4×06 “The Taste of Your Lips”
Written by: Chris Coleman and Kelly Zollo
Warning: Episode may contain graphic violence, language and sexual content
Theme Song: kwn – worst behaviour (Official Video) ft. Kehlani

Braden sat at the Pub. It wasn’t open yet but it seemed like a neutral place to meet but he was able to maneuver around the kitchen enough to make some eggs, toast and fresh coffee while he waited for his cousin and sister. He and Tamara had agreed to the move for a fresh start after everything, to follow Tamara’s dreams of helping women at the crisis center. He had put out a few fillers about joining a few other firms but they had started to pack the house, he wasn’t sure if they were going to keep it to rent out or sell it yet. The downside was that he didn’t want to leave but for Tamara it was the right thing, she had supported his career for years so it was time he did the same for her. Everything with his dad was so fucked up that he couldn’t even look at him or talk to him, learning he was trying to shelter that awful fucking woman.

Dru may have been his sister by blood but she would never be that in his mind or heart not after what she had done to his career, what she had done to his sister. He had no desire to stick around and try to make peace with her either like his grandmother thought they should and no one was going to make him or his sister do that. Not even their grandmother, who he was beginning to question if she was actually taking her medication or not. It wasn’t like he was abandoning Dani to deal with it; he was a phone call and a plane ride away, she had their mom, Kelsey, Brock and Lucy still here, plus she had Jackson. He heard the back door open and saw Brock come through the kitchen and he got up hugging his cousin.

“Glad you are here, you look like you haven’t slept in like a week.” Braden said looking at his clearly tired cousin and he remembered those days when both Dylan and now Delilah would cry and keep him or Tamara up. Not to mention the other baby that was going to be on the way and he saw Brock sigh in reply and he placed his hand on his shoulder. “Try some white noise. Dylan liked guitar songs, Delilah prefers mozart, it really does help. Also, spend some time alone with Greer too.” He finished trying to be supportive over Greer joining the family the best he could without starting another war.

Brock was sleep deprived as hell he loved his son but he needed to start sleeping through the night, when Braden had texted him to meet he had asked Greer. Who had mentioned that she was meeting with her father anyway so it was fine, he didn’t dislike Pierre but he also couldn’t stand his father in law. The man had sold out his wife like a prostitute when she came to town and for him it was wild that she just seemed to want to forget that, but he was trying to be patient. His own family was a damn mess at the moment, he’d heard what happened at his grandmother’s from Lucy and he was beginning to wonder if the woman had really lost it. Pierre may of been a piece of work but his uncle at the moment was way fucking worse.

“I’ll pass the advice on to Greer though I think we could both use it. Dani here yet?” Brock asked, looking around the Pub and then sitting at the table bringing the cup of coffee to his lips while he took a sip. He had so many memories of the Pub, family parties and celebrations. Birthdays and graduations and his finger traced the table the dings in the top, likely from either his siblings or cousins or some patron. Most importantly there were so many memories of his brother here it was hard to not think about it. “I miss him.” Brock finally said, meeting his cousin’s eyes who seemed to embrace that same sentiment.

Dani had left the house that morning dropping off the twins at her mother’s for now Lucy could watch them there before she headed to the Pub, afterwards she was meeting Jackson at the mansion with Mason and Julian. She had no idea why her brother had insisted on the meeting that morning but it sounded important and as the driver drove her to the Pub she leaned her head against the window smiling. During the last week she had an appointment with Kelsey based on their therapy session and homework and reminded herself to call David about the headaches. The headaches seemed to come and go, it wasn’t a major concern but she kept replaying what happened at her grandmother’s wondering why she kept hearing Greer saying Chauncey’s name. When the car stopped at the Pub she took the back entrance, heading into the main room she saw her brother and Brock sitting at one of the tables, she’d already ate. It was something they liked to do, her and Jackson eat together and start their morning.

“What did I miss?” Dani asked joining her brother who hugged her and then Brock at the table. She had no idea why Braden had called them into the Pub so early but it wasn’t like she had other things she had to do just yet. The first day she’d be back was afterwards, she was going to slowly ease her way back to work and Jackson assured her that she could take all the time she needed. Though the way he seemed the other night last week he wanted her kept at home all to himself though they had been interrupted by their daughter halfway through. She picked up at least the cup of coffee and took a sip. “So, what is the occasion?” She asked, looking at her brother.

Braden looked between them both and he knew he would miss spending time with his sister and cousins, but it was the right thing to do. He couldn’t put Tamara’s dreams on hold anymore for his own and they would be closer to her family now too. “You little sister have never changed, always wanting to know what comes first or the why in something. You also didn’t miss much but Brock here being dead ass tired with a newborn. I suggested white noise. But to answer your question I have something I need you to tell you both about me and Tams.” He saw their look of surprise and knew his wife would kill him if he spilled the tea about her pregnancy without her there. “She got a job offer in Boston and accepted, I’ve put out some feelers, and we decided we’re moving.”

Dani nearly dropped her cup and just stared at her brother. He was moving to an entirely different state? As a family they had just lost Zach and she had been near death not to mention their dad and what he was doing with Dru. She got it too. Tamara had dreams, she’d do the same for Jackson and would like to think he would do the same for her. “Wow I wasn’t expecting that, I’m happy for Tamara of course but with everything going on with dad and Zach. Have you told mom yet she’s going to be devastated not that it matters. I could fly her out anytime and besides I offered you a job at DGI that you turned down. Plus you said you’d help me put that bitch away for what she did to Jackson, we owe him.”

Brock stared at his oldest cousin. He got the meaning behind it; he wanted him to look after Dani and his aunt if he moved. He wasn’t going to rain on Tamara’s job offer; he got it. Braden had spent his entire life putting Dylan and his career first and now wanted to do the same for his wife. He admired that about his cousin, respected it even more. “If that is what you guys want I am happy for you. Just wow man like I didn’t even see that coming either.” He finished seeing Dani look at him and then Braden.

“We’re going to tell mom in a bit but I wanted to tell you two first. One because I need Brock to hold things down here since I won’t be around. And two you’re always gonna be my little sister. As for Dru I’m going to talk to Mason about it. He’s capable and she’ll pay. As for a job it wasn’t about the family you married Dani. It’s about Tamara and her chance to do something really amazing, I want to support her in that. As for Jackson yeah we do owe him for everything with Lucy.” Braden started only for his phone to ring and seeing the number he stood up. “I’ll be right back, it’s a firm.”

Dani folded her arms overwhelmed at it all; she had lost her best friend and cousin and it sounded like she was going to lose her brother now too. It was all so jumbled and she saw a text from Greer come in on Brock’s phone and saw the wallpaper of him, Greer and baby BJ it was still gnawing at her how golden haired the baby was. Almost like an illusion it had no dark features whatsoever plus with the headaches and what she remembered or thought she did she wasn’t sure. “Listen I don’t wanna fight but can you really trust Greer? She kept Dru a secret as her inside source and suddenly wanted to marry you. White noise helps we bought an app for it with the twins.” She finished looking at Brock.

