Nathan had been pacing front and back for hours. He was worried about Ava. She hadnīt showed up. He had called her house and her cellphone. No one picked up. He had even called Clarke once. He had no idea where Ava were. Nathan was kind of glad about that. He didnīt want her to be with Clarke. He had called Grace a few hundred times. Grace had come over and was now asleep on the sofa. She was tired after being up all night because of the heatwave that had hit Los Angeles a few days ago. Nathan had even called a few hospitals but they couldnīt answer him.
Nick came downstair after studying and taking a shower. He was surprised to find his father in the same black pants and white nitted shirt as he wore last night. He was even more surprised when he saw Grace lying on the sofa.
Nick: Dad, whatīs going on?
Nathan: Hi, son. I didnīt hear you come down. Itīs your mother. She hasnīt showed up yet.
Nick: You called her, right?
Nathan: I did. She said she was coming over right away. That was hours ago.
Nick: Where could she be?
Nathan: I donīt know. No one seem to. Iīm really worried.
Grace woke up by their talk. She jawned and got up from the sofa, straightend her clothes and walked over to the men.
Grace: Any news?
Nathan: No.
Grace: Well, I canīt just sit here. I need to do something.
Nathan: What?
Grace: Did you call hospitals?
Nathan: I did. And nothing.
Grace: So she wasnīt in an accident or something. Thatīs good news.
Nick: She isnīt at the hospital, she isnīt at home... Or is she?
Nathan: What do you mean?
Nick: What if she is home, but she canīt pick up the phone? Maybe she took a fall or something...
Grace: Good thinking, Nick. Iīll find out.
Grace took her purse and left the mansion.
Nathan looked sceptical.
Nick: What is it? What are you thinking?
Nathan: Maybe youīre right. But..
Nick: Just tell me.
Nathan: Iīm just thinking that B.B. might have something to do with this.
Nick: Grandpa? Why do you think that?
Nathan: Itīs just a feeling. I always get this feeling when he is upto no good.
Nick: What could he have done? Had mom kidnapped?, Nick joked.
Nathan: No, of course not.
Nick: Then what?
Nathan: Forget it.
Nick went into the kitchen to make some afternoon snack. He usually didnīt take snacks between meals, but he felt like it now. He was the oposite of the other familymembers. They were a little messy according to Nick. Esther and Nathan would walk around in their bathrobes until noon on their days off from school and work. Nick always dressed before walking out of his room and brushed his soft darkbrown hair. Many people around Nick would call him a perfectionist. Nick felt that school was the most important thing. He wanted to be a lawyer and would work hard to become one. He had the goal to graduate lawschool with high grades. He was a very ambitious young man. Unlike other guys his age, he wasnīt a partyanimal. Although he liked a good party, but he prioritied the school. He looked up to famous lawyers such as Les Gordon, Al Kennedy and Gregory Richards. Nicholas Bennett - lawyer. The words were sweet like candy in Nickīs ears.
Cederīs hospital
Ava had been flown by helicopter to Cederīs general hospital from the accident scene. The ER sergeons had worked hard on her for two hours now. Ava had a punctured lung, 3 broken ribbs, an inner bleading in her head and an ugly cut on her forehead after hitting it on the concrete. Her condition was very serious. But the doctors were able to stabilise her. The staff was very busy. There had been two caraccidents and a skydivingaccident that afternoon that had been very messy. It had been a while when a nurse at the ER finally tracked down Avaīs family and make that awful phonecall. But it had to be done, Nurse Harper thought to herself. She picked up the phone and dialed the Bennetts.
Nurse: I wish to speak to Nathan Bennett, she said.
Phillip, the butler, had answered the phone.
Phillip: Hold on.
Phillip went into the livingroom where Nathan was sitting. He looked at Phillip to get an answer on who the call was for.
Phillip: For you, Mr. Bennett.
Nathan got up from the sofa, hoping it was Ava calling to tell him that she had just been delayed.
