Sunday, March 31, 2013

Lonestar

Previously, On Concrete Shelves
  • After the death of her daughter, Caitlyn Thurlow, started to take charge of her life. She planned the Winter Wonderland Ball to boost the morale of the citizens of Stone Creek. With the help of Aidan Jurado and Taylor Kern, they planned it for late February.
  • Clifton Briggs was determined to move his establishment to the blossoming district known as ‘Now Town’ and out of ‘Sage Gardens. But upon finding the perfect building, he is stunned to realize that Patsy Sutton-Clarke is the sole owner.
  • Patrick Sutton developed a plan to place a mole inside Damien Crenshaw’s offices to find out the truth behind the election for Mayor of Stone Creek, he enlisted Ryan Bauer and Helen Tyree to help. Upon hearing this information, Marina Thurlow insisted that Ryan think about it and include her in everything that he does.
  • The late February Snow Storm began to roll in...
[.....]

 photo 7a1f42f6-2c83-4af7-bb66-fe7383c2cab7_zps97e00fe3.jpg

To Listen to the Song this Episode is Inspired by, Click Here.

[.....]

Scene One:
505 Auburn Rd., Stone Creek. [Thurlow Cottage]
James & Caitlyn Thurlow’s Home.

 photo ThurlowCottage.pngHe placed her coat on the couch in the living room and admired his wife as she peered out the massive window and watched the snow as it began to fall. It had only been hours into the evening and the snow was already starting to fall heavily, he knew they would need to leave the house soon if they wanted to make it to the Lakeside Inn before the storm began. It was a tradition of sorts. For most of the people in Stone Creek to get wherever they were meant to be before the late February winter storm hit. Everyone knew from experience they would be stuck -- in wherever it was they choose -- for the next couple hours, if not days.

James cleared his throat and watched her spin around. “I didn’t even know you were there,” Caitlyn admitted, she bashfully batted her eyes and joined him near the couch, “I just can’t believe how fast the snow is picking up today, I really hope that everyone makes it up Boulstridge Mountain with no trouble.”

 photo Jamesv1.png“I am sure everyone will make it there just fine.” James assured his wife.

He lifted her coat and helped Caitlyn maneuver into it. The woman spun around flaunting her long flowing emerald green dress. It wasn’t her color, but she knew how much it meant to Emily, so she chose it anyways to feel closer to her daughter today.

“You look remarkable.” James said, his eyes gleamed with delight.

Caitlyn sighed heavily and he knew she was thinking of Emily. Today was about bringing the community together and trying to move forward from the tragedies that the storm tended to bring with it. He knew with experience that it was a terrible storm that never faulted. “Emily would have loved that dress, I can assure you that.”

“I would have loved to share it with her, you know, I just couldn’t put it down when I saw it at Kelly’s Boutique last week,” her words get lost in the frost that has begun to invade to room from the small gaps in the windowsill. Caitlyn shudders noticeably, then she wrapped the coat around her slim body and wrapped her hands around her husband’s right arm. “I’m still nervous about tonight.”

James kissed her forehead. “Don’t be nervous, darling, I want you to enjoy tonight. I want you to take everything in -- from the moment we get there -- to the very last dance, because this couldn’t have happened without you. There’s nobody I am more proud of than I am you.”

His words, although they etched themselves in her heart and warmed her up, were still just words. He knew this. James knew that even if someone were to tell Caitlyn to not worry about the ball tonight... she would do nothing but worry. He knew this very well. They had already made reservations with his nephew for one of the suite’s at the Inn tonight. James had arranged for Aidan to stock the room with the finest wines and candles. He knew that Caitlyn would spend most of the night wandering around talking to everyone. James would, at one point, have to remind her to relax and sit down. So he instructed his children to make sure Caitlyn had enough time to herself to just relax. Counting on them to help out with the festivities was going to be their biggest help.

 photo Caitlynv1.png“I hope that you’re not mad that I had to lift the restraining order against Damien.” Caitlyn said, tearing James out of his plans for the night. Now Caitlyn was standing near the doorway with her green clutch in hand. “I know that my ex. husband isn’t exactly on the top of your friends list, but it needed to be done in order to get tonight planned. A member of the city council cannot have a restraining order against the mayor of Stone Creek.”

“Can we stop and just think about that entire sentence?” James remarked, his hands tucked deep in his pockets. He shook his head and forced a smile. “Damien Crenshaw doesn’t worry me one bit, not anymore. Besides, I think we have better things to do than worry about what your ex. husband is doing. I understand that the two of you had lost Emily --”

“That’s not why I lifted the restraining order.” She assured him.

James nodded his head. He understood that, although at first he had his skepticism. “I was just going to say that not having to worry about a restraining order against you would help Damien. He is mourning Emily’s death as well... even if he is the reason you thought she was dead the first time. I don’t like it, but I understand Caitlyn.”

“Thank you.” Caitlyn pleaded.

“For what?”

She stood in front of her husband and smirked, her eyes dazzled as they locked on his. The two of them stood, toe-to-toe and her hands upon his shoulders. “For understanding me. James Thurlow... you’re the man that I had been looking for after Damien first took Emily away from me. Everything you have done for me, was because you loved me... and I just wanted to say thank you. For bringing me to this point, right now. For being able to get up every morning and being able to carry on.”

“There’s going to be plenty of more mornings, darling. How about we get going? That storm isn't going to let up and I for one don’t want to be hiking all the way to the Lakeside Inn because the car got stuck in the snow.” He chuckled, as she followed along with a nod of the head. “I love you, darling, don’t fret. Just take everything in tonight and enjoy yourself.”

“Oh, I will,” Caitlyn declared, she leaned her head on his shoulder as they gathered the last of their things and loaded into the car for the night. 

[.....]

 photo LakesideInn.pngScene Two:
Boulstridge Mountain; Lakeside Inn
Winter Wonderland Ball; First Bar

 photo Charliev1.pngIt took Charlie Sutton a moment to move towards the bar, but after running through a couple of things with Aidan Jurado and Taylor Kern, he found time to finally discuss a topic that had been on his mind ever since the planning of the ball. He placed his clipboard on the bar and cleared his throat. Garnering the attention of Amanda Tucker. “I hope you have a minute to talk about something with me?”

“You’re my boss, Charlie, of course I have a minute.” Amanda replied, she leaned against the bar and he immediately noticed her low-cut blouse, making a mental note to remind her about the dress code at a later date, Charlie turned away. “Is something wrong?”

“I really hope not.” He replied, hastily. “I’m not here to scold you about anything. I just want you to understand that this is a place of business and I’m not trying to pry into your personal life... but I understand that you once had a relationship with Aidan...”

Amanda scoffs. “I’m not going to cry over Aidan Jurado, Charlie, that’s not my style. I might cry over the fact that he left me for a dude... but I’m not going to do it here. Have you seen the guest list? There’s going to be way too many people here. I’d smear my make-up.”

He looked at her puzzled, but still relieved that she understood the importance of tonight. “Thank you for that delightful conversation Amanda and I’m glad that you understand what I was trying to say. I really am sorry that you had to find out that way... if it means anything to you.”

“Not to steal a scene from a movie of the week, but thank you.” Amanda replied, she looked around and then back at Charlie. “I already double counted the bottles for tonight, if these people want to drink themselves to death... well, we have enough bottles for them to do so.”

“Let’s not let them do that, understand?”

Across the room, moving past a couple waiters and waitresses and past the few early arrivals -- mostly trying to check-in to their rooms before the festivities -- Aidan Jurado tapped his foot against the floor as he looked around impatiently as the room began to look like the vision he knew Caitlyn had wanted. After talking to Taylor earlier about not overbooking the Inn he found himself in the same room as Amanda Tucker, but this time, he wouldn’t let it get to him.

 photo Aidanv1.pngInstead Aidan kept his distance and chatted with the other hotel employees about their duties during the ball. The room looked spectacular, it gleamed with elegance. If they were going for a fancy ball in the middle of winter they nailed it -- he nailed it. As he looked around the room he smiled as he caught sight of the one person that would make tonight magical. “You take my breath away, every time.”

“Every time?” Taylor asked, he raised an eyebrow.

Aidan nodded. “I mean, your bow-tie is a little crooked -- let me fix that for you,” he instructed, taking a step closer to his boyfriend, Aidan fixed the classic black bow-tie and then stepped back in admiration. “There. That looks better, how is everything going?”

 photo Taylorv2.png“It’s going.” Taylor admitted. “I ran into your cousin a little earlier and helped her get Megan up to their room, I’m just glad that Kirsten and Charlie were able to find a babysitter to come to the Inn to watch Megan. Has she always been so protective of that little girl?”

