On Concrete Shelves | Welcome back to Stone Creek |

Scene One

Now Town; Stone Creek Memorial Hospital

 

Caitlyn Thurlow walks into the dull hospital waiting room with a holster of four coffee cups. The atmosphere of the room was tense, the family littered the waiting room waiting for answers. She places the holster on a table and sees her sister-in-law, Shannon Thurlow Stults grab two coffees from the holsters and give her a warm smile. 

 

It had been a few years now having Shannon back in Stone Creek. Caitlyn thought that she would get the same reception from Shannon that she had received from Anita Thurlow when she wed James. However, Shannon had been nothing but supportive and loving towards her.

 

Shannon takes her second cup of coffee to their mother, Anita who has kept to herself in the corner looking out the window. Caitlyn had found herself looking at the same window a few hours ago, the landscape green and boisterous. The sun had broken through the dark sky at the time, but now rays of deep orange were dissipating and the bright sun was heating up the valley where they lived.

 

“Thank you,” James Thurlow says to his wife, he leans in and gives her a kiss on the cheek, “even if my mother seems to have forgotten her manners.”

 

“She is preoccupied, which obviously Anita is deserving of. I heard about the meeting with Ryan the other day. I know that you don’t really want to talk about it right now, which is fine.” Caitlyn says. She takes note of her husband’s discomfort. “Marina needs all of our positive energy.”

 

James nods his head. “My daughter is a very strong willed woman, but you’re right. Marina needs all the positive energy and prayers we can give her right now. I would, however, would like someone to tell us what exactly is going on.”

 

“No news?” Helen Tyree Sutton asks, from behind the two.

 

The turn to see Helen in her best dress, a Gucci belt and heels that would garner her much attention at an awards ceremony — not what one would wear to the hospital to check-in on their daughter.

 

“Helen— ” James starts.

 

But Caitlyn cuts her husband off. “It’s nice that you are here, is there anything I can grab for you?”

 

“A doctor,” Helen starts, she folds her arms and looks around. “I think it would be nice if someone would have given me a call about Marina! You do know that she is my daughter as well.”

 

James scoffs. “The last I checked, Helen, you weren’t exactly trying to help Marina throughout her pregnancy. Have you even seen your daughter since she told everyone they were expecting?”

 

The tension in the room is building, so Caitlyn moves between the two in order to calm things down. “I think the most important thing right now is that we focus on Marina and the baby.”

 

She then looks at Helen. “Ryan was down here a few hours ago and he said that everyone is stable; including the baby. They aren’t just waiting on tests to see exactly what had happened.”

 

“If Ryan thinks he can get away with stressing my daughter, he has another thing coming.” Helen spits, she shakes her head in disbelief and turns towards James. “Where have you been throughout this pregnancy? Don’t you know that she needs her family the most right now? Those miscarriages have done enough damage to her already.”

 

“That’s enough, Helen!” Anita snaps from her seat.

 

This caused Helen to bite her lip.

 

Caitlyn takes note that James’ ex. wife also seems to have issues with the matriarch of the Thurlow family. There’s a sliver of excitement that moves through her body as Anita single handedly silences Helen.

 

“If you are only here to chastise my son, then you shouldn’t be here.” Anita says, Shannon files in right beside Anita as she comes up to the trio in the center of the waiting room. “Frankly, I wouldn’t have left you anywhere near this hospital today. But my granddaughter is in that hospital room and what kind of woman would I be if I kept her mother from seeing her?”

 

Helen shrugs, knowing first hand responding to Anita would do her no good.

 

“I think we need to take a breather and just wait for some good news to come our way.” Caitlyn says, she watches as Shannon tries to guide her mother back to her seat near the window. “Helen, you’re more than welcome to sit with us. If you would like, I can swing by the cafeteria one more time and grab you a coffee? It’s not the greatest but at a time like this — being grateful is the best medicine.”

 

“I can’t do this.” Helen waves her hands, she backs away from the group. “It’s too damn early to get into how wrong this entire scenario is and I stopped caring about your twisted relationship with James years ago, so, I’m going to find her doctor and get to the bottom of this.”

 

“Daphne!” James calls, he pushes past Helen who nearly tumbles over in her heels. Caitlyn takes this as her moment and swooshes after James, leaving Helen to grasp a nearby chair to keep her stable.

 

The clicking of her heels follows behind James and Caitlyn.

 

“James,” Daphne says warmly, she greets the nurse at the nurses station and then moves over to the family, “How are you holding up? When I heard that Marina was admitted I was so anxious.”

 

“Do you have any news?” James asks.

 

Daphne looks as if she is torn between telling them anything. “From what I understand, Marina and the baby are doing fine. It looks like there were some complications due to her stress levels. It happens a lot in mothers who are at high risk.”

 

“High risk?” Caitlyn asks.

 

“Her miscarriages.” Anita says from behind them.

 

The five of them stand together; Daphne, James, Caitlyn and Helen in a cluster and Anita and Shannon off to the side of them.

 

“Yes.” Daphne acknowledges. “Because of the miscarriages — specifically that last miscarriage in New York; Dr. Roberts has been monitoring Marina and the baby for a few weeks now. She thinks the stress triggered something, a sort of false labor.”

 

“Shouldn’t this doctor have known something like that would happen?” Helen snaps from the left of Caitlyn.

 

Daphne licks her lips. “It’s very hard to say.”

 

“What do we do now?” The question comes from Caitlyn’s right, belonging to her husband James.

