(Michelle)
Jennifer followed behind Mr. York as he led her to her classroom. He was at least a head shorter then herself and she couldn’t help noticing the baldness at the top of his head.
"Here you are Ms. Garrett." Mr. York said as he showed Jennifer into the room. 25 heads looked at the door sharply as she walked into the room. "Class, this is Ms. Garrett, she’ll be filling in for Mrs. Brownstone for the next few weeks." Then looking at Jennifer he said "Welcome to tenth grade English, good luck." And walked back to the principal’s office.
Jennifer sighed audibly as the students began whispering and giggling to each other. "Oh what have I gotten myself into now." She said to herself before pulling out the curriculum left by the teacher. She was dreading third period; she really didn’t want Jessica to see her go crazy. "Alright, Jennifer stop being so pessimistic." She said to herself as she told the students to pull out their copies of Julius Caesar.
"I don’t know what to say to you." Alexander said.
"I know, I’m sorry." Elizabeth went to touch Alexander but he shied away from her.
"No, don’t! You’ve done some awful things, Lizzie and mostly to your own child!"
"I know, I don’t know how you or Jessie could ever forgive me."
"Just tell me one thing, why? Why did you pretend to be dead and then proceed to kidnap your own daughter?" Alexander was practically screaming.
"I had to, he would have killed her if I hadn’t!"
"Why?"
"I don’t know. Sam just wants her gone for some reason. I don’t understand it."
"Well, he’s in jail now so it doesn’t really matter anymore."
"She’s still in danger. His goons are everywhere."
"And, why should I believe you." Alexander started to walk away.
"I’ll turn myself in and tell the police everything I know."
"That won’t mean a thing, you could just be trying to save your own hide!"
"Just give me a chance to prove myself to you Alex, please?"
Alex didn’t say a word as he reached for the phone and dialed 911.
Jennifer had just finished two classes and all seemed to be going well. She’d even managed to keep an eye on Jessica as she traveled from class to class. Now it was time for third period and Jessica was due to arrive in her room any minute. Jennifer was starting to get apprehensive as the students started arriving and filling up the room. They had to be very careful not to give themselves away. Jennifer went to write the assignment on the board when she heard a series of giggles come from the back of the room.
"Is something funny?" she asked while noticing that Jessica had taken a seat towards the middle of the room. Right in Jennifer’s eyesight.
"Umm, well, it’s just Mr. York, Ms. Garrett." Jessica answered
"What about him?"
"He’s standing in the doorway and staring at you." Another student replied.
"I am not!" Mr. York said as he departed the doorway in haste and Jennifer noticed Jessica was laughing louder then any of the other kids. She was having way too much fun with this, Jennifer thought.
"Oh dear." She said while she rolled her eyes and proceeded to open Julius Caesar for the third time in one day.
(Ci)
"Deanne!" Jonathan called into the intercom. It was nearing 1 o’clock and he hadn’t heard a word from his wife since the morning.
"Yes, Mr. Hart?"
"Deanne, could you get Mrs. Hart on the phone for me? She’s at the Beverly Hills Academy."
"Sure."
"And Deanne,"
"Yes sir?"
"Ask for Ms. Garrett."
"Ms. Garrett?"
Trying hard not to laugh, "I’ll explain later."
Deanne knows the Harts well enough to know not to ask, "Gotcha!"
"Alex," Elizabeth was sobbing now. She didn’t see this coming. "Please just hear me out!"
Alexander didn’t know what to believe. His mind was clouding up with the events of the past few days. And now this? What if Caroline was his sister? Could he send her to jail again? This is incredible! He thought. He put the receiver down.
"Caroline, Elizabeth. Who ever you are. I need time to think." He calmed and sat down at his desk putting his head in his hands.
Elizabeth just stood and cried. The feeling of nausea and pain wracked her body. She was numb. "I understand." she muttered. "Where is Jessie?"
