Part 17 - Chapter 1 - Two Sides to a Story

"What's going on?" Blaine asked as he walked into the house he shared on campus with three other students.

"Packing . . .and cleaning," his roommate replied simply. "We have to get this place in shape if we're going to get our deposit back. Are those your posters or Jonah's?"

"Don't we have a few months to worry about that?"

"Try the end of the week?"

"You're kidding, right?"

"No, man. Where have you been?"

Frowning, Blaine slowly walked up the steps to his room. He had thought, even though they had graduated, their lease had been paid for until the end of the summer. He hadn't realized they only had the house until the end of the semester. Maybe he would have realized that sooner if he had been around more. Working two jobs and doing research with Reese while trying to graduate hadn't left much time for him to spend at home or with his roommates.

How their move out date had slipped past him didn't matter much now. What really mattered was where he was going to find an affordable place to live on such short notice.

Cassandra watched anxiously over her mother's shoulder as Serena stirred a pot of liquid on the stove.

"It's ready. Hand me that bottle," Serena said. Once Cassandra passed it to her, Serena carefully poured the liquid from the pan into the container. She corked the top and presented it to her daughter.

Cassandra studied it warily. "How does it work?"

"Once you drink the contents of this vial, the next person you interact with will fall deeply in love with you, forsaking all others."

"And it really works?"

"Of course, dear. Why else would I give it to you? Just get your young man over to the house, drink this, and he will be yours."

When the doorbell rang, Serena turned to answer it. "That will be my first client. Don't worry, Cassandra. It will work. Don't be afraid to use it and don't hesitate. Time will only work against you."

Cassandra lingered in the kitchen, watching her mother as she left the room. She studied the vial in her hands and wondered if she was making the right decision.

"I see now why you ran out on the party," James said as stood in the doorway of Reese's office.

She looked up, startled by his presence and at a loss for words.

"Aren't you too young to be a lawyer?"

"No . . .not too young."

James walked into the office and casually looked around.

"Do you want something?" she asked.

"I just happened across your name and wanted to see if it was you."

"Well, it is," Reese said, standing up to usher him out. "If you don't have any business here then I think you should go."

"But I do. I want to talk to you about this lawsuit that Craig has against me. Since you're the one who's representing him, you would be the person to talk to."

"I don't think there's anything to be said about it between us."

"Then you don't want to hear my side of it?"

"Not particularly. I think I know what I need to know."

"Look, I don't know why Craig is making such a big deal of this. I just want to settle it and move on."

"Good, then why don't you tell that to your lawyer and have him call me?"

"I could do that, but I thought since we've already met each other, I'd just talk to you myself."

Reese squinted at James, trying to figure out what he was after. She found this entire meeting completely unusual. "I still think you should do this through your lawyer, Mr. Spencer."

"James," he replied. When Reese didn't budge, he gave in. "Fine, have it your way." As he started towards the door he paused and turned around to face Reese. "I am sorry you had to leave Cassie's party so early the other night. Hopefully when this is all settled we can get to know each other better. You're an interesting woman, Miss Burroughs. I'll see you around."

Part 17 - Chapter 2 - Two Sides to a Story

Lucy sat at her desk, studying the books in front of her and dutifully taking notes.

"Is it time for a study break yet?" Craig asked as he stood behind her and massaged her neck.

Lucy gave in for a moment before brushing his hands away. "I have to get through this chapter. I'm already so far behind."

"Let me know when you're ready for a break," Craig said, pacing a few steps around the room before relaxing on the bed.

Lucy tried to focus on her studies, but Craig's restless hovering was too much of a distraction. Finally she put her notes aside and turned to face him.

"Craig, why don't you go down to the studio? I know the lawsuit is holding you back, but you can still work on your new songs, can't you?"

Craig shrugged, "I could, I suppose. But I want to get everything in order before I go back to work."

"Oh," Lucy replied and started to turn back towards her work.

"You aren't trying to get rid of me?" Craig asked, only half-joking.

"No, it's just that you've been hanging around the house lately without much to do . . ."

"And I'm not pulling my own weight, is that it? Lucy, you know I'm an artist."

"No, that's not it at all. You just seem so restless and bored lately. I think you would be happier if you had something to keep you busy."

"I was hoping to use this opportunity to spend more time with you, but you always seem to have something else to take your attention."

"I have a lot to do."

After an moment of silence, Craig said, "There has been something I've been thinking of. Since I'm putting down roots here, maybe I should start doing something that takes less travel. I've always wanted to have my own club. I just never had the money for it . . ."