 

“When Marina is released from the hospital she is going to be needing to be stress free until the baby is born. That means bed rest, if necessary she needs to be kept from any conversations that can lead to her water breaking.” Daphne says, she takes James’ wrist into her own. “Our families have been there for each other in the roughest of times, to say the least. So you need to trust me when I say, Marina needs you more than anything right now.”

 

“Then she shall stay with us at the cottage.” James states, he turns to Caitlyn and says. “We have the guest room that we can fix-up so that she and Ryan can stay until the baby is born.”

 

“That’s not going to happen!” Anita steps in, she breaks into the group. “Have you not forgotten the deal we made with Ryan? Do you not remember the man laying in the ICU because of what your son-in-law did?”

 

Daphne looks between the family. “What’s going on?”

 

“I’d like to know that too!” Helen says.

 

“Ryan Bauer does not step foot inside the cottage, he will take good care of Marina in their home and we will make sure they have everything that they need.” Anita declares, she turns to Helen. “As for you, I would be relieved if you just disappeared into oblivion and left this family alone. But since you are Marina’s mother I am warning you, if you are not on your best behavior around my granddaughter I will end you.”

 

This time, however, Helen steps forward. “That is my daughter, I would neve—”

 

“Then we are all on the same page.” Anita interrupts, her eyes challenging Helen to speak another word.

 

Scene Two

Now Town; Stone Creek Apartment Complex

 

Bentley Wilkinson places his phone down on the counter and leaves the room. When his aunt, Isabelle, had asked to provide a launch date for the social media platform an overwhelming sense of anxiety presented itself. However, after the last few years going through the trauma of Emily’s death, and then the hospitalization of his grandmother, Penelope Wilkinson; Bentley returns to the living room with his black jansport backpack and heads for the front door.

 

After the death of his fiancée, Emily Roscoe he learned how to hide his anxiety from everyone else. Bentley wasn’t the victim type. He has never seen himself in that light before.

 

He heads for the stairs before he remembers his cell phone. 

 

“Shit!” Bentley murmurs, retracing his steps and unlocking his front door. He’s not the type to be so scatterbrained, but this launch date is really getting the best of him.

 

When Emily died he spent hours in front of the stove with the flame lit. Every now-and-then he would get a knock at his door to snap him out of the anxiety of the situation. Coming home to the front door open and the signs of a struggle. Blood on the carpet floor, and then as he approached the kitchen; his gorgeous and warm heartened fiancée was cold and lifeless.

 

A shiver runs through his body at the very thought.

 

Bentley’s phone lays on the counter, he grabs it and does a second look around to make sure he hasn’t left anything behind. Then he prepares for his second attempt in fleeing the confinement of his apartment for work.

 

The hallway in his section of the Stone Creek Apartment Complex was blinding as the large and overzealous windows sat directly in front of the rising sun, and if the apartment hadn’t been reasonably priced, he would have complained a long time ago. Bentley tries to distract himself to calm his anxiety.

 

It’s going so well until the apartment door directly across from him opens up as he is locking his own, and reveals another woman from his recent past. His ex. Girlfriend, Olivia Joplin awkwardly locks eyes with him.

 

“Hey,” she says, finally.

 

The word holds so much weight, Bentley analyzes, and tries to come up with his own sort of greeting so it doesn’t sit there alone for longer. “Hey.”

 

The start of their conversation is simply put. Although he isn’t entirely excited to see her before him after the way they ended their relationship, Bentley knows living across from her has been a huge struggle with getting past their relationship.

 

“I’m just headed to work.” He says, the words seem so forced. As if he is trying to prove some sort of point, whatever point it is is absolutely unclear to him at the moment. “I forgot my phone.”

 

Olivia nods, she points with her index finger to the basement. “I’m headed to the building’s gym.”

 

“That’s good!” He says, but realizes the context of the response and furrows his brow for a response. “I mean, I didn’t mean… it’s good. Exercise is great, you know?”

 

“Yeah, it is.” She chuckles.

 

It feels so awkward to be standing in front of the one person that was able to help him move forward from Emily’s death. So awkward that he tries not to tremble as his mind flashes from Emily. Then to Olivia and back again.

 

“I can walk you down there if you’d like?” He says, hastily.

 

Olivia bites her lip, with a sour face. “I’m going to catch the elevator on the other side of the building. I’m sorry.”

 

Bentley nods. “It’s nice seeing you, Leia.”

 

She turns to him before heading off in the opposite direction. “The same to you, Ben.”

 

Scene Three

Now Town; Stone Creek Memorial Hospital

 

She spent less than thirty minutes getting ready this morning, which if Dylan Tyree could get a medal for anything — multi-tasking between the bar and mascara is definitely one of them. She shuffles the two bouquets of flowers in her hands as she makes her way into the hospital and straight for the elevators.

 

Even though she never had the closest relationship with her cousin Marina, Dylan also knew that she would never be able to walk in her cousin’s shoes going through something so heinous. Dylan leans against the body behind her as they wait for the elevator to come. The warmth coming from Jacks Hannigan was so inviting that she almost wanted to take him in the elevator, although that would totally ruin her hair and makeup and she was about to see her family…

 

“Are you sure we should be here?” Jacks says, “Or, at least should I just wait down here or something? Your family isn’t exactly fond of myself, or my family.”