Brock looked at her like she had grown two heads. Maybe he should have reconsidered especially if she was going to go on about Greer all over again. He then had to remind himself that she had been through a lot with the accident and had taken the brunt of it to protect his son. “I don’t expect you or Greer to be best friends or anything like that, and yeah we know about Dru now but I do think in her own way she was trying to hold onto journalistic integrity. I know you went through a lot that night and Zach’s not here so if it’s about that I’m here for you.” He saw Dani glare at him and leaned on the table, his hands folded in front of him and then looked at her. “But for now, especially with Braden leaving, can you just drop it. I appreciate what you did in the car but I’m not going to let you disrespect Greer okay, so for everyone can you just let it go already.” Brock said not trying to rock the boat further but also wanting to stand up for his wife with his cousin too.

Dani simply just stared at him, her mouth nearly open. It wasn’t about Zach or maybe it was she wasn’t sure anymore but she didn’t trust Greer. She understood the meaning perfectly and clearly he wanted her to lay off everything with Greer, even if she thought he was having blinders on was insane to her. “It’s not about Zach I miss him it’s about.” Dani started only for Braden to sit back down. It came on suddenly again and she was pretty sure it was another flash of something as she stared at the wall.

“Chauncey!”

She swerved the wheel with a jerk wondering why in the hell Greer had screamed Chauncey’s name before she felt something hit them head on. The windshield cracking the high pitch noise of the glass shattering, cutting through Greer’s screams and her own. She felt the impact of the airbag against her face first and then everything went black while she felt her body crumple as the Land Rover began to roll.

“I got an offer at a firm in Boston.” Braden said seeing Brock high five him and then watched as his sister stared off into space and he wondered what had been said while he was away. “Dani?” He asked, hoping to break her out of whatever she was thinking about.

Her brother’s voice brought her back and she calmed her breathing wondering why she was replaying that conversation on repeat over and over again. Wondering each time why it got so intense, her eyes landed on the wall behind them where she saw the picture that was hanging there. Zach and her at college graduation and she realized how much she missed her cousin still wiping at her eyes before turning to her brother and Brock. “I just think he should be here, you know? He’d be the first one to want to throw you and Tamara a kick ass going away party. He was such a romantic and it sucks he’s not.”

Brock nodded his head at her glad that she had dropped the entire thing with Greer and his eyes landed on the photowall seeing the last one of them all together for Braden’s wedding. He chuckled a bit at the good memories that came with that seeing Zach beaming with Mason. He and Greer in it, his cousin and Jackson. His brother was the helpless romantic and his eyes landed on Mason in the picture. “You’re right he should but now we just need to be there the best we can for Mason and keep the good memories.” He said seeing her and Braden quietly nod their heads at him before he picked up his fork and took a bite from the eggs. 

“So other than the move, what is everyone else up to? I’m up to my hands in diapers and haven’t slept well in a week.” He finished seeing Braden smile and Dani do the same as the conversation drifted off the only person missing at the table who was missing, his brother and he looked at the picture again feeling a sense of comfort almost like Zach was telling him it would be okay after all.

*****

Simon had woken up that morning to Ivan and he in bed where they eagerly made love, they had seemed to get closer since the explosion to the point that Ivan was staying at his place. Security was still tight since he didn’t trust Ivan’s abusive and crazy uncle as far as he could throw him, if anything Hector had done one thing when he knocked him out re-triggered his memory and the night before it seemed enough to remember a trip he and Lowell had taken to an establishment. Enough that after dressing for the day in a navy suit, white shirt and tie he kissed Ivan on the lips and grabbed his briefcase headed out. Going to his car and hoping that he was right, honestly it was a brilliant hiding place. Tess wouldn’t dare go there and even the person had no idea it was right by their fingers the whole time. It took him about twenty minutes for him to park at the country club Jackie he knew was at the mansion leaving him plenty of time to do what he needed. The staff didn’t ask questions as he made his way towards the offices once there he shut the door to Jackie’s.

Unlike DGI this reminded him of old money it still had Jackie’s signature charm and as he made his way to the hanging golf portrait of the club that Lowell had gifted her on their tenth anniversary it seemed fitting. He removed the painting carefully knowing how priceless it was to her and entered the code, hearing the safe open and let out a laugh along with a sigh of relief when it turned out he was right. Inside was Lowell’s last will and testament, a folder labeled insurance and a letter addressed to him. He grabbed the will and the letter leaving the folder labeled insurance for now not until he knew what the letter said or it entailed. He looked at his watch as he slipped everything he did need inside of the briefcase. The letter he would read in private right now he needed to get to the Devonshire mansion. He replaced the picture and exited the same way he came, going back to his car, getting inside and driving.

The maid let him in and he then made his way up the stairs when she informed him that Julian, Mason, Jackson and Dani were inside of Lowell’s old office. Tess thought she was slick, the only thing he now knew was that it was her or someone she had hired to push him down those stairs, she thought that he’d never remember meaning they had a surprise up on her. Opening the door he looked at Mason and then at his best friend. “So my hunch was right, it was exactly where I thought it would be.” Simon said seeing Jackson’s emotion, watched as Dani touched his shoulder in support and Julian even seemed to nod. Taking out the will he handed it to him. “You’re dad’s last will and testament to everything he discussed with you, everything he gave your siblings and your mom. I’m just sorry I didn’t remember earlier before the explosion.” Simon finished looking at them all.

Jackson looked at the documents and smiled. It could hold up in court if they couldn’t locate the final will. Tess tried to steal the Devonshire family legacy and it was heartbreaking because she had spent her entire life trying to be them. Trying to be a Devonshire and when she got it nobody cared or honored her as such. She would never be his mother and that scarred her. In a way he felt badly for her. In others he couldn’t wait to run her ass out of Atlas Falls. Even though she was Bliss and Belle’s mother she wasn’t deserving of the legacy she had stolen. “My children will one day have DGI as their company and I just want to make sure Maddie or Rory’s kid or Fox is the one to hand it to them, not Tess.” He said honestly looking around the room. 

“Julian I know you didn’t like my father and I know it was bad blood but for you to stand with my mother like this. With us all.” Jackson extended his hand for a shake. “I know my father would have never liked someone else with mom, but you are a stand up man and I appreciate it and you.” He looked over at Simon and grabbed his friend’s hand. “Look, someone attacked you for the will. We won’t be blaming you, this is all Tess and possibly a lot of other people. Everyone wants to see DGI fall but the best thing is we will continue to stand and I’ll get my family’s legacy back in our hands.” Taking his wife’s hand he looked at the men before him. “We were given DGI and it’s our legacy. I won’t take this lying down. I won’t continue to let her break a company that we all built. The new DGI is our legacy and I won’t allow it to go in the trash.”

Dani placed her hand on Jackson’s shoulder and saw the relief flood his entire face and body, he had been so stressed out about it at home. So worried about everything and she only hoped this would allow him, them some breathing room with everything. She was also thrilled with the news, Lowell had wanted his children running the company not Tess and had wanted Jackson to be CEO he had made that very clear to them both. “This is amazing, someone pushed you down the stairs at DGI thinking the will was there. None of this is your fault Simon. Thank you. I don’t think you know how much this means to the both of us.” Dani said, reassuring her long time friend and college roommate.

Mason took the documents from Simon and scanned them. Everything was in order right down to all the signatures that were required and the document dated exactly three days before the Summit where Lowell had meant to make the announcement. He almost wanted to wonder what in the hell kind of a will Tess had the lawyers had combed it carefully. Everyone knew it was fake; they just needed the one in their hands to prove it. He handed it to Julian; he trusted him to keep it safe until the ample and opportune time. He hugged Jackson and then leaned in doing the same to Simon. “Hey you did an amazing thing. This means we can fight Tess and move to phase two doesn’t it?” Mason asked Julian.