At the mention of money, Lucy frowned.

"You don't like the idea?"

"No, I think it's a good idea. I'm sure you could take out a loan to get started."

"Hmm," Craig replied thoughtfully. He wasn't sold on the suggestion.

When she heard the baby cry, Lucy looked up. "Could you check on him?"

"Sure," Craig replied absently. He barely stepped out into the hallway before coming back into the room.

"The nanny's got him. I'm glad we decided to hire her. You really do have too much to do around here and I hate to think about leaving the two of you alone here without anyone we can trust when I have to go out of town."

"I'm glad she's here too."

"And I was afraid you wouldn't come around to the idea of hiring help around the house again."

"Um hmm," Lucy mumbled as she started forward thoughtfully.

"I think I'm going to go out for awhile and get some air. I'll see you later," he said as he kissed her on the cheek and went out.

"Mr. Jordan, I'd like to have a word with you," Victoria Burgess said as she led Justin into the study. "I have noticed your performance has been lacking lately. And I understand that you've had some personal family issues, but I hope they won't be a problem in the future."

"They won't be," Justin promised. "My sister is no longer living with me. She's moved away."

"I'm glad to hear it. I can't take being close to any more scandalous news from the media."

"More news, ma'am?" Justin asked, confused.

"Yes, it's the 'Stuart ordeal' that I'm referring to. Of course, no one in the Burgess family would be involved in anything criminal."

"I didn't think the Burgesses were involved in the Stuarts' problems at all, ma'am."

"Of course we aren't, but we are tied to the Stuart family by association and that is just as bad . . .I think it would be in the family's best interest to reduce our ties with them as much as possible."

"But, ma'am, Miss Stuart - Mrs. Sexton surely wasn't involved in her father's business dealings. I think she's suffered enough because of this scandal."

For a moment Victoria seemed shocked by his outspokenness. "I sometimes forget you worked for the Stuarts before you came to work for me . . . However, I have already reached a decision. I am resigning from my post at Pheasant Run. If Lucy cannot manage the job herself, I'm sure she can find someone else who is capable."

"On such short notice, ma'am? We have a lot of projects going on right now. How is anyone supposed to take over right in the middle?"

"That's why I think you should stay with the country club, at least until someone new can step into my place. You know what is happening there as well as anyone and I can manage without you for awhile."

"And if the new person doesn't require my assistance?"

"They will certainly need you, at least at first. I will continue to pay your usual wages as my own contribution to the charity. Consider it settled. In a few days, managing Pheasant Run will be your primary task. I'll arrange a meeting with Lucy to settle the details."

Part 17 - Chapter 3 - Two Sides to a Story

"Hi Alma," Amanda greeted her sister as she walked towards the table where Alma was seated. "Thanks for inviting me to lunch. I'm glad to have an excuse to get out of the office for awhile at least."

"Busy day?" Alma asked.

"Not for me really, but Andrew was too busy to make it. He has a lot to do now that he's vice president of the company. With as much as he does though, you'd think he was the president. He really should be. After all, he's been working there longer than that Lawrence Arrendale . . ." She paused when Alma didn't seem to be paying attention to what she was saying. "Alma, are you listening?"

"Just look at those people," Alma whispered, motioning to an amorous couple who hadn't been able to keep their hands off each other since they arrived at the restaurant. "How can they act like that? It's disgusting."

Amanda shrugged. "I think it's kind of sweet."

"But to act like that in public? I don't think I would even behave that way in private."

Amanda laughed, "When you fall in love you'll change your mind."

Alma stiffened up. She hated when Amanda tried to act like the older, wiser sister, especially when she was completely wrong. "Don't tell me you and Andrew ever carry on like that?"

"Not in public, no, but we have been trying to start a family," Amanda grinned. "We can't wait to have a baby."

Alma said nothing and looked away, hoping Amanda wouldn't go on about the subject. She didn't want to know the details of her sister's married life.

Amanda noticed that Alma's eyes seemed to wander around the restaurant as if she were searching for someone. "Are you expecting someone?" Amanda finally asked.

"Yes," Alma reluctantly admitted.

"You didn't say anything. Who is it?"

Alma said nothing and looked away.

"Alma . . ." When Amanda turned her head she saw Vanessa approaching their table. "You didn't tell me she would be here."

"If I had, would you have come?"

"No, and I'm not going to stay now," Amanda said as she began to stand up.

"You're being ridiculous. Sit down. Just listen to what she has to say for one minute, give her a chance to explain."