 

“Please,” Dylan starts, it comes off more as a whine than anything else. When she was younger her mother always commented on the slur in Dylan’s voice and how aggravating it was. Dylan hands a bouquet over to Jacks who takes it willingly and she places a hand on his cheek. “My family isn’t even that fond of me. I just want to be there for my cousin in her time of need, besides, this could be the thing that brings the family together again.”

 

Although she knows that’s not the truth, it does sound good to Dylan. She has very little time to wipe the smug look off her face and compose herself as her cousin comes into view. The conversation she had last with Kirsten wasn’t a favorite one, and having to apologize to her wasn’t exactly career defining so she stands as tall as her heels will allow and prepares to gree—

 

“Save it.” Kirsten says, this causes Dylan to stumble back a little. “I have no idea why you decided to come to the hospital at a time like this Dylan, but I think you and Mr. Broody here need to high tail it outta here.”

 

“I just want to pay my respects.” Dylan states, a little weary. 

 

She turns to Jacks and maneuvers the second bouquet of flowers into her free hand and shows them to Kirsten. “I just want to make sure that Marina is okay after what she went through. I heard that she may have lost the baby.”

 

Kirsten swats the flowers out of the way. “My sister didn’t lose her baby, where the hell do you get off saying things like that? Have you no respect?!”

 

Finding that the words have caused Kirsten to lose her cool, Dylan finds this moment to step forward. “Kirsten, please, don’t make a scene. I only meant that I was so scared that things could have taken a turn for the worst. But I am so relieved that Marina and the baby are alright.”

 

Dylan perks at a new thought. “How about we go up and see her? Give her these flowers?”

 

“Dylan.” Kirsten says, she scoffs. “I forgave you the other day for causing a scene at my restaurant because I know that you’ve had a hard life, especially your last foray into the music industry. I am grateful that you brought the flowers for my sister, even if it’s a little far-fetched of an idea that you are here. But I need you to understand that my sister needs her rest right now and this,” Kirsten waves her hands at the two of them. “This isn’t going to help that.”

 

“Is everything okay down here?” Caitlyn Thurlow asks, her hand keeping the elevator doors open. In the commotion Dylan had forgotten that she was waiting for the elevator to begin with and finds herself nauseated with Caitlyn being the one on the other end. “Am I having deja vu here?”

 

Dylan smiles through her teeth. “I was just telling my dear cousin that I am here with an olive branch, or, erh, two bouquets of flowers to deliver to my cousin, Marina in her time of need.”

 

Kirsten moves forward. “I was telling Dylan that this isn’t the time.”

 

“She’s right.” Caitlyn says, turning to Dylan. Then turns to Kirsten, “I was looking for you because your father has called a family meeting upstairs in the waiting room, about Marina and the baby.”

 

Immediately, Dylan turns to Jacks. “Okay, maybe this wasn’t the best idea having you here since the family most definitely doesn’t like you. But, honey, can you sit here and just wait for me while I go upstairs for this meeting?”

 

“You’re not going anywhere.” Kirsten snaps.

 

Dylan spins on her heels. “I am going with you upstairs and you’re the last person to tell me I can’t do anything, Adrian Stone, may I remind you that your life choices aren’t the greatest ones made in this family and I spent an entire year on tour with a boy band that called white claws the greatest alcoholic beverage in the game. I mean, come on, I could have had  AC/DC or The Rolling Stones but got stuck with a white claw boy band for a year.”

 

“I’m getting lost in your reasoning.” Caitlyn says, she moves Kirsten into the elevator and immediately hits the CLOSE button, however, Dylan slips inside right before the doors close. “You’re not coming with us.”

 

“I am.” Dylan replies, facing the elevator doors with determination. “If either of you have a problem with that then I won’t have a problem telling anyone else about Kirsten sleeping with Adrian.”

 

Scene Four

Now Town; Stone Creek Courthouse

 

He hears the words that his wife, Gillian Sutton Crenshaw, is saying, but Damien’s nerves are finally getting the best of him as he sits besides her. After their early morning in which they spent a few hours in bed in each other’s arms, all that Damien wanted to do was be anywhere else other than at the courthouse. But, alas, this was where he needed to be in order to finally place his cards on the table. There’s a small tornado spinning in his stomach.

 

“Damien.” Gillian says, he looks up at her with a weak smile. “Okay, okay I know exactly what you are thinking right now and I know that this is going to be really rough for us in the coming weeks, but look, this is exactly what we need to do.”

 

God, he loved this woman. The gorgeous blond leans into his embrace, she was everything that Damien had wished for his entire life. Even when he was conflicted with destroying his ex. wife’s life, he was feeding off the positive energy and life that alluded from Gillian.

 

“You’re right.” He says.

 

Gillian smiles. “Even if my cousin does decide to fire me from Sutton Enterprise, I know that at least I will have you, and the twins and our beautiful life together. That’s all that I can ever ask for.”

 

“I get that, and I love that for us, but I can’t help but think,” Damien says, “and let me be frank, I mean no offense about this, but I feel like you’re being completely naive about this, Gil.”

 

“I’m not being naive.” She replied, hastily.

 

Damien shakes his head. “This isn’t just about Sutton Enterprises and what Peter is going to do to you when he finds out what we are about to do. This is about the rest of my career, and about the position we risk putting the people of Stone Creek in.”

 

He watches as she nulls the words over, Gillian does this thing where she tilts her head and squints one eye when she’s about to come around with a rebuttal. So Damien waits his turn and lets her go.

