The DeLongpre Mansion stands high atop a bluff overlooking the Atlantic and the village of Persephone Pointe; it has witnessed the joys and sorrows of several generations of DeLongpres and the denizens of the community below. Buried deep in the walls of the great house, lies the secrets and hidden passions of DeLongpre men and women going back over two centuries. Most of those secrets have remained that way, taken to graves and never revealed. Other secrets were not so lucky, they were revealed at inopportune moments, with malicious intent, or for conscience clearing and never with the hoped for results.

Thad DeLongpre is in the kitchen of the DeLongpre Mansion with Claudia Eglasca. The two have been friends and confidants for a long while and their relationship has grown even closer since Thad's return following the accident. Claudia is sitting at the table working on menus and Thad has joined her at the table. Thad has just told her that he knows Jory.

"What did you say?" Claudia asks.

"I know her," says Thad.

"Jory?"

"Yes," says Thad.

"How?"

"Is this just between you, me and the four walls?"

"Of course," says Claudia.

"Jory and I — we — we were involved. I told you about her," says Thad.

"The relationship you screwed up?"
"More or less."

"Jory? She’s the woman? The great love of your life?"

"One and the same," says Thad.

"I don’t understand, how did she get from you to your father?"

"Your guess is as good as mine, but I’m sure you can guess how shocked I was when she walked into that hospital last night," says Thad.

"Does your Father know?"

"I don’t think so," says Thad.

"And she married him, knowing that he was your father?"

"There’s a lot I don’t know Claudia. I’m just still shocked that — that Jory is married to my Father."

"What are you gonna do? You’re not going to say anything to your father are you?"

"I don’t know Claudia. I don’t know what I’m gonna do."

"Are you still in love with her?"

"Claudia."

"Well are you?" Claudia asks.

"I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her," says Thad. "I dreamed about her last night."

"But are you in love with her, Thad?"

"Claudia."

"Don’t give me that Claudia stuff. You’re dancing around the question — which leads me to believe that the answer yes," says Claudia.

"I’m gonna go check to see if my eggs are ready," says Thad. He gets up from the table, leaving Claudia scratching her head.

"Thad before you do anything, before you make any decisions, think about them carefully." Thad stops and looks at Claudia.

"Do you think she loves him?"

"Hey you two." Leslie Montgomery has just walked into the room.

"Hi beautiful," says Thad.

"Hello Leslie, how are you?" Claudia asks.

"I’m fine. Is Meredith upstairs?" Leslie asks.

"She's with her masseuse, but that should be wrapping up soon," says Claudia.

"I’ll go upstairs and wait. Good seeing you both," says Leslie. She leaves the room and Claudia and Thad alone.

"I don’t know if she loves him. I haven’t seen them together long enough to know one way or the other," says Claudia.

"She says she does," says Thad. "She also says she wants to forget the past."

"Then maybe there’s nothing else to say on the subject," says Claudia.

"No — Claudia, there’s a lot left to say — a whole lot left to say."

_________________________________________________

Katherine DeLongpre is lying in her hospital bed, flipping channels on the TV with the remote control. She stops on E! to watch a special report on Celebrity Weddings. Katherine is a beautiful young woman and the apple of her father's eye. Everyone comments on how much she reminds them of her dead mother, which is both a compliment and a burden all at the same time. Her hair is pulled back and she isn't wearing makeup. The machines that were hooked up to her body have been turned off.

At first, she didn't remember much about the accident, but it is slowly coming back to her. It seems as though every bone in her body is aching right now, but the nurses have told her that the pain would subside soon. Her fiancé, Porter Dandridge walks into the room, smiling. The moment she sees him, she begins to smile with him. She is happy to see him. Porter is incredibly handsome and people always comment on what an attractive couple Katherine and Porter make.

"Hi. Where have you been?" Katherine asks.

"Dreaming about you," says Porter.

"You're sweet," says Katherine.

"Not sweet, just in love," says Porter.

"Either way, I think you're wonderful," says Katherine. Porter walks over to Katherine's bed and kisses her. The couple embraces for a moment then Porter pulls up a chair beside her bed.

