Ryan 05/13/2013

Ryan sits at the now empty table and looks around the restaurant. Of all the places in Pine Valley, the Pine Valley Inn was his least favorite. Not because there was anything wrong with it in fact it was a great place but the place literally haunted him with so many of his memories with Gillian some wonderful some painful but all of her. If he closed his eyes he could see the last time they had been here the candle light dancing in her eyes, he could hear the music in her laugh smell perfume in her hair taste the whine on her lips. It was the first time in his life he had been truly happy and at peace with the demons that had chased him for so long and it was all because of her. His breath caught in his throat as his heart wrenched with pain with the memory of finding her barely alive in the tower. It felt as fresh as the day his life imploded around him burning him to his core. Letting go of her had been the hardest thing he’d ever done in his life. When he’d let her go his heart had gone with her and what was left was as cold and lifeless as her body lying in her grave. That’s why after her death for years he’d tried to avoid coming here.

 

Waitress: Can I get you anything Mr. Lavery? (She smiles down at him)

Ryan: Yes, Double Scotch neat. (He looks up at her smiling his mood still distracted)

Waitress: I’ll be right back.

Ryan: Thank you. (She turns to take her order to the bar then turns back)

Waitress: Mr. Lavery I just wanted to say I was so sorry to hear about your wife.

Ryan: Thank you.

Waitress: You probably don’t remember me but I was your waitress when you and Miss. Smythe celebrated your engagement. I remember you were both so happy. It actually gave me back my faith in romance.

Ryan: That’s very nice of you thank you.

Waitress: No, really I should be the one thank you, I’ll be right back with your drink. (She smiles turns and walks away leaving Ryan with his thoughts)

 

          Greenlee. His mind going back to the reason he’d come to the Inn, in the first place. If anyone had told him that some day he’d fallen in love with her of all people he’d have called them a bold face liar. After everything she had put Gillian and him through the fact that he’d had said “Hello” to her was a miracle let alone marry her and build a life with her but just as always the moment he found happiness it was taken from him and Greenlee was no different.

 

Waitress: Here you go. Let me know if there is anything else I can get for you.

Ryan: Thanks I will.

 

Ryan picks up his glass and sips then swirls around the glass watching as the liquid melt down the sides contemplating what Kendall had said to him. Kendall had, had a point if Greenlee was alive why wouldn’t he be here? Why wouldn’t she have come back to him? For Christ sake she’d died on what was supposed to be their wedding day! If she were alive out there somewhere she’d have to know how deeply her death had affected him. There was no way she wouldn’t understand how much hurt and pain he’d been in and still was in some ways especially after what had happened between them when he’d come back from the dead. She wouldn’t d that to him would she? Was her keeping this all a secret from him been her way of punishing him? Why? He thought that they had moved past all of that or was there another reason all together?

 

Dani: Ryan? (She smiles walking over to his table)

Ryan: Dani? (He smiles broadly as he stands to greet her)

Dani: Hey! (She squeals giving him a friendly hug then releases him)

Ryan: Lilly, how are you? (Turning towards an uncomfortable looking Lily)

Lily: My father doesn’t want me to talk to you.

Ryan: Why? (He grins rearing back on his heels)  We used to be friends weren’t we?

Lily: Yes, but that was before. (She says then stares down at her shoes an uncomfortable silence falling between the trio for a moment)

Ryan: So how are you Dani?

Dani: I’m great and from what I hear you’re not doing too shabby either.

Ryan: Yeah I’m back at Cambius. What are you doing here?

Dani: Lilly and I were just picking up the food for our celebration.

Ryan: Oh yeah what you guys celebrating? (he says looking from one to the other)

Dani: The anniversary of our all living together.

Lilly: I still don’t know why we couldn’t just have a pizza?

Dani: We have pizza all the time this is supposed to be a special occasion that’s why.

Lilly: But I like pizza.

Dani: I promise I’ll get you one tomorrow. (She looks over at the service counter at the waiter waving to her)  Excuse me a moment I’m going to check on our order. (She walks to the counter leaving Ryan and Lily alone)

Ryan: So Lily how are things over a Slater-Cortlandt? (He smiles broadly hoping to relax her enough to maybe draw information from her)

Lilly: Good.

Ryan: Your Dad and brother how are they doing?

