Before Sunset
by Senia
Chapter one: New Beginnings
The young woman stretched and shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She felt as
if she had been traveling forever. In reality it had been slightly over 24
hours since she'd left her home and everything she knew; 24 hours in the air
and in airports. She was tired. No, not tired, exhausted. Despite her
weariness, the voice of the pilot brought a smile to her face, "Ladies and
Gentlemen, we are preparing for our final approach into Sunset Beach Airport.
Local time is 11:15…"
Olivia didn't hear the rest. Quickly she adjusted the time on her cheap watch
and turned to look out the window. California. She'd finally made it. With
two changes of clothes and about $416 to her name, she didn't know where
she'd spend the night much less how she would support herself. It didn't
matter. She'd make it somehow. She'd come too far and there was no turning
back…
Bette stomped her foot in impatient frustration. Del was late. Not that she
was surprised. Del was usually late unless there was money to be made. She
had already claimed her luggage and now she glanced at the ring on her
finger. Why did she still wear it? The divorce papers were signed. She'd
walked out and she had no regrets. Still she couldn't bring herself to part
with the symbol of her vows. Perhaps that would be admitting defeat, her own
failure to make the marriage work. At least she could say it had ended on
friendly terms.
Bette smiled despite her irritation with her brother. It was good to be home.
And California was her home in spite of the fact she'd grown up in Texas.
Maybe that was the real reason the marriage hadn't worked. He'd taken her
from the one thing she loved more than him - Sunset Beach.
Gregory was bored. He could hardly believe he'd looked forward to this all
term. In his final year of law school, he knew without question that he could
pass the bar. Now, watching the two incompetents argue he wondered if any
third grader of average intelligence couldn't pass it. That seemed to be the
level these two were on. The "judge", in reality a grad student like the
others, seemed incapable of controlling the fiasco. Finally Dr. Baber stepped
in and separated the two students before the argument came to blows. Gregory
knew the entire class would suffer through a long dry lecture on courtroom
behavior. His turn to present his case in the mock trial would likely be
postponed. He made a mental note to search for any precedence that the
victim's own stupidity might be used as a justification for murder. If there
was anything, he would gladly rid the world of his two classmates…
"Finally!" Bette sighed and rolled her eyes as Del walked slowly into the
terminal, looking for all the world as if he had nothing to do and nowhere to
go. He could have at least pretended to be hurrying, made some lame excuse
about being stuck in traffic. But not Del Douglas. He was far too
self-centered to be concerned with the fact he'd left his sister sitting in
an airport for almost an hour.
She didn't bother to speak to him as he loaded her luggage and the cart and
pushed it toward the exit. She turned to glare at him as she walked and
bumped into someone, sending personal belongings of them both scattering
across the floor.
"Oh! I am terribly sorry." The voice was soft and accented.
Bette started to respond when she noticed the look of open admiration on
Del's face. She turned to face the beautiful stranger. "It's alright. I
wasn't watching where I was going. If I can get my brother to stop drooling
long enough we'll help you pick up your things."
Olivia smiled gratefully, blushing as the man's eyes traveled the length of
her body. She composed herself quickly and flashed him a charming smile. She
knew men found her attractive and right now that was one of the few things
she had going for her.
Chapter 2Having ran into the young Brit, Bette felt the least she could do was to
offer her a ride to wherever she was going. It was Del's idea to treat them to dinner
before dropping her off. Olivia, for her part, thought both ideas were wonderful.
After all, the money she had wouldn't last long as it was. By the time dinner was
over, Olivia had a place to stay. None of them knew exactly how it happened or whose
idea it was (although Bette was certain Del had something to do with it and that his
motives were less than honorable.) Del had recently bought a house on the beach
and assured both ladies it had plenty of room for the three of them. Bette decided it
was best not to ask him where the money had come from. She was certain she didn't want to know. Del was always involved in some scheme to make money...
Both Del and Bette helped their new friend get settled into her room. She
was obviously exhausted from the trip and they had kept her up pretty late talking.
Downstairs, Bette lectured Del on his behavior towards her...