"It's hard to believe that you were in an accident yesterday. You look so beautiful."

"I don't feel beautiful. I ache all over," she says.

"Well I'll give you massages until you're feeling like your old self again."

"Ooh I like the sound of that," says Katherine smiling.

"Well after we're married, expect daily rubdowns. These hands are magic."

"Tell me about it."

"I'm going to pamper you and take care of your every desire," says Porter.

"Wow. I should get hit by a car everyday," says Katherine.

"Don't say that. I was so worried about you," says Porter.

"It was my own stupid fault," says Katherine.

"What does that mean?"

"I walked out into the road, without looking. I'm such an idiot," says Porter.

"Don't say that. It wasn't your fault."

"Yes it was. No one can see anything on the other side of that curve. I hope the driver is okay," says Katherine.

"He's fine."

"He? It's a guy? I'm going to have to find him and apologize," says Katherine.

"There is nothing to apologize for. Don't worry about the driver, worry about getting well, so we can take you home."

"I hope my accident didn't ruin daddy's welcome home party."

"All he was concerned about was you. He'll probably be here in a little bit," says Porter.

"I can't wait to see him. I know he was here last night, but I was so doped up and don't really remember much of it."

"Katherine, there's something I need to tell you," says Porter.

"What?"

"I don't know how to say it."

"Is it Daddy? He's okay, isn't he?"

"You're Dad's fine."

"Then what is it?"

"Katherine, it's about the accident."

"What about the accident?"

"I debated -- whether or not to tell you, but you should know."

"Know what?"

"When you went in for surgery yesterday, Brian discovered something."

"What did he find? Cancer?"

"Katherine, you -- you were -- pregnant."

"Pregnant? Me?"

"Not far enough along for you too really notice. Brian discovered it during surgery, but the impact from the accident caused a miscarriage."

"A miscarriage?"

"Yes."

"I was pregnant?" Porter nods his head. "We were going to have a baby?" Porter nods again. "A miscarriage?"

"I'm sorry. I'm so -- so sorry."

"Oh God. I lost our baby," says Katherine.

"No it wasn't your fault."

"Whose fault is it then? I was the one who wasn't paying attention. I was the one that stepped out in the road without looking or thinking."

"Katherine, listen to me. This is not your fault."

"I was pregnant. I was gong to have your child and I didn't even know," says Katherine.

"The time just wasn't right, but our time will come."

"I can't believe this. Porter I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"No don't you dare apologize. You had nothing to do with this. But don't you worry, after we're married we're going to have a house full of kids."

"A house full?"

"A house full." Porter takes her into his arms and holds her tightly. He stokes her hair and whispers that everything is going to be all right.

_______________________________________________

Bain Roberts is still angry from his heated discussion with Porter Dandridge. He is about to leave the Medical Center, when his cell phone rings. "Hello?"

"Bain, it's your Mother."

"Hi Mom, what's going on?" Bain asks.

"I didn't get any sleep last night, because I was worried about you," says Mrs. Roberts.

"Mom, I'm a big boy. I can take care of myself," says Bain.

"I'm not so sure about that Darling," she says.

"What does that mean?"

"Bain get out of that town. Leave there and come home before something happens," says the voice on the end of the line.

"What could happen, Mom?"

"I'm worried about you. I'm worried about this quest you're on to find whatever it is you're looking for."

"Mom, I told you. This isn't about you and Dad or the family; it's about me. I know that might sound selfish, but I have to have answers. I need to see this thing through -- full circle."

"Darling, people don't like their pasts looked into. They don't like their secrets uncovered."

"Mom, do you know who my birth mother is? Is this why you're so worried about me, because you're afraid I'm going to ruin somebody's life?"

"I'm afraid of you, ruining your own life, by digging around into things that people don't want you digging into. There is a reason why adoption records are sealed," says the woman's voice.

"Mom, why do I get the feeling that you know something -- something that you aren't telling me?"

"Bain all I know is that you were put into my arms shortly after your birth, the rest I didn't want know. The rest didn't matter, because you were mine."

"Mom what aren't you telling me? There's something else -- something that frightens you," says Bain.

