|
|
| [Home] [Episode Guide] [News] [Social Register] [Visitor Info] [Interact] [Links] [Credits] |
|
Episode 51 Scene 1: "Have you seen Jillie?" Jory asked poking his head into Maura's room as she brushed her hair. Maura threw him a scowl. She'd had a rough night of sleep and being accosted with questions about Jillie's whereabouts was the last thing she wanted first thing in the morning. "I'm not her keeper," Maura replied laying her brush on the vanity. "Besides, I thought you two were as thick as thieves. Shouldn't you know where she's at?" "Sometimes, she doesn't tell me everything. And I was just asking. Now I know you don't know either, okay." Maura sighed as the door closed behind Jory. She didn't know where Jillie was and to be honest with herself, Jillie was the last person on her mind. Her sleep that night had been dotted with dreams about Rick of all people. Since his arrival back in her life, she had done a lot to keep him at arm's length all because she had a secret that she didn't want him to know. But after waking, she'd had a realization. No one but she and her mother had known about the baby. There was simply no way for him to find out. Continuing her campaign to freeze him out would do no good for either of them. Rick needed closure and Maura needed to sort out her own feelings for the man. She loved him, that much she knew. But whether it was the same love as it had been ten years ago, she didn't know. That was what bothered her. Her chest ached when she thought of Rick with anyone else now but then, before he had moved to her hometown, she hadn't thought twice about it. Out of sight, out of mind. And all her thoughts over the course of the night had left her with one question. What to do about all of this? She could go see him and talk to him. Tell him that she left for health reasons, a little lie but it was basically true, and that she hadn't wanted to burden him with any of it. He would have the answer he was looking for and maybe, just maybe, she could test her own feelings for him by having a real conversation with him. Or she could just let the whole thing alone and continue having restless nights filled with dreams about him. The answer was obvious wasn't it? She sighed and collected her purse and keys. She only hoped it went as well as she could imagine it. Scene 2: The housekeeper led Luke to the sitting room and left him. She had no idea where Hallie was, he had no idea where Hallie was. The woman couldn't have disappeared off the face of the earth. She had missed their appointment with Father Callahan and that was most unlike her. She was possessed with anything and everything to do with the wedding. Aside from that, she hadn't called to tell him how the deal with the house had gone. That was what he got for letting her do it on her own. He heard a door slam and stepped into the hallway. He saw Gwen tapping her foot nervously at the door to her office staring into it, her back to him. He opened her mouth to say something but paused when Morgan Birch emerged from the office. "Isn't that portrait finished yet? You know I don't want you here any longer than is necessary, Morgan," Gwen said harshly. Luke slid back behind the door out of sight. You always learned such interesting things when no one knew you were around. "She's been quiet lately, but I just know Hallie is up to something. She's still digging." "She hasn't asked me anything recently," Morgan replied. "Besides, have you ever considered telling him the truth?" "Absolutely not!" Gwen snapped. "Do you know what Jamie would do if he found out? It would crush him and I simply won't have it." "Finding out from you would be a sight better than finding out from Hallie. All Hallie has to do is find one thing with Isabella's name on it. You know Bella's been wanting to tell for years." "Oh really? If she's been wanting to air my dirty laundry for so long why hasn't she done so yet? Is she that bitter over a failed romance with James thirty years ago that she would keep it all bottled inside her until my niece came along and asked? I find that highly unlikely. Isabella Allen is many things but stupid she isn't. Aside from that, how would Hallie link Isabella to me? Unless someone told her." "Don't look at me that way! I haven't said a thing. If she finds out it won't be because I blabbed," Morgan shot back. "I thought you took care of her nosing around anyway. Wasn't that guy supposed to distract her?" "Stephen can only do so much, Morgan. But it is interesting that Hallie didn't come home last night. If I were a betting woman, I would bet Stephen has succeeded. I almost feel sorry for Luke Conlan. Hallie's playing him for a fool all so she can have a toady. Won't he be surprised when I tell everyone at his wedding that Hallie's been cheating on him the entire time?" "Are you really going to do that?" "Only if Hallie pushes me, Morgan. As long as she stays out of my business," Gwen said walking away from where Luke was hidden. He stepped out into the hallway, his mind numb with what he had just heard. He'd heard a great deal, some of it useful. But was what Gwen said true? Was Hallie with Stephen Roth? There was only one way to know for sure. Scene 3: "Wake up, beautiful," Stephen whispered, nuzzling Hallie's neck. "I think we've slept off last night long enough." He pushed a tangle of her hair aside and traced a finger down her nose. "Hallie..." "I'm awake," Hallie sighed rolling onto her side to face him. He smiled gently, leaning forward to kiss her. "What time is it?" "Oh, about noon," he answered. Hallie jumped up startled, letting out a small yelp. "What's the matter?" "I've missed the counseling session with Father Callahan!" She cried, looking for her clothes. "I can't believe you let me sleep so late." "Hallie, what are you talking about?" He reached up and pulled her back down to the bed. "Who is Father Callahan?" "Luke's priest. He's doing the ceremony," she answered pulling away from him. "We had an appointment with him at nine." Stephen chuckled and lay back on the bed, propping himself up with pillows. "What? Why are you laughing?" "You. I can't believe you would even consider marrying Luke Conlan still. It's just absurd." "There's nothing absurd about it. Stop laughing!" "Hal...what about last night? You're going to marry that frog after being with me? Didn't last night mean anything at all?" Stephen asked, his laughter stilled. She did mean to marry that self-righteous boob after all? He must just have misunderstood her. "Stephen..." She trailed off staring at her hands. "Last night was wonderful. It was just like old times. But it was the last time that will ever happen. I'm marrying Luke. We complement each other. You and I...well, we're too much alike. I could never settle down with you." "What are you talking about? Settling down?! You don't want to settle. You want the world. I can give you the world, Hallie." She shook her head dismally. "I'm sorry. I love you, Stephen. There, I said it. Are you happy now?" "If you love me, then stay here. Screw Conlan!" He snapped throwing the blankets off himself. "Last night wasn't some ploy of mine to make you choose between us. You came to me. You chose me. Don't throw it away because he doesn't fight you. Hallie think about what you're giving up. Someone who truly loves you. Someone who would be your partner not your sidekick. Someone who would die for you. Would Conlan do that?" "I would never ask him to do that." "Hallie don't make me beg." She had her blouse and skirt on and was pulling her shoes on when she paused and straightened to face him. Her eyes looked over him sadly as she went to him, wrapping her arms around him. "I made a promise to him. We're in this together, he and I. If you love me, you'll let me go." "You'll be back. Go if you feel like you have to," he told her pushing her away. "Just remember one thing Hallie. I love you. He doesn't love you. I do." She nodded and left the room quickly without another word. He heard the door shut as she left his house. He was a fool that was certain. He had let his emotions get in the way. Last night wasn't supposed to be about him, he reminded himself. It was doing a job for Gwen and he had managed that quite well even if it had hurt incredibly at the end. He picked up his phone and dialed the number he had known quite well just a few years ago. "Mrs. Mason please," he said when someone answered his call. |