“Yes it does.” Julian said looking over the will everything was in order and he looked at Mason, Simon, Jackson and Dani he knew they wanted to know the next part. He honestly took Jackson’s words to heart he was being patient with Jackie when she was ready but he knew she wasn’t quite there yet. He had never liked how Lowell had treated Jackie Davis in his mind that woman deserved better than what Lowell had ever given her, but she had loved him and he was the father to all her children he understood that. “I appreciate that Jackson, you are right. I never cared for your father and how he did certain things in his business or personal life. But when your mother called and asked me to represent you the night of the accident I knew I needed to help. Before we go on I will warn you, I don’t think we will make it to court with what I plan to do next.” Julian said, looking over at Simon. “Our other player is in play, correct?”

Simon looked over at Jackson and felt so much relief over him as he spoke that he had finally done what Lowell had asked, he did just feel bad it wasn’t before the casino blew up. It seemed that his best friend was taking it a little too easy on him for all that, then again maybe he was being too hard on himself. When Julian asked him if everything else was in play he looked over at him and nodded looking at his best friend and Dani. “Yes, all I have to do is send the text. Tess wants to hardball, we can hardball. I won’t send it unless one of you actually tells me to send it. After all you two are CEO’s. So it’s your choice.”

“My choice is to demolish her.” Jackson said, looking at the team of people in the room with him. “I want everyone to know that from now on DGI isn’t available to be taken down or hurt. I need them to all feel our wrath. That means Gloria, Natasha, Pierre, and Tess. I want everyone to understand if they come after a Devonshire they’ll pay. Not just with their pockets but jail. I want them buried in legal trouble and to leave this earth with nothing. I want them all penniless and having absolutely nothing left. I want them to bleed.” Jackson said as he stood. “Start phase two and when we are done, make sure none of them have nothing left.” He grabbed Dani’s hand and kissed it. “It’s time the king and queen are back on the throne. Look, we have a meeting to attend. Please keep me updated.” Monique was seeing them again this week and he didn’t want to be late. “Oh Julian, I want to hire your firm to now do all the legal work for DGI.” Jackson took Dani’s hand and walked out of the room and soon back into his company. 

*****

Elliot had woken up early and made breakfast more like he ordered it from LaCallie and had it delivered, he let Selina sleep in while he read the paper and caught up on some cases. Greer LeClerq was certainly on the comings and goings at DGI that was for sure. He had decided that he was going to put his name into the running for DA, it was something that he had been considering the rumor that the office was a mess since Braden had resigned. Normally he was selfish when it came to being a lawyer but he attributed his new outlook on things to Selina. It was Monique’s week with Zeke and Maddie was with Chauncey meaning they were completely alone. He was happy that Monique and Selina had been so chill with each other on their first time meeting face to face and he attributed that to their co-parenting and friendship. He looked at the clock and got up from the table, plating all the food on a tray before taking it to the bedroom.

He watched as Selina was still sleeping. It was almost ten and thankfully breakfast could be warmed again, he knew that she was going through a lot when it came to Mason and he wanted to be there for her. Compiled with her mother being alive and well in town with his mentor Jeremiah Beecher it was a lot to take in. Walking to the bed he slipped back under the covers watching her sleep while his hand moved up her skin starting at her leg and moving up over her hip, it had just the right amount of curve that he loved. He watched her shudder a bit, her eyes still shut; he wondered what she was dreaming about. He leaned down kissing her shoulder blade as she rolled over and his hand moved up farther to outline her breast, his knuckle tracing her nipple watching her eyes open. For him that was the best part, watching her eyes open in the morning and he leaned down kissing her deeply. He let his mouth explore hers hearing her sigh before he looked down at her.

“Good morning sleepy head it’s almost ten so I thought I’d come in and see if you were sleeping all day or what the plan is. You looked so beautiful and peaceful it was hard to not wake you. I also ordered food from LaCallie and had it delivered.” Elliot said looking down at her he could tell her mind was elsewhere and it was likely with Mason, it was awful what happened with him and Zach but sometimes he wished that Selina took a step back sometimes and would let Mason grieve on his terms. Plus he felt like it was probably stressing her out on her own and he didn’t want that for her especially since she had said she wanted a baby, stress could mess with a cycle and hormones, he had every intention of following through on the promise he made her in Chicago. “Ok confess what is going on, you’ve been a million miles away lately. Don’t get me wrong I love that you and Monique got along the other day, Zeke and you seem cool and Maddie is home. Is it Mason, is it what your mom did before the explosion?”

“It’s all of it.” Selina said honestly as she touched his face. When she was sleep she could feel his warm hands teasing her nipples and touching her body. She loved to be woken up to this man. A man that honored her. A man that truly loved her deeply and that was enough for her. She accepted Zeke, she loved him already and Maddie being home made her even happier. They could form some sort of unit. She wasn’t expecting Zeke and Maddie to call each other siblings but they should love and respect each other. Then there was Mason who was slowly coming out of his grief. Or was he? She worried her brother was throwing himself into the DGI stuff. She wasn’t sure if he was ready or not to properly move forward. Then it was her mother telling her that she would give her BA Investments if she left DGI. All of it was weighing on her. At this moment she didn’t want to think of any of it. “I’m worried about Maddie, I’m worried about Mason, I’m scared of what my momma got up her sleeve. Not only that, Elliot she offered me BA Investments. She offered me a seat at my own table and I feel guilty for wanting it right now when the Devonshire’s are going through this. But baby right now you can make it all disappear. I want you to kiss me down low. As low as you want to go.”

He was a God. She had Chauncey, and Braden but this man sexually took her places she had only dreamed. He loved to eat her pussy until she screamed for him to enter her. She felt intoxicated and recently the sex between them had been even hotter. She wasn’t sure why. But she was sure that they had the house to themselves for now. She could be as loud as she wanted and he could do anything he wanted to her body. They’d more than connected; it was like instinctively he knew she needed him physically. She kissed his lips and touched his chest feeling his heart beat syncing up to hers. “Baby I need you.”

Elliot looked at her and she had been so torn up about everything involving DGI, Mason and what her mother had put her under, losing Zach and throwing everyone into chaos. He looked down at her slowly stroking the side of her face hoping to calm her down while he felt her body responding to his touch, the way it arched for him. He leaned down kissing her neck, working his hands down her sides to her breasts. “Your wish is my command.” He whispered into her ear, while his lips began to travel down her skin, his hands pinning her hips. He’d been with other women before but with Selina it was different, it was exciting and new not to mention challenging, he wanted to give her what she always wanted: a baby. He stopped at her nipples making sure to apply just the right amount of pressure and suction while they beaded and became hard in his mouth. He heard her moan and grinned up at her as he moved lower trailing feather light kisses on her navel and watched in awe as she willingly spread her legs for him giving him a full view of her gorgeous pussy.