 

“While I am glad that you’re worried about what this means for Stone Creek and everyone who lives here. Trust me, I may have not grown up in Stone Creek and most of the public but I do cherish this city and what happens to the citizens. But what you’re doing here today is going to enrich the lives of everyone here.. other than my cousin, that is.”

 

“By passing this law we will ignite a war with your cousin.”

 

Gillian nods her head. “Then a war is what we get. That is something he has to decide to do and if he does decide to go to war with us, or James Thurlow, or the world, well then, I have to say we are on the winning side. I can see it.”

 

“I love you.” He says.

 

Gillian smiles and kisses her husband. “You are a great man, despite your past against Caitlyn, and I know that you have the city's best interests at heart. I just want to make sure that you’re ready to take this step?”

 

He nods. “We will take this step together.”

 

“They’re ready for you, now.” Leonard Pierce says from the doorway.

 

Scene Five

Sage Gardens; Gladys’ Bistro

 

The laughter throughout the bistro is calming enough for Patrick Sutton. He knows, because of the obnoxiousness of the owner, Gladys, his sister would never step foot inside these walls. So bringing his accomplice to Gladys Bistro was the only option for him. Even if he too found the woman’s laughter to be exhausting.

 

Patrick can’t help but be amused by the fact that the woman before him was the very woman he wanted to steer clear of after she spearheaded a crusade inside Sutton Enterprises nearly a decade ago. When the only thing Catalina Cortez wanted was equal rights for the Mexican workers inside Sutton’s walls. He scoffs at the thought.

 

“What’s so funny, Patrick?” Catalina asks, she accepts the glass of merlot the bartender pours her.

 

For Patrick, he ordered a jack and coke.

 

“I just find it so odd for us to finally be working together, is all. I remember when you first arrived in Stone Creek with this fire for justice. I was so against anything and everything that came out of your mouth.”

 

“So you agree, you were the only one against my ideas.” She says with a smug smile.

 

The arrogance in her voice causes Patrick to roll his eyes, he once again scoffs at the idea and takes a swig of his drink. “Don’t get too ahead of yourself here, I still think those ideas were frail and had no wings.”

 

“One day we will put that to the test.”

 

Patrick looks away from Catalina as she throws the comment his way. He knows that she wants to renegotiate their previous deal, but Patrick wants nothing to do with it. He is perfectly fine with keeping things how they are. On the television screen above the bar he sees a press release taking place at the courthouse, at the moment, it has his attention more than Catalina herself.

 

“Fine.” She snaps, “I think you would rather pay attention to that television screen than anything else I have to say, anyways.”

 

“Oh, darling, you are so right about that. But the thing that still keeps me awake at night is the fact that my nephew is really wondup by my half-sister, Kimberly. I still don’t know if she will take the bait.” Patrick admits.

 

“I can’t say that you’re wrong. But also, I do know that Peter is very confident in his decisions. Whatever this plan he has for Sutton Enterprises, he keeps it guarded, even from the likes of Kimberly.”

 

Patrick isn’t surprised by that. “So you’re saying we need more of a pull.”

 

“Or a push.” Catalina says.

 

The headache emerging doesn’t help Patrick in the moment, up until he sees Damien Crenshaw appear on the screen and the words scrolling across the bottom of the screen ‘Mayor Places New Law in Honor of Stone Creek Residents’...

 

“Hire the volume on that!” Patrick states, getting the bartender’s attention. Before Catalina could protest, he waved his hand in her face to keep her quiet.

 

‘In light of recent events, I have noticed that my stance in Stone Creek as a leader has been shaky at best. I would never hold anyone else, nor myself, at a level above the law or the good for the resident’s of Stone Creek.’

 

Damien Crenshaw says over the TV screen. This causes Patrick to groan at the smugness of his son-in-law.

 

‘So.’ Damien says, with two hands firmly on the podium. ‘I would like the residents of Stone Creek, and the companies that call this city home to know where I stand. To know who I stand behind. Coming out the opposite end of this pandemic has been a blessing and a learning experience for everyone involved. I cannot express this enough: we need to do better. Better for our people and better for the next generation.’

 

Patrick sees his daughter standing tall next to Damien, her hands locked together and the wind blowing against her golden curls.

 

‘’So. After much deliberation, my staff and I have decided to finally take a stand for those who cannot stand for themselves. We have enacted a new law that protects not only the citizens of Stone Creek, but also the companies that invest in the city itself by hiring local workforce inside their premises. By developing roles, and investing in decreasing the unemployment rate in our gorgeous city we will enrichen this land for our children, and theirs.’

 

This causes Patrick to groan in disgust.

 

“You can’t blame the man for trying.” Catalina quips.

 

He shakes her head. “He’s not trying to do anything, he’s obviously sucking someone’s —“ Patrick holds his hands up in the air as if to be cradling something. “This is nothing but a publicity stunt.”

 

“Either way, at least something good can come from it.”

 

‘From here on out I want the companies in Stone Creek to know that if you aren’t here for the city then we will not be here for you. Grants, loans and benefits from Stone Creek are only available to companies that provide a profitable and thriving future for the city of Stone Creek, California.’

 

Patrick perks up at this. “Do you know what that means?”

 

“Clue me in, please.” The sarcastic tone in her voice, evident.

 

“When I was the CEO of Sutton Enterprises I employed a staff that was made up of 15 percent local talent, at the most and with Peter on this mission to rid the company of anything and anyone with connection to me, he has unknowingly shot himself in the foot.”