"My word, Del, could you be any more obvious? I'm surprised Olivia wasn't
terrrified to
stay here with the way you've been leering at her all day."
"Leering?" Del laughed. "I admit, she is one attractive lady..."
"Just back off and leave her alone. I like her and I won't have you doing
anything to hurt her."
"I like her too. And I want to help her as much as you do. Didn't I offer
to help her get a job at the hospital?"
"I'm just wondering what's in it for you..."
Elaine fidgeted nervously with her hair. She knew AJ Deschenel was out of
her league, but
she couldn't stop thinking about him. He was so sophisticated and
charming... Not at all like
her ex-husband. She glanced at her little girl, the only good thing to have
come from her marriage
as far as she was concerned. But Paula made it all worth it. Elaine
wouldn't trade her beautiful
toddler for anything in the world. Not even a chance to be with someone
like AJ... But tomorrow,
for one perfect night, Elaine would forget everything and live a dream.
She'd been invited to THE
party by AJ himself. Okay, so it wasn't exactly a date... Still, it was a
step in the right direction.
Olivia awake slightly disoriented, unsure where she was at first. Slowly it
all came back. Del and
Bette... They were wonderful and had made her feel at home and welcome.
She was certain Del
had other things than brotherly concern on his mind when he'd offered her a
room in his home, but
she wasn't worried about him. He seemed harmless enough. As for Bette, she
already considered
her one of the best friends she'd ever had, and they hadn't known each other
for 24 hours yet. She
dressed quickly and made her way downstairs. Bette was just pouring some
coffee in a cup and
smiled as she handed one to Olivia.
"Morning, Toots. Sleep well?"
"Yes, thank you. I hardly remembering lying down. I abhor traveling." She
smiled and accepted the
offered crossaint. "Isn't Del awake yet?"
"Oh he's up. Up and out looking for trouble I'm sure. By the way, do you
think you'd be up for a party
this evening? A costume party..."
"Costume party? I wouldn't have anything to wear."
"It's a Star Wars party actually and we'll find something. I don't have a
costume yet, but Del is insisting
we have to be there. AJ Deschenel is going to be there and I'm sure Del is
looking for away to talk
business with him."
"AJ Deschenel?" Oloivia asked, clueless to wait importance the name might
hold in Sunset Beach.
Bette spent the next hour filling her in on the Legend of Sunset Beach and
all the gossip of the town.
By the time she was done, Olivia felt as if she knew many of the residents
personally and wouldn't
have missed the party for the world...
Chapter 3Olivia and Bette spent most of the morning shopping and trying to design
their costumes for the party. Throughout the day Bette had Olivia laughing
so hard that she was in tears. Initially it had been decided that Olivia
should go as Princess Leah, but then they better of it. There were likely
to be at
least a dozen Leah's and Bette and Olivia wanted to stand out. So, in the
end, they both decided to go as aliens of their own design. It would be
easier to get costumes thay way, as they could have the aliens look however
they chose.
For lunch they stopped into Elaine's newly opened Waffle Shop. Bette was
delighted to see Elaine and Olivia hit it off so well. Elaine was one of
Bette's dearest friends. The three decided to meet at Elaine's as soon as
she
closed to help each other in preparing the costumes.
"I hadn't even thought about the fact everyone would be trying to go as the
main characters. I love your ideas for the costumes. The three of us are
definatly going to be different than the rest." Elaine laughed after being
talked
into joining the other two in their costume design.
"Do you have a sitter for Paula yet?" Bette asked.
"Yes, I've gotten a girl from the high school to come stay with her. She's
kept her a couple of times when I couldn't take her to the day care and she
is
wonderful with her.
"Then there's nothing at all to distract us from having a prefectly sinful
evening." Bette said, clapping the other two on the back. Olivia and
Elaine exchanged
knowing glances. Neither of them were quite sure they trusted the evenings
plans in Bette's
hands.
Gregory glared at the paper in his hand. Yes, it was going to be a big
party and he could make some important contacts. But... AJ Deschenel? The
name made him
physically ill. The two had been enemies since high school. Gregory tried
to remember why, but it escaped now. It didn't matter what had started it,
the fact was
he absolutly despised the man, couldn't stand to be in the same room with
him. There
most likely wouldn't be anyone interesting there anyway, he reasoned. "I'd
rather have
my fingernails pulled out." He stated firmly, ripping the invitation in
half.
