of it was real yet. He’d wake up tomorrow and everything would go back to the way it was. Zach would be fine, they’d go to the gym or for a run together. Dani would be fine, heck maybe they’d even go on a double date or something with her and Jackson. Zach would be able to tell his family he had been accepted into the training program and they were going to move to DC. They’d finally nail Scarlett and bring Kieran home, it hit him Zach would never meet his son and more tears came with anger. His eyes were still blurry when he caught a glimpse of red hair and he pulled back seeing Dru watching the entire family. 

“Are you fucking happy you snake? You want to tell them or should I? You thought you were fucking smart, bitch you’re nothing. Never have been, never will be. I swear if you don’t start speaking I’ll fucking end you and they’ll be digging more than one grave tonight.” Mason said seeing everyone staring at him and he pointed at Dru seeing her look at him, he walked up to her feeling someone was trying to pull him back and broke free. The second time he looked and saw Jamal and Devin holding him and relented. He looked over at everyone, especially his best friend Jackson who looked so damned broken. “She’s not who she says she is and Zach had proof. Speak up or fucking leave, no one wants you here after everything you have done.”