"Bain, I have to go, but please be careful."

"Mom, what are you so afraid that I'm going to find out?"

"I have to go. I love you Bain." Bain hears a click at the other end.

"Mom? Mom?" He returns his cell phone back to his pocket and wonders aloud. "What is she so afraid of?" Bain then remembers that he promised Tallulah Jones that he would stop by the hospital cafeteria and have lunch with her. He can't stop thinking about his Mother and the, what sounded like, fear in her voice. "What isn't she telling me? What doesn't she want me to know?"

___________________________________________

Meredith Prescott DeLongpre has just finished her massage. She has generously tipped the handsome masseuse. She is lounging in her robe, with a towel wrapped around her blonde tresses. She is not wearing makeup. Her ankles have started to swell a little bit, and because of it, her feet are propped up on a table in front her. Her best friend, Leslie Montgomery walks in the room.

"Is that your masseuse I just saw leave?" Leslie asks.

"Yes. Henry," says Meredith.

"Henry is a, how do the youngsters say it, a hottie?"

"Stop it," says Meredith laughing.

"His muscles have muscles. Yowsa," says Leslie.

"He is a nice specimen, but he plays for the other team," says Meredith.

"Oh. Really? It's always the buff ones. How are you?"

"If I remember correctly, your husband, the fine Doctor, is pretty buff and he plays for our team. I'm fine," says Meredith.

"I'm ticked him at him right now," says Leslie.

"Why? No -- let me guess -- the baby conversation?"

"You got it," says Leslie sitting down beside her friend.

"I like that suit."

"Thanks."

"Those shoes are great too."

"Because you picked them out?"

"Oh yeah I did, didn't I? So Brian wants another baby and you said no way Jose?"

"Pretty much. We had such a great night last night and an even better morning -- if you get my drift," says Leslie.

"Hello."

"Everything was perfect until he started in on wanting to have another kid. How many times do I have to tell him, that Ian is enough?'

"For you, but what about him?"

"I would hope that he would understand where I'm coming from," says Leslie.

"Maybe he can't understand."

"We have the same argument all the time Meredith. It's getting old. I'm getting old. Too old to have anymore babies."

"You're no older than I am," says Meredith. "Listen, you and Brian have a wonderful marriage, I would hate to see you lose that, because of this. Maybe there's a happy medium on this baby issue, but one way or the other, you're going to have to settle it or you're going to lose your marriage. You don't want that, do you?"

"No, of course not -- I'm just not so sure that there is any middle ground. Hey, enough about me and my problems, how are you?"

"Well, Henry the masseuse got out all of my kinks," says Meredith.

"No, silly. Yesterday at the party, you seemed distracted by something and not your usual self," says Leslie.

"Did I?"

"Yes you did. What's going on Meredith? I would like to think that I know you better than anyone else. Something was wrong yesterday, I could tell," says Leslie.

"I'm fine, really."

"Cut the crap Mer. It's me, Leslie. I know when things aren't peachy keen with you." Meredith gets up from her chair and goes over to the window. From the window, she can see the gardeners mowing the lawn and weeding the boxwoods.

"Leslie."

"Meredith, you can tell me anything. No matter what it is, you can tell me. I'll listen, like a good friend should."

"Have you ever feared that your past was going to come back and bite you on the butt?"

"No, not really. Why?"

"Yesterday I got a call from someone from my past," says Meredith.

"What did this person want?"

"Leslie, before I married August, I wasn't exactly a squeaky clean little debutante."

"Okay."

"Leslie, I made mistakes, big mistakes. Mistakes that I've tried to forget. I've put all of that behind me and moved on. Moved forward with my life."

"Leslie is somebody blackmailing you?"

"No, not yet."

"Well what is it? What's going on?"

"It's something I did when I was a kid. Something that I got caught up in -- but I turned a negative into a positive. Everybody won out in the end."

"Meredith, what did you do?"

"What I thought was best for everyone. Now, after all this time it's come back. It's come back to destroy me."

"What's come back to destroy you?"

"The past, Leslie. The horrible, horrible past."