Del hated costume parties. He always had and most assuradly always would.
But the fact remained - the Deschenels had started this town and they were
still the
most influential, wealthy, and powerful family in it. If AJ Deschenel was
going
to be there, then Del Douglas was to. Especially if the stories were true
and the senior
Deschenel really did make an appearence. Maybe the night would be even more
profitable than Del hoped. If he could impress either or both of the
Deschenels to bankroll
his latest project, Del could be set for life.
AJ looked at himself in the mirror. The costume wasn't bad... He was going
as a stormtrooper. Gregory Richards would probably show up as Darth Vadar,
he
frowned. He'd been forced to invite his adversary by a simple dictate of
society.
Like it or not, the law student was already starting to be mentioned in the
legal circles. "He
hasn't even passed the bar yet!" AJ grumbled aloud. It bothered him that
the arragant
upstart was showing promise. Not that AJ was a slouch in his studies. He
made the
highest marks and had already begun to take a leading role in his father's
company. Maybe
it was knowing that while he'd had his family to support and help him along
the
way, Gregory Richards was doing it all on brains and talent. Well, he
wouldn't let
Gregory ruin the evening for him. Perhaps Richards wouldn't even show up.
Of course if he
didn't it would be a very big mistake in his fight for standing in the
social
structure of Sunset Beach. Gregory hadn't made a mistake yet... Maybe he
was due one.
Del arrived at Paula's 20 minutes later than he'd said he would. This time
there was no chiding for not being on time. The girls weren't ready
themselves. He
shook his head in frustration as they tried to get Elaine's hair just right
and Olivia's
lipstick perfect. Then it was decided that Bette would look better in the
blue wrap that Olivia was
wearing and they had to change. Even after everyone was ready there was the
baby to
kiss goodbye and last minute instructions for the sitter. "Would you just
come on
already!" Del grumbled for the 10th time.
"Oh, Del Darling, don't be cross. We really are trying to hurry." Sang
Olivia's light English accent, mingled with just the right touch of
flirtation. For added effect
she brushed his cheek with a light kiss on her way by. Bette and Elaine
were brought to fits of
giggling by the look on his face. Olivia had missed it, but they would fill
her in later.
"I think Del may have actually met someone who can keep him in check."
laughed Elaine. Bette wasn't quite as sure. She knew her brother enough to
know he could be
dangerous and she hoped Olviia wouldn't push him too far. She'd made it
clear she was
after much bigger game than Del Douglas. And Bette knew Del was anything
but a good
loser.....
Chapter 4Olivia was in heaven... They'd been at the party for almost an hour and
she'd been dancing none stop since she walked in the door. Bette introduced
her to a number of people and she knew she'd never reamember any of their
names. At the moment she was dancing with R2D2... She had no idea who he
was or what he looked like, but his costume was wonderful. She was amazed
at how elaborate some of the costumes were. These people had obviously
spared no expense. At first she had felt horribly inadequate in her
homemade, self designed alien costume, but no one seemed to notice or care
and she had relaxed and decided to enjoy herself. Bette didn't seem at all
disturbed by the comparatively simple design of the costumes and was
flirting outrageously. As for Elaine, she danced a few times, but seemed
preoccupied.
Elaine was watching the door. AJ had not yet arrived, but she knew he was
coming.... He would be here and he'd promised her the first dance. Of
course he may have only been flirting.. She was never sure rather he was
serious or just being polite. Often when he stopped in he made
light-hearted comments about the Waffle Shop being his favorite place in
Sunset Beach. It was probably just her imagination that he might consider
her a reason for it being. Her thoughts of AJ stopped immediatly when
Marian Campbell waved her over. There'd been a phone call from the
sitter... Paula was running a fever... Elaine quickly found Bette. She
assured her their was no reason for her to leave, Paula was just teething
and fevers were par for the course. She tried not to be too disappointed
that she'd had to leave before she even saw AJ, but her child came first...