Nathan: Nathan Bennett speaking.
Nurse: Hallo. My name is Susan Harper, Iīm a nurse at Cederīs general hospital.
Nathan got the chills. He knew why she called. This was about Ava.
Nurse: Iīm sorry to say this, your wife has been in a caraccident and was brought in here.
Nathan: How is she?
Nurse: I donīt know. She is being operated on at the moment. I sugest that you and your family come down here.
Nathan: Of course. Weīll be right there.
Nathan hung up the phone. He was shaky. He couldnīt think straight. He pictured Ava in an operatingroom with doctors rushing front and back to help her. Nathan called out for Nick.
Nick: What is it?
Nathan: Itīs your mother. Sheīs in the hospital.
Nick: No. What happened?
Nathan: She was in a caraccident. She is being operated on as we speak.
Nick: That sounds serious. Iīll get Esther.
Nick ran ustairs to get his littlesister. She was in her room with a friend. Nick knew that they couldnīt leave Veronica there so he quickly explained what had happened and the three of them rushed downstairs and out the door. Nathan was waiting in his car and they all jumped in and took off to the hospital.
Taylorīs house
Taylor had invited Ridge to the Bel Air mansion. Ridge was hopeful that Taylor might have changed her mind and was ready to give their marriage another chance.
Ridge: Iīm glad you called.
Taylor: I need to talk to you.
Ridge: Whereīs the kids? Iīd like to see them.
Taylor: Theyīre out with Catherine. You can see them later.
Ridge: Letīs sit down. They sat down on the white sofa in the livingroom.
Taylor: I donīt know where to start... This is hard for me.
Ridge: I know it is. Just speak from your heart.
Taylor looked into Ridgeīs eyes. She had loved him for so long. And now she is telling him it is all over. His eyes looked hopeful. Her heart was breaking. She wished she didnīt have to do it. But she had to. Then the thought of Nathan entered her mind and heart. That gave her the strenght to do this. The most difficult thing she had ever been forced to do.
Taylor: I want a divorce.
Ridge was stunned. He couldnīt breathe. He felt like he had been hit in his stomach. He stared into her eyes. She was for real. She actually wanted to divorce him. And he had no one else to blame but himself for sleeping with Annie. Ridge became tearyeyed. He never believed that Taylor would take this step. He thought that they would reconcile after some time.
Ridge: A divorce...
Taylor: I know how you must feel. Itīs not easy for me eighter. But I need this.
Ridge: Are you absolutely sure? Isnīt there any hope for us?
Taylor: No. Iīve met someone else.
Ridge: What? Already?
Taylor: I didnīt look for a new man. He was just there.
Ridge: Who is he? I mean, do I know him?
Taylor: I donīt think so.
Ridge: I want to know who he is.
Taylor: His name is Nathan Bennett.
Ridge: Not that Nathan Bennett? Spectras new designer?
Taylor: Yes him. Iīm so sorry Ridge.
Ridge: Donīt be. Look, I think I need to be alone right now.
Taylor: What about the divorce?
Ridge: Canīt we talk about it later? Please.
Taylor: Sure. Take your time.
Ridge didnīt want to look her in her eyes again. It was too hard. He didnīt want her to see him cry, cause that was what he was about to do. He excused himself and left the house and went out to the garden to think.
Atlanta, Georgia
Angela, Devin and Emma was now back in Atlanta. It was still their home. But they all couldnīt wait until the move to the westcoast was over. They would spend their last night in the house they had lived in for so many years. Angelaīs friend Janet came by. She had been packing her things in boxes the past week for her move into the house. Angela, Devin and Emma didnīt waste any time. They would just stay in Atlanta for 2 days. Janet dropped by with some boxes for them. She had the key to the house and had started packing for them. She and her husband Ray helped them. Emma went to her room. She called Will who promised to come over and help her. Emma looked at her room. She had had so many rememberable moments in that room. Her first kiss, her sneaking out of the window, her and Willīs talks... She decided to take a picture of the room so she would remember it better. She wouldnīt want to forget how it looked. Then she started packing down her belongings in the boxes she had with her.
