HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN

Part 1

AUTHOR: MELOIRA

SUMMARY: It’s a bittersweet homecoming for Carl when he returns to Bay City after a long absence. In this story Rachel never became pregnant and Bobby died after the truck explosion.

Carl woke slowly from his light sleep. For a moment he had trouble recognizing his surroundings. Ah yes, the plane. The trip he had started earlier that day.

Carl let his head fall back on the seat’s headrest. The naps were not as frequent lately, thank heavens, and the fatigue seemed almost a memory.

Almost.

Carl had waged a mighty battle for this moment. Indeed, he had fought for every second since that awful day not so long ago. Now he was returning to the scene of the crime, so to speak. A place he had once considered his home.

Bay City. Several years ago he had left that place little more than a broken man. He’d had no choice but to walk away from everything he’d held so dear.

Carl shifted in his seat to ease the ache in his side. The view from his window was one of nearing darkness. Bay City would be under them soon. And soon he would be back on her home turf. It had taken some time to leave her memory behind, but the memories no longer held the pain they once had.

It seemed he had lived several lifetimes since the day he’d fled Bay City. When he had boarded the plane that chilly spring night, he had vowed to never return. After all, no one gave a damn about whether Carl Hutchins lived or died. Not even her. Not even his Rachel.

But when the letter had come and the insistent phone calls refuse to stop, Carl knew his return was inevitable. Vicky refused to accept anything less than yes from him.

No one in Bay City had ever known of his whereabouts, and to be honest, Carl hadn’t thought of her until she had contacted him several months ago. Even then he had resisted her attempts to see him. Eventually, he’d caved in to her pleas and had given her his address. Carl had felt shame at his intentional shunning of Victoria, but he hadn’t been able to help himself. Thoughts of Vicky brought memories of Ryan. Some good, some bad, and all painful. Years after his son’s death, Carl still grieved for him. It couldn’t be helped, it was his nature.

Ryan had been the light in Carl’s darkness. Ryan, Carl felt, was his one true achievement, his only proud moment in a life of horrendous mistakes. Carl missed him with a passion precious few could comprehend. Rachel hadn’t been able to understand and it had cost Carl dearly.

A year after Ryan’s death, their marriage in tatters, Rachel had thrown Carl out of her home. Just as well. The Cory mansion had never truly felt like his home, but he hadn’t wanted to ask Rachel to move for fear of hurting her. Of course, it would have helped if her children could have seen fit to at least be somewhat civil to him. In the end, it hadn’t taken long for Rachel to start divorce proceedings. Before he knew it, Carl was once again alone.

He had used his banishment to keep an eye on Grant. Carl had tried to tell them that the former Senator was not to be trusted, but as always, the officials had turned a deaf ear on the town pariah. They should have listened to him. Maybe Bobby and Gabe would still be alive today.

Carl had been the one to finally bring the man to justice, but nearly lost his life in doing so. The bullet Grant put in his back had brought Carl to the edge of death. A fitting end for the father of Ryan. But in the end, Carl’s miserable life was once again salvaged by the love a woman. Thank the gods for small miracles and faulty birth control.

A slight movement brought Carl from his thoughts. He opened his eyes and found his traveling companion standing before him. She was a stunning woman really, with her shoulder length red hair and a capable air about her. At the moment she was looking at him rather worriedly. It was a look he had seen far too many times, but one he knew came from her very soul. He answered her unasked question,

"I am fine my heart."

Relief flickered across her face.

"Good. I’ve come to tell you the pilot says we’ll be landing in forty minutes. We’ll be in Bay City soon."

The woman watched Carl turn his gaze toward the window once more. She noted the mixture of resignation and dread on his face and knew the next few days would not be easy for him. It wouldn't be easy for any of them.

She hadn’t wanted to come back after all this time. When she’d left the godforsaken place, she had never expected to return.

"Carl."

When he didn’t respond she sighed. He was lost in his memories again. She lowered herself until their eyes were level.

"Daddy."

The simple word brought his attention back to her. Carl looked into his daughter’s eyes. He read her heart in those sweet eyes and with his own acknowledged her fears. Leaning forward he took her hand in both of his and tried to make light of them.

"There is no need to get your knickers in a twist my darling. I am well aware of what awaits me in Bay City. I also know that I do not belong there. This town no longer has a hold over me."

She wanted to believe him.

She continued to look at him intently. Sometimes it felt as thought her heart would burst with her love for this man. She had almost found him too late. A tear ran down her cheek and Carl wiped it away.

"You won’t let them get to you?"

Carl cupped her face with his hands. "Other than Vicky and her family, these people mean nothing to me. I could care less about what they think. As for Rachel, she made her choice. I accepted that and moved on. You might not want to believe me, but it’s true. I am no longer wound around Rachel Cory’s little finger. Now, I’m wrapped around my daughter’s little finger. And the little grub’s of course."

She laughed. "And Vicky’s."
"Yes, well, her too." Carl smiled. "We’ve made a new life for ourselves haven’t we Cynthia? And this trip is all about celebrating new life isn’t it?"

Cynthia Brook Hutchins did not look convinced. Carl squeezed her hand.

"Please Cindy, don’t look so worried about your old man."

Cindy couldn’t help but laugh at his pleading little boy lost look and stood up.

"No wonder my mother fell into bed with you, whoever she was. You could charm a rock."

"Well, I do try."

The look on his face was so mischievous, Cindy couldn’t help but love him. Thankfully, she was still smiling as the plane descended to Bay City.