Fifteen minutes after Elaine departed, the long anticipated Armando
Deschenel, Jr - known to everyone as AJ - made his appearance. It took
another twenty minutes for anyone to realize that one of the many
stormtroopers in the room was from the most prominate family in Sunset
Beach. Bette noticed the crowd gathering and pulled Olivia away from Luke
Skywalker the tenth to point him out. "That's AJ. I wish I could find Del
to introduce us. I need to let him know why Elaine left."
Olivia looked, but wasn't impressed. As far as she could tell he was
nothing special. He wasn't even as tall as some of the other stormtroopers.
Still, he was a Deschenell and it would never hurt to make contacts,
especially if she intended to find her way into the social structure. "Well
I don't see why we need Del to introduce us. We are Elaine's friends and
she asked you to give him the message. Let's just.. go over there." She
sounded a lot more self-confidant than she felt.
They'd barely reached the circle surrounding him when AJ glanced toward them
and smiled, "Finally, original costumes. May I inquire as to which planet
the two of you are visiting us from?"
Olivia was speechless but Bette was never at a loss for words, "We are
Princesses from the planet God's Gift and we bring you a message from our
Queen, Elainietta..."
Olivia gave her a look that asked if she had completly lost her mind and AJ
laughed, "You have to be Bette. Elaine has told me so much about you. I'm
afraid you'll have to introduce your friend." As he said it he turned and
looked at Olivia, awaiting the formal introduction. He missed it completly
however, having forgotten Bette completly in his fasination. He had never
seen such eyes.. They were the most beautiful blue-grey he had ever seen.
As he stared he saw them sparkle and noticed a small smile play at the
corners of the perfect mouth. Olivia had completly read his mind....
Uh-oh.... That was the first thought to enter Bette's mind when she saw the
look on AJ's face. It was quickly replaced by much more expressive thoughts
when she saw the look on Olivia's. "We were supposed to tell you that
Elaine was sorry she missed you..." Bette stated a bit louder.
"I'm sorry... Elaine isn't here?" AJ was back to his usually charming
self.
"She had to go home..."
"The baby wasn't feeling well." Interrupted Olivia. Bette glanced at her.
Was the accent a little more pronounced than usual?
"I'm sorry to hear that. Is she going to be alright?"
"She's fine... Elaine said it was just her teeth, but she was upset that she
missed you." Bette explained, nudging Olivia enough to tell the younger
woman to back off. Olivia flashed her an innocent smile that was quickly
answered by an 'I-ain't-buying-it' look from Bette.
Del, watching from the other side of the room couldn't help but smile. Even
from his position he could see that Deschenel had more than a passing
interest in the Brit. He was jelouse, but only for a moment. He was smart
enough to see that his chances with Olviia were slim. Perhaps he could find
a way to use AJ's attraction to her, and her ambition, for his own
benifit....
Chapter 5AJ alternated dances between Bette and Olivia for almost an hour. He found
them both to be wonderfully entertaining. Olivia was charming and
incredibly attractive while Bette was fun and flirtatous. Finally Olivia
begged out of dancing, insisting that her feet would not last another song.
AJ glanced at his watch and then toward the door, "You're right. Enough
dancing. Why don't the two of you allow me the infinate pleasure of
treating you to wine and escargot?"
Escargot? Bette hated escargot, but there was no way she was saying no to
AJ. It had taken her all of ten minutes to see exactly what had Elaine so
enamoured with the young man. She smiled up at him, "I would love that."
They both turned to Olivia, "I think it sounds wonderful. I don't believe
I've ever had any before..." So the trio left the party, not even bothering
to let Del know, and headed to what would easily be the most expensive
restaurant either Bette or Olivia had stepped into.
AJ was just pulling out of the parking lot when the limosine pulled in. It
hadn't been a rumor at all, the senior Deschenel was making an appearance at
the party after all. Del almost dropped his glass when he saw him walk in.
This was the opportunity he'd been waiting for... If he could just talk to
the man for a moment he was sure he could convince him to let Del in on one
of his business ventures. Del slowly made his way over, looking for an
opening that wouldn't make him look too desperate.