Angela and Devin started in the livingroom while Janet and Ray did the kitchen. Angela looked around, remembering all the happy times. She smiled. She wasnīt sad to leave it behind her. She saw it as continuing the happy times with her new family in another house. The doorbell rang and Angela went to open. She was surprised to find Devinīs family there. Devinīs sister Holly and her husband Brent, their children, Devinīs father John and some of their other friends.
Angela: My God! What are you doing here?
Holly: We wanted to say good-bye to you all. And have a last party!
Angela: That sounds fun, but Iīm not sure we have the time to have a party.
Holly: Sure you have, cause weīre here to help you pack.
Angela: Want to get rid of us ASAP, huh?, Angela asked as a joke.
Holly: Yepp, Holly answered jokingly.
Angela: OK. Come on in!
The Cade family and the friends went inside, took each a box and started packing. Angela was glad for the help. She wasnīt sure that they would have made it without the company there for help. She would never forget this. The doorbell rang again. Angela went to open.
Angela: Will... You didnīt let yourself in as usually. Iīm impressed.
Will: Well, I had to do something, since itīs the last time.
Angela hugged Will.
Angela: Iīll miss you, kid.
Will: You will?! Wow, gotta tell Ems.
Angela: Donīt you dare...
They lauged and Will went to Emmaīs room to help her pack.
The hospital
Eric and Felicia went into Stephanieīs room. Stephanie had already changed out of the hospital clothes and into the clothes Kristen had brought to her earlier that day when she visited.
Eric: Youīre ready!
Stephanie: Of course. I want out of this place, now.
Eric: Good, then Iīll go find those releasepapers.
Eric went to get the papers so that they could leave.
Felicia looked at her mother as she packed her bag.
Felicia: How are you feeling, mom?
Stephanie: Iīm great!
Felicia: Are you sure?
Felicia almost didnīt recognize her mother. It was like she was another person. Her eyes wasnīt the same.
Stephanie: Iīm fine, donīt worry, Felicia.
Felicia: Iīm so happy that you are OK. I was so worried about you. Felicia went over to hug her mother.
Stephanie: You didnīt have to worry about me. Iīll always survive. Donīt you know that by now?
Felicia: I should have. Youīre a survivor. Not even Sheila could bring you down.
Felicia regretted mentioning Sheila. But Stephanie didnīt seem to react to it.
Stephanie: Where are those papers?
Felicia: Dad will take care of it. Now, sit down. Youīre not strong enough to be stressing around like this yet.
Stephanie: Fine, Iīll sit down. Happy now?
Felicia: I am. She sat down next to her on the hospitalbed.
Stephanie: I hope you guys havenīt made a mess at home.
Felicia: Not that big of one... Just kidding.
Stephanie: Weīll see about that.
Felicia recognized Stephanieīs joking. Maybe everything was OK afterall.
Eric came inside with the doctor. He had signed the releasepapers and everything was set for Stephanie to leave the hospital.
Stephanie: Finally!
Doctor: Not so fast, Stephanie. I just want to see that everything is understood. You are to get a lot of sleep at home. You know how to change that bandage, right?
Stephanie: Yes, doctor. Weīve been over this twice now.
Doctor: OK. I want to schedual an appointment for next week.
Stephanie: I already have it here. She showed a note, the nurse had given her a few minutes earlier.
Doctor: Good, then all is set.
Stephanie: Good. Thank you for everything, doctor. Stephanie headed outside.
Doctor: Wait one minute.
Stephanie: What now?
Doctor: The whealchair. You can walk when you get home, but not before leaving this building.
Stephanie: Is that really nessesary? I can walk, you know.
Doctor: Sorry.
Stephanie: Oh, please. I promise I wonīt tell anyone.