 

Her golden brown eyes gleam. “So, you’re saying the only resource that Peter had has now dried up?”

 

“If he doesn’t take this deal with MDM, my great grandfather's company's chance for survival is minimal at best. The only chance he has now is to force Kimberly’s hand with this deal.”

 

“Bartender!” Patrick calls, when the young man comes over he holds up his empty glass. “Get us another round, we are celebrating!”

 

Scene Six

Now Town; Stone Creek Memorial Hospital

 

Caitlyn Thurlow takes a step back as all three women move closer to the main waiting room. She pulls her step-daughter by the arm gently and motions for Dylan Tyree to go ahead into the next room so the rest of the family can figure out what to do with the troublemaker.

 

This is the opportunity that Caitlyn had been waiting for, even if it is a lot less than convenient. “I know this isn’t the best time, but I just wanted to talk with you for a minute before we go into that waiting room.”

 

“You’re right, Caitlyn, this isn’t the best time for this.” Kirsten responds.

 

The icy response doesn’t phase Caitlyn as she has had to endure years of Kirsten’s mother, Helen, and her grandmother, Anita having heated conversations with her. Not wanting to create any battle lines, especially in a time like this, Caitlyn holds her hands up.

 

“Listen, I’m on your side.” She says, Caitlyn pulls Kirsten to the side so they stay out of the way of cross traffic and continues. “But you need to trust me completely if we are going to go into that waiting room with that loose cannon.”

 

“We can’t exactly kill her.” Kirsten muses.

 

Caitlyn’s eyes widen at the thought. “You can’t say that while we are in a hospital with so many people. I love you Kirsten and I have always, always thought of you as a daughter. Just as if you were my Danielle.”

 

“I’m sorry, Caitlyn.”

 

The apology is soft, but nonetheless she knows it is genuine. “Right now you need to be honest with me about what Dylan said earlier. Kirsten, is this true? I mean what she said at the cafe and then her outburst here at the hospital. You have to tell me what is going on between the two of you.”

 

“Dylan and I?” Kirsten spat. “I don’t know, Caitlyn. We have always had this animosity ever since we were kids. When we would go visit her family in Beverly Hills she would always have to out shine me, or something.”

 

Caitlyn nods along. “Well that does explain her obsession with you and this secret but what I really want to know is what is going on between you and Adrian Stone?”

 

The words take time to register, Caitlyn can see the pain in the blondes face. A part of Caitlyn just wants to take Kirsten in her arms, but she also knows that in order to be on her side, she needs to know the extent of what is going on. So she stays firmly across from Kirsten in hopes that the younger woman will trust her enough to admit the truth to her.

 

“Adrian has been one of my closest friends since we were kids, alright? When I was younger I would ride my bike to the other side of the tracks and we would talk about how terrible my privileged upbringing was and throughout that entire time he would never complain, or, judge me. You know?”

 

Caitlyn nods her head. “So at one point did you realize you were in love with him?”

 

“It doesn’t matter. Because he started hanging around Gail in high school and our relationship pretty much deteriorated after that. They were inseparable by the point that I realized I had feelings for him and then I started dating Kent and went off to study abroad in Paris and you know the rest of the story.”

 

Caitlyn indeed knew the extent of Kirsten’s relationship with Charlie after she came back from Paris. But she wasn’t here to go down memory lane with the girl, she needed the entire truth from her. “So when Adrian came back, did these feelings come back as well?”

 

Kirsten pulls away. “I will always love Adrian, but I also love Charlie and my family, Caitlyn. I don’t know what any of this has to do with you wanting to protect me. What this has to do with Dylan.”

 

“Dylan has something over your head, baby girl. So, we need to take that leverage away and the first thing we need to do is be completely truthful when I ask my next question.” Caitlyn gulps. “Did you have sex with Adrian? Did you have an affair?”

 

The tears are enough to prove an answer for Caitlyn. She pulls Kirsten in for a hug and wraps her arms around the young woman. Caitlyn knows how hard it is for anyone, let alone Girl Scout Kirsten, to admit to something like this. So she holds her for as long as she needs before she spots Charlie coming out of the nearest elevator and running towards them.

 

“What’s going on?” He asks, startling Kirsten who tries to recollect herself. “Is everything alright with Marina? With the baby?”

 

Caitlyn answers first. “The baby and Marina are fine. We were just discussing what the doctors told us and it is a lot to take in. But as a family, we can get through this.” She says, holding a thin smile.

 

Kirsten nods along, emotionally exhausted.

 

Scene Seven

Now Town; Stone Creek Memorial Hospital

 

Jane Wilkinson couldn’t have imagined how gut wrenching peds could be until this week when she nursed a premature baby back to life and then had to accompany Dr. Roberts in assisting a woman she had recently seen; Marina Thurlow is somehow familiar to Jane as their families have been close throughout the years. But seeing her going through the pain of a false labor was near traumatic for Jane.

 

After spending eight hours in the hospital, and changing into a new pair of scrubs it was finally time for Jane to have something of substance to eat. Since the day was still very much young, she immediately wanted to try the cafe next door, however she realized her wallet was in the pocket of her jeans and her jeans were in her locker a couple floors away.

 

So she opted for the cafeteria where she was at least able to scan her badge to grab a quick meal. Jane would try that cafe another day, she figures as she hits the button for the elevator and waits for the ding.

