SO SWEET AS MAGIC, PART FOUR

Rachel was considering her wardrobe.

"Which do you think is better?" she said, selecting two dresses and holding them up in front of her, "This - or this?"

"Do you have a date?" said Amanda.

"I'm having dinner with a potential investor." said Rachel,. "A Mr Akageno."

"Akageno? What is he - Japanese?"

"I suppose." said Rachel, "I want to look attractive, but business-like." She considered her options. "The black dress." she decided.

*******

As soon as Jake got home, he grabbed Vicky and gave her a passionate kiss.

"Jake!"

"Let's send the kids over to play with Tommy Geller." he said, "Then we can be alone."

"We won't be alone." Vicky pointed out.

"Hello Jake." said Donna, "I'm sorry to be in the way."

"Don't be silly!" said Vicky, "You're not in the way! We love having you here - right Jake?"

"Yeah." said Jake.

*****

The doorbell rang. Amanda composed her face into a suitably welcoming smile, and opened it.

"Oh!" she said, as the smile switched off like an electric sign, "Marly! I thought you were a Japanese businessman."

"I know I look different , but that's ridiculous." said Marly.

"Uh -"

"That was a joke, Amanda."

"Oh." Amanda smiled politely,"I don't get it. What can I do for you, Marly?"

"I just thought I'd drop in on all my old friends," said Marly, "I've got a lot of catching up to do. I've been away so long."

*****

Meanwhile, at BCUH, Lila was breast-feeding Jasmine.

"Yo' a liddle piggy - yes you are!" she cooed.

"She certainly got a healthy appetite." said Matthew.

"Whut do you expect? She's a Cory!"

Jasmine, satisfied for the moment, let go of her mother's nipple.

"Y'all wawnt to burp her?" said Lila., holding her out.

Matthew handled his daughter carefully. "How do I-?"

"Hold her ovuh yo' shoulder - laik that - now pat her back, gently - oh deah!"

Jasmine burped - and spat up a mouthful of milk, all over Matthew's shirt.

"It's okay!" he said, "Daddy's girl can spit up on him any time she likes!"

"Matt - "

"Yes?"

"Ah hate to ask, but - could we make the financial arrangements as soon as poss'ble?"

"Arrangements?"

"Y'all are plannin' to pay chile support, aren't you?"

"Yes of course, but what's the rush?" said Matthew.

"Ah've got to find somewheah fo' us to live, once we leave the hospital."

"What do you mean? You're coming home with me!"

"That house is yo' home, Matt, not ours. You doan wawnt Jasmine and me theah."

"Of course I do!"

"As soon as the baby is born, Lila will leave town." she quoted, "Ah heard you say that!"

"I changed my mind!"

****

The doorbell rang again; Amanda answered it, as Marly watched from the living room.

"Good evening. My name is Akageno."

Amanda had been told a Japanese businessman was coming over; she had not expected him to look like the lead singer of a Heavy Metal band. She realised she was gaping, and closed her mouth.

"How do you do?" she said, pulling herself together, "I'm Amanda Cory. My mother is expecting you."

Just then, Rachel came downstairs.

"Mother - this is Mr Akageno."

Rachel stood frozen in surprise, as Akageno bowed.

"Sanpaku Akageno." he said, "I see that reports of your beauty were not exaggerated."

"Rachel Hutchins." she said, "How do you do?"

"Shall we go?"

"Yes." said Rachel, "We have a great deal to discuss."

Rachel let Amanda help her on with her coat. "Thank you, Darling. Don't wait up."

*****

Meanwhile, Cass was obsessing over 'his' behaviour at the Lumina Ball.

"You couldn't tell?" he said, "I was replaced by a double, and my best friend couldn't tell the difference?"

"You looked like you!" said Felicia, "I mean, he did."

"How did I act?"

"Come to think of it, you were a bit odd."

"Odd? How odd?"

"Well, when Lila was giving birth in the elevator, you were so - calm and unconcerned." said Felicia, "But at the time, I didn't think anything of it."

"What if it happens again?" said Cass, "Maybe that was just a test. Maybe this wizard - whoever he is - plans to take my place, permanently!"

"I'm sure that's not true." said Felicia, soothingly.

"We need a signal - something that will prove I'm me."

"What sort of signal?"

He demonstrated.

"This is silly!" she said.

"Just remember!"

********

When Rachel got home, she found Amanda waiting up for her.

"Mr Akageno has decided to invest in Cory Publishing."said Rachel, with an enigmatic smile.

"Then - our troubles are over!"

"I wouldn't say that." Rachel replied, "but we won't have to worry about money, for a while."