“She’s a little uptight... yes. But Kirsten has the best intentions and I’m really happy that she is able to relax and have fun tonight as well.” Aidan explains, he pulls Taylor in for a kiss and smirks. “I’m glad that my family is all going to relax here for the night. Knowing that they will all be safe this year as the storm passes... it’s really nice.”

“Is it nice having me here as well?” Taylor asked, with a goofy grin.

Aidan smirks. “It’s a little more than nice. Listen, I know that we already talked about things between the two of us. But I want you to know that I care a lot for you. I don’t know if you can believe that or not... but when I asked you to move in I just had this picture of the two of us living together and it was really nice.”

He looked at Taylor as he stood there in front of him. This last year had been exactly what Aidan needed and now standing in front of Taylor, things felt right. Losing his mother pushed Aidan into a very vulnerable spot so he started sleeping with Amanda to fill the void. “I don’t know... Maybe I just got carried away...”

“Don’t start crying on me now fancy pants,” Taylor smirked, “I understand what you meant by wanting to move in and I just wanted to make sure you completely knew what you were getting into. Us being together is one thing... but living together, that’s an entirely different thing.”

“Either way, I’m ready for it.”

Taylor licked his lips. “Then let me get ready for it, will you?”

[.....]

Scene Three:
2123 Fairview Rd., Stone Creek. [Clarke Home]
Adam & Patsy Sutton-Clarke’s Home

 photo Patsyv1_zps761af2d4.png“Excuse me,” Patsy Sutton-Clarke asked, she stood in the doorway of the front door in a silvery dress that  was covered in jewels of wealth. A hand on her hip, she held the huge diamonds around her neck with the other hand. “I have no idea who you are... but what are you doing at my door so late? My husband and I were just about to head out for the night.”

Clifton Briggs held out his hand. “My names Clifton Briggs and I was wondering if I could have a moment with you... I know this is highly unprofessional but I couldn’t let this go on much longer. I hope that you understand the urgency in this meeting.”

She lingered in the doorway, her light colored eyes etching into his skull as she took a moment to think about his motives and why she didn’t feel any trust for this man. But against her better judgement, Patsy let him into the foyer, where she circled him carefully. “Fine, but let me warn you Mr. Briggs, I really don’t have the time for you to waste, not tonight. If you haven’t heard there’s a very important Ball that we need to make an appearance at.”

“I will only take a moment of your time.” Clifton insisted.

“Then a moment you shall have.” The blonde stifling woman declared, she pursed her lips and insisted that he carry on with whatever he was there to tell her. As they stood there in the foyer she began to recognize this man from town. She also realized that he had been working alongside Damien Crenshaw -- a man that Patsy knew all too well.

 photo Adamv1_zps71fbfcd9.png“What’s going on down here?” Adam Clarke asked from the stairs, he was in the middle of getting dressed and Patsy noticed that he was still fixing his cufflinks as he barreled down the stairs. “I heard the doorbell, please tell me we don’t have guests at this time of night -- who are you?” He asked upon seeing Clifton, the man offered a handshake, but got none in return.

Patsy looked over her shoulder at her husband. “His name is Clifton Briggs.”

“You’re the Mayor’s friend, aren’t you?” Adam asked.

“I knew it!” Patsy snipped, she held her head back and gurgled at the thought. “That man is really unbelievable, you know that? How you can even think about being associated with him puts a bad taste in my mouth. So please, tell me exactly why you’ve bothered us at our home?”

“There’s a building that you own Mrs. Sutton-Clarke and I was hoping that I could talk to you about it,” Clifton started, he produced a pack of papers from his coat and held them out for her to take, but she didn’t do this. Instead she looked at him in anticipation, “I wanted to inform you about the loss you’re going to take if you continue to keep this building in your possession.”

Adam stood between the two. “My wife isn’t going to listen to you talk business tonight. I don’t know if you know this... but if we don’t leave now we might not even make it to Boulstridge Mountain tonight in this storm. So will you please, and I do mean please, leave us?”
 photo Cliftonv1.png
“That building is facing a lot of violations.” Clifton barked.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Adam spoke, he ushered Clifton towards the door.

But Clifton proved to be harder to kick-out than he seemed. “Just read the survey of the grounds and you’ll understand Mrs. Sutton-Clarke. I went ahead and had a contractor look at it because I was interested in buying the building from you... but you must understand that that property is going to cost you a lot to fix the damages.”

“What damages?” Patsy asked, intrigued.

She ordered her husband to let Clifton stay. The man, although he worked for Damien Crenshaw, had information that could help her. Although she never knew any of the properties she owned to have any... problems, especially any violations. Patsy folded her arms. “Let me see those papers!”

“The contractor insists on re-wiring the place.”

The papers seemed to check-out and this infuriated Patsy. This wasn’t something she wanted to hear when she was on her way out to enjoy her night. Instead of helping her husband fix his cufflinks, she was now forced to hear this stranger spew about re-wiring and structure violations. “If it needed re-wiring I’m sure that I would have heard about it by now... don’t you think, Mr. Briggs?”

“You shouldn’t trust this man, Patsy.” Adam declared.

With a heavy sigh, she walked over to the two men and shoved the papers into Clifton’s hands. “Why do you want this building with all of these so-called damages, anyhow?”

“Because,” Clifton started, his words lingered in the air for a moment before he continued, “I have wanted to move my business into Now Town for quite sometime and I feel this is the perfect investment. I have money, and I’m not using that to bribe you in anyway. But I also have a vision for this spot and I am willing to invest a lot of money into it for myself... for my family.”

He didn’t strike Patsy as a family man, her stern face loosened up. “I’ll think about it Mr. Briggs... and I’ll have you know that if someone is going to investigate my buildings... it’s going to be from my orders next time, do you understand me? If you’re trying to convince me that you deserve one of my properties you are going to do it the right way.”

“I understand.” Clifton replied.

“Good.” Her lips tightened once again. “Now please leave us alone, we have a Ball to get too and I don’t need to be stuck in that snow outside.” She watched as her husband pulled open the door for  Clifton Briggs and then called out to him. “The next time you go behind my back Mr. Briggs, I’m going to file a case against you, got it?”

“Of course, Mrs. Sutton-Clarke.” He replied.

[.....]

 photo OldGrangerManor.pngScene Four:
745 W. Lavender St., Stone Creek. [Old Granger Manor]
Damien & Gillian Crenshaw’s Home

As she powders her nose, Gillian Sutton Crenshaw, the blue-eyed woman looks into the mirror before her and can’t help but smile at how different she looks. The lines that have begun to fill her face from fret were covered-up now, if only for the night. It then dawned upon her how shallow she was being when there was so much going on around her. She thinks back to the conversation she had with her husband about running Sutton Enterprises. Damien was just being constructive, his tone, as eager and threatening as it was -- was just constructive criticism. She had to believe that.

“You look a million miles away.” Kimberly Sutton spoke from behind, her words soft to the touch and as they fluttered into Gillian’s mind to try and comfort the younger woman, they did so. Kimberly joined Gillian’s side and kissed her niece on the cheek. “A beautiful girl like you shouldn’t be so hard on herself, you know that?”

 photo Gillianv1.pngGillian tilts her head. “How did you --” Shaking her head she scoffs at the next thing that came to her mind. “I must be as transparent as glass, and as fragile as well... at least, from where you stand. Does everyone else think that? That I’m this fool who doesn’t know what she is doing?”

“You’re not a fool,” Kimberly says, “Oh, Gillian, there was a time when I was you... there was a time when I thought everyone wanted to see me break. Things will get better and you will see that you’re stronger than them. You’re better than them, Gillian. You’re smarter.”

“And prettier.” Gillian cries.

Kimberly chuckles, she turns the blond to face her and pushes her bangs out of her face, “You are far prettier than them. Those people are afraid of you because you don’t hide anything. That’s the greatest power you have and I think you need to utilize that. The only person who will bring you down is yourself, you have to remember that.” Kimberly advises.

“Thank you,” Gillian wipes her eyes, hoping not to smear her make-up. This gives her the strength to look back into the mirror and take a deep breath. She knew what she was doing was right for her family. Gillian needed to take control of Sutton Enterprises. There was no other way around that and now she needed to pioneer through. 

She pauses, then looks back at Kimberly to catch the woman before she leaves, “Can I ask you a question?”

“Anything.” Kimberly replied.

“Have you ever been uncertain about one of your marriages before? I know that it’s sort of insulting of me to ask that question... but you’re the only other person I know that has been married more times than they can count --”

“Four times.” Kimberly said, solemnly.