Lilly: They’re good. (She squirms nervously looking over at Dani who in engrossed in conversation with the waiter)

Ryan: You graduated from college last year didn’t you?

Lily: Yes.

Ryan: So what did you major in? (Ryan watches as Lily’s face brightens and her voice fills with excitement)

Lily: I had a double major I have a Bachelors in accounting and Chemistry.

Ryan: Wow, that’s terrific.

Ryan:  Did Reggie graduate too?

Lily: We both did. (She smiles proudly)

Ryan: Your Dad must be really proud of you.

Lily: He was he cheering really loud everyone was looking at him. (She giggles)

Ryan: That’s wonderful. So did you have a graduation party?

Lily: We had a big one Dad invited the entire family even invited Mary Smythe. (She giggles again)

Ryan: Wow, (He says laughing with her) so did Greenlee come?

Lily:  She couldn’t come but she sent Reggie and…(She stops mid sentence her eyes growing wide her face going pale) I have to go! (She says walking quickly over to Dani. She looks back at Ryan then turns away just as quickly picks up one of the bags and walks toward the door. Ryan smiles to his self mentally patting him self on the back. He finally had the answer he wanted)

David and Adam 05/06/2013

David walks down the hall whistling to his self, today had shaped in to one of his better ones. Michael was ready to get to work and it looked like he was about to hit Adam where it would hurt worst his wallet. He thought passing through the main entrance and up to is office. He slowed his pace a moment as he passed the activity in front of the elevator but he had more important things to take care of he grinned leaping up the steps two at a time.

          Adam paces back and forth inside David’s office speaking in hushed tones on his cell phone.

Adam: So that’s it? There’s nothing that connects her to this fiasco?

Lenka: Don’t worry everything has been taken care of she’s in the clear.

Adam: Yes, well we thought that before.

Lenka: I promise, you won’t have any more problems from your friend. You have my word.

Adam: If this doesn’t work believe me I will be holding you responsible!

Lenka: What else is new? Have a good day Mr. Chandler. (Adam glares down at his phone annoyed with his son in-laws arrogance smiling a begrudging smile of begrudging respect as he places it back in his pocket that his daughter had chosen a man)

David: Adam! (He sneers as he swaggers in to his office closing the door behind him) Glad you could make it.

Adam: Lets just get this over with shall we?

David: I want your decision on what we talked about the other day.

Adam: Ahh yes (His eyes rolling back as if thinking his harm crossed over his chest finger against his lip) you wanted me to invest in your poison pill factory.

David: Adam, is that anyway to speak to a man that could potentially make you millions? (he smiles smugly leaning back in his chair)

Adam: Not if I were in business with them but you and I have no dealing together what so ever and we never will!

David: So you’re willing to send your daughter to prison rather than fund my research? (He scowls snapping erect in his chair and leans forward searching Adams face)

Adam: Oh, my daughter won’t be going to prison and I’m not funding your research. (He grins enjoying the look of shock, then anger flow across David face)

David: Have you forgotten I have everything I need to put Colby away for years? (He stands coming around the desk to stand in front of him)

Adam: There is nothing you can do to hurt my family or me.

David: Have you forgotten a little file that have that says differently.

Adam: As I said David there is nothing you can do to my daughter.

David: There is plenty I can do Adam! Like turning in your little arsonist.

Adam: Go right ahead and try David my decision is final you’ll get nothing from me. (He retorts with a defiant glare)

David: I wouldn’t be so sure about that. (Meeting his glare with one of his own an challenging tilt to his chin)

Adam: I have never been more positive about anything in my life. You have a good day. (He snaps up his brief case and walks towards the door David calls after him)

David: I hope you’ll enjoy tomorrow morning’s paper!

Adam: I usually do! (Reaching for the door and pulling it open he smiles at the perplexed expression on David’s face)

David: You will regret this Adam! (He warns his frustration starting to show)

Adam: The only regret I have as far as you’re concerned is that I ever met you in the first place. (His smile rich with self confidence he leaves closing the door behind him. Adam had, had way too much confidence for a man whose beloved daughters life hung in the balance. What could he possible do? He had everything he needed double locked safely in his lab and that place was like Fort Knox. There was no way Adam or anyone else could have gotten in without his knowing but still, he was way too sure of himself. There was something going on and he’d figure out what it was if he couldn’t secure money from Adam with plan “A” there was always plan “B”.

