Prologue
We're at the Grimes mansion, the site of Tess Sherwood and Paul Harper's engagement party. The moon is up, the last crescent. It's a beautiful night. But this night will be different. On this night, secrets will be revealed, and a deadly plan will take it's course....
Rosamond is helping Tess with her costume in Rosamond's bedroom. She is dressed as Juliet Capulet. Rosamond is dressed as Esmeralda from The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Rosamond (fastening a necklace on Tess): You look beautiful Tess. You as Juliet and Paul as Romeo sure is appropriate.
Tess: You don't look so bad yourself. What man could resist you tonight?
Rosamond (laughing): Believe me, there are plenty. (She then flashbacks to Lance stroking her cheek) Well, maybe just one.
Tess: And who is that?
Rosamond: He acts like he's interested but then again...never mind. This is your night. Let's get our masks and make our way downstairs.
Meanwhile, Lance, Paul, and Roark are already in their costumes and relaxing in the study. Paul is dressed as Romeo Montague, Lance as Cyrano de Bergerac, and Roark is Zorro.
Lance (to Paul): Just think, in two weeks, you and Tess will be husband and wife. You're one lucky guy.
Paul: I wish we were marrying under happier circumstances.
Roark: I can't believe what your mom did. Getting that psycho to scare Tess. That's unreal.
Paul: The scary part is, Quentin's still on the loose. Russell hasn't found him yet.
Roark: He wouldn't dare show his face here. Dad made sure the house was crawling with cops.
(Eliza Braxton enters, dressed as a belly dancer).
Roark: Damn Eliza, you look sensational!
Paul: Beautiful.
Eliza: Thanks guys. Can I talk to Lance privately?
Roark: Sure. Come on Paul, let's check out the buffet table. (They leave)
Lance (closing the door): I'm glad you're here Eliza. I have something to tell you. Something important.
Eliza: (putting her arms around Lance): I have something important to tell you too. I can't believe it. It's a miracle!
Lance: Eliza, what I have to say is very crucial---
Eliza: Lance, I'm pregnant!
Lance (shocked): What?
Eliza: I'm pregnant. Oh darling, it's going to be wonderful.
Lance (still trying to grasp the news): How---how far along are you?
Eliza: Nine weeks. I just had it confirmed by Dr. Rollins today. You're going to be a father!
(Lance tries to act happy, but he now realizes his chance to be with Rosamond has possibly been destroyed).
Ingrid and Kane are in the library. Ingrid is dressed as Glenda the Good Witch, and Kane is The Phantom of the Opera.
Kane: Pretty soon Ingy, Paul will know the truth.
Ingrid: I think it's still too soon Kane, but if you really think it's best---
Kane: I do. I want to be a part of his life, and judging from his coming over here yesterday, he wants to be a part of mine. I wonder if he remembers the day I came to see him on his seventh birthday.
Ingrid: I'm pretty sure he does, or he wouldn't have been here asking questions. (Rosamond enters)
Rosamond: Mrs. G., the guests are beginning to arrive. The rest of the Sherwoods just came in the door.
Ingrid: Thanks Rosie. I'd better go greet them.
Kane: I'll be there shortly.
(Ingrid and Rosamond leave. Kane goes to stand by the window. A few minutes later, Paul enters).
Paul: Ingrid, Marcus, are you in here?
(Kane turns around, and comes face to face with his long-lost son. He tries very hard to conceal his suprise).
Paul: Oh, hello.
Kane: Hello. You must be Paul. Congratulations on your engagement. I'm Kane Garrett, Ingrid's brother. (He holds out his hand)
Paul (shaking Kane's hand): Hello, Mr. Garrett. Ingrid didn't tell me you were here in town.
Kane: I live in Cincinatti. I've only been here two days, and my arrival was a bit of a suprise. Ingy and I really don't get a chance to see each other. (Notices Paul staring at him) Is something wrong Paul?
Paul: You look familiar. I think I've seen you somewhere before.
Kane (masking his anticipation): I've been to Breckenridge before. A long time ago. You were just a little boy then.
(Paul thinks hard about where he's seen Kane before. Then it finally hits him---Kane is the man who talked to Paul in the gazebo twenty-three years ago---his real father).
Kane: Paul, what's wrong?
Paul: I know who you are. You're the man that came to see me on my seventh birthday. In the gazebo. You told me you would always be here for me....Oh my God. You're my father. My real father.
(Kane can't take not keeping his secret anymore. He decides to tell Paul the truth).
Kane: Yes...you're right Paul. I'm your real father.
Outside the Grimes mansion, a uniformed officer is keeping watch in the back near the huge rose garden. He doesn't notice Quentin Michaels sneaking up behind him with a butcher knife....
Back inside the living room, the party is starting to get in full swing. A live band has set up in the corner, playing "Smooth" by Santana & Rob Thomas. Some guests are dancing. We see Larry Sherwood dressed as Robin Hood, and Deanna Thorpe as Maid Marian, chowing down at the buffet. Loretta Sherwood, as a 50's girl, joins them.
Deanna: Loretta, you look great in a poodle skirt.
Larry: Yeah Mom. You make one hot 50's chick.
Loretta (laughing): I still got it huh?
Deanna: I'm glad this party still went on. Tess and Paul sure need a diversion from all this craziness.
Larry: You're not kidding honey. I'm happy Joanna confessed and she can't hurt Paul and my sister anymore.
Deanna: But that crazy guy Quentin Michaels is still out there, and he's obsessed with Tess. What if he tries to take her? What if he disguises himself as a party guest?
Loretta: He wouldn't show up here. There's too much security. He's probably long gone by now.
(Meanwhile, Quentin, in the dead officer's uniform, has managed to get a ground floor window open, and he's now in the pantry....)