"I don't care what she has to say. I just want her to get out of my life."

"I'll do that," Vanessa said quietly. "I have something I think you both should see. After that, if you still want me out of your life, you won't have to say it again. I'll stay away."

"Fine," Amanda gave in. She sat down with her arms in front of her and scowled.

"The reason I gave Lawrence the Boardwalk is because of my ex-husband. You know, he was Lawrence's uncle and his guardian after his parents died. He took everything that boy had and left him to fend on his own. The Boardwalk was something Sebastian and I bought together. It may not have been bought with exactly the same money, but Lawrence was owed something and Sebastian isn't here to pay his own debts."

"And that's your problem?" Amanda asked.

"Yes, because we were married, hun . . .or thought we were. We lived as if everything that was mine was his and everything of his was mine. I didn't want that debt. I couldn't live with it on my conscience without making some effort to set things right."

"Yet, you have no problem taking our home from us?"

"That's not the way it was," Vanessa said, keeping her voice deliberately calm. "It was your home, certainly, but it wasn't your house, hun. It was your mother's and she chose to leave it to me."

"I've heard enough," Amanda reared back. "I can't listen to any more of your nonsense. You can justify this all you want in your own mind, but I'm not going to buy it."

"Just read this," Vanessa said, dropping an envelope on the table. Amanda eyed it skeptically. "It's a letter from our mother. The lawyer gave it to me with the inheritance. This is the reason I didn't offer to give you the house. It wasn't what she wanted."

"Don't you dare presume what my mother wanted. You never even met her, yet you come into our lives and try to take over."

As Amanda ranted, Alma reached for the envelope and opened it.

Amanda rolled her eyes. "Why are you wasting your time?"

Alma studied the words before silently handing the piece of paper to Amanda.

As she read the letter Amanda slowly sank down into her chair.

"She knew that she had provided for both of you and I can see myself that you're both doing fine for yourselves. You have steady jobs, nice places to live. I admit, I don't need the house or the money for myself, but I wanted to carry out her wishes. It may sound silly, but I feel like if I accept her gift, I'll be doing what I can to help her rest in peace. I didn't accept it for myself. I wasn't thinking of me . . .or of you. I was thinking of her. I just thought you both had the right to know."

Alma looked at Amanda who stared at the letter and said nothing.

When Vanessa stood up and reached out her hand, Amanda gave her the letter. "I'd like to be friends, but I won't force it. If you ever want to talk, you have my number." When she turned and left the restaurant Amanda didn't stop her.

Part 17 - Chapter 4 - Two Sides to a Story

"Can I come in?" Blaine asked from the doorway of Reese's office.

"Oh, Blaine. I completely forgot we were having lunch together. I'm way too swamped to go out right now. I'm sorry."

"It's ok," he replied. "Do you have a few minutes to talk?"

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"I just found out my lease is up. Instead of having all summer to find a place, I've got to be out by the end of the week."

"I'm sorry," Reese sympathized. "That doesn't give you much time, but it shouldn't be too hard to find an apartment to rent or sublease."

"It's not so much finding a place that's the problem, it's paying for it. The campus computer lab only hires student workers, so I won't have that income anymore, and the Townsend Corporation doesn't need a full time computer tech . . .I was really counting on having the rent paid for the next few months while I found a full time job and saved up to pay off my student loans."

"I'm sorry, Blaine. I wish there was something I could do."

"It's alright. I just feel kind of dumb for not realizing all this stuff was coming up so soon. It's really messed up my plans . . .I guess if I get desperate, I can move across the country to live with my family for awhile."

"Oh," Reese said sadly.

"That's not what I want, but if nothing else comes up, I might have to."

"Blaine . . ." she said hesitantly. "If I hear of anything, I'll let you know."

"Thanks," he smiled as he made a move to leave. "Are you sure you can't get away for lunch?"

"I wish I could."

"Ok, I'll call you tonight."

As Craig walked down the street he noticed a "for rent" sign posted on the front of a building. He stepped back and took a broad view of the structure as a whole, before leaning forward to try and peer through the darkened window.

From what he could make out, the place looked to be a fairly decent size. It was mostly unfinished, but that left plenty of possibilities for someone to design the place in any style they wanted.

As Craig stepped back he nearly bumped into someone. He was about to apologize, but when he saw who it was, he held his tongue.

James shrugged and took a look at the building Craig had been checking out. "Thinking about renting it?"

"If I was, I'm sure you'd try to grab it up first," he said and started to walk away.