 

Jane was hoping that on her way down to the cafeteria she would be able to avoid any of Marina’s family members. She had no idea how she would react if any of them questioned her about Marina’s condition. Tears began to welt up in her eyes from the anxiety of the situation when the ding of the elevator distracted her and the person on the other end caught her attention.

 

She smiled in confliction as Jacks Hannigan stood on the other side. “I— what are you doing here?”

 

“Family friend.” He tells her.

 

Jane nods, taking the information in. “Are they okay?”

 

“Yeah, they’re stable.” He says, he tilts his head as if to invite her into the small space. A grin that causes something in Jane to flutter up, comes across his face and for a second they’re stalled between one another.

 

The space between each other doesn’t last long as she steps into the elevator. “I was just headed to the cafeteria to grab some lunch. I’ve been here all day so I figured that it was probably time to do something about my growling stomach.”

 

“I can do lunch.” Jacks replies. “Although I hit the up button so it may take us a while before we can actually grab anything. Like, a full rotation of the elevator.” They share a beat before he realizes her silence. “Wait, you weren’t inviting me for lunch, were you?”

 

Jane chuckles. “I wasn’t, no.”

 

He nods.

 

“But, I could use the company now that you mention it.” Jane replies. “I was in pediatrics all morning and there was this preme that I was watching over and I just got this overwhelming feeling inside.”

 

“About being a parent?”

 

“About never wanting to.” Jane admits. There’s a part of her that really wishes she hadn’t said that out loud. Especially to the man standing before her in the elevator. She curses herself for even bringing the topic up, but something about him makes it so easy for her to say her true feelings. 

 

Jane holds her head in her hands. “I shouldn’t have even brought that up. Oh my, god I’m such an idiot. I probably need some sleep after today.”

 

“Hey,” his soft voice replies, “relax, alright? After all, I am the man that saved your life. So it stands to reason that you can tell me anything. Besides, it’s not all bad you know? About not wanting to be a parent or anything.”

 

Jane sighs heavily. “Yeah, I guess so.”

 

“So,” Jacks states, he places his arms in front of him and crosses them in a goofy stance. “What are we getting for lunch? I was thinking pudding! Or maybe one of those stale pizza’s with the bland taste.”

 

“You obviously spend too much time in hospitals.” Jane chuckles.

 

He gasps. “Or not enough, if you think about since this is the first time I have run into you here. To tell the truth, I was getting worried that you were ghosting me, or even, lying about being a doctor.”

 

The fluttering feeling begins to take over her body as she tries to keep back a smile. Something in her reminds her of what Dr. Roberts had told her a few weeks ago about not letting anything distract you while interning here. She shifts her locks of auburn hair out of her face and looks at Jacks.

 

“You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?”

 

A grin upon his face, Jacks turns to Jane just as the elevator doors open. “I really am.”

 

“Really are, what?” Dylan Tyree exclaims on the other end of the elevators. “What the hell are you even doing up here, Jacks? I thought you were waiting for me in the main lobby?”

 

“Dylan!” Jacks says, startled. “What’s going on?”

 

Jane can feel this woman’s eyes glued to her as she steps away from Jacks Hannigan. “He was telling me how much of a fan of the hospital food he was.” Jane lies, she watches as Dylan steps into the elevator unfazed by Jane and leans up to Jacks’ lips.

 

“Whatever.” Dylan states.

 

Jane looks away upon realizing their connection, she steps out of the elevator and turns around. “Okay, well, take care.”

 

“I thought you were going to the cafeteria?” Jacks asks.

 

She shrugs. “I’d rather walk.”

 

Scene Eight

Now Town; Stone Creek Memorial Hospital

 

After discussing the living arrangements for his youngest daughter, James Thurlow decided to stay in the hospital waiting room for a few more hours. He called Frank earlier to be the point person for the day and took care of any last minute meetings and decisions before deciding to focus his attention on Marina.

 

“It doesn’t get easier, does it?” A familiar voice says from behind him.

 

James notes that it is his sister, Shannon which she confirms by sitting next to him as they stare out onto the view of Stone Creek from the hospital window.

 

He finds it in himself to nod his head. “I remember when Marina was born, you know? It was two o’clock in the morning and it was one of the most difficult labors that Helen had to go through. She made me promise she would get to hit me for it later.”

 

“Your ex. wife has always had a flair for the dramatic.” Shannon says with a chuckle. “I mean, she is also the one who staged a fall at the cabin when you were hiding Gideon and Daphne from that lunatic.”

 

James takes that beat, thankful that Helen is now in the hands of Patrick Sutton and at a more manageable distance for his sanity. He shakes his head with more enthusiasm at the thought. “I think it’s best that that chapter is behind us.”

 

“From your lips.” Shannon says.

 

James can feel that his sister has more to say as she locks her eyes on something outside in the distance. He has seen the look on his baby sister once before, when she first arrived back in Stone Creek after having faked her death to keep away from Mathias.

 

“Is everything alright, Shay?”

 

She looks at her brother. “I was just thinking about our brother, Emmet and how it must have felt for our parents to have to be here, in this hospital when he died. Just having to wait for an answer. That has got to be the worst feeling in the world, I couldn’t even imagine.”

 

He takes his sister into his arms. “We had our father back then, I don’t think he could have been more of a wreck though. He was so stony faced when they brought us to the house after Emmet died. But, throughout the entire ordeal he kept the family moving, kept us together and that was all we could ask for.”

 

“I guess I just wish that Marina wasn’t in this position.”