Doctor: OK, let go for this time.
Stephanie: Thank you. Are you coming?
The three Forresters left the hospital and drove home to the mansion.
Forrester mansion
Gregory was in his and Oliviaīs room waiting for one of his men calling about Oliviaīs whereabouts. He had to find her, to explain to her about the kiss between him and Elaine, she must have seen. Or Elaineīs kiss, correctly. The phone started ringing. Gregory picked up.
Gregory: Yes?... What?... How could you not find her?! How incompetent can you be?... You keep looking... Well, thatīs what Iīm paying for now, isnīt it?!... Fine.
Gregory hung up the phone. He was mad. Not at Olivia, he understood how she must feel. But at his men. They usually could find anyone, anywhere in the world, but not this time. Helen, the maid, knocked on the door.
Helen: You have a visitor, Mr Richards.
Gregory: Thank you, Iīll be right down.
Gregory thought for a moment it could be Olivia, but figured that Helen wouldnīt have said visitor if it were Olivia. He went downstairs where he found Elaine.
Gregory: Elaine? What are you doing here?
Elaine: I came here to apologize for what happened.
Gregory: Olivia saw it. She left. And now I canīt find her.
Elaine: No... Iīm so sorry. Do you know where she is?
Gregory: Not a clue. She might as well have disappeared from the face of the earth.
Elaine: I canīt believe she left like that. For only a kiss.
Gregory: Maybe she thought there was more than a kiss.
Elaine: What do you mean?
Gregory: I donīt know. Maybe you said something to her. Something that made her unsure of my commitment to her.
Elaine: Gregory! I would never do that, she lied.
Gregory: Sorry. I didnīt mean to accuse you.
Elaine: Youīre just upset that she left. I understand.
Gregory: I just wish I could find her. I want her to come home.
Elaine: I canīt believe that she would just leave like that. Her children...
Gregory: She took Trey.
Elaine: What?, she pretended to be surprised. She already knew everything from what A.J. told her. How could she take Trey away from you?
Gregory: Itīs her son too. And she already had him with her when she left.
Elaine: But still. You are his father. She canīt just take him away from you like she did.
Elaine played the innocent victim to Gregory, to let him know that she was on his side. She put her hand on his shoulder for comfort. Gregory didnīt seem to care. Then the phone rang. Gregory picked up, in hopes that it could be about Olivia.
Gregory: Forrester and Richards, he answered.
Olivia: Gregory, itīs me.
Gregory: Olivia! Thank God you called.
Olivia: I canīt talk for long. Olivia was alone with Trey in the hotelroom. A.J. had gone out for a while, and she took the opportunity to make the phonecall A.J. didnīt want her to make.
Gregory: Where are you?
Olivia: Itīs best that you donīt know.
Gregory: No, itīs not. Listen, this was all a big misunderstanding. I know what you saw.
Olivia: Oh, so I didnīt see you kissing my best friend. My ex-best friend I mean. I just imagined I did?!
Gregory: No. But it was Elaine. She kissed me. I didnīt kiss her.
Olivia: Yeah, right. Why would she just kiss you like that? And I didnīt see you backing away.
Gregory: But I did.
Olivia: How nobel of you. You didnīt want to kiss her THERE.
Gregory: No, I didnīt.
Olivia: Could we just stop talking about that. I just called because Trey misses his father.
Gregory: I miss him too. So why donīt we meat somewhere, anywhere, so I could see Trey, Gregory requested so he could get the chance to talk to Olivia face to face.
Olivia: I donīt know... Wait, Trey want to say something to you.
Gregory: Olivia wait!
Too late, Olivia had given Trey the phone.
Trey: Daddy?
Gregory: Trey! Itīs so good to hear your voice. How are you?
Trey: Iīm fine. I miss you daddy.
Gregory: I miss you too. Trey, could you tell me where you and mommie are?
Trey: I donīt know. In a room somewhere in a big house, Trey wasnīt very sure where he was.