David: You may have won this round Adam but you’re not out of the woods yet you just don’t know it.

Rego and Francessca 05/03/2013

Francessca: Rego I have to push! (She say between clenched teeth)

Rego: No! (He shouts at her looking panic stricken) Don’t do that.

Francessca: Are you crazy? (She growls trying to force her body to obey) My body says “push”!

Rego: Jamie! She says she has to push! (He wipes his brow on the shoulder of his shirt)

Jamie: Tell her not too yet. (He shouts back leaning towards the computer monitor)

Rego: I did!

Jamie: Okay can you see the baby’s head?

Rego: Like I know what the hell I’m looking at! (He sounding confused and terrified at the same time)

Jamie: Take the phone camera and show me. (He states calmly using his best doctor patient voice pleased when he hears some of the panic fade from Rego’s voice)

Rego: Okay, Jamie says don’t push yet he wants to see what’s going on first. (He picks up the cell phone pointing the small camera towards the birth canal)

Francessca: Tell Jamie I can tell him what’s going on I need to flipping push! (She grunts between breathes)

Rego: How’s that? (He says pointing the camera and turning it slightly)

Jamie: Stop right there! Perfect, okay there’s I don’t see the head yet. Prop the phone up so that the picture stays just like that. (Rego grabs a towel rolling into a log and leans the phone against it)

Rego: Is that okay?

Jamie: Great! Get the hand sanitizer in the toolbox and rub it on your hand up to your elbows.

Rego: Done!

Jamie: Now Tell Francessca to take deep breathes and push.

Rego: Okay sweetheart take deep breathes and push!

Francessca: Finally! (She grunts taking a deep breath and bearing down then stops panting)

Rego: One more time.

Francessca: I’m working on it. (She growls bearing down again)

Jamie: STOP! (He screams loudly jolting the both of them as he see’s the baby’s head breaching through the opening)

Rego: STOP! Stop!

Francessca: Okay! (She pants laying back for and taking deep breathes trying not do what her body demanded)

Jamie: Rego I need you to get in there and cradle your hands around the baby’s head and guide it out while she pushes.

Rego: Go ahead push. (Francessca pushes with all she has left feeling the babies head come through the rest of the body slide out with ease then a wailing cry. She looks over at Rego who’s face beams with sheer wonderment and pride as he stares down at the baby cradled in his arms. She smiling at the sight of Rego holding his child for the first time. It fills her with happiness as she realizes she hadn’t stolen this moment from him. Fate had stepped in and taken care of it for her she says a little prayer thanks for a healthy child and fates fickle finger)

Rego: It’s a boy! (He looks up at her his yes bright his smile wide then back at the child before reaching for the receiver) It’s a boy Jamie!

Jamie: A boy! (The sound of cheers making through the phone making both Francessca and Rego laugh) Mommy and baby are doing well. Do you want me to give her the phone?

Jamie: Before you do that I need you to cut the umbilical cord.

Rego: You want me to do what?

Jamie: Don’t worry I’ll take you through it. Didn’t I get you this far?

Rego: Okay go ahead.

I need you to tie the cord in two places about four inches from the navel I want you to take a clamp and press it tight.

Rego: Got it.

Jaime: Now measure about four inches and place the other clamp make sure they are both really tight.

Rego: Got it.

Jaime: Now I want you to take the scissors and cut in between them.

Rego: Done.

Jamie: Now give the baby to Francessca and tell her to start feeding him that will help her expel the placenta.

Rego: Here you go Mommy. Jamie says start feeding him right away.

Francessca: He there sweet heart here you go. (She smiles down at him offering him her breast. Rego watches a moment smiling to himself a strange melancholy cloud filled with rain droplets of “What if?  And “What could have been?” Falling over him)

Jamie: Rego! (He bellows in to the phone) Rego? (He screams again finally snapping Rego to attention)

Rego: Yeah here sorry. (He mumbles adjusting the phone under his chin)

Jamie: Do you see the placenta?

Rego: Yes, (He says almost gagging)

Jamie: I need you to put it in the zipper bag and seal it then put it in the toolkit okay?

Rego: Yeah gross but all right. (Face distorted in disgust he reaches for the bag opening it and placing the afterbirth inside then zipping it closed)

Jamie: Man you just hit a home run for the team! (Rego places the bag inside the toolkit and tries not to gag)

Rego: I feel more like I just swam the English Channel! (He says tossing a and towel over top of the bag)

Jamie: Thank you for taking such good care of my family. I owe you one.