 

Anita scoffs.

 

Their mother sat perched behind them with her eyes locked on the two siblings. James knows the infliction his mother can leave when she’s anxious. Over the years, and especially after his father’s passin, Anita has begun to lose the calmed nature she once had. She motions towards the two with her chubby fingers. 

 

“If that selfish husband of yours hadn’t kidnapped my granddaughter she wouldn’t be here right now.” Anita says, the words no doubt pointed towards Shannon. “If he would have left this family alone after the foolishness he pulled with those darn diamonds, then maybe Marina wouldn’t have had that miscarriage?”

 

Shannon gasps. “Mother!”

 

“That’s quite enough.” James says, authoritatively. “Our family has suffered too much heartbreak to be pointing fingers at one another. You know that more than anyone, mother.”

 

Anita turns away. “I hate hospitals.”

 

“Marina had a third miscarriage before the one caused by Mathias.” Ryan Bauer says. He stands near the family in the clothes he wore the day before; a worn-out grey henley and green cargo pants. Ryan’s hair was more or less as put together as he was himself. “She didn’t want to tell anyone about it. Marina thought that we would treat her like some wounded animal.”

 

James stands up, along with Shannon. “My daughter has never been a wounded animal.”

 

“That’s how she feels.” Ryan admits. “And I have to tell you, that I really didn’t help by bringing Cassie back to Stone Creek to keep watch on her. I guess I didn’t hear her when she got pregnant. How bad she just wanted this to be normal without everyone looking at her like she’s fragile.”

 

“Then it’s your fault.” Anita says, blankly. 

 

Everyone turns to look at her, this time she has her body half facing the others while she’s still sitting in her cushioned chair. “We may have made the right decision to keep you away from Thurlow Industries while we sort through this whole Derek mess. That gives you some time to think about what’s best for you and your family. Maybe spend more time making sure Marina doesn’t deliver this baby a day too early, perhaps?”

 

“Mother.” James says, he can feel the tension in the room rising. Part of him is tired of defending her actions these last few days, especially when it came to his son-in-law, Ryan. “That is enough from you. My daughter is in that room right now trying to keep from falling apart and you are out here turning the blade?”

 

“James, it’s fine.” Ryan says.

 

The words fall to the corner, however, as Anita sighs heavily. “This family has too many swords in the fire right now and I cannot be dealing with this. We cannot be dealing with this so I prefer if Ryan continues to help Marina while we clean up his mess.”

 

“I didn’t give Derek drugs, Anita.”

 

She narrows her eyes. “Then why did you agree to relinquish your role with the company?”

 

Ryan wrings his arms. “Because, if I didn’t,” he turns to James with a sympathetic look in his eyes before turning his gaze to Anita, “I knew that you would try to bury me in this without even trying to help figure this out.”

 

“Oh,” Anita scowls, “I am not the enemy here. I am simply doing what is best for this company.”

 

“I’m doing what is best for my family.” Ryan says. He holds his hands up in defeat and then turns back to face Anita. “So from here on out, I don’t want you near Marina, or that baby until you can meet me halfway.”

 

Anita stands, she pulls her shawl over her shoulders. “Oh trust me Ryan, I will bury you if we have to.”

 

Scene Nine

Now Town; Sutton Enterprises

 

“What the fuck!” 

 

The words come out of Kimberly Sutton’s mouth before she can even get the doors to her nephew’s office closed all the way. She now knows she will have to deal with the gossip in the lunchroom later in the day. Although, that sounds more appealing than what she was in his office for.

 

Her day was going perfect before she was sitting in her office and a memo came across her desk about a new order from the mayor. Kimberly couldn’t believe what she was reading. The words that would put Sutton Enterprises into the worst financial future in a very, very long time. 

 

Kimberly walks across the room and places her hands upon her nephew’s desk. He sits there with a look of confusion that Kimberly has encountered many times in her past. So nauseating that she wants to smack it right off of his face, but that wouldn’t make her feel better. Not even for a single second.

 

“I thought you had Mayor Crenshaw in your back pocket? I thought you said that he would give whatever money the government was allowing to businesses in the country? What the hell happened?”

 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He admits, bashfully.

 

Kimberly scowls, she grabs the remote on his desk and turns the tv on and to a local news channel and then places it back on his desk with a hefty thud. “What is this?”

 

She gives her nephew a few minutes to take the information in, but every time she hears Damien Crenshaw’s voice the only thing she wants to do is throw the remote at the television — or even better yet, go down to the damned Courthouse and knock him down. When Kimberly feels she is at her wits end the television turns off.

 

“Did you not hear any of that?” She turns to her nephew who has the remote in his hands. “Can you not comprehend what is going on right now? Because if you’re going to just sit here and let that smug asshole just shoot us down like that Peter, I have got to say—“

 

Peter waves her off. “I honestly have no clue what the mayor is thinkin’”

 

Kimberly sighs heavily, her hand to her forehead. “Then what are we going to do about this? We rely on those funds at year’s end in order to cut corners Peter. Without Damien on our side we will be sitting in hot waters.”

 

“We won’t be sitting around with our thumbs up our arse when that happens, auntie.” Peter replies, he leans forward in his chair. “I had a meeting a couple days ago that I think will entice you going forward.”

 

“What kind of meeting?” Kimberly folds her arms and stares him down.