Alexander couldn’t believe what he was hearing. How could she even care about this child whom she orphaned. If his eyes could shoot out daggers he’d no doubt have killed her! "Don’t you dare try to see her! Leave her alone. She’s happy and safe and doing well. No thanks to you!" He spat out at her.
Defeated, Elizabeth closed the door behind her and left Alexander standing alone in his office. She promised to herself "I will see my baby Alex, I will see her again and make everything right..."
When Jennifer received the message from Deanne she was endeared. She missed Jonathan but didn’t want to blow her cover. She asked Jessica to run next door and asked Mrs. Price to watch the class for a few minutes while she made an important phone call.
"Class, finish sections 5 & 6 while I make a phone call. Mrs. Price will be in here with you while I’m away. Jennifer could see Mrs. Price in the hall way and left the room.
"Well Ms. Garrett, how long do you suppose you’ll be?" Jennifer watched as the older teacher became annoyed at her request.
"Oh Mrs. Price. It won’t take too long. I just have to return a phone call."
"Just make sure in the future you do it on your break. Since it takes away from my teaching time and attention to my students." Mrs. Price didn’t like new teachers coming in and trying to make new rules. She stood by the schools rules at all times, on grounds or off. "...And since you are new I suppose you didn’t know..."
"No, I didn’t. I’ll just be a minute. Thank you Mrs. Price."
"Very well. Let me know when you get back to your class."
With that, Jennifer hurried off to call her love.
The halls were quiet as Jennifer entered into the teacher’s lounge. She dialed Jonathan*s number and her heart responded as she heard Jonathan’s voice.
"Hello?" Jonathan answered.
"I’d like to speak to the man of my heart."
Challenging her, "Well, hold on just a moment and I’ll get him for you."
Jennifer reminisces and remembers where she is at. "Hi Darling. I miss you."
"How’s your day coming along?"
"Oh wonderful. But my feet ache and I’ve read Julius Caesar 5 times today…I’m exhausted!"
"I promise when we get home, I’ll make it all worth your while."
"Oh yeah? And what is it that you have planned?"
"Oh, It’s a surprise."
"Oh Jonathan, you know how I love surprises. Don’t tease me..."
"Oh no! I won't tease! You’ll get what you deserve."
"And who’s giving?"
"If you can get away for 30 minutes, I’ll give you a synopsis..."
"Oh Darling, I’d love to. But I can’t leave at all. It was nearly impossible to make this call."
"I’m sorry Darling."
Just then, Jennifer sees her. Caroline. Dressed in a black hat and long coat. How did she find Jessica so fast?
"Darling, is everything alright? Jennifer?"
"Guess who just strolled in here."
"Let me guess. Caroline."
(Michelle)
"You guessed right. What should I do?" Jennifer whispered into the phone while trying to peak out of the teacher’s lounge door.
"Nothing, we don’t want to cause a scene."
"But, what about Jessica?"
"Is she in your class this period?"
"No, I think she’s in art." Jennifer grimaced as Caroline rounded a corner and out of her sight.
"Go to the principal’s office and tell them a stranger is walking around in the school. I’m going to come get Jessica and take her home."
"But, Darling do you really think it’s necessary to take her home, school will be out in an hour."
"Okay, but follow her school bus on your way out and make sure you go to the principal."
"Hold on a moment" Jennifer said as the art teacher walked into the room.
"Ms. Garrett, I just thought I’d tell you that there I just saw a strange woman walking around. I can’t find her now, but if you see her make sure you call Mr. York on the Intercom immediately."
"Thanks, I will."
After he left the teachers lounge Jennifer went back to her conversation with Jonathan.
"She’s already been reported. I am going to swing by the Art room before going back to my class just to make sure Jessie’s ok."
"Alright, I’ll see you at home."
"Goodbye Darling I love you."
"I love you too, Darling"
Jennifer made her way to the art room. Peeking through the window she noticed Jessica immersed in a painting. Looking around to make sure no one saw her she headed for her class. She hoped Ms. Price wouldn’t be too angry with her.