Back to the study, where Eliza has just told Lance she's pregnant. Lance, knowing this unexpected turn of events might prevent him from being with Rosamond, has decided to tell Eliza the truth about his not loving her.
Eliza: You don't look happy. Don't you want this baby? I thought you wanted to be a father. We talked about it, and getting married---
Lance: That was a long time ago. (Pause) Eliza, I'm going to tell you what's been on my mind now for weeks. I wanted to tell you at the Plumtree, but I couldn't. But I'm going to tell you now. (Takes a deep breath) I don't love you. I don't think I ever did.
Eliza (trying to let the shock sink in): Lance---
Lance: Please don't interrupt me. I have to get this off my chest. Look, you're a beautiful, intelligent, vibrant woman, but I don't love you. We've had some great times together, but you're not for me.
Eliza: But---but---the baby. You're not going to forget our baby are you?
Lance: I'm not that insensitive. I will be there for the baby financially and emotionally. You can count on that.
Eliza (trying not to cry): What did I do wrong?
Lance: You didn't do anything. It's me. I can't lie to you Eliza. I'm in love with someone else. I have been for a while.
Eliza: Have you two been together while you were with me?
Lance: She doesn't even know I love her.
Eliza: It couldn't be anyone from our jobs. It certainly can't be Deanna...(Suddenly realizes who Lance is talking about) No---it can't be. I can't be! It's Rosamond. Rosamond Tucker!
Lance (sighing): It is Rosie. And I'm going to tell her I love her tonight.
Meanwhile, in the library, Kane has admitted to Paul he is his real father.
Kane: I came to Breckenridge to find you and tell you the truth about me---and your mother.
Paul: How did Joanna and Zachary Harper end up adopting me?
Kane: I came here from Portland, Oregon to visit my sister for the holidays. She was already married and pregnant with Lance. I was only seventeen. That New Year's Eve, I met your mother. Her name was Valerie Pratt. She was beautiful. Long brown hair, big brown eyes, beautiful smile. You have her smile. Anyway, Ingrid convinced me to go to this New Year's dance at the fire hall. We fell in love, and I ended up staying here.
Paul: Then what happened?
Kane (sitting down): Valentine's Day, Valerie told me she was pregnant. We were both ecstatic. We made plans to marry and settle down. But Valerie's parents found out, and then my parents were notified. They flew out from Portland. The decision was made right then and there to give you up for adoption. Valerie and I fought it with every breath in our bodies, but being seventeen and it being 1970, we really had no say. Valerie's parents told us they had a wealthy family here in Breckenridge who were more than willing to raise you. The mother couldn't have anymore children after her last pregnancy, and the father wanted a sibling for their four year-old son.
Paul: Zachary and Joanna Harper.
Kane: Yes. So a meeting was arranged with their lawyer. I didn't like Joanna after talking to her for only a few minutes, and I told her so.
Paul: Why not?
Kane: She was cold. She only cared about keeping up with appearances. Zachary, on the other hand, actually was interested in being a father again.
Paul: That's them alright. I got along with my father, but I always felt distant from my mother.
Kane: I fought giving you up until the end. But it was no use. Valerie had you the week before Thanksgiving. We were given half an hour to say goodbye to you. Valerie ran away in tears, but I told the Harpers I would be back to claim you. But they were rich and had connections. The only thing I could do was check up on you from time to time whether they liked it or not.
Paul: The phone calls to Joanna. The visit to me on my birthday. (Fighting back tears) I was wanted. I was loved.
Kane: And you still are wanted and loved.
Paul: What about my mother Valerie?
Kane: Her parents sent her to Maine to live with her aunt. We kept in touch for a few months after I moved back to Portland, but after that I lost track of her. I don't know if she's still alive. Ingy was able to send me pictures of you given to her by Joanna. I always vowed I would be finally able to find you. And now I have.
Paul: This is why Ingrid wouldn't tell me anything. Joanna almost did. She almost said your name, but then she kept quiet.
Kane: Ingy thought it best I tell you. She loves you Paul. She didn't want you to be adopted by the Harpers either, but she was afraid of Mom and Dad. They were domineering people. She ran away from Portland to get away from them.
Paul: I'm not angry at Ingrid. Or you. Or my mother---my real mother. But you know what? I'm so happy you wanted me. And you risked your own happiness to find me. I never felt like I was a Harper. Now I know why.
Kane (getting up and going over to his son): I know it's too late to have a real father/son relationship but---
Paul: No, it's not too late. I'm glad you're here. I need you more than ever. Joanna has confessed to trying to break up my relationship with Tess. I'll explain that to you later. I can use all your support. Please? (Pause) Dad.
Kane (getting teary-eyed): Yes Son.
(Both men share a well-deserved hug).
Paul: Come on. I want you to meet your future daughter-in-law.
Kane: When should we announce to eveyrbody we're father and son?
Paul: Right after you meet Tess. (The two men head out to the party).
At the same time, Tess is looking for Paul in the kitchen when she hears a noise from the pantry. She opens the door, but is grabbed from behind by a disguised Quentin. She tries to scream, but he gags her. She tries to fight him off, but to no avail.
Quentin: You're mine Tessie. All mine! I'm going to take you far away from here. Where nobody will find us. I love you and we're going to be together! (He pushes towards the pantry window, and takes out his butcher knife....)
End of Episode 13
The excitement returns on the next episode of come nightfall. As the party continues, so do the suprises....
The Grimes family celebrates the discovery of a new family member.
A dead body is found in the rose garden.
Cordelia and Everett unwittingly become involved in Tess' kidnapping.
Rosamond finally learns Lance loves her---but not from the right person.
Deanna's theory about Quentin proves true when Larry realizes Tess is missing.
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