 

The smirk on his face is enough to annoy Kimberly, but there was no way she could fight Peter on anything right now. At this point, they needed each other moving forward if they were going to keep Sutton Enterprises out of the hands of her brother, Patrick, or even, anyone else.

 

“Espi was able to get us a meeting with MDM.” Kimberly raised her brow, intrigued at the mention. “So, I had the meeting with the CEO and it is indeed about a merger that can change this company for the good.”

 

“How in the hell did Espi get us a meeting with MDM in the first place?” Kimberly knew that a merger with MDM would be the most ideal with the recent developments, however, she can’t stop thinking about her nephew’s secretary. Something hasn’t felt right about Esperanza Mendez in quite some time. 

 

She waits for Peter to reply. 

 

Peter shrugs. “I honestly don’t know how she was able to pull it off, but isn’t it a better outcome for this company? I took the meeting and I am confident that we will be moving forward with them from here on out.”

 

“So then what do we do now?” Kimberly asks, exacerbated.

 

“They want to have a second meeting with me next week to go over some guidelines,” he stops mid sentence, shuffling a pen in between his hands, “I think that it is in our best interests that we go into this meeting together, united.”

 

“I agree.” She says.

 

Peter smirks. “Well then, here is to the next chapter in this company's survival. I don’t think anyone could have guessed we would’ve lasted this long.”

 

“Oh, trust me, they prayed we would have failed a long time ago.” Kimberly breaths, she watches her nephew in hopes that he would be easier to read now that the information was out. Something still pulled at her and she knew it wouldn’t be this easy. Especially with the way her brother fought them at each and every turn when they took Sutton Enterprises from him five years ago.

 

“Let’s celebrate.” Peter says, hands clasped together. “How about we fire Gillian? Why don’t we actually just get rid of anyone that is extra weight for the company, because honestly that would be the best thing for us.”

 

Scene Ten

Now Town; Stone Creek Memorial Hospital 

 

The hospital was hitting a lull that gave the staff a much needed couple of minutes to re-energize before the next rush came their way. Jane has started to become accustomed to the pattern in which Stone Creek Memorial Hospital runs on so she makes her way back to the elevators at the back entrance in hopes she wouldn’t run into anyone in particular. Her recent information overload with Jacks and the brunette was seething in the back of her mind. A desperate chuckle seeps through in hopes to subside her anger at the revelation.

 

Of course he would have a girlfriend, she rolls her eyes at the thought. But also, she knows that entering into any sort of romantic relationship right now would only complicate her internship and with the revelation that he was entangled with someone else and her reaction to that shows her exactly why.

 

Having spent so much time in the children’s wing has given Jane the ability to force a smile on her face even when she has exhausted every bone in her body. So having left herself reeling from the encounter, she quickly pulls herself together as she steps out of the elevator and runs into a few fellow interns from her group.

 

She bumps the elbow of a female intern with thick brown braids and lets her know she can run off to the cafeteria while she takes over rounds for the rest of the afternoon.

 

Jane makes her way through the halls, she stops in to check the vitals of a few children on this floor before making her way towards the end of the hall where a small private waiting area lives. Three huge windows let the sun into the space and a small saltwater fish tank lives tucked into the interior wall.

 

“There you are.” Dr. Dizzy Roberts says. She moves closer to Jane who tries to keep her face composed. “I was looking for you earlier but I guess I had just missed you. How are we doing today?”

 

The awkward moment between Jacks and his brunette at the back of her head, Jane shrugs. “I have been better, but I’m trying to keep that at the back of my mind.” She says truthfully.

 

Dizzy nods. “I get that. Have you stopped in to check on our preme from the other day? I hear she is doing so much better than before.”

 

“I saw her this morning.” Jane looks back at the fishes as they make their way through a plastic castle. Some days she feels as lost as they look, however, she knows better than that. “I know that she’s on her way to recovery but I just can’t get over how tiny she is.”

 

“It does get better with time. But I will tell you the shock of seeing a premature baby will always pull at those heart strings, each and every time.” Dizzy says, she moves closer to the fish tank. “How are you feeling about being here, though, in peds?”

 

The words don’t hit her as hard as it has in the past. “I’m comfortable here, but, I will be in neurology as soon as a spot opens up.”

 

Dizzy nods. “They will be lucky to have someone like you who is extremely determined to do the right thing for every patient. I have to admit, I will be a little nervous letting you go.”

 

“You really think so?”

 

“Hey, look, like I told you before as long as you keep focused on what’s in front of you and work your ass off you can accomplish anything. I have been watching you just as I have been watching all of my interns and I can see the determination in you Jane. However, you need to make sure you maintain that confidence going forward, especially if you’re going to get into neurology. I think you may be ready to handle your own preme, if you feel you’re ready for that?”

 

Instantly her nerves begin to creep on her, but she pushes them down. “I know I will be ready.”

 

“Good. You’re going to make a great doctor one day, I have total faith in you.” Even though the words help uplift Jane’s spirit she still feels so overwhelmed by the idea of being a doctor one day. Even more than the idea of having to run into Jacks again at some point in her stay here in Stone Creek.

 

The way he flirted so effortlessly with her made Jane feel seen. But then the interruption by the brunette named Dylan really put a halt to everything. Part of her wants to just forget about him altogether and just focus on getting into the neurology program. Another part of her wants to know more and wants to know why Jacks was so interested in her when he had Dylan.

 

Jane shrugs it off for now, she has more important things at hand. She promises herself that she will focus on the goal and the prize at the end of the race and where she sees herself in the next few years.