He lowered his head carefully, trailing light kisses before he buried his head there, his tongue licking and teasing and he couldn’t help but add in a finger while he continued to please her. He went ahead and added a second watching her face, the pleasure etched there and he could tell that he was driving her insane. He kept going, hearing her pants and moans filling the room and grinning because no one could hear them. They were gone for the day. He felt her legs starting to shake and pulled back, watching her on the brink of an orgasm and he instead turned her over gently placing her on her knees.  He kissed her back while he watched her hips rising to meet his, leaning down he kissed her neck gripping her hands with his own while he leaned into her ear. “Then you have me. All of me.” He whispered while she slowly inched his way into her channel feeling her gripping his hands while she moaned into the pillow and he let out a groan. He waited there for a few seconds before he started to move, stroking her entire channel wanting to drive her wild, wanting to fill her body up and give her the baby she deserved.

Selina loved that Elliot knew her body. Every touch to her skin was calculated to drive her wild. As he ate her pussy she began to moan, and whimper because right now her thoughts and stress had melted away. Gripping the sheets, her french manicured nails bunched up the silk that surrounded her body. Her eyes were locked in watching his tongue flick on her clit. Sucking and teasing until she couldn’t help it. She called out his name and when he began to finger her she knew she had to feel him. She wanted his dick buried deeply inside of her. When he turned her over she knew it was her time to please him as well. Elliot always wanted her to shake but now she was going to make him feel just as electric. As he dug inch by inch inside of her body she began to shake knowing that she’d make him just as vulnerable. 

She cried out in pleasure when she felt his pelvis pressing up against her ass. All of him was inside of her and that made her feel so good. Throwing her hip she began to slither her body on his thickness. Bouncing her ass with fever she felt the fire of his girth pushing into her tight canal. Her eyes began to roll back. “Fuck!” She purred. At this moment she squeezed tightly on his thickness and his dick felt so good. He was the man she needed and felt her heart pumping. She felt him pushing and she threw her head back looking at him in the eyes. Licking her lips. “Fuck me daddy.” She moaned passionately. Here she was thinking she was about to make him quiver and he was glistening and looking passionately.

It took all his restraint to not cum the moment that her pelvis slammed into his but Elliot was determined to ease her mind, body and soul when it came to this woman, honestly most of his life other than his failed marriage he had been looking for what he had with Selina. A partner that seemed to understand his wants and needs, his ambitions and he had fallen hard for her, he loved her. He also knew about all her pain that she had been through with Chauncey, then Braden and finally Dimitri and he wanted nothing more than to finally give her the life she had always wanted and that included a child of her own. He had no idea if that would happen but one way or another he wanted that for her, he couldn’t help the moans that came out while he watched her slamming into his cock, watching himself slide in and out, his palms palmed her ass and back wanting more.

When she squeezed on him he couldn’t help it and groaned again at the sensation nearly seizing, instead he took it as his cue to go harder. Throwing his hips violently into her watching her eyes lock on him as she moved while he fucked her, not knowing where he ended and she began at this point. He leaned down kissing her from behind while he felt the bed slamming against the wall how was she doing this to him, he panted and moaned against her lips, his hands moved from her ass coating his fingers with her juices before he moved his thumb to her clit tracing it in circles finally feeling her shaking in his arms while she came. “Fuck me Selina. I love you.” Elliot said watching her come undone for him the way her eyes looked at him, he kept coaxing on her clit wanting her to come again before he filled her.

Selina’s eyes rolled in the back of her head as her body felt the pain and pleasure of the moment. The way he was pushing into her body she began to shake as if she was having a seizure. Her mind was no longer in control over her body he was. Every stroke deeper and stronger inside of her made her cry out in pleasure. The waves of intensity washed over her again and again. Even if she couldn’t carry a baby to term. She wanted a child with him. She wanted to have her entire life with Elliot Duval. This man had come into her world and changed it. She was mentally stronger and so much more brave and at this moment she knew she needed him. As she relaxed she felt his girth thickening inside of her walls and she could feel two powerful explosions of cum being pumped into her. He collapsed and she did as well. She immediately rolled on top of him and kissed him with all she had. Laying her head on his chest she looked into his eyes. “How did I get so lucky? That was amazing.”

Elliot watched as she came again the way her eyelids slit the way her body melted into his hands and he felt his hips jerk as he exploded into her pussy, watching as his load dripped out and then up her backside. He felt himself come again as more spilled out. “Selina.” He managed to cry out as he continued to move in her, watching her milk him before he gave out collapsing on her back, careful to not crush her. He felt himself roll onto the mattress and eagerly took her mouth with his own while she kissed him and he let out another moan into her mouth. Pulling back he stroked her cheek watching her still coming down from the amazing orgasm they both had. “No, how did I get so lucky? I think I have an hour or two before I have to be in, let’s just enjoy the moment a little longer. I’m here Selina and I want to give you the world and I meant that.” Elliot said looking down at her enjoying the bliss of this moment that they were sharing.

*****

Gia watched as the limo pulled up to the Rawlings rumor was that Sebastian was staying in the penthouse with his mother, she always knew that relationship with Max was doomed to fail. Hector as usual had been instrumental in dropping Ronan’s tail, something she anticipated ahead of time, once inside Renards, she simply took the back entrance while her tail from Ronan had flirted with the cashier. She wouldn’t have much time before Ronan’s men got word of her location word traveled fast but just enough to slip by and have a visit with Sebastian. She glanced down at Michael and knew this was her meal ticket, her son was the ticket to everything and there was no way that Sebastian or Regina would be able to resist a visit from her. Especially when word was that Sebastian was fragile since he had lost his son with Max, the son she now held in her arms. He would eventually see her reasoning Max never loved him like she did, and his son was safe in her arms. Exiting the car she and Hector rode the elevator up to the penthouse where Regina had guards posted and they agreed to get Sebastian who was expecting her. 

She nodded her head at Hector as he stayed outside the door while she entered looking around the room cradling the baby in her arms. She swayed him back and forth. He seemed to like that the best the motion likely soothing she supposed, when she heard footsteps entering the room she turned and looked at Sebastian. He looked worse for west like the old Sebastian that she knew that would fuck her all night long and go out and wreck havoc on the streets during the day not this docile person Max had creates. “Thank you for meeting me on such short notice. I appreciate your mother coming to my room at the hospital but we have something we need to discuss. There is a new product in the streets.” She began unsure if Sebastian even heard the first part he was staring so intently at the baby, she clutched him closer and a slow smile spread on her lips this was exactly the way she would play it, he was drawn to the baby. Meaning she could use the entire situation to her advantage, her tone softened while she looked at Sebastian walking towards him, her footsteps careful and slow like she was presenting a trophy, in a way she supposed she was. “Seb, would you like to hold him and then we can talk about why I came?” She asked, her best innocence on display for him.

So much of his body felt a guilt for being pulled to that baby. A piece of him always would feel this connection to this child. It was the other baby born that awful night. Sebastian nodded his head as he walked to her and picked up the baby. He smelled so pure and good. He had that smell that only a baby had. His eyes started to tear up as the baby gripped his finger. “Hola, Michael, ¡cómo desearía que tuvieras un amigo llamado Enrique! Que aún estuviera aquí contigo. Pero creo que ahora tienes un ángel de la guarda que te protege de tu padre y tu madre.” He looked up at Gia and wondered why she came here with the baby? Was it to rub it in his eyes that she was a mother and Max wasn’t? Was it to show him that she had a child that should have been theirs if he knew what he knew now. He would have never subjected himself to Max Devonshire if his heart would be broken like this. “So you came here to question me about something I can’t tell you? What do you want Gia? To make me feel like this? My heart is broken Gia and I can’t think of anything else but Enrique dying in labor.” He yelled as Michael could feel his tension as the baby started to cry. Immediately he started to rock him and before he knew it he was singing to the little boy a lullaby his mother used to sing to him. “No te preocupes, para eso tienes la vida. Sueña, sueña en grande porque algún día serás una estrella.” The baby immediately calmed down almost like he knew his voice. 