Gillian looks at her aunt confused. “Excuse me?”

 photo Kimberlyv2_zps1d953004.png“I’ve been married four times, I can count them,” she explains, “I know where you’re getting so I won’t exactly act offended, but I just want you to know... I haven’t been married that many times. Gillian... you’re young and you are definitely going to be making mistakes. Marriage isn’t about power or control, but it’s about a feeling, and if it’s not there then there’s no reason to stay married.”

The younger woman nods her head. “Thank you aunt Kimberly... if you need somewhere to stay after the storm ends, you can stay here. I know you’ve been staying at that pesky hotel in Now Town... but I could use someone to keep me company around here if you’re interested?”

Kimberly smiled warmly. “You’re so kind to offer Gillian, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve about where I’m going to be living from here on out. Don’t worry too much, I can take care of myself when things get tight and I can see it in you as well. Your mother raised you well, far better than your father ever imagined he could. I’m going to go get ready now and we can all three ride up to the Lakeside Inn together, your husband and us.”

“He already left.” Gillian acknowledges, then quickly explains, “He’s the Mayor of Stone Creek.. his presence at the ball is insistent so I offered to let him leave early. I will, however, join you on the ride up there. That would be nice.”

She turned back to the mirror and looked at herself in it. Kimberly had left the room only moments ago but she felt her presence still there, lingering like the scent of perfume. Then she thought back to the words she shared many months ago with her mother, Charlene, and how she explained to Gillian that she raised the young woman to be strong and confident like Shannon Thurlow Jurado.

A tear fell from her eye as she realized how hurt Charlene must have felt admitting that to Gillian and how Gillian had shut her mother out of her life.

[.....]

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[.....]

 photo LakesideInn.pngScene Five:
Boulstridge Mountain; Lakeside Inn
Winter Wonderland Ball; Charlene & Reichen’s Room

 photo Charlenev1.pngCharlene Nelson had spent sometime in the Lakeside Inn, especially after she had left her ex. husband Patrick Sutton. She would come visit her son at work and just peer out at the lake from the pier. It was one of the most majestic sights she had ever seen. Now, as she stands in her hotel room getting ready for the marvelous event the Lakeside Inn was hosting, she spots the ice covered lake and smiles lightly. How time has changed, so quickly. Charlene was starting to feel better than her old self.

“What’s on your mind?” Reichen Calbourne asked from behind her. She takes a moment to turn around, but she eventually does and smiles at him. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want too, but you just seem in a very good place and I’d like to share that with you.”

She nods. “I want to tell you how much I love being around you.”

“Around me?” He asked, he looks behind him and then back at her with a smile. “Are you talking about this old guy right here? Or do you have an invisible friend in the room that I don’t know about? Hmmm, Miss Nelson?”

“It’s lady Nelson, to you,” Charlene snickers, she steps closer to Reichen and he dutifully opens his arms to take her in. It’s such a comfort that Charlene has gotten used to. The way he hugs her close when she kneads her chin into his shoulder, she can feel his warm breath upon her neck and then a light kiss soon follows. “This was a really good idea. Having the Winter Wonderland Ball... and having it here of all places. Charlie must be so proud of this.”

 photo Reichenv1.png“You’ve raised a marvelous son.”

Charlene scoffs. “I wish I could take all of the credit, but when the kids were younger, Patrick had them shipped off to private school in Paris. I didn’t have much say in it... so I guess, I really didn’t raise my children.” she admits.

She remembers when Charlie was just a young boy and how she would sneak into his room at night and read him fairytale stories while Patrick was asleep. When Charlie was sent away to school Charlene was angry at her husband. But she never said anything. During most of their marriage she was never able to stand-up to her husband... not until the end. Which is why after Gillian was born, she taught her to stand proud of who she was.

“You okay?” 

Charlene snaps out of her thoughts and lets them quickly unravel with the robe she had on. She could feel Reichen’s gentle kisses upon her bare shoulder and let him continue to kiss her lightly. Her hands, so green with greed, wandered his robed back and made their way to his shoulders were she held them tightly. “I’m just fine if you keep doing that though... we might not make it to the ball tonight.”

“We can have our own ball.” Reichen responded, he walked her to the bed.

[.....]

 photo LakesideInn.pngScene Six:
Boulstridge Mountain; Lakeside Inn
Winter Wonderland Ball; First Bar

After getting rid of Patrick Sutton, she made he way towards the closest bar and prepared her order. Helen Tyree knew that appearance was everything -- especially at a formal event such as this -- she knew that if talking to people in Stone Creek’s higher circles was her priority she needed a strong drink to do so. Patrick had spotted one of his siblings, so Helen took her first opportunity to free his hand and wander away for her drink.

“I need a shot of vodka and a dirty martini, please,” her words making it to the bartender before she even had time to look up from her purse and notice that it was Amanda Tucker, one of her models, “Amanda, it’s nice to see you.” Helen spoke with a smile.
 photo Amandav1.png
Amanda smiled back. “We are going a little strong today, aren’t we?”

“I don’t need any judgements from any of my employees, I just got out of a really long marriage -- and although it was overdue -- it still was painful. So please, will you just give me the damned shot before I find a reason to fire you from this job?”

“Certainly.” The bartender replied, she grabbed a top-shelf vodka and poured it into a shot glass. “I wasn’t trying to tell you how to live your life, Miss Tyree --”

“That’s good to know.” The redhead replied. It wasn’t that she wanted to scare Amanda, Helen knew that the slight gust of wind scared the pencil-thin model, so she wasn’t looking to scare her. Helen just felt that Amanda was casting a judgement on her that she didn’t need tonight. Especially if she was going to keep up her appearances tonight.

Helen knocked back the shot and pushed the glass towards Amanda. “Not that I’m trying to portray a drunken mess, but I really do need another one before you make me my dirty martini and before you say anything about this, need I remind you that I have employed you.”

“I think you need a friend.”

“I think you need to stop stalling, get me my drink.” Helen snapped, she turned on her heel and immediately spotted her youngest daughter coming her way. “On second thought Amanda, just give me my martini... minus the dirty.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Amanda replied.

“Hello, mother,” Marina Thurlow greeted, Helen could tell there was more behind the words as they dug sharply at her heart strings, “the last time we were in the same room you gave me the advice to use Olivia’s past against her.” Marina eye’d the blond bartender as she handed Helen her drink and moved out of ear-shot.

 photo Helenv1.pngHelen shifted and placed her drink to her lips. “Surely Marina, you’re the one who came to me for advice. I was flattered that you wanted my advice to begin with, but did you think that I was going to tell you to join hands with her and sing ‘kumbaya my lord’?”

“No, but --”

“You got what you asked for.” Helen broke, noting the hurt in her daughter’s expression. She took a deep sigh and grasped her shoulder. “I love you Marina, and I am really sorry that things didn’t work out in your favor. All I am saying is that you came to me for a solution and I gave you one.”

“Fine.” Marina shook. “That’s not what I came here for, anyways. I should have known that blackmailing Olivia into doing what I wanted her to do would backfire, that was my mistake. I’m just lucky that everything didn’t blow-up in my face and that I didn’t have to entirely swallow my pride. The truth is, I need to ask you for a favor.”

This perched her thirst. Helen looked at her daughter in the full midnight blue gown. “What do you need, Marina? If I can do it then you know that I will.”

 photo Marinav1.png“I need you to take care of Ryan.” Marina challenged. “...I know what Patrick wants my boyfriend to do and I really don’t agree with it. But I’ve already accepted it and to tell the truth I’m sort of intrigued with the outcome. The thing is... your new boyfriend has put my boyfriend in a very tight position and I’m really scared of that.”

“Patrick really cares for Ryan.” Helen replied.

“You know what happened to the last person that Patrick really cared for, mother.” Immediately Helen thought of not only Gillian and Charlie, but also to Shannon Jurado. Her heart sunk, knowing that Shannon was once the love of Patrick’s life. “If Ryan can pull this off and Patrick gets what he wants... I need reassurance that Ryan won’t catch the flame in this one.”

Helen nodded. “I can assure you that Ryan will get away unscathed.”

“We are willing to work with you, mother. Having talked over it with Ryan he really did explain to me the importance of finding out the truth behind the election... but the thing that still scares me is that Ryan has to be the one in danger at all times.”

“Damien isn’t going to kill your boyfriend.” Helen rationalized. She clutched the stem of her glass with both hands and shrugged it off.

“You don’t know him.”

Helen rolled her eyes. “This is Stone Creek, if he were a murder we would know it by now. Look, you want me to make sure that Ryan doesn’t get caught in the crossfire and I will definitely raise that with Patrick. I respect you Marina and I am really happy that you care enough to let Ryan go through with this. It means a lot to me.”