Rego: Yeah you do and I’m going to hold you to it. (He smiles broadly proud of his self)

Jamie: If you look inside that toolkit the nurse was good enough to pack you a container of baby wipes and some clean scrubs.

Rego: Tell her I said thank you from the bottom of my heart! (he says looking down at his ruined shirt and pants)

Jamie: I will. (I will he grins the mental image of Rego making him laugh)

Rego: Here talk to your wife and take a look at your son while I get cleaned up. (He says handing the cell phone to Francessca and then begins to peel off his stained clothes listening to Francessca and Jamie “Ooo” and “Ahh” over their son and feeling a mild pang of jealousy this could have been his life)

Francessca: I told it was a boy! I very beautiful boy! (She leans her head down kissing is forehead) Ha! In your face! (She laughs, laughing harder when she hears him do the same)

Jamie: I admit it you win.

Francessca: I can’t wait for you to really see him and hold him! (Her voice softening as she looks down lovingly on her sleeping child)

Jamie: I can wait either I promise we’ll have you out soon. (Sounding just a little disappointed to her ears making her feel just a tinge guilty for her earlier thoughts. She looks down at the flashing battery signal then speaks quickly into the phone)

Francessca: Your battery light is flashing.

Jamie: Yeah, I never got around to charging it last night.

Francessca: It’s okay honey it worked when we needed it. I’ll see you as soon as we get out. I love you!

Jamie: I’ll be right here waiting I love you too! (Rego throws the last of the debris into the plastic bag then sit down on the floor beside Francessca and her sleeping son he closes his eyes and leans his weary head against the cool steel of the elevator car and lets out a long sigh)

Francessca: You okay? (She looks over at his still grinning face his eyes closed)

Rego: That was the scariest most wondrous thing I have ever done n my life!

Francessca; Well you done good! I’m proud of you. (She teases causing him to chuckle and peer at her through his one open eye)

Rego: Bet you never thought you would hear yourself say that?

Francessca: I’ve been proud of you before, just not recently. I’m glad you were here. I don’t know how we would have gotten through without you.

Rego: Thank you. How is he?

Francessca: He’s fine, sleeping away. (She smiles rocking the baby gently back and forth. Rego reaches over pulling the blanket aside to look at him again)

Rego: He was a very determined little fellow.

Francessca: He must like elevators. (They both laugh then Francessca yawns)

Rego: How are you doing? (He says leaning his head back against the wall)

Francessca: Tired, (She yawns again) can’t wait to get out of here.

Rego: We should be out of here soon. I’m sorry for all this.

Francessca: What are you sorry for? You had nothing to do with the elevator breaking. (She adjust the baby in her arms pulling the blanket tighter about him)

Rego: I’m sure this wasn’t the birth that you had imagined.

Francessca: Not exactly.

Rego: You probably wanted to give birth with the father of your child not some ex lover and certainly not me. (He says with a laugh)

Francessca: Things happened just the way they were supposed to. (She says gently making Rego’s eyes pop open his voice rich with sincerity)

Rego: When I said I was sorry I mean for everything that happened between you and I.

Francessca: That’s all over with Rego it’s in the past. (She yawns again)

Rego: I know. I just want you to know I really am sorry for everything I put you through.

Francessca: Thank you. (She smiles up at him the baby gurgling in her arms)

Rego: Can I hold him again?

Francessca: Sure. (She says handing him the baby) Watch his head.

Rego: He so tiny. (He say looking down at him in awe)

Francessca: Give him a month or so. (She yawns again stretching her arms above her head)

Rego: You know sitting here with you like this holding him, I can’t help but wonder if things had been different. (The melancholy feeling coming over him again)

Francessca: What do you mean? (She frowns looking at him confused)

Rego: If I hadn’t been such and idiot perhaps by this time it could have been you and I…(Their eye lock for a moment she watches the brief moment of sadness pass over them as feeling of guilt wash over her

Francessca: Rego there’s …(She starts just as the elevator jolts and begins to ascend)

Rego:  We’re moving! Do you feel that we’re getting out of here! (He yelps cutting off what she’d been about to say the moment between them broken)

Bob: Okay we’re good lock’er down! (He screams into the radio) Okay everyone stand back let the man get out and the doctors in!