“Gia, are you here for concern for me or are you here for him? The man that got my ex-fiance ship blown up. A man who I blame for my son’s death? You can dislike Max all you want Gia but I loved her. I loved her like I used to love you. Now.” He turned and handed her back her baby. “I can’t do this, get out Gia because you don’t care about me you just want to know if I’m the one pushing LVLZ right?” Stepping back he didn’t want to hold her child anymore and for the first time in a long time he felt Max. He didn’t want to see that baby right now. She wanted to be rid of Enrique’s things and he understood that feeling now. “Get out. Go!” He screamed at her. “You are nothing to me! You are sleeping with him! You are sleeping with the man who caused my child to be gone. This was a mistake.” He said, picking up the glass of brandy and gulping it down. 

Gia watched him interact with Michael and she tried her best to not let her nerves get to her or let anything show, he was too enthralled with the baby to notice how intense it all was and she relaxed when he held his on. She looked at Seb almost shooting him a dirty look when he mentioned that the other baby, she folded her arms. “I would like to think perhaps that our sons could have been friends. I came here because there is something and someone moving into Ronan’s territory and I know you and Enzo well enough, I came out of respect to what our families used to mean to each other. We were in love once, Sebastian or do you not remember that. That night on the boat it affected me too, the screaming watching everything go up in flames, finding Max.” Her voice trailed off, it was all a facade but one she was going to go through with she needed the Navarros on her side in order to make it out alive at the end of the day it was about survival. “It was very gracious of your mother to visit me after everything that happened so I thought a courtesy back instead of bullets was the polite thing to do.” She said walking to him watching the baby hold his fingers and she stroked his head. “We tried to save… it was awful and I’m sorry.” She said quietly, her voice trailing off and coming back reaching out and gently taking the baby back letting her fingers brush his own for a moment.

“I brought the baby because I thought you might like to see him. I heard that you and Max are taking a break, something like this changes people. Perhaps for the better in this case. I came for both, I know you seem to think it was either Ronan or myself that blew up that casino but why would either of us do that? Word on my side is that it is possibly someone in the midwest or even down south who might have been involved. I’m having my people look into it and I know the FBI is trying to build a case. It’s bad for everyone once the feds get involved.” Gia said seeing him soften just a hair for her and that was all she needed, she watched as one of his guards appeared and then went away. She walked to the bar Michael in her arms while he poured himself a drink and she then motioned for her own glass. “We’re using formula and if I wanted I could even pump and dump. I need you to be honest with me about LVLZ, Ronan is paranoid at everything this could turn ugly. Is that what you want? I could help you this time, we could be partners. Honestly it’s been a little dead in that area if you want to know. He prefers Brooke Kincaid’s red headed sister or girls at his club.”

Sebastian looked at her supple breast and her lips and a piece of him wanted her. He walked to baby Michael and sat him in the bassinet. As he stared at the little baby he touched his cheek. As he walked to Gia he leaned down and traced her lip with his hand. “Do you miss me?” He questioned as he stood her up. “You still want me? After all these years? After all this time you still want me? So let me have you.” He said, picking her up and pressing Gia against the wall. Raising up her dress he slid his fingers inside of her and she was dripping wet. “Does Ronan make you wet? Does he make you feel like this?” Sebastian whispered as he fingered her wondering how Ronan would feel to know his woman was on him. He wanted to make him feel his wrath and right now this is exactly what he wanted. He didn’t want her anymore. Sebastian knew that he wanted to make her understand. 

“You came here to ask me if Enzo made LVLZ right? Well you already knew the answer to that. My brother owns that drug. He will never sell it to Ronan. Ronan will never get his hands on LVLZ and I assure you that you’re going to get hurt if you keep yourself in the middle. So do me a favor Gia. Do what you do best and fucking wait. Wait until you become the widow that I know you are. One day I’ll make you a boss again but you go home, take your fucking baby and tell him to suck my dick. He is the catalyst for my child dying. Or was it you? Did you do it Gia? Did you set a fucking bomb and killed my son?” He said whispering in her face and still fingering her. “If you want me then you’re going to have to get rid of Ronan. You are going to have to help me and you’re going to get LVLZ if you play your cards right.” 

Gia had no idea how she felt about Sebastian touching his son and for a moment fear overcame her watching as he placed him down in the bassinet. Before she could escape or make an exit he had placed his finger on her lips and she was instantly transported back to the years they were together. Of course she still missed him. Ronan was adequate in bed but the prize had always been the man in front of her. She had waited so long for this spent her entire existence in Atlas Falls to take down Ronan and to make Max realize she was never the woman for Sebastian. She let out a moan when he pressed her against the wall, her legs spreading for him, Ronan hadn’t even wanted to touch her after having or giving them a child. “No he doesn’t.” Gia said throwing her hips into his hand while he fucked her with his fingers, she had wanted this for so long and part of her felt guilty as she looked over at the baby. She closed her eyes for a moment, her hand reaching down to stroke him through his pants.

His questions though had her almost stopping had she set the bomb on the boat. He never could know the truth and she tried her best to ignore it while he continued to finger her, digging into her channel and hitting her in that spot he knew. She threw her head back shaking her head no at him this would be her best performance. “Of course not, it was Ronan he’s off kilter about everything. He can get the money back from the insurance. Seb, please. I’ll do whatever you want, I just want him out of my life. I have to marry him for the baby.” Gia said her eyes looking at him, feeling her orgasm close, how was he doing this to her? She dug her nails around his cock through his pants and then decided to turn all the questions back at him when she leaned in and kissed him. “You want me Seb, where is Max to comfort you? Let me comfort you. Let me help you take him down for what he did to you. I’m going to cum.” She said letting herself go to the desire he was giving her while she came hard on his hand shaking looking at him watching how satisfied he was that he could still get her off.

Taking his fingers out of Gia he lapped his hand like a greedy dog. Her juices tasted sweet and his eyes grew dark. “I know you didn’t do this. You wouldn’t risk your son Gia. You aren’t evil but until you give me a better plan, a better choice and option to kill him. I want nothing to do with you. You are an old flame and if you think I’m going to fuck you when you are fucking him. The man who killed my child, you’ve lost your mind. You want me then you tell me where, when, and how to kill him.” Taking her chin in his hand. “You want to know what I’m about to do next? I’m about to burn Atlas Falls down. I’m about to take everything he has including you and his son. I’m going to make Ronan a very distant memory because he stole the one thing I wanted more than life itself. He stole the one thing I loved. Max and my son. Now I don’t have either and he won’t either. He doesn’t get to have a happy ending like you just did. He deserves to suffer and I’m coming. You missed me baby? Well I’m back and I’m better than fucking ever because I’m going saturate his market with my drug, I’m going to start so many wars he won’t know what hit him. I’m going to systematically rip away his life piece by piece.” He declared as he walked to the Italian leather sofa and sat down. 