“Good.” Marina said, she folded her arms. “I need the dirt on Damien. If the three of you are planning on taking this man down then I want to cover the story and I need to know exactly why you think he rigged the votes for the election.”

Helen looked around them, sighing heavily. “Okay, I will tell you everything... but maybe we can go somewhere quieter? He has more ears than we know of...” Helen downed her drink, placed it back on the bar, then guided her daughter out of the ballroom.

[.....]

Scene Seven:
Boulstridge Mountain; Lakeside Inn
Winter Wonderland Ball

 photo LakesideInn.pngAs the band began playing a jazz tune, and the gorgeous songstress began to sing a cover of Norah Jones’ ‘Lonestar’, Caitlyn Thurlow walked into the room and took everything in. She had parted ways with her husband not too long ago as he needed to attend to some business arrangements with his son, Emmet, and Reichen Calbourne. So that meant Caitlyn was on her own as she circled the crowd and thanked them for all showing up. Of course there were some people she would rather not thank... like her ex. husband, Damien Crenshaw, who she had spotted already chatting up some of the wealthier folk, such as Diem Joplin’s mother and father and the rest of the Joplin clan.

 photo Caitlynv1.pngCaitlyn sighed heavily and reminded herself to apologize to Diem for the way she had treated her while she was dealing with Emily’s death. Truthfully, she knew she was in the wrong. The blond rubbed her shoulders as goosebumps rose upon her velvety white skin. 

“You look a million miles away.” A woman from her right side spoke. It took Caitlyn a moment to place the voice, but as soon as she turned to greet the much younger woman, she knew exactly who it was before her light eyes landed on the curls of blond hair next to her. “You look surprised to be seeing me here.”

Caitlyn gulped, regaining her bearing. “I’m not surprised to see you here, Gillian,” Caitlyn admitted, she peered back at Damien and then once again at Gillian. “I just thought that you would be over there with your husband playing the dotting wife card that you did so well while he was running for mayor, is all.”

“I already have done my duties for the night.” Gillian said.

This garnered a chuckle from Caitlyn. “Those wouldn’t be duties if you loved your husband, need I remind you?”

“The contents of this room reminds me that I’m not allowed to make a scene, but let me tell you one thing Caitlyn,” Gillian locked eyes with the older woman and smiled mockingly, “I love Damien, very much. That doesn’t make me some stupid fool, like you think I am. That also doesn’t mean I fully trust him like you thought you did. But I do love him.”

The jab nearly knocked the wind out of Caitlyn, but she composed herself for her own sake. “Have a good night, Gillian.” She spoke, tight-lipped.

Across the dance floor and past a couple of dancing couples, including the familiar faces of Kirsten and Charlie Sutton, towards the back of the ballroom -- unaware of everyone else around him, Taylor Kern stared out the frosted window and out at the snow covered trees. He had seen someone outside, and although it wouldn’t be uncommon to have seen someone since they were at a social event with nearly the whole town, Taylor knew something was different about this person. He shrugged it off just as his boyfriend walked up to him with a drink in his hands.

“Here you go, an apple martini just like you ordered.” Aidan smirked, he handed Taylor the drink and sat down beside him. “I noticed that you were staring out the window... is everything alright? You’re not too worried about the storm, are you?”

 photo Aidanv1.pngTaylor shrugged. “I thought I saw someone outside.”

“Well, whoever they are they would be crazy not to be inside the Inn... the weather is too absurd.” Aidan replied, he grew fascinated with Taylor’s composure and bumped his shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. I doubt anything will go wrong tonight, because honestly if it were to have happened... it would have already.” He sipped his drink.

“You’re probably right. I actually wanted to talk to you about something; no it has nothing to do with the Winter Wonderland ball, nor is it about the person I saw outside; it has a lot to do with you asking me to be your roommate --”

“Roommate?” Aidan snorted.

Taylor rolled his eyes. “Fine, not roommate... to move-in with you though. I have been giving it some thought and I know I said I will let you know when the time is right. Well... I think that maybe the time is right. I mean... we have been, sort of, living together as it is. So why not make it official?”

“I can cheers to that.” Aidan chuckled.

[.....]

 photo SaundersHome.pngScene Eight:
420 N. Dayton St., Stone Creek. [Saunders Home]
Adrian, Gail & Violet’s Home

 photo Gailv1.png“I’m so sorry that we couldn’t make it up to the Lakeside Inn tonight,” Gail Schmidt said to her boyfriend as they entered their front door. Not only had her shift ended late, but they were headed up Boulstridge Mountain and directed by the police car at the base of the mountain that the road was too dangerous to travel. So they called up the sitter and offered her a ride home once they doubled back to their house. “I know how much you wanted to have at least one day off.”

Adrian Stone scoffed. “I should be apologizing to you, I promised you a night out!”

“Honestly,” Gail spoke, she reappeared in the living room after depositing her coat in the hallway closet, “I just wanted a night to relax, but you insisted on us going to the Winter Wonderland Ball... not that it wasn’t a good idea. But this right here... is a better idea and I’m almost glad that the roads were closed tonight. We can spend the night at home with our daughter.”

“I like that idea a lot.” He replied, rambling a few words in spanish as he moved closer to Gail and kissed her lightly on the lips. The snow drifted outside their living room window and as it did, Gail left Adrian in the room to get Violet ready for the night. She entered the kitchen to make them hot chocolate. So many times she had come home late at night, while Adrian and Violet were sleeping, she would try not to make a noise as she sat in the kitchen and thought about her life.

Tonight though, this was different. Gail grabbed the ingredients she needed and the mugs to hold the liquid and took a deep breath. Her life wasn’t exactly on-track. There was still the problem of Violet not really recognizing Gail -- although it was arguably Gail’s fault and she was starting to see that now. Her fear of developing schizophrenia like her mother had was, ironically, the thing that pushed her away from her family like the illness did her mother.

“How is everything going in there?” Adrian’s voice carried.

Gail smirked, she could smell the wood fire that her lover must have started while she was away getting their refreshments. “I’ll be right out, just let me heat up this water... have you seen Violet’s bottle? None of these have lids...”

“Check the cabinet above the dishwasher!” 

“Got it.” The blond replied, she reached for a fully-functional bottle and grasped it in her hands. “Do you think my dad is going to be alone tonight at the Ball? I know that we called him earlier to let him know we couldn’t make it... but now that he’s divorced from Helen and still doesn’t have a friend in Stone Creek...”

 photo Adrianv1.png“I think you’re being a little harsh.” Adrian spoke from behind her. “Your father isn’t this terrible hermit of a person, Gail. He saves lives on a daily basis and I think he’s pretty badass -- which is insane because we both tried running away from him once. Your father is going to make-out just fine.”

Gail just wanted her father to find happiness, like she has. “You’re such a remarkable man, you know that? to think that I could have never seen you again after I took off without you... To think I could be here, home without you... that scares me.”

“Cara bonita,” Adrian cupped her face with his palm, “You don’t need to be afraid, not anymore. I’m not going to lie, I was frustrated when you first left and then after we had Violet I was so confused at what you had wanted. Now though, I know you want to be here. I’ll be bringing in more money now so you don’t have to work so hard at the hospital.”

“About that.” She turned to watch Adrian turn back towards her. “There’s a past between Kirsten and yourself and I would by lying if I said I wasn’t afraid of that. I understand that you would never leave me or Violet. I just reserve the right to be worried about you working with her. So be angry if you want. Please just talk to me and don’t shut me out like I had done to you.”

She locked eyes with him, pleading him so. As Adrian walked back to her, he kissed Gail on the lips and held her in his arms. “I will always love you.”

“Okay.” Gail lingered. “Let’s go back into the living room and spend the rest of the night with our daughter. It’s getting really cold in this kitchen.”

[.....]

Scene Nine:
Boulstridge Mountain; Lakeside Inn
Winter Wonderland Ball

 photo LakesideInn.pngIt had taken her awhile to find her target. After Kimberly had arrived at the Lakeside Inn with her niece in tow, the two decided that booking her room for the night was the first thing they would do. However, of course they had ran into a snag -- the only room available ended up being not nearly as fancy as the one Gillian was going to be staying in. This revelation made Kimberly step with a heavier foot than she would have liked to and she nearly trampled all over her younger brother, Patrick.

 photo Patrickv1.png“I see you’ve weaseled your way into my daughters town car.” Patrick greeted with a snide sneer. His attitude towards her didn’t stop Kimberly though.

She brushed it off and placed a finger on his chest. “I haven’t done a damned thing wrong, Patrick and you know that. But if you have to know, Gillian and I have become closer since she asked me to come to Stone Creek. So of course we would ride here together. Why does everything have to be this huge plot against you? Can two people just exist without having to come together to bring you down?... besides you’re not that high on the totem pole anymore at Sutton Enterprises.”