"Look. I'm sorry about what happened, ok? I was offered a record deal and decided to take it. I didn't think there was anything wrong with that."

"You didn't? You didn't think that passing off those songs as yours was wrong?"

"No, because they are mine . . .and yours. If I had been the one who was hurt in that accident and you hadn't been, don't tell me you wouldn't have done the same thing I did. Besides, the reason we're having this problem now is because you were playing those same songs for a producer."

"So I'm to blame? That's rich, James. Just great."

"I just want to drop this, ok? I'll have the copyright amended and your name added, the way it should've been in the first place."

"And you'll pay me my share of the profits?"

"From my recording? You're nuts. I'm trying to do the right thing here and you're just being greedy. Can't you drop this?"

"No, I'm not dropping it. I'm not letting you take advantage of my accident to steal my songs and don't give me the 'we can share them' business. Once they're out there, they're going to be known as your songs and I won't be able to use them myself without looking like a cheap rip off."

James threw his hands up in frustration. "I don't know what else I can do. I offer to give you credit for your work, I'll even give you the chance to record the rest of our songs first. I don't care. But I'm not going to pay you money for what I recorded on my own. This whole thing is crazy, man. What's your problem, going through lawyers? Why don't we settle this ourselves and be done with it? I'm tired of being stuck here waiting for this to be settled."

"You think I liked being stuck here with a broken arm while you went on with our tour without me?"

"I think you did. I mean, come on, man. You at least got a wife and a kid out of it . . .Is she the reason you won't let this thing go? Because you've changed."

"Don't talk to me again. I'll see you in court," Craig said and walked away.

"Marlene, would you trade sections with me?" Cassandra asked a fellow waitress as they worked together at the diner.

"Why? You've already got the best section."

"I just felt like working at the counter," Cassandra replied. She wasn't sure herself why she wanted to switch.

Marlene shrugged and handed Cassandra the sponge. "Sure. Knock yourself out."

A few minutes later when Blaine walked in and took a seat at the counter, she understood why she felt so desperate to take over the counter.

"Hey," she greeted him with a bright smile that quickly faded. "Is something wrong?"

"Oh hi. I'm ok, I just got some unexpected news today . . .This diner isn't hiring is it?" he asked only half-joking.

"Why would you want to work here? Aren't you a college grad now?"

"Yes, but until I find my dream job, I'm going to need to earn some money. I just found out I have to move out of my place and if I don't find a full time job soon I might have to move back to stay with my relatives for awhile."

"Oh no! Really?"

He smiled at her concern. "It's not my first choice, but it's also not the end of the world."

"Why don't you stay with us?" Cassandra asked suddenly. "Zara isn't coming home for the summer, so we have an extra bedroom."

"I appreciate the offer, but I can't really pay you much and I don't want to take advantage."

"You won't be!" Cassandra insisted. "We'd love to have you and you don't have to worry about the money. The house is Vanessa's and she doesn't charge us rent. If you wanted to contribute something you could just chip in whatever you can afford to help pay the bills. It would be a big deal."

Blaine weighed the options. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, it will be fun."

"Great. Thanks. I promise I won't stay for long, just until I figure something out."

"Stay as long as you need," Cassie smiled.

Part 17 - Chapter 5 - Two Sides to a Story

"I've got it," Eileen called out, racing down the steps as quickly as she could in high heeled shoes. She had never been so nervous before a date before. She spent hours going through her closet, called Chloe over for a second opinion, and changed her mind half a dozen times before finally choosing something to wear. She wasn't usually so indecisive. Normally before a date she would just throw something on, take an extra glance in the mirror, and would be ready to go, but this date was different and she knew it.

"Hi," she greeted Lawrence at the door with a nervous smile.

"Hi. Are you ready to go?"

"I'm ready."

They rode down the street in near silence. Eileen watched Lawrence as he drove and smiled at him when he looked over at her. She wasn't used to dating someone so quiet, but he seemed comfortable in his silence and strangely enough, so was she.

Finally she asked, "Where are we going?"

"Bernardi's. I made a reservation for 7:00. I hope that's alright."

"That sounds great," Eileen said. "Have you ever been there before?"

"No, but I've heard good things about them."

"It is a very nice place. I've been once or twice."

Since they arrived at the restaurant a little bit earlier than their reservation time, Lawrence and Eileen took a walk in the gardens in front of the restaurant. Eileen struggled to think of something sophisticated to say to break the ice.

"So how have you been? How is work?" she asked.