“You can leave now. I got what I needed. You’re still mine and no matter what you say you’ll never get me out of your system. I’m done talking, take your child and go.” He looked over at the bassinet and felt a tinge of guilt. He just disrespected Gia in front of her child. “And when you come back, I know you will. Don’t bring him because I would hate to fuck you in front of your son.” Sebastian sat back rubbing his growing cock staring at her. “I want you in a couple of days to come back with nothing underneath a trench coat. I want you to tease me and please me in every way. But you aren’t to fuck Ronan anymore if you’re fucking me are we clear Gia?”

Gia shook in rage at him when he pulled back and licked his fingers feeling cheap and that was something she never wanted or was ever, cheap she owned her own family. She lowered her dress while glaring at him seeing his anger but for now her secret was safe he was so blinded by Ronan meaning the encounter accomplished what it was supposed to. She walked to Michael fixing her hair while she bent down to pick him up out of the bassinet, the bassinet that clearly he was meant to be in the first place. A pang of guilt ate at her, but she did what had to be done to secure her future. She had gotten the answer about LVLZ and who was behind it meaning she could stay a few steps ahead. Hector would need to be on his best game going forward if this was to work and she looked back at Seb.

“I sent an invite for the wedding in the mail. Perhaps I’ll stop by after the honeymoon. For now I will keep you informed of what Roan is doing and when. I’ll make sure to wear that brown trench you bought me.” Gia said smiling sweetly at him wanting him intoxicated with her again, so she could spread her lie into him, killing the biggest threat she faced there was no way Seb would ever hurt her now, he thought the world of her and the baby she had in her arms. On the way out she glanced back at the door seeing Regina in the shadows and she gave the other woman a nod before walking out the door.

Regina had let Gia have her privacy with her son, honestly she was ecstatic that Max had broken things off with him and now he was back at the table where he always belonged. She knew he was in pain and she had heard the moans filling the room and then looked over at her guards. She made her way to the foyer watching as Gia left, it was a dangerous game letting her back into their lives. She would need someone to keep her in check reaching for her phone she took it out sending a text.

We need to have a meeting soon.

*****

Bliss felt like the last few weeks of this pregnancy was kicking her ass. Kelsey and Ophelia told her bed rest soon and she wasn’t sure how she felt about that. It felt like a dream coming true, a child of Hunter’s and hers. Max’s jealousy and cruelness truly threw her for a loop. Looking down at her emerald and diamond wedding ring she kissed it for good luck. Her entire life she knew her mother was a fighter. She fought for her place at the table and even lost her grandparents fortune she fought through. Years of private schools, years of etiquette lessons, and years of them just being a team. Right now all Bliss wanted was her teammate back. Learning about Belle was hard, but she welcomed her little sister with apprehension. Now she couldn’t imagine her life without her. She was smart and intuitive but also ruthless like Chauncey. It made her place in the family clear now. She was the peacemaker. Chauncey was the eldest and truly embodied his place, Jackson was the rebel but he now had a cause, Max was toughest of them all, Rory was innocent, and Belle was the wildcard. So she now understood her place in the family and would do her part. She was here to fix this mess and finally end this chapter. She saw how Pierre looked at her mother maybe she had a chance at true love again. Maybe she would have a moment to see that Lowell Devonshire wasn’t the end but a chapter in a messy love story that wasn’t truly a love story. 

Getting off the elevator she walked to her mothers office and when her secretary tried to say something Bliss just kept walking. Opening her father’s office, no it was Jackson’s office she walked inside. “Mom, we need to speak if you have a moment.” She said as she slowly walked her swollen feet over to a chair and sat down. Even though she was big as a house she refused to wear non designer maternity clothes. Call it a Tess trait no matter how badly they felt they’d always look their best. Her mother moved swiftly and hugged and kissed her. Sitting down beside her. “Mom, I’m serious, we have to talk.” 

Tess rolled her eyes knowing exactly what her daughter was here for. She had been consumed with DGI and getting the secrets that were locked away. Lowell always had a secret hell that was why Nicholas had returned. He knew something and she was going to get to the bottom of that but right now all she wanted to do was snuggle with her daughter. “A little birdie told me that you’re going into labor soon. If that baby doesn’t come naturally, please call me and let me know. I have so much for my second grandchild I’ve even imported furniture from our house in Ibiza. When you were a baby. You were the most beautiful baby Bliss. You had golden curls that looked like the sun kissed it and your blue eyes sparkled my dear. I remember Lowell visiting us in Ibiza and you wouldn’t let him go. You won’t let your father leave even as a baby you had him wrapped around your finger. How I miss your father and everything he gave me. Everything he gave us.” She said, grabbing her daughter’s hand wondering if she had ever figured out she pulled the plug on Lowell. Nobody knew that she ended his life. Nobody knew how badly she was haunted by that choice. 

“Go ahead and say it. That I need to give back DGI to those brats and I’ll scream.” Tess stood up wearing her all black Dolce & Gabbana pants suit. “I’m doing this for you don’t you get it? Yes Lowell left you stock but you wouldn’t have what I’ll give you. I’m offering you a legacy and you’re brilliant. Join me Bliss, join me and.” 

“And what mother? And what?” Bliss’ voice raised and she was ready for this. She knew it wouldn’t be easy but her mom had to understand this was crazy. That this wouldn’t stand and eventually she’d be ousted from DGI. “Be just as delusional as you? When they find the will and you’re proven to be a liar? Mom, the last thing our father wanted to do was give us all something. Give us all a place at this company and you’re taking it from him. What he wanted and I hate it. I hate that I can’t come to you without hurting my family. Your original goal for me was to have a place with the Devonshire’s and I do now. I hate that my sister lost her son but she needs DGI right now. She needs to grasp onto something that her father gave her. That’s DGI and I’m sorry that he treated you so badly. Mom, the way that dad treated you was just as bad as what Dimitri did to me. No dad never raped you but he did steal your joy. Mom, you’re beautiful. You are beautiful and deserving of a life without Lowell Devonshire making you feel like you aren’t good enough, you are. So I’m coming to you woman to woman saying stop please. Please while you have a chance to rectify this and fix what you’ve done. Before Jackson attacks you. Before they close rank and decimate your life. Mom please.” 

Tess walked over to Bliss and stooped down and touched her belly. She placed her head on her daughter’s belly and began to weep. Tears began to fall and she didn’t know why but she couldn’t stop crying as she looked up at Bliss. “It’s always been me and you against the world. You and Belle are the loves of my life and for years I thought that was Lowell. I should have been a better mother. I should have gotten you away from Dimitri and I shouldn’t have to have this moment with you. I shouldn’t be being comforted by my own child but he broke me Bliss. He broke me so badly that I don’t know who I am. I do know that right now I’m the CEO and I want to help you. I want to give you everything because you deserve it. You deserve to be in the light and I’m sorry Bliss. I’m sorry if I’m making your life with them hard but I need you to be here with me. I need my girl because you are all I have! You and Belle are all I have and I know I’ve messed up with you both but I can’t imagine my life without you. Please tell me you aren’t leaving me too. I can’t lose you two.” She cried, placing her forehead on her belly. 