“I will be, just you wait and see.”

Although a few people around them caught wind of the tension, they continued to move around the room and carried on with their conversations. An eye carefully glued to the siblings, skillfully. Kimberly shuttered at how every conversation she had with her half-brother seemed to come straight down to their father’s company. “I’ve come to talk to you about my current living arrangements...”

Patrick scoffed. “I don’t see what that has to do with me.”

“I’m moving into the Holly Oak Manor because it is the home that I grew up in after Cutler found and took me in.” Kimberly gulped. “Look, I know you live there now and we’re not exactly on the same page about a few things. But I cannot keep living out of a hotel forever...”

“Why not? I though hotel life suited you? You sure as hell can’t stay in a marriage long enough to be comfortable with commitment. Clearly, you’re not going to be staying here in Stone Creek for long, either. You will find your next prospective husband and carry on like you do.” He narrowed his eyes at her, and then simply looked past her.

 photo Kimberlyv2_zps1d953004.pngKimberly furrowed her brow. She could see her brother’s distraction through his glossy eyes and turned her head slightly to see him looking at a crowd of people. Then she turned back to him and tried to grab his attention again. “I am staying here in Stone Creek wether you like it or not! This is my hometown too, Patrick and I know this is where I want to live.”

“Then go find somewhere else in town to live.” Patrick gritted.

Before Patrick could escape her attention, she grabbed at his arm -- he pulled away, alarmed at her desperation. “I mean it Kimberly, you’re not staying at the Holly Oak.”

He shrugged her off and stepped past her towards the group of people that he was staring at earlier. This caught her attention and when she finally noticed who was over there, Kimberly stepped in Patrick’s way, forcedly. “Why do you keep looking at the Mayor?”

“It’s none of your business, Kimberly.”

“Well, I am making it my business now. I understand that he is your daughter’s husband but I know well enough that that is not how you see him.” She linked her hands together, as a thought popped into her head. “Gillian doesn’t like the fact that you despise Damien so much.”

“This is unbelievable! You keep telling me that you’re not trying to take my place in Gillian’s life and then you tell me she confides in you? Listen, Kimberly, this is none of your business and I’d like it very much if you would stay out of it!” 

Kimberly opened her mouth to reply, but she felt a hand grasp her shoulder and by the way Patrick’s face fell she knew it was Gillian behind her. She turned to the younger woman, embarrassed by her outburst with Patrick. Kimberly held a straight lipped smile.

“Gillian, I was just having a nice conversation with your father.”

 photo Gillianv1.pngThe blond smiled with such stress, her hair fell to her shoulders and shook lightly as she spoke. “The entire ballroom knows you were just having a conversation with my father, Aunt Kimberly. Look, I really don’t care to know what it is that the two of you are discussing -- I’m sure I’ll here all about it at work. But these people would love to gossip about this situation so let’s just finish it up and not make such a scene?”

“I’m just going to go find a bar.” Kimberly replied, obvious to the fact that she wouldn’t get anywhere tonight. She left the father and daughter alone.

“What was that all about?” Gillian asked her father, her arms folded.

Patrick opened his mouth. “That woman just knows how to get on my nerves. She wants to move into the Holly Oak! I cannot have her there. I get that we are family, but I am not living under the same roof as your Aunt Kimberly.”

“I think it’s a good idea.”

“Nobody asked you.” Patrick hashed.

Gillian glared at her father. “Why do you feel so darned threatened?”

[.....]

Scene Ten:
Boulstridge Mountain; Lakeside Inn
Winter Wonderland Ball

 photo LakesideInn.pngAs a crowd dissipated around them, Kirsten Sutton, emerged along with her younger sister, Marina Thurlow and their cousin Aidan Jurado. It had been a long night and just like her husband had insisted, she stuck by her family's side as he made his way around the room greeting guests along with Caitlyn. Kirsten took note of the older woman across the room from them. She was doing so much better -- at least from an outsiders perspective.

 photo Kirstenv1.png“I think after this we need to throw Caitlyn a congratulatory party.” Kirsten spoke, her eyes still locked on the woman. 
Her sister, who was beside her at this point also glanced at Caitlyn before returning her gaze to Kirsten. Earlier during the day, when the two bumped into one another, Marina seemed bothered by something but she wouldn’t tell Kirsten anything. Which wasn’t exactly out of character for Marina who tended to keep her troubles away from her sister.

Aidan spoke up, “That sounds like a swell idea. The work that Caitlyn put in here at the Inn alongside Taylor really made the night possible. I honestly don’t know what we would have done without her helping out.”

“You wouldn’t be here.” Marina pointed out. “There wouldn’t be any Winter Wonderland Ball.” The words seemed a little more sarcastic than Kirsten would have like to hear in the moment of compliments, so she pushed past it and smiled.

“Either way we really need to recognize how far she’s come.”

Marina shook her head. “You two understand that Caitlyn doesn’t want people to make it a big deal, right? Her daughter had just died and she is trying to move past that and the two of you want to throw her a party in honor of the way she’s coping?”

“It’s not like that and you know it.”

“Then tell me what it is like?” Marina challenged.

The words didn’t find their places on the tip of Kirsten’s tongue like she had hoped they would. Instead she found herself search within herself for an explanation that wouldn’t come because deep down she knew Marina had hit it on the head. It was exactly like that. Suddenly she felt bad.

 photo Anitav2_zps7ccfa13e.png“Children, I think you should all bite your tongues.” Came a voice from ahead of them. When Kirsten was able to come out of her own thoughts she was surprised to see her grandmother, Anita Thurlow, standing in front of them. A smiling upon her otherwise gloom face. “The three of you look splendid. You look absolutely dashing in that suit, young man.”

“Thank you grandmother.” Aidan blushed, he kissed her cheek and let the two others greet the woman as well. Which they did in the same manor as he had.

Marina stood out like a sore thumb, her arms folded above her breast, defiantly. “What are you even doing here so soon? I thought you wouldn’t be back until another holiday arose. Has something happened back in Paris?”

“Something has... actually.” Anita looked from the girls to Aidan and took a deep sigh. “I returned to Paris to catch wind that your sister was marrying Gavin Archambault. Apparently your father agreed to the nuptials while I was away and wanted to marrying them as quickly as possible.”

 photo Marinav1.png“How lovely.” Marina breathed.

Aidan shook his head and locked eyes with a worried Kirsten. “Why would my father let Imogene marry that man? He never liked Gavin when they began dating... that makes no sense at all! Were you able to stop the wedding?”

Anita looked grim. “Mathias let it slip that the wedding was more for convenience than actual love. Look, I would love to gossip with the three of you longer, but I need to find my son right now. I was hoping that I would be able to catch him out here... but he does not seem to be around.”

“He’s having a business meeting in his suite.” Kirsten explained, she tried to ease her troubled look with a small smile. “Third floor; room 321. My father didn’t want anyone to disturb them, so I have to warn you he might not be too happy for the distraction.”

“Trust me darling, he will want to hear what I have got to say.” Anita replied, leaving her grandchildren to enjoy the rest of the evening in the best way they could.

Marina spun towards her sister and cousin. “Okay, what just happened and why in the world weren’t the two of you happy for Imogene? I for one think it’s really romantic to get married on the whim in Paris, France. I’d kill to have that marriage.”

“He’s a rapist.” Aidan spat.

Kirsten grew uncomfortable and withdrawn, but added, “Gavin tried to rape me while I went to visit Aunt Shannon about ten years ago.”

[.....]

 photo BriggsHome.pngScene Eleven:
1509 Mango Ln., Stone Creek. [Briggs Home]
Clifton, Cassie & Lucian’s Home

 photo Cliftonv1.pngStepping into the house and out of the snow, Clifton Briggs, dusted himself off and then placed his coat into the hall closet. Even though he had spoken to Patsy Sutton-Clarke hours ago he had needed some time to just think about his next move. Before Clifton knew it he was hours late for his movie night with Cassie and Lucian. He spotted the dark-haired woman in the doorway that led to the living room. 

Clifton waved at her as she lingered there, her fragile body leaned against the doorframe. “I’m sorry that I’m so late. Things just got dragged out at the club tonight... who would have known that people would risk the snow storm just for a drink?”

“Never underestimate an alcoholic.” Cassie replied, her arms folded upon her breast.

He took note of her solemn attitude and stepped closer to Cassie. Clifton wasn’t too sure how to react to the woman -- not in this way and not yet. They had just confessed their attraction to one another and now were living as if they were together -- which they were, in his eyes. Clifton wrapped his arms around Cassie and placed his hands on her hips. “Either way, I should have come home as soon as possible. I had made a promise to you and Lucian.”