"Fine. I've been keeping busy."

"I'm sure. I heard you took over for my dad. I think that's great. Congratulations."

"Thanks . . .How is your dad?"

Eileen shrugged. "He's not taking his retirement well. I try to stay out of the house as much as possible. He hasn't been easy to live with."

"Oh look," Eileen called out as they walked further along the path. "It's the wishing well."

Lawrence followed along as she made her way towards the well. She searched through her purse until she found a penny. Gripping it tightly, she made a wish before dropping it down into the well. "Do you have a penny? Make a wish. It's good luck."

Lawrence grinned. "You aren't superstitious, are you?"

"No, not really . . .It's kind of childish, I guess, but it's something I remember doing with my mother before she died."

Lawrence was surprised at Eileen's comment. He had just assumed that Veronica, Mr. Townsend's wife, was her mother. Not wanting to pry into a sensitive subject, he didn't ask her about it and instead tossed a penny into the well after Eileen's.

"Does this ever work? Do your wishes come true?"

"Sometimes . . . Sometimes not," she replied thoughtfully. "We'll have to see if this wish comes true or not."

"We? Are you letting me in on the secret? I thought that was against the rules."

Eileen grinned coyly and looked up at the darkening sky. "Oh, look at that. It must be almost 7:00 by now. Don't we have a reservation to keep?"

Lawrence played along and escorted her to the entrance of the restaurant.

As she walked into the restaurant, Eileen was met by a familiar face.

"Hey, Eileen."

"Hi, Trevor. What are you doing here?"

"I just dropped in to pick up my paycheck on my way home from the gym. Where have you been hiding yourself? All the guys miss seeing you at our games."

"Oh, I've been busy," she said. She glanced back at Lawrence who was holding the door and tried to quickly end the conversation with Trevor. "I'll see you around."

As they were seated, Eileen spotted another acquaintance from college working at the bar. When he waved to her, she nodded back a silent greeting. Fortunately, he was too busy at the bar to come over and say hello. Eileen sat down with her back to the bar and was relieved that Lawrence didn't seem to notice that she knew the bartender as well.

"I'm sorry I couldn't get us a better table," Lawrence said as he sat down and picked up a menu.

"What's wrong with it?" Eileen asked.

"Maybe someday I'll be influential enough to get a table away from the kitchen."

"This is fine, really," Eileen promised. "I'm still impressed that you decided to take me here."

"Why is that?"

"It's so expensive . . .and popular. Some people would consider themselves lucky to be here, even if they are sitting next to the kitchen."

"You're right." He smiled at her. "Anyone would be lucky to be in my seat right now."

"Eileen, I thought that was you. How's it going?"

"Fine, Kennedy." Eileen forced a smile and tried to be polite to the man walking past their table. "And you?"

"Great, but I was wondering why you never called me." He waited for an answer, but Eileen didn't have the heart to tell him that she wasn't interested in guys who wore pink flannel shirts with shorts, especially to fancy restaurants. "It doesn't matter though," he said lightly, trying to save face. "I've got to run. Call me sometime when you get a chance."

"Bye," she said. As he walked out, she rolled her eyes and, with a sigh, turned to look at Lawrence. She expected him to be annoyed by the interruptions, but instead he just looked amused.

"You're very popular tonight," he remarked.

"I know a lot of people, mostly from school." Thoroughly embarrassed, she felt the need to explain. "I like spending time with other people, so I've made a lot of friends, girls too, not just guys. Some of my guy friends have been interested in dating me, but I don't know, none of the dates I agreed to go on ever turned into anything serious. Probably because I never took them seriously."

"Why not?"

Eileen shrugged. "Maybe I was just waiting for someone to come along who was worth being serious about."

He wondered where Eileen's recent engagement fit into her history of casual relationships, but the last name he wanted to bring up that evening was Hector Burgess. "Well, if you decide you're interested in going out with me again, I'll try to pick a place where we'll be less likely to run into so many people we know."

"I think that's a wonderful idea."

Outside, Hector was walking past the restaurant when he spied Lawrence and Eileen through the window. The sight of them together made him stop in his tracks. He felt sick with jealousy. First Lawrence took his job, now he was after his girl too. Hector stood up straighter and resolved to take action. He knew exactly what he had to do to put a stop to this.

Part 17 - Chapter 6 - Two Sides to a Story

"Good morning," Veronica greeted Eileen cheerfully as her step-daughter walked into the kitchen. "How did your date go last night?"