Bliss exhaled as tears fell down her face and her cheeks flushed. “Mummy, please do this for your grandchildren. Fox loves you and this baby will too. They will give you all the love you need but mom you have to stop this. Please, listen to me, I’ll make them not come for you. I’ll fight tooth and nail to protect you mom. But you have to stop. Please, please, please stop. Or else I can’t have you in my life. Fox and this little girl deserve to have a place at the Devonshire table but if you take that table you’re taking from my children. These two people who love you so much she’s not even here. Did you hear me? Kelsey accidentally told me what I’m having. We have another girl coming and between the two of us we have had enough pain. I want her never to know insecurity and never to have a ceiling. Never to think she isn’t good enough for a man. Mom please just listen. I’ll stop them from hurting you. From taking you away from us but right now. We have to together end all of this. Give Jackson back his company, give Jackie back her children’s legacy. Then we can move on but mom we can’t do that if you aren’t willing to let go. You have to forgive dad, for all he’s done to you. For snatching away a girl’s innocence and letting her believe she wasn’t enough. Mom, you are enough.” 

Standing up she walked to her desk and passed Bliss a few tissues. “If I give up Bliss then what did I live for? For all these years what did I do all this for? The sacrifices I made? Everytime I thought I could be happy he came back and took it from me. Your father was the love of my life but I have come to terms that I wasn’t the love of his life. I was another woman to hurt Jackie and that kills me. It kills me to know how much he didn’t care that I loved him! I loved Lowell Devonshire more than my life. I gave everything!” Tess screamed as she slammed all the materials off her desk. “I gave him not just one but two daughters and I never had a place! I never had a chance to be with him. I never got what I needed? You speak on Jackie? Jackie had it all and I was left with crumbs of that man.” She screeched as she lowered her head. “I was okay with it as long as I had you. You and your sister so please Bliss don’t give up on me.” 

Bliss stood up weeping as she slowly marched to her mother. The weight of this moment made her body feel even heavier. Grabbing her mother’s hand she looked at her deeply. “I’m so sorry mom. I’m so sorry he broke such a beautiful woman. It’s so much more to you than this. Than what he made you to be. Mom you are my heart but until you give back DGI, I want nothing to do with you. I want you to stay away from me and my family. I want you to stay away from Belle and I want you to find yourself and find the woman who we all know you can be. Find Tess again because he didn’t strip you of your life he gave so much. We have to be enough for you and we deserve you at your best not this. Not this person who is the worst. Mom goodbye until we meet again.” Bliss let go of her mother’s hands as she turned around gasping for air crying walking out the office. 

Tess screamed out as she fell to the floor. Gripping her hair she saw her secretary rushing into the office. “GET OUT!” She screamed as she crumbled finally realizing that Jackie’s premonition almost a year ago was coming true. She was truly losing her daughters. Her body crumpled on the floor and she looked up at a picture of Lowell. “You still won’t let me go will you?” Tess covered her mouth as she screamed out crying. Trying to stifle the pain that was bubbling inside of her and for the first time she faced she was truly alone. 

*****

Walter had debated the last few weeks if he was going to visit Brenda Kincaid or not. Ever since that night at the hospital where he had thrown Dru into her room and told her who she was. He of course had visited Dani and had tried his best to ignore the fact he had another daughter out there the problem was that it was not something he could ignore despite everything that she had done. He had no idea where Dru had disappeared to and Atlas Falls was a massive city she could be anywhere and asking Lauren was absolutely no help. His ex wife was not speaking to him after that call where she accused him of only caring about Dru enough to find her. Not of Dani, Dani was fine and had recovered from the crash hell it wasn’t like she and Jackson didn’t still stay together. Dru was out there hurting and alone and shouldn’t a father want to protect and find their children? His reach could only go so far in finding out where Dru was so he needed to speak to Brenda about everything. He arrived at the Kincaid estate and was greeted by the maid at the front door and he waited in the foyer wondering if he would be welcome with open arms. When he saw her she still looked timeless though he could tell that she was angry or upset with him.

“Brenda how are you, I’m sorry to come by unannounced but I needed some time to think after everything that happened. I heard you are doing well, you look like you are recovering from surgery. Anderson would not let me see you at the hospital. I came by as soon as I heard and he said I wasn’t welcome.” Walter said looking at her for getting a liver transplant that same night she looked much better than she did that night and a lump formed in his throat at whose liver she had received that night his nephew. Mason had agreed to the organ donation, his brother and sister in law had been a wreck but knew it was the right thing to do. “Brandon and Helen appreciated the flowers you sent for the funeral. I know I was harsh but you have to understand I had just learned the girl we shared and always wanted, nearly took my other daughter from me can’t you understand that? What if she had done to Brooke what she did to Dani?”

Brenda sauntered through the house as she entered the foyer and saw his shadow following her. She didn’t say anything to him, instead she just walked to the sunroom and sat down in her vintage leather furniture. Picking up her freshly squeezed juice she stared at the man that she loved her entire life. “I have spoken with Helen and Brandon. I don’t need your warm washes Walter. You didn’t even come to my surgery in fact Anderson told me you didn’t even check on me. Too busy with our daughter? My apologies. I mean your daughter, I could never accept something so cruel and vile.” Staring at him she gritted her teeth. “Oh you didn’t expect that. You thought my fury was going to be caged somehow? I have unbridled hate for that child. What she has done to my sons? Or sleeping with Ronan to hurt Brooke? Or what she did to Braden and Dani? You are a simpleton to fall for all of her sob stories. I have researched your daughter. I had Anderson and Hunter dig up everything.” She walked to her desk and picked up a file and slammed it down. “Shoplifting, robbery, prostitution, public intoxication, and that’s before she turned twenty-one. Not to mention her family was disgusting people and she also carried on a relationship with another mobster in Florida named Sean O’Connor. So tell me you’re here for what reason? You weren’t there for me for my entire recovery. Now I assume you want me to reach out to that poor soul that you call our child. I understand that you abandoned me and you left me for her.”

Waving her hand she badly wanted a drink but she promised her children, and Helen not to drink. “I thought we were finally on our way and unfortunately a child that I gave away stopped us again. Ruined my life. Ruined our chances so no whatever this is, call it what it is. Goodbye Walter because you have a priority, it’s our beloved little girl. Go with her, tell her to warm your bed. However don’t come here anymore to chastise me over what I did. Maybe I felt the evil growing in me. Maybe Lowell knew as well but that girl isn’t some angel to be protected. She drugged me! She is the reason your other daughter could have died Walter. I could have died! Greer’s child, your great-nephew and even Greer, that wouldn’t be a big loss but Jesus. You are flaunting that girl all around Atlas Falls. She isn’t worth your time or energy and if you want me. The woman who you have loved your entire life. You will drop that vindictive virus we call a child.” 

For the first time in over thirty years he looked at the woman that had encapsulated his entire heart and being, he hadn’t been allowed to visit. He had been busy that night worried about Dani, Dru had simply left the hospital and he wasn’t even sure where she was now and that killed him. Didn’t she feel anything for the life they had created? Yes what Dru had done was bad but he felt like she had been ripped from him much crueler than Victoria ever was or had been by the woman in front of him. “I actually haven’t seen her since I threw her in your room at the hospital. She left afterwards and then I waited in the emergency room with everyone else for news of Dani and then had to beg Jackson to see her. By the time I got your room to check on you Anderson sent me away and I didn’t think fighting with him was for the best that night. She’s hurt Brenda, you gave her away like she was nothing to either of us!” Walter said his voice rising as he looked at her of course Dru was angry and lashing out she thought she had to and he listened as she listed everything that she had ever done, she wasn’t perfect. “I’d hardly be the one to cast the first stone in her direction considering how when she was conceived I was fucking you in the Pub while we were both with Lauren and Steven at the time.” He said taking a seat across from her not waiting for an invite to do so.