“You did, that’s true.” Her words were neither cold or charming, they sat stale between the two of them before Cassie spoke up and cut the silence. “I made a fire not too long ago and our son is in the living room waiting for us to start a movie.”

“Which one are we watching?” 

Cassie smirked, finally. “Cars.”

Of course this didn’t surprise Clifton. Especially since it had become their son’s favorite movie. In the end it didn’t really bother Clifton to be watching the movie once again. He would watch Cars everyday for the rest of his life if it meant that he would have Cassie and Lucian to watch it with. “Well we can’t let that little man wait any longer than. Shall we go watch it with him and get nice and warm underneath a blanket?”

 photo Cassiev1.png“It is really cold tonight.” Cassie admitted.

Clifton agreed. “I can keep you warm.”

“I’d really like that.” She took a deep breath and glanced back to the living room. It was a small gesture that let Clifton know something was wrong. He had known Cassie for sometime now and he knew the way her eyebrows shifted when she was troubled. So the next words out of her mouth didn’t surprise him much. “I have to ask you something first, and it’s about Damien Crenshaw.” 

“What about Mr. Crenshaw?”

They stood in silence for another beat before she continued. “If we are going to start a relationship together I need to know exactly what the two of you are planning, Clifton. That man has done some really awful things to the Thurlow family and that’s not acceptable to me. Marina’s family has done nothing but help me through everything --”

“There’s nothing going on.”

When Clifton tried to comfort her, Cassie pushed his hand away. “I don’t trust Damien at all. I can’t just live under this roof and pretend that you’re not talking to him everyday. The things he did to Caitlyn Thurlow are really unmatched. I really don’t want you to be associated with a man like that. I can’t have you being a role model for Lucian in that light.”

“I’m trying to build an empire for our son.” Clifton excused.

“Do you have to go into business with him?”

Clifton sighed. He knew that at one point in the future he was going to deal with Cassie not wanting him to go into business with Damien. Especially because of her bond with the Thurlow family. “When I was a child my father was a poor son-of-a-bitch. That man did everything in his power to suck as much money out of my mother as he possibly could. I have the chance to build an empire here so that Lucian can have a father that he’s proud of.”

“You don’t need to go into business with that man for Lucian to be proud of you.” She assured him. “Clifton, look at what you’ve accomplished -- although the whole ‘strip club’ under the nightclub thing might not be the best business to have gone into. But I can put up with that if you were to stay away from Damien. I really mean this.”

“I’m going to create an empire for our son. He’s going to be proud of me.”

She sighed, and Clifton knew that Cassie was about to give-in. “Fine. But please be careful with him because I don’t want to be the one who said, ‘I told you so’ when the dust settles. From what I hear, that man is a devious devil. Don’t go down with his ship.”

Clifton placed a hand upon the side of her cheek and felt her rest her head against his palm. “I won’t disappoint you, I won’t let you down.”

[.....]

Scene Twelve:
Boulstridge Mountain; Lakeside Inn
Winter Wonderland Ball

 photo LakesideInn.pngMaking it out to the Lakeside Inn for the Winter Wonderland Ball was the best decision that Seth Keeler had made for her. Diem Joplin washed her hands and looked at herself in the bathroom mirror. Diem had been so sure she didn’t want to come to the Ball in case she would run into James and Caitlyn Thurlow -- which she knew she would. So instead she thought a night in would be best. Especially since she had promised her old friend that she would stay clear of him and his wife. 

 photo Diemv1.pngThen Seth came over unexpectedly, he was dressed in a crisp tux and a sparkle in his eye. As she remembered it, Diem smiled fondly. “What are you doing here?”
Diem jerked around, her attention falling on the accuser. Her hands, white palms, clutched the bathroom sink as she tried to recuperate from the scare. Standing before her was Caitlyn Thurlow and as she tried to pass the initial shock, the irony began to slip in. Diem straightened her dress and pursed her lips. “I was invited here... it’s a public ball, Caitlyn.”

“I’m sorry,” Caitlyn’s defenses fell, and Diem could sense there was more coming, “I guess I’ve just been a little high strung lately. There was actually something I wanted to say, for a couple of months now. I’m sorry about accusing you of trying to steal James. I was just so worried about where my life was going and I want to apologize for the part I played in keeping yourself and James apart.”

The short haired brunette moved closer to Caitlyn, but then stepped back. “You’ve been through a lot.”

“That’s not an excuse and the both of us know it.”

Diem shrugged. “It really doesn’t matter anymore Caitlyn... I will admit though that I will always care about James, you had that part right. He was my first love and we had been through a lot together... but I don’t love him in that way anymore. I’ve moved on with my life. The only one you were hurting by keeping James and I apart was yourself.”

 photo Caitlynv1.pngHow do I begin to make things better?” the blond asked.

Diem knew that Caitlyn wasn’t seeing the bigger picture and for the first time she no longer felt sorry for her friend. Instead she chuckled lightly and shook her head. “Just love James and leave it at that. Trust that no matter what or who he talks to, he will always love you back. He is a really good man and you should have never doubted him in the first place.”

Stepping back, Caitlyn nodded her head. “I should get back to the stage, there’s still a lot of people I have to thank for coming out tonight.” Her words trembled as they escaped her lips and Diem knew she had finally gotten through to Caitlyn.

So with a smirk she allowed Caitlyn to leave her presence and turned back to the mirror. The evening was definitely turning into some sort of soap opera. Diem looked down at her gown and how Seth had surprised her with it earlier in the evening after she admitted she had nothing to wear. Apparently he had been conspiring with her daughter, Leia for weeks now. Diem found herself excited at the possibility of a man trying to make her dreams come true. Diem never imagined she’d find a love like this so late in her life, but it was blossoming into the greatest of her life.

“That dress looks stunning on you.” Leia Joplin spoke from behind her mother, she emerged from a bathroom stall and began to wash her hands. “I knew it was the right one the moment Seth picked it out for you.”

Diem hugged her daughter. “I thought you picked it out.”

“I told him what size to get,” Leia admitted, “but he chose the dress himself. Seth Keeler is a really great man mom. I can tell by the way he talks about you that he really loves you. I overhead what you were talking to Caitlyn Thurlow about --”

“That was nothing.” Diem explains.

Leia holds a hand up and waves it lightly. “I know that you had dated James when you were in High School, remember? I had found your yearbook when I was still in middle school. I understand that you still care about him. I’m also glad that you’ve moved on to someone else. Because if anyone deserves happiness... it’s you...”

“Thank you.” Diem mouthed as she teared up.

“There’s also something else that I have been meaning to talk to you about and I’m not too sure you want to hear it right now but I have to say it anyways.” Diem watched as her daughter dwindled her thumbs as she searched for the courage to continue. “I overheard you talking to dad a couple days ago.”

Diem’s face drops. “Oh, darling,” she immediately wants to explain that it meant nothing but the right words wouldn’t come out. Only tears began to fall from Diem’s face as she mentally flashed back to the day Leia was talking about and how William admitted wanting to stay in Diem and Leia’s lives.

The bathroom drew from the outside air, it was cold and removed from the noise of the Winter Wonderland Ball. Standing in the room Diem could feel a chill run down her spine as the hairs on the back of her neck began to stand. She stiffened her body.

 photo Leiav1.png“I love you mom, I hope that you always know that. I have also grown close to my father after so many years apart and I know that at first you were hesitant of me for doing so and now I understand why... you still love him.” Leia lowered her head, then after regaining her composure she lifted it again. “I don’t want you to.”

“It’s not that easy.” Diem admitted.

“Nothing ever is I can tell you that much for sure.” Leia moved past her mother and looked at them both in the mirror. “I will never get to know what it is to have two parents that were madly in love with one another and stood by each other. I’ve come to terms with that and I can’t say my life has ever been horrible. But you can’t go back to him.”

Diem stood her ground. “I love Seth as well.”

“Then please stay with Seth because I don’t really think I can adjust to you and my father being back together. There are too many obstacles for the two of you and I have just began to heal from my abusive marriage. I’m not trying to force you into anything... but if you go back to him, I will leave Stone Creek and not come back.”

The older woman took her daughter’s hands in hers and through tear stained eyes she began to speak. “I will always love you Leia and you will always come first in my life. No matter what happens. William and I are over and we’ve been over for a long time. It doesn’t matter what your grandfather did to keep us apart... because he chose to walk out on us...”

“I’m not asking you to make him the bad guy here.” Leia forced.

“I’m sorry.”

She sighed. “Just remember that the two of you are in the past and Seth Keeler is your future. You can’t go back to my father after everything that has happened. It’s just not a possibility anymore, mother. So please just promise me that.”

