"The FBI is contacting the Jamaican police." Josie told the family, "They have

probable cause to investigate the Kitteridge Plantation."

"Yeah, but - if Stark does have Mom there, and he thinks he's the hero of Felicia's

book - what if he follows the plot and jumps off a cliff with her, when he sees the

police coming?" said Matthew.

"Do you think Rachel would let him do that?" said Paulina, "She'd fight him!

She's strong!"

"Stark might be stronger."

****

Stark had illuminated the garden with Japanese paper lanterns. A table for two had

been set, with a serving cart nearby.

Rachel advanced towards Stark. She wore a white dress, like the one in the

portrait of Amalie in her sitting room.

"You look exquisite." Stark said, kissing her hand.

"Thank you - Jordan." She allowed him to seat her at the table. "What's for

dinner?"

"For starters - Fish Tea." said Stark, taking the cover from a chafing dish and

picking up a ladle.

"Huh?"

"It's the local term for seafood bisque." he explained, setting a bowl in front of her.

Rachel took a tentative spoonful. "It's good." she said, "Aren't you having any?"

"I need no nourishment but the sight of you."

"That's sweet, but not very practical." said Rachel, "You need to eat."

"It's - rather awkward - trying to eat through the mask." he replied.

"Well, take it off then!"

"I dare not." said Stark, "I couldn't bear to see you shrink from the sight of my

hideous face."

"I would never do that!" said Rachel, "I love you!"

"You - you do?"

"Oh, I fought it tooth and nail!" said Rachel, rising to her feet and moving closer to

him, "You were the last man on earth - the very last - that I ever thought I could

love or should love. I crushed my feelings down a hundred times, only to have them

spring up , stronger than ever. Finally, I had to face the truth - I love you more than

life!"

"Amalie!"

By now they were face to face. Rachel reached for the fastening of the mask. He

grasped her hand. '"No!"

"Don't be afraid." she said, "Perfect love casts out fear."

Slowly, she removed the mask, and looked at his face. "Darling!" She put her

arms around him. "I knew it!"

His eyes glittered with unshed tears. "My Love!"

Their lips met in a passionate kiss. Then, without warning, he fainted. Rachel

staggered as he went limp in her arms. She managed to lower him to the ground, then

ran for the door leading to the outer world, and began pounding on it.

"HELP!" she cried, "Somebody help me!"

"Stand back!" said a voice, "We have to smash the door in." A moment later, the

door burst apart,and a young black man in uniform pushed through the opening.

"Police!"

"Thank goodness!" said Rachel, "Please call an ambulance! He's ill!"

"Are you Rachel Hutchins?"

"Yes." She pointed to the man sprawled unconscious on the ground, "This is my

husband, Carl."

(SURPRISE! :-D)

****

While the doctors were examining Carl, Rachel called home. "I'm fine!" she

assured everybody, "I knew all along that Jordan Stark was really Carl - or at least I

was 99% sure. I didn't know Carl could do an American accent."

(Note: CK can. He used one to do voice-overs in Snapple commercials.)

Rachel saw the doctor come out of Carl's room. "I've got to go now. I love you

all! Bye!" She hung up. "Doctor, I'm Rachel Hutchins. What's wrong with my

husband?"

"Perhaps you should sit down -"

"Please, just tell me the truth."

"Mrs Hutchins, your husband has a brain tumor."

"I suspected that, even before he disappeared." said Rachel, "Can you operate?"

"I wouldn't even try." said the doctor, "The only brain surgeon who might attempt

such an operation would be Dr Baxley. He's the best in the world at removing

'inoperable' tumors."

"Where can I get in touch with him?"

"He lives in New Orleans, USA."

****

Back in Bay City, Matthew was grumbling, "I thought we were rid of Carl for

good! Now I suppose Mom will want to let him come back!"

"Don't worry about it." said Joe, "Carl's gonna go to prison, for kidnappin' Rachel."

"Don't be ridiculous!" said Paulina, "Do you actually think Rachel would press

charges?"

Joe shrugged and changed the subject, "Now that Rachel turned up, when are you

comin' home?"

"I am home." said Paulina, "You know Joe, since I've been living here, I haven't

missed you at all. In fact, it's been a relief, not having to be afraid of having an

opinion that differs from yours! I want a divorce!" (:-D)

(I never get tired of writing this scene. )

****

"I'm sorry, Dr Baxley is on vacation."

"Listen to me- Dr Baxley may be the only surgeon on earth who can save my

husband's life! I've got to find him! I'll pay him a million dollars! Please, tell me

where he is!"

"He's at the Wyndham-Rosehill Resort, in Jamaica."

(Note: It's a real place!)

****

Within the hour, Dr Baxley had been located, and rushed to the hospital. He

examined Carl's x-rays thoughtfully.

"I am willing to attempt the operation, but even if your husband survives, he may

be brain-damaged."

"If you don't operate, he's gonna be dead!" said Rachel, "Please, just do it!"

"Very well."

****

While Carl was in surgery, Rachel dealt with the local police. "I wasn't

kidnapped." she assured them, "I came to Jamaica with my husband, of my own free

will."

"We were contacted by the American Federal Bureau of Investigation." they told

her, "Your family reported that you had been abducted."

"It's all a misunderstanding." said Rachel, "We thought Carl had died in an

explosion. When he turned up alive, I was so delighted that I agreed to go away with

him for a second honeymoon. I didn't even stop to think about telling my family

where I was going. I'm afraid they jumped to the wrong conclusion."

The police looked sceptical. Rachel looked them straight in the eye.

"That's my story, and I'm sticking to it."

Just then, Dr Baxley entered the room. "Mr Hutchins survived the operation."

"Thank you!" said Rachel, "May I see him?"

"He's in a coma."

"I'd like to sit with him, so I'll be there when he wakes up."

****

"Rachel?"

"Paulina!" Rachel jumped up from her vigil at Carl's bedside, to embrace her

stepdaughter.

Paulina looked down at the still form on the bed. "Gosh, it really is Carl! What

are you gonna do?"

"That depends on whether he wakes up and says 'Hello Rachel', 'Hello Amalie' or

'Who might you be?'" said Rachel, "I hope it was the brain tumor making him act

crazy, and he'll be himself again. But whatever happens, Carl is my husband, and I

love him, in sickness and in health."

"I didn't come down here alone." said Paulina, "Cory and Elizabeth are in the

waiting-room, with Debra."

"Oh my darlings!" Rachel ran to hug and kiss her youngest children. "I missed you

so much!"

****

Rachel had fallen asleep, sitting up in a chair at Carl's bedside. When she woke

up, his eyes were open.

"Carl?"

"Rachel? I thought I sent you home - to kiss our Little Ones for me."

"Carl - what's today's date?"

"It's - May 15th - isn't it? No, by now it must be the 16th."

"Darling, May 15th was when you were shot! That was six months ago!"

"Six months - how?"

"It's not important. You go to sleep, and in the morning, I'll bring the Grubs to

visit you. They'll make you get well again. I know they will."

"I love you, Rachel."

"Yes, and I love you, my darling! Everything is finally going to be all right!"

Tears of pure joy ran down Rachel's cheeks as they kissed.

The End