It's another beautiful sunny morning. We're at the Grimes mansion, where Kane Garrett is having a reunion with his family. Rosamond and her family have also joined in the celebration. Everyone is in the living room.
Roark: Uncle Kane, it's so awesome you're here. I have so much to tell you. I finally decided to go to college and major in business. I want to be like you and open up my own place.
Kane: That's great Roark, but it's a lot of hard work.
Marcus: Don't worry. We will be there to support him. I'm proud of him. I'm proud of both my sons. (Lance and Roark blush)
Lance: Thanks, Dad.
Rosamond: How was your flight Mr. Garrett?
Kane: Great. And please call me Kane.
Everett: Cordy and I would like to stay and chat, but we need to start getting our new home together.
Rosamond: I'll look after Jadyn while you're gone. She can come with me to run errands. (Jadyn runs to Rosie and hugs her)
Cordelia: Thanks Rosie. (To her daughter) Be a good girl Jadyn. Love you. (Jadyn goes to her parents for hugs and kisses)
Jadyn: Bye Mommy and Daddy. (Cordelia and Everett leave)
Marcus: That's my cue too. Better be off to work. (To Lance) Lance, would you like a ride?
Lance: Sure Dad. I'll see everyone later. (Marcus and Lance say their goodbyes and head out)
Rosamond: And I've got to head down to Rhiannon's shop to get those costumes for the party Friday.
Ingrid: I almost forgot! Thanks Rosie.
Rosamond: No problem Mrs. G. See you later. Nice meeting you Kane. (To Jadyn) Come on squirt.
Kane: My pleasure. (Rosamond and Jadyn leave) Ingrid, what's this about a party?
Ingrid: I'm throwing an engagement party for Paul and Tess. It's a masquerade party. Looks like you're going to need a costume too. We'll go down later and get you one.
Kane: He's getting married. He's all grownup now. I missed everything. His first word, his first haircut, his first steps---(Chokes up)
Ingrid: It's not your fault Kane. It's our parents' fault they made you and Valerie give him up for adoption. I know you both wanted to keep him.
Kane: I've always loved him. It makes me ill to think Mom and Dad thought that cold bitch would make a better parent.
Ingrid: She is cold. Cold and cruel. You remember what I wrote to you about her other son Stephen, how she broke up his engagement, and his suicide. Now's she trying to do the same thing to Paul and Tess. Kane, you will love Tess. She's such a wonderful girl. And Paul is one of the sweetest guys I've ever met. He's just like you.
Kane: Well, he'll soon know all about me. And I think this engagement party will be the best way to tell him.
Ingrid: Kane, no! He's already going through so much already with Joanna he couldn't possibly handle you---
Kane: My mind is made up Ingy. I'm going to tell him Friday night. I have to take this risk. If he wants nothing to do with me, at least he'll know who his parents are. And I'll finally have my secret out, and this burden will be lifted off my shoulders.
(Ingrid hugs her brother)
We're now at Grimes Incoporated. Paul is in his office trying to do his work when he has another flashback. It's his seventh birthday, and his party is over. His parents are upstairs, and he is playing in the gazebo in the backyard. A handsome young man approaches him.
Young Paul: Hi.
Young man: Hi Paul. Happy birthday buddy.
Young Paul: How did you know my name? Are you are friend of Mommy and Daddy's?
Young man: No I'm not. But I'm your friend.
Young Paul: I don't understand.
Young man: Paul, I just want you to know I'm your friend. And I care for you very much. I wasn't allowed to care for you when you were little, so that's why you're here. I have to go now, but I want you to remember I'm always here for you. And I'll be back to see you someday I promise. Goodbye Paul.
(The man leaves quickly, trying hard not to listen to Paul calling out for him. Paul runs after him, but he vanishes. Minutes later, Paul's older brother Stephen comes out).
Young Stephen: Did you see that man Paul?
Young Paul: Yeah. Who was he Stevie?
Young Stephen: You mean you don't know?
Young Paul: I've never seen him before.
Young Stephen: Mommy and Daddy don't want you to know, but that man is your real daddy Paul.
Young Paul: You're lying!
Young Stephen: No I'm not. He was here earlier today. He wanted to come in to see you, but Mommy told him to leave. He's your real daddy Paul, and he wants to take you back with him.
Young Paul: No you're lying! You're lying...
(Paul snaps out of his flashback. He decides right then and there to visit Joanna at lunch to finally get some answers).
We're at the Harper mansion. Joanna is in her bedroom. She is still in her robe and nightgown when Quentin enters.
Quentin: Good morning Joanna. Did you sleep well?
Joanna: No. But that's your fault.
Quentin: I'm not the one with a guilty conscience.
Joanna: At least I'm not a murderer.
Quentin: Techincally you are. You drove Stephen to kill himself. He'd still be alive if you didn't break up his great romance. And don't slap me again. You know I'm right. I was thinking Joanna, maybe you should tell Paul all about his real parents. Tell the truth for once.
Joanna: My family is none of your business.
Quentin: It is when you bring me here to terrorize your son's fiancee, who will be mine after Friday night.
Joanna: That's right. The engagement party.
Quentin: Ingrid Grimes is a smart woman to make the affair an masquerade ball. I can sneak in unannounced and take Tessie. (Pause) Do you suppose Ingrid's brother will be there? Paul might finally be able to meet his real daddy.
Joanna: Ingrid wouldn't dare have Kane here now.
Quentin: Don't be so sure my dear Joanna. Like you always say, family is everything. It wouldn't be a suprise if he was there. After all, Paul is supposed to be getting married. Wouldn't his daddy want to be here for the wedding?
(Cut to Joanna looking terrified)
Back at Paul's office. He is trying to make sense of the flashback he had when Marcus Grimes enters.
Marcus: Hello Paul. (Notices Paul's frown) Paul, are you alright?
Paul: No I'm not Marcus. Tess has gotten three scary phone calls.
Marcus: It has to be a crank. Who would want to scare that lovely young woman?
Paul: Unfortunately, my mother.
Marcus: Joanna? But why?
Paul: She hates Tess. She doesn't think she's good enough for me. And you know she's had a mental breakdown. I don't think she's completely recovered. I also believe my mother has hired a former Wakefield patient to call Tess.
Marcus: That's hard to believe. Your mother may be harsh but to do something like that---
Paul: Believe it. Look what happened to Stephen. (Pause) Um, by the way Marcus, you knew my parents while I was little. Did Mother or Father ever mention to you the possibility that----that I wasn't their real son?
Marcus: What? No. Are you sure?
Paul: I've had two flashbacks, one last night and one before you came in my office. The first was of my mother yelling at someone on the phone. She said that "he's not yours anymore" and "I know you love him." The second was of a young man who came to see me on my seventh birthday. He told me he would always be here for me. Then he just vanished. Stephen said he was my real father. I thought he was lying. I never brought the subject up again. But now, I'm beginning to doubt who I really am. I never had a loving relationship with my mother. Stephen did. Or maybe I'm losing my mind Marcus.
Marcus: Why don't you take the rest of the week off. Carter can take your workload. I think you need to talk to Joanna. And Ingrid too. She was closer to your parents than I was when you were young.
Paul: Thanks Marcus. That's a good idea. I need to see Ingrid anyway about the party. Tess is looking forward to it. I'll go over there now. Thanks again Marcus. (He shakes his hand and heads out the door).
Marcus: Poor kid.
Episode 10 Continued