Diem shook her head, lightly.

[.....]

 photo EpisodeImageBanner.png

[.....]

Scene Thirteen:
Boulstridge Mountain; Lakeside Inn
Winter Wonderland Ball

 photo LakesideInn.png“You son-of-a-bitch!” Patrick Sutton hollered, he directed the insult at his daughter’s husband as he came from behind the man and spun him around. The crowd, who had been busy slow dancing, began to stop and stare at the encounter. A few people stunned as they watched the two men interact while others clearly entertained. Patsy Sutton-Clarke and her husband Adam were among the party guests who witnessed the initial outburst and while Adam wanted to step-in and help calm Patrick, Patsy ordered her husband to stay out of it.

 photo Patrickv1.png“Who do you think you are? Influencing my daughter and the rest of my family in that way! I know you are the reason why Kimberly is back in Stone Creek! Do you really think her presence is going to affect how I run my family business?” Patrick spat, he locked his eyes on Damien as the man stood in front of him, motionless. “So it is true? Do you have anything to say about it dear, ole, Mayor of Stone Creek?”

Damien opened his mouth to speak up.

No, I really don’t want to hear any excuses coming from your lying mouth.” Patrick decided. He circled the man but kept his eyes locked on him. “You might be screwing my only daughter, but that means nothing right now Crenshaw. I don’t care what war you are waging, I will bring you down and expose you for the fraud you really are!”

“I’m in love with Gillian.” Damien defended, “If you would get out of your own ass then you might realize that we are in love with each other. This isn’t some power play Patrick. But you wouldn’t understand that because the second she returned here you tried to lock her up like some prized pig.”

“You have no right!”

“Neither do you. I tried to play nice with you Patrick... I really did try to build a bridge between the two of us but you tore that down and I will not stand here and let you rip me a new one because for the first time in your life nothing is going your way.”

Patrick stepped closer to Damien. He could feel the heat the other man’s body was letting off as the stood in the middle of the ballroom. “I don’t care what you think or what you do! But don’t you ever think you can control me! You’re a conniving little imp!”

 photo Damienv1.png“You’re making a scene.” Damien scowled.

Patrick chuckled. “Imagine that! I actually care about your image? I’m making a scene here Crenshaw? I’m making a fucking scene? Well, I am very sorry for that. I am sorry that I am drawing attention on you for something other than being the wonderful Mayor. Pretty soon, however, you won’t be able to hide behind your image anymore.”

Damien stepped forward. “This isn’t the time, Mr. Sutton.”

“Bullshit.” Patrick challenged. He looked out at the crowd of people who had began to form around them, a sneer lathered onto his face as he did so. Patrick knew he was making a scene, but all he was seeing was red and he wouldn’t allow himself to be so easily calmed down by Damien Crenshaw. But before he could say anything else he was joined by Helen who wedged herself between the two men.

“This is enough, from the both of you.” Her hands spread out, she locked eyes with Patrick and he knew she was pleading with him to clam down. “Now if the both of you will stop this pissing match and please calm down?”

Patrick looked away. “Is that an answer?”

 photo Charliev1.png“Helen’s right.” Charlie Sutton spoke from somewhere behind Patrick. He could tell the man’s voice without even looking up and knew he had called more attention to himself than he had originally had thought. “This isn’t the time for this. Caitlyn Thurlow pulled this entire event together so that we could remember the horrors of the Winter Storm and make peace with it. This isn’t the time for the two of you to measure who’s the biggest douche bag in the room. So please do that somewhere else, you hear me father?”

He snarled. “I’m finished here.”

As the crowd began to disband, Patrick and Helen made their ways away from Damien Crenshaw and Patrick’s son, Charlie. Wether he felt intimidated by Damien or not, Patrick wouldn’t let on, nor did he find the means to explain it to Helen. Instead he tore through the sparse crowd of people who remained.

Past them and through a crowd of dancing citizens... Gillian Sutton Crenshaw found herself alone and exhausted from keeping up her appearances with some of the socialites. It still felt so weird to her that she had to save face with these women on so many occasions. Gillian lingered over the to closest bar and leaned against the damp wood.

“What can I get you?” The sleek-blonde bartender asked, she smiled nicely at Gillian. “You’re Charlie’s sister, aren’t you?” But before Gillian could even answer the question the bartender apologized and admitted to sticking her nose where it didn’t belong.

Gilliam smiled. “It’s not that bad... I think it’s pretty obvious that we’re siblings, anyways. We both share the same brooding presence whenever our parents are in the same room. Can I get a gin and tonic? I don’t know how much longer I can stand there and talk to those dim-wits anymore.”

The bartender smiled. “You looked pretty composed over there.”

“It’s years of practice.”

“One gin and tonic coming up.” 

She found it nice to just have a simple conversation with someone. Especially someone who wasn’t always judging her because of her last name or who she was married to. Gillian couldn’t help but want to call Abigail up and escape to see her old friend. It had been too long.

When the bartender arrived with her drink, Gillian thanked her and held it close to her lips. “How does one drink a gin and tonic, anyways?”

“I’ve always found it best to just take it back. Then again that’s how I take every kind of alcoholic beverage. Take it down and forget whatever it is that you’re trying to forget. My name’s Amanda Tucker, by the way... although I’m sure you don’t really care. I wouldn’t if I were you.”

Gillian looked at the drink and then chugged it down. After she was done, she wipe her lips and handed the glass back to the bartender. “Nice to meet you Amanda.”

 photo Amandav1.png“So what are we trying to forget... if you don’t mind me asking.”

“Well since you reminded me of it I might as well let you in on the secret.” Gillian sat down at the bar and moved her dress around so that she were sitting comfortably. She had a lot on her mind, but she didn’t pay attention to anything around her. “I don’t think I can keep the peace between all of my family members right now. It’s a lot harder than I thought it would be.”

“Then move away.”

Gillian chuckled. “I’m knee deep. There’s no way that I can leave it all behind now after I worked my ass off to get where I am. There’s no way I can do that. Besides if I leave then my father would have won and I would once again be his fickle little princess.”

Amanda shrugged. “Then let them fight their own battles.”

“And cause chaos?”

“It’s your decision... I’m just the bartender who is making you a second gin and tonic. Besides you seem more stressed out about all of this than they do. Shouldn’t you be off somewhere far away tanning on a yacht or something?”

Gillian eye’d the woman. “So you think I’m just a dim-wit as well?”

“I don’t know anything about you. I have no clue what it feels like to be a socialite with no worries other than having to keep her family from fighting.” Amanda replied. “All I know is that if something isn’t working you either fix it or you leave. I’m a bigger fan of leaving...”

The words played over in Gillian’s head.

[.....]

Scene Fourteen:
Boulstridge Mountain; Lakeside Inn
Winter Wonderland Ball

 photo LakesideInn.png“Gentlemen,” James Thurlow spoke with recognition, he looked at the three men in the hotel room and smiled with warmth. “I have given our options much thought and although I appreciate your concern I have realized what has worked for Thurlow Enterprises for so long. What I have come up with is a solution so I called the three of you here to hear me out.”

“We were never trying to undermined you, James,” Frank Nelson said.

 photo Jamesv1.pngJames nodded his head. He understood why they had spoken up about the financial state of the company and he didn’t put any blame in either man as they came up with their own plans to move forward. “Our employees have been with us since day one and there’s no way I can turn my back on half of them. With that being said there is no way that we can go through with your plan, Reichen.”

“I understand, sir.”

“You’re making the right choice.” Frank replied.

“I cannot in good conscious lower the costs of our products either Frank. Doing that would only leave us in the middle of a media crisis later down the road. If the right people get wind to what we would be doing. It could jeopardize our company.” James sighed. “I hold the both of you in high regards and that is why I brought you both here today.”

Frank licked his lips. “Then what are we going to do now?”

“Thurlow Enterprises is running smoothly so I don’t see why we can’t just stay in our current process. Yes, we have lost a lot of revenue but I don’t want to give our customers partial products. For years this company has been a power house. I know this company and I have no doubt that we are going to come through the next recession unscathed.”

James moved over to his son’s side and patted him on the shoulder. “I want you to go through last years legal files and see if you can come up with a costlier way to move revenue. Actually,” he turned to Reichen Calbourne, “I would like you to join Emmet in doing that once this storm heads out. I’m not asking the two of you to not enjoy the rest of your night. My wife would have my head if I didn’t ask you to enjoy tonight.”
 photo Emmetv1.png
“We will, dad.” Emmet replied.