Eileen smiled with a dreamy look in her eyes. "It was great. I had a really nice time with Lawrence. He's very . . . mature."

"I hope so, since he's the man running my company," Arthur spoke up from his place at the table.

Eileen rolled her eyes, expecting this to turn into a long rant. "I've got to go. I'll see you later," she said and headed out.

"Maybe I should stop by the office today and check on things," Arthur suggested.

Veronica stepped in front of him. "Now there is no reason for you to go down there, Art. You have to let this go. The company has changed hands, you're retired, you don't need to worry about it anymore."

"I'll worry about it as much as I want to," Arthur grumbled.

Veronica sighed. "A few years ago you were looking forward to retirement. We talked about all the things you were going to with the extra time. You were going to take up golf, we were going to travel . . ."

"I can't play much golf now, can I?"

"No, but there are other hobbies you can take up and we can still travel to all the places we wanted to go. I have a lot of vacation time saved up. Decide when you want to go and where and we'll do it."

Arthur grumbled an unintelligible reply and picked up the newspaper setting next to him on the table.

"Arthur, you have got to find your way out of this funk," Veronica insisted. She waited for him to react, but the only response she received was the rustle of his newspaper. She let out a frustrated sigh and blinked back the tears that were threatening to form in her eyes before turning towards the door. "I'm going out."

Lawrence approached Hector at his desk. "The new employees we hired are starting today. I'm going to need you to be available to help them if they need anything."

"No problem." Hector grinned. He stood up to match Lawrence's height and stared at him, his mouth twisted into a superior grin.

Lawrence stared back at him curiously, but also with concern. There was something sinister beneath Hector's expression, but Lawrence couldn't read what it was. "I don't have to remind you to be professional?" he warned.

"Of course not. I am a professional."

"Good," Lawrence said, still eyeing Hector warily.

"And there isn't anything you need to remind me of," Hector said pointedly, making sure Lawrence got his meaning.

"The new employees will be here at 10:00. I'll introduce you when they arrive."

"Great. I can't wait," Hector called out as Lawrence walked back to his office. He was still smiling when Lawrence looked back over his shoulder as he walked away.

Hector's situation had been looking rather bleak, but now with new employees at the company to buddy up to and a vital piece of information hiding up under his sleeve, things were starting to look up. He had no doubt that he would be back on track in no time.

"Come in," Edward called out in response to the knock on his office door. When he looked up to see Alma enter, he stood up from his chair to greet her. "Alma, what are you doing here?"

"I want to talk to you."

"Please, have a seat." He motioned to the chairs in front of his desk, but she shook her head, opting to stand.

He patiently waited as she collected her thoughts before she started to speak.

"I know you want a family, to get married, and to have children . . ."

Edward nodded, worried about where this conversation was headed. She was obviously working her way to saying something important and he didn't want to interrupt.

"That's something I always expected to have too, but when my mother was alive it seemed so far off and after she was gone, it seemed too real. I don't know why I got the idea that things would be a certain way when they never have been my entire life . . ."

"What things? What way?" Edward asked once her words seemed to drift off.

Alma shook her head and tried to get back to the point. "It doesn't matter. What I came here to ask you is, what do you expect out of a marriage? If I were to agree to marry you, would you expect me to stay home and raise the children? How are the important decisions going to be made? What exactly did you have in mind when you suggested marriage?"

Alma's questions were delivered like she was conducting a job interview, but Edward was so pleased that she seemed to be coming around to his suggestion that he didn't mind.

"All I want is someone to share my life with. If I wanted someone to work for me and follow orders, I'd hire someone. What I'm looking for is a partner. Not just someone to be a part of my life, but for someone to make a life with together. I'm tired of being alone."

"If I get married," Alma said slowly. "I don't want to give up my job and I'm used to doing things my own way. Even when I was taking care of Mother, I was used to doing things my way and I'm not going to change. I'm not going to suddenly become anything different than what I am right now."

"I wouldn't want you to. Alma, when I first met you, I admired you for your patience with your mother and how strong you were for taking care of her. As I got to know you better, I admired you even more for that same strength and for your conviction. But I think there's even more to you than that. Deep down I see a very caring and sensitive woman, the kind of good woman any man would be lucky to have in his life."

Alma turned away. She wasn't convinced she was worthy of that praise. "If you were to ask me to marry you again, I wouldn't say no."

He stepped towards her and gently touched her shoulder, bidding her to turn around. "Will you?"

"Yes."

Edward held Alma close. "I promise you, you won't regret it."