Gregory: Are you close to daddy?
Trey: No. Far away.
Gregory: How far?
Trey: I donīt know. But far. Trey thought half an hour by car was very far away.
Gregory: Are you in a hotel somewhere?
Trey: I donīt know. Mommy, are we in a hotel?
Olivia tried to hush her son not to tell. She shook her head.
Trey: No. I miss you and Sean. We are here with uncle A.J.
Gregory: A.J.?!
Olivia sighed. Now Gregory knew... She told Trey to end the talk as she grabbed the phone, ready to hang up.
Trey: I love you daddy. Bye Bye.
Gregory: No, Trey! Olivia?
Too late. Olivia had hung up already.
Gregory hung up, frusturated.
Elaine had stood behind him, trying to listen in on the phonecall. She had almost panicked when Gregory mentioned A.J. and asked Trey where he was.
Gregory: Damn it! A.J. is there with them.
Elaine: Olivia ran away with A.J.?, she asked innocent.
Gregory: Yes. Well, this could be good news.
Gregory picked up the phone again and called his men.
Gregory: New information. Olivia is with A.J. Deschanel. She may be in a hotel somewhere afterall. And not close to where I am... Thank you. Gregory hung up.
Elaine looked not too happy but gave Gregory a false smile. She excused herself and left the mansion.
Elaineīs car
Elaine wanted to give A.J. the new information and phoned him.
A.J: Damn it. Now heīll stop for nothing to find them. Damn it, Olivia.
Elaine: But he canīt find you, right?
A.J: I donīt know. Maybe if I make a mistake. I have to be really careful now.
Elaine: And make sure that Olivia wonīt make another mistake! She and Trey almost ruined everything.
A.J: I will. Howīs things going on your front otherwise?
Elaine: Not so good. But I will make Gregory fall for me. I just need time.
A.J: Iīll make sure you get all the time you need, and more.
Elaine: Good. How about you and Olivia?
A.J: We made love last night.
Elaine: Get out of here! Well, I guess I shouldnīt be surprised. Olivia IS the town harlot.
A.J. pretended he did not hear that. He loved Olivia and didnīt see her the way Elaine did. A.J. had forgiven his precious Olivia for sleeping with his and Oliviaīs son Cole. That was something that Elaine would never do. She was disgusted with Olivia for doing that. Elaine thought Olivia was lacking of morals and dignity and self control.
A.J: She had been drinking though. She was really wasted. And she called out Gregoryīs name.
Elaine: But she still slept with you. Thatīs excellent.
A.J: I have to go now. Anything else that I should know about?
Elaine: Not that I know of. Itīs good that you checked in under false name. Gregory wonīt find you.
A.J: If Olivia isnīt stupid enough to call again or use her creditcards.
They hung up. Elaine felt sorry for Gregory. Not for losing Olivia. She never deserved him anyway, Elaine thought. But losing Trey. Elaine had a flashback on how she put the note saying that Trey was Gregoryīs son and not Coleīs under the door in Oliviaīs hositalroom several weeks ago. A.J. had told her about having payed the doctor to change the paternitytest so it would look like Cole was Treyīs father. Olivia had found it a bit odd that A.J. actually was happy that Cole was the father of her son back then. But it had been because A.J. desperatly wanted the bond between Olivia and Gregory to be broken. He had his ideas about Gregory not really being dead after the fight he and Cole had resulting in them both falling into the ocean and Gregory being declared dead when Michael the lifeguard couldnīt find his body. A.J. knew Gregory better than that. He knew that Gregory would do anything to escape, alive, not wanting to be arrested for murder, even if Gregory was innocent, which was the case. Gregory would never let Caitlin go to jail. A.J. had seen his opportunity when Caitlin confessed. And even if Gregory really had died, he couldnīt take the chance. If he came back, and Caitlin told him that she was innocent, then Gregory would also prove his innocense and everything would have been ruined. He would be free for Olivia with their new son. So A.J. fixed the paternitytest so that Cole would be the father. He knew exactly how much Gregory hated Cole, so a reunion with Olivia were never going to happen if he knew that Cole was the father of her son. Elaine had given him the note anonomusly because she didnīt want to risk the innocent childīs life and in the same time, she didnīt want them to know that she knew the truth. That would have ruined everything. Elaine felt happy. She had her doubts about this plan to seperate them. But things couldnīt have turned out better. And maybe it was for the best that Olivia had Trey. Then she wouldnīt return home because she missed him.