A knock at the hotel room door threw the men in confusion. James had not asked anybody to join them for their meeting and he remembered asking Charlie and Kirsten to keep it a secret that they were holding a meeting up here. So when James went to open the door he was surprised to see his mother on the other end, of all people.

“Good Evening boys,” Anita Porter Thurlow made her way into the room. She hugged her son tightly and then gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I am glad that I made it here before that god awful storm reared it’s ugly head. I ran into my grandchildren downstairs and they instilled me with the information that you were holed up here holding an emergency meeting.”

“We were just talking about our finances.” James insisted, he watched as Anita went over to her grandson and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I’m sorry mother, I should have called you about the meeting. I did think that it was nothing and after tonight it will be just that.”

She turned to him. “So you have my grandson up here talking business while his gorgeous fiance is downstairs alone? I have always encouraged your interests in your father’s business James, but I have also encouraged you to start a family... you need to do the same for your children.”

“I wanted to be here.” Emmet defended.

“Your grandmother is right though. The only real way to keep this family business running is to keep the family in faith. We have always differed ourselves from the Sutton clan because we care about what happens to our family. The employees, the resources and everyone who carries the Thurlow name... this is our family.”

 photo Anitav2_zps7ccfa13e.png“Not everyone.” Anita said.

They turned to the older woman as she gulped. “I came back to Stone Creek for one reason and one reason only. It is nice to see my family, and I will still encourage you to go downstairs and join your fiance. But right now this family needs to take care of their own.”

Anita looked at Reichen Calbourne. “Can we trust you?”

“He’s dating my sister.” Frank replied.

“He is one of the best men in the business, mother,” James defended the man. “I trust him almost as much as I trust Frank here. So whatever it is you want to tell us you can say it in front of Reichen.”

She hesitated and James knew it had to be huge bombshell that Anita was about to drop on the family. He wondered if they could survive it like he had been certain they would survive the next recession. “Very well then,” Anita started. “It has everything to do with Mathias. I do not really know for certain but I have been speculating it for sometime and I wanted to finally inform you.”

“What’s going on grandmother?”

“Something’s wrong with Mathias. I have a feeling he is not working for the company any longer and quite frankly he frightens me.” Anita said, he words etched in the back of James’ head as he tried to keep his composure. The men in the room, in various states of digestion began to ask his mother as many questions as she could possibly handle.

[.....]

Scene Fifteen:
Boulstridge Mountain; Lakeside Inn
Winter Wonderland Ball

 photo LakesideInn.pngMarina made her way to her step-mother and greeted her with a warm hug. The evening had gone pleasantly for the younger woman and after a surprise visit from her grandmother she was waltzed away from her sister and cousin by her boyfriend Ryan Bauer. The night was almost pleasant enough to cause her to forget her plan to question Damien about his mayorship. Then Marina spotted Caitlyn across the room and excused herself from Ryan.

“I’m so glad that everyone was able to make it out.” Caitlyn started, she twirled Marina around and complimented her dress. “If you’re looking for your father I am sure he is around here somewhere. I know he wanted to keep it a secret from me that he was holding a meeting with your brother and Frank about Thurlow Enterprises, but I found out anyways.”

“I know it was only because he wanted you to focus on the ball.” Marina acknowledged. She knew how strained the marriage between her father and Caitlyn had been after the revelation of Emily Roscoe’s parentage.

 photo Caitlynv1.pngCaitlyn smiled. “You will always protect him, I admire that. I also want you to know Marina that I would never do anything to hurt your father. That man has been a dream to me ever since I arrived in Stone Creek and don’t think I haven’t seen it. I have. I wouldn’t be here without him so you don’t need to protect him any longer from me.”

“I will always protect him.” Marina replied, hastily before letting any awkwardness stifle between the two she looked around the ballroom. “I know this isn’t exactly appropriate but have you seen your ex. husband around? I wanted to get a few words from our mayor about the ball.”

“I haven’t seen him since earlier.” Caitlyn said, holding her composure.

Marina nodded her head. “Then I shall go find him and maybe you can go get my father from that hotel room of his and make him have a great night tonight as well?”

“Of course.”

Making her way across the crowd, Marina walked back towards her boyfriend and kissed him heavily on the lips. “I can’t help but feel that something is wrong right now. This is supposed to be one of the biggest nights in Stone Creek and I cannot seem to find the obvious suspects.”

“Obvious suspects?” Ryan furrowed.

 photo Marinav1.pngMarina shook her head. “Growing up in a family with a legacy in Stone Creek you are instructed to make appearances like this if you want to get anywhere. You have to kiss the cheek of your rival and bow to the host of the ball... but where the hell is Damien Crenshaw?”

Ryan looked around the room. “Patrick is missing too.”

Just as they began to speculate the disappearances of the major players in their lives a woman bolted into the ballroom in complete hysterics. The woman, who wore a green gown was nearly overlooked by Marina until she realized that it was her step-mother... the very woman she had just held a conversation with. Along with everyone else in the room, she grabbed Ryan’s hand and made her way over to Caitlyn’s side.

“What’s going on?” Ryan clamored.

Caitlyn pointed towards the entrance to the room. Kirsten and Chief Gideon Wilkinson joined the couple by Caitlyn’s side. As Kirsten took Caitlyn aside to try and calm her down. Gideon instructed everyone to stay back. Marina and Ryan slipped out of the ballroom and they walked towards the huge stairs that led up to the second story of the grande hotel. Laying on the floor, on a rug of expensive thread was Damien Crenshaw. His body tangled on the bottom steps and facing down.

He lay as still as ever.

[.....]

Scene Sixteen:
Boulstridge Mountain; Lakeside Inn
Winter Wonderland Ball

 photo LakesideInn.pngEven before Caitlyn Thurlow burst into the ballroom, Amanda, had been waiting for her break so when the tall, gorgeous Rico came to her rescue she quickly made a bee-line for the closest door that led outside and retrieved a box of cigarettes that she kept in her apron. It had been a night of interesting situations and she was in desperate need of a couple puffs from the long cigarette she hoisted in her hands and attempted to light.

 photo Amandav1.png“Christ-sake!” Amanda cursed as the cigarette lit and she wrapped her coat around her shivering body. The snow had definitely made it’s mark tonight and as she walked around the porch that wrapped around the entire side of the Lakeside Inn, her heels dug into the snow drastically.

Next time she would bring a pair of snow boots with her -- especially if Charlie Sutton insisted the waitstaff spend the night as well. Amanda knew he was gracious enough to renovate one of the hotel’s ballrooms into a sleeping quarters for the staff in order to free-up more rooms for the paying guests. So she made it her mission not to cause any drama for Aidan or his new boyfriend, Taylor Kern.

It still caught her at times. Tears would glide down her pale cheeks and in the back of her throat, she would swallow hard to rid herself of the sadness. She had done so well tonight although she had help in being distracted by all of the over-the-top guests they had.

Amanda took a long drag from her cigarette and leaned against a wall as she caught sight of someone outside with her. Was someone watching her? Amanda stood a moment in silence before watching the person turn the corner.

“Hey!” She shouted.

The young blonde made her way past the huge dramatic windows of the ballroom. Failing to take note of the chaos that had erupted inside it's walls. Instead she was fixated on the person she had caught up to. “Stop! what are you doing out here?”

Amanda turned the corner as the figure was trampling down the snow covered steps. “I’m not going to hurt you! Please! You’ll freeze out there!” She cursed.

The figure tripped in the snow and Amanda knew it was her opportunity to catch up with them. So she hefty up her dress and kicked off her heels and dashed through the snow. She pulled the person up out of the snow and caught a good look at her. She was a beautiful woman, green golden eyes and soft skin. Her curls of blonde hair bounced freely as she tried to regain her composure.

“Are you okay?”

The woman shook her head. “I think I have done something really really bad.”

This terrified Amanda as she pulled herself back up on her feet. “What is your name? Are you in some sort of trouble miss?”

“Shannon.” The woman replied, she looked at the towering hotel just over Amanda’s shoulder and then back at the young woman. “Shannon Jurado.”

[.....]

Next Time, On Concrete Shelves
  • Some one new arrives in Stone Creek that could stir-up some trouble for Helen Tyree and her oldest daughter, Kirsten Sutton.
  • Shannon Thurlow Jurado begins to open up to her companion as she continues to hide out from her family and friends... but a mysterious stranger could prove her existence to the rest of her family once he arrives.
  • Chief Gideon Wilkinson takes it upon himself to figure out what exactly happened to Damien Crenshaw the night of the Winter Wonderland Ball... and Patrick Sutton becomes the number one suspect.
  • Ryan Bauer and Marina Thurlow begin their plans to secure the truth about the Mayor elections...

* "Lonestar" by Norah Jones    Listen | Purchase