At the restaurant AJ, Bette, and Olivia talked and laughed for hours. So
much so that Olivia didn't even realize that Bette hadn't touched the
escargot. Olivia was certainly eating her fair share, to Bette's amusement.
She knew her friend hadn't the foggiest idea that the deliciious course in
front of her was nothing more than fancifully prepared snails. With as much
wine as she'd consumed, Bette was about ready to eat the disgusting things
herself. It wasn't until the wee hours of the morning that AJ drove the
ladies back to Del's house and dropped them off with a promise to call on
them again.
Early the next morning everyone seemed in good spirits. Del was bustling
with the news that he actually had an interview later in the week with
Armando Deschenel and Bette spent hours teasing Olivia mercilessly about
what she'd eaten. Olivia had initially felt physically ill when she'd been
told, but it had passed. She had enjoyed herslf and that, she decided, was
what mattered. Elaine called, wanting to hear all about the party, and even
managed to hide her disappointment at not being included. She really was
happy that her friends had hit it off so well with AJ, even if she wished
desperatly she could have been there.
Del even remembered to arrange for Olivia to work at the hospital and she
received a phone call asking if she could start training the next day. The
announcement added to the festive mood of the house. Perhaps she wouldn't
be so concerned with counting pennies when she had a regular source of
income. No one even thought to mention she might find a place of her own.
She had become a part of their family and belonged in that house as much as
either Del or Bette.
AJ walked into the Waffle Shop just as the lunch crowd was leaving. He sat
on a barstool and winked at Elaine as she took the last customers payment
and wished them a wonderful day. Elaine smiled, her heart racing as she
walked over. "What can I get you today, AJ?"
"Nothing actually. I've already eaten. I just stopped in to tell you how
disappointed I was that I missed you at the party. I hope Paula is
alright."
"She's fine. Thank you for aasking. She's just teething and runs a fever
sometimes. Still, I hate to leave her with anyone else when she isn't
feeling well..."
"I understand, and that's how it should be." He smiled. "I just hope that
you'll let me make it up to you. Bette, Olivia, and I went out after the
party and I know it would have been a lot more fun if you could have joined
us. Perhaps we can all do something this weekend, if Paula is feeling
alright..."
"I can't think of anything I'd like more." It wasn't the absolute truth.
she would have much prefered if AJ had wanted to spend time alone with her.
But she would never admit it, not even to herself...
As it turned out, Bette and Olivia were both occupied that weekend. Bette
had managed to get a small job in the editorials section at the newspaper
and Olivia was working long hours at the hospital. She would have
complained, but everytime she looked at her meager bank account, she
determined to spend as many hours there as necessary. Actually, Olivia
enjoyed the work. She'd been placed in the Neonatal Unit and adored the
babies. Since she wasn't a nurse her duties were limited, but she did get
to feed and care for the infants. Except for the dent it made in her social
life, Olivia had no complaints at all. She hardly even noticed when she
worked four weekends in a roll.
While Olivia was taking care of the newborns, AJ was spending more and more
time with Bette and Elaine. Bette could see that Elaine was crazy about AJ
and pushed her own feelings aside. She loved Elaine and knew how bad her
marriage had been. Who was she to get in the way of a budding romance with
Prince Charming himself? Besides, she had found her own prince... When
visiting Olivia at the hospital for lunch, Bette had caught the eye of a
young intern. The two were becoming fast friends and Bette was finding it
easier and easier to let Elaine chase after AJ.
For AJ's part he decided Olivia was obviously not interested and turned his
attentions towards Elaine. He enjoyed spending time with her and wouldn't
deny a certain attraction. When the invitation arrived for a weekend party
in the mountains, he didn't hesitate to ask her, and to provide the sitter
for her young daughter...
Warning bells went off in Elaine's head, but she couldn't bring herself to
refuse. A whole weekend with AJ... She knew he didn't feel the same way
about her that she did him, but some time away from Sunset Beach and the
responsibilities of parenthood sounded too good to pass up. She was always
responsible.... Just this once she was going to enjoy herself...
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