He watched as she took the orange juice and had seen that look she craved a drink but he hoped that she wouldn’t do that, for Helen and Brandon’s sake, Zach’s liver was in her now. The last parts of his nephew had saved her life and she wanted to talk about ruins? He paused knowing that Dru had drugged her, had drugged Dani and if what he was hearing had drugged Jackson before the tape the police had requested the footage. “My priority is my family. I thought that included us making our own way this time with all our children, including her. I know she did awful things Brenda but that is part of why I am pulled to her aren’t you in the slightest? Dani lived and is alive. God spared her and you. Even my mother thinks we should help Dru and she never agrees with anything involving you and I.” Walter said looking at her, maybe he was telling her and saying that because he believed it more than she did. He didn’t know what else she wanted him to say. “We can figure this out together Brenda, please don’t throw this away. Maybe this is a sign for us all to start over. She’s scared and alone, when we are right here this time.”

Brenda cocked her head to the left then let out a thunderous laugh. It echoed throughout the entire room. As she gulped down her juice and shook her head. “I almost went to jail, Jackson and Dani are facing an uphill battle to get Tess out of DGI, and she stole Braden’s career from him. What about all the times she snarled in our faces about our parenting? She used our pain for a child we didn’t know as a way to strike at us. She exposed a nasty secret about Steven and it wasn’t even true. Steven liked all whores including the black and latina ones. He wasn’t a racist his family was and that is a ugly truth about his past not his present. The way she manipulated everything was masterful but I don’t have to forgive it or forget it.” Brenda declared furiously as she shook her head. “How can I trust you if you are trying to put all your love into her? How do I know she won’t attack me again and try to hurt our family? How can you be so fully trusting in her? She attacked your children. Why aren’t you madder? Is it because you believed Dani to not be yours? You don’t care?” She questioned as stood up and walked up to Walter.

Touching her beloved face. “Please don’t make me choose between you and her. Unfortunately Walter at this point in my life I chose my peace. My choice is to ignore her negativity and her darkness. I just got Zach’s damn liver in my body. I don’t need this. I don’t need her and I want you but if I have to make the choice I choose myself. So please, please let her go and let’s pretend she’s dead. She’s gone and she isn’t involved in our lives anymore. Please I’m the choice right now Walter, do you want to be with me? Do you want to love me? Do you want what we’ve lost our entire lives? Our entire lives we put our love and lives on the back burner and right now I’m asking you to pick me and let her go.” She said leaning down kissing his lips. “I need you Walter please.”

Walter was shocked at her for the lack of concern or care she seemed to show her child with him to be fair what she said was true she had almost gone to jail for the accident. Honestly part of the reason he wanted to find Dru was to work out a strategy with her. The sooner she turned herself in for everything that she had done the easier a judge or someone would be, could he possibly reach out to Charles for help? “Don’t you see that is why I have to help her Brenda so she knows she has to face the consequences she can’t keep running from it and ruining people’s lives. You didn’t go to jail thank God, Dani didn’t die and yes DGI is in influx but…”His voice trailed off knowing no excuses could be made for everything that Dru had done. For him it was a hard pill to swallow that Jackson was innocent in that tape, he had tried to bury the hatchet with his son in law because of his grandchildren but learning that Lowell knew about Dru had shifted that. “She was manipulated just as much as everyone else was. I am mad at her but she’s still my daughter, my flesh and blood.” He said looking at Brenda and exhaling.

For a fleeting moment it felt that he had Brenda back in his arms while she kissed him after years of obstacles Steven, Lauren, Lowell they had finally made it only she was asking him to do something he wasn’t sure he could. He loved the woman in front of him that he’d always loved and wanted but he did love all his children, even the one that had done unspeakable things to her, her children, his children he couldn’t just turn his back on her now that he knew she existed. “I wouldn’t let her hurt you again, and I haven’t forgotten what she did. I don’t even know if I have forgiven her. I don’t want to make you choose Brenda. I never want to make you choose but I can’t just turn my back on her.” Walter said looking at her as she touched his face he pulled back knowing that the next part had to be from the heart and hopefully she would understand. “I love Brenda I always have, I always will but I can’t do what you are asking of me to our daughter.” He said his voice cracking tears pooling in his eyes.

Brenda’s hands were shaking as she cradled his face exhaling knowing what was happening. So much of her life was fighting for Walter. Now she was facing losing him because he didn’t get it. “She never hurt you like she hurt me. She hates me and I can’t. I can’t in good faith continue to try with her. I can’t Walter because she has broken me literally and physically. She has broken me so badly that how can I love someone who has attacked my family like this. I fought so hard for this.” She spun around her home. “I came from a farm and got all of this and she wanted to take it Walter! She wanted to hurt us more than she wanted to love us. Can’t you see that? Or all you see is the little girl we should have had? Our daughter is so vile and reprehensible. How can we forgive or forget or move on? I don’t want to. She staked her claim in the relationship we will have. She told me over and over again Walter how I was horrible for leaving her. For giving her away and I am sorry. I am apologetic for how her life turned out but I can’t love her. I can’t!!” She declared letting go of him. 

“So if this means we can’t be together anymore I understand. If this means that we aren’t lovers or friends or anything now.” Covering her mouth she shook her head knowing that it was over. “Then you need to leave. Get out of my home because my sons will be here soon. My daughter and her fiance will as well. But I only have one little girl. I only have Brooke because Kendall is gone. All that remains is Dru and that means that darkness will follow you and I. If we save her we risk losing again. I don’t like those odds so you do what’s best for Dru but you can’t do it with me. You can’t have me and Dru at the same time. It’s her or me and you’ve made your choice so leave Walter walk out it’s what you’re good at. Go home and look around when you are alone and heartbroken. You think about why and if she is worth it. My family is coming for dinner and I need some time to get myself together after this conversation. Please leave.”

Walter felt a crushing feeling on his chest when he and Lauren had divorced he never even felt that it was more relief than anything, this was crushing like years had come to an end. He couldn’t make the choice between her and their child, he didn’t have it in him. Honestly he felt a tear slip out and that hadn’t happened since the night of the wreck where he had looked in on Dani lying in the hospital after Jackson refused to let him in. He wiped at his face not sure what else he was supposed to say to her, Dru was their daughter. That meant something to him regardless of what she had or hadn’t done. She was a part of them.

“Then I can’t be here, I just wish there was some way for all of this to work. Braden and Dani aren’t speaking to me. Lauren would likely bury me in the back of the Pub after all of this but she’s my daughter Brenda. I will see myself out.” Walter said with finality he didn’t know he possessed or had in him while he walked to her kissing her cheek not sure what else she wanted him to say right now they couldn’t fix it. She wanted him to only be with her. He wanted his entire family back, which happened to include their daughter. “Give Brooke and Atticus my best. I won’t come to the wedding. There wouldn’t really be a point to us going together now would it. I’ll make a call to Charles to see if he will help me find my daughter.” He whispered seeing the tears in her own eyes as he simply stepped back walking out the door as the tears streamed down his face wondering if the chapter of his life with Brenda Kincaid was truly over as he felt his heart breaking.