The hospital
Nathan, Nick, Esther and Veronica came rushing into the ER. They went to the information counter.
Nathan: Weīre looking for Ava Bennett, she was in a caraccident earlier today.
The nurse looked through her computer to find information on Ava.
Nurse: She is in the intensive care unit. She is newly operated.
Nathan: Thank you.
The four of them headed to the ICU. It wasnīt far from the ER. Nathan asked again where Ava was from the nurse by the counter in the ICU. Also she looked through her computer.
Nurse: Ava Bennett... Yes. She is in room 184. Itīs down the hall. She pointed to the hall to her right. She came out of sergery two hours ago. I donīt know if she can have visitors yet. Iīll page her doctor for you.
Nathan: Thank you.
A few minutes later, a female doctor came up to them, looking pretty stressed. It had been a very stressful day for her.
Nathan: Iīm Nathan Bennett. Ava Bennettīs ex-husband. How is she?
Doctor: She was lucky. I just came from her room. She is still unconscios.
Nathan: How bad is it?
Doctor: She had an inner bleading in her head. But we managed to stop it. Also her puncture lung. She still have three broken ribbs. They should heal by themselves. And a cut on her head we had to saw together. She is stabile now, but there was some critical minutes there.
Nathan: So she is gonna be all right?
Doctor: I should think so.
Nathan: Thank God!
Nick: Can we see her?
Doctor: Yes, you may. But only two persons at the time. Follow me.
They all followed the doctor and stopped outside her room.
Doctor: Donīt be chocked when you see her. Itīs better than it looks. And please donīt touch her too much. She is still very fragile.
Nathan: We wonīt. Thank you doctor.
The doctor left them there and rushed off, looking really busy.
Nick: Dad, why donīt you and Esther go inside first. Iīll stay here with Veronica. Iīll call her parents, letting them know where she is. And Grace.
Nathan: Thank you, son. Come on, sweetie, Nathan took Estherīs hand and they walked inside. Esther lookes really scared. She had tears rolling down her cheeks, making her bright blue eyes swallowed and red.
They went up beside Ava, who looked pale as a ghost. She had an IV, an injection needle taped to her hand and a monitor by her side, showing her bloodpreasure and pulse. She had cuts and bruises all over. Mostly in her face and on her arms. Esther gently took her motherīs hand in hers.
Esther: Mommie? Can you hear me? Itīs Esther.
No response.
Esther: Please wake up soon. I love you.
Nathan hugged Esther for comfort.
Nathan: She will wake up, honey. And she will get better, the doctor said so.
Esther nodded. She just wanted her mother to get well now. So did Nathan. He hated the sight of Ava lying there, looking so weak. He caressed her cheek, like he used to when they were married. Together, Nathan and Esther just looked at her, both wishing that she would wake up. Nick knocked on the door and peaked inside. He looked over at his mother and felt sorry for her.
Nathan: Did you call Veronicaīs parents?
Nick: I did. Theyīre on their way over to pick her up. And Grace is also on her way.
Nathan: Good. Would you like to sit here a while?
Nick: Yes.
Nathan got up from the chair he was sitting on and went out of the room to keep Veronica company while Nick went over to his mom and littlesister.
Nick: Look at her! She was fine this morning, and now...
Esther hugged her brother.
Esther: Iīm scared.
Nick: I know. So am I.
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