Elizabeth wandered the halls of the school. She tried to keep a low profile but the art teacher had seen her anyway. She did catch a glimpse of Jessica, though before making a hasty exit. "It won’t be long my girl and we’ll be together again." She thought to herself as she walked out the doors and sat in her car.
She had been sitting there for over an hour when she saw the school buses start to arrive in the circle. Getting ready to make her move she sat up and put the keys in the ignition. She ducked down, however when she saw Jennifer Hart coming from the school and heading for the parking lot.
Jennifer had managed to get out of class a few minutes early. The kids had to go their lockers before getting on the buses anyway. She hurried to her car so that she could follow Jessica’s bus without arousing suspicion. She didn’t see Caroline sitting in a car a few feet away.
Both women saw Jessica as she left the building and head for the bus. She seemed a little nervous as she walked towards her bus but she smiled when she noticed Jennifer sitting in her car. Things were going to be okay, she thought.
As the bus began to pull away Jennifer pulled out behind it and Elizabeth behind her. Elizabeth knew that she had to slow Jennifer down somehow. She wanted to talk to Jessica but she knew that Jennifer would never allow that to happen. Elizabeth noticed a car identical to her own driving a few feet ahead. When they had to stop at a red light Elizabeth got into the other lane and pulled up beside Jennifer. She beeped her horn to get Jennifer’s attention and then sped through the red light. Jennifer couldn’t see Elizabeth pull behind a building because of the school bus in front of her. When the light turned green Jennifer passed the bus and followed the car that she thought was Caroline’s. Elizabeth pulled out from her hiding place and followed the bus until it dropped Jessica off at the gate leading to the Hart’s home. Elizabeth parked her car and after the bus pulled off she walked up to Jessica.
"Jessie." She said softly.
"Caroline!" Jessica screamed. "Go away! Leave me alone!" Jessica began running towards the house but Elizabeth caught her.
Holding her by the arms Elizabeth said "I’m not Caroline, baby, I’m your mom, I’m Elizabeth."
Jessica struggled to get away. "My mom is dead!"
"No, I’m not. I only pretended to be dead so that I could find out why Sam killed your daddy and to protect you."
"I don’t believe you!"
"Do you remember when you were a baby? Do you remember the teddy bear I gave you for you to hug every time you fell or got hurt? Do you remember what you called the bear?"
"Yes."
"Did you ever tell anyone what you called it?"
"No, it was my secret, the only secret memory I had of my mother."
"His name was Bubbles because you said he was for booboos just like the bubbles that the disinfectant made when they were applied to your little cuts."
Jessica’s jaw dropped and she started crying. "No, you’re lying you found out, someone told you that story!" She yelled.
"How could someone tell me that story when you’ve kept it a secret?"
"How could you do this to me? How could you?" Jessica struggled to break free from Elizabeth’s grasp but she just held on harder. "You let Sam hurt me, you let him kidnap me! This is all your fault!"
"No, I had to make him think I was on his side, I would never let him hurt you."
"But, you did! I hate you!"
Elizabeth took her hand and slapped Jessica hard against the jaw. "Don’t you ever talk that way to me!" She yelled.
Jessica was shocked into silence by memories flooding into her mind. Scary memories of shouts and accusations and a large hand covering her mouth to make her be quiet. She held up a hand to rub her cheek and closed her eyes as flashes of memories invaded her mind. She didn’t know what they meant; they were visions from a child’s mind. Everything was distorted and fuzzy, but somehow she knew, Elizabeth was not the perfect mother she had made herself out to be.
"You hit me." Jessica stuttered still reeling by the sudden realizations coming to her senses.
"I, I’m so sorry Jessie, I don’t know what got into me."
"You always say that."
"I know, I know, I just, I really am sorry. I have changed since you were a baby Jessica. I am not the same person anymore."
"That isn’t a very good way to prove it."
"Then you believe me?" Elizabeth smiled broadly.
"Yes, I believe you." Jessica said, "Please, let me go." Elizabeth let go of her arms and Jessica took her chance and ran through the gates and up to the house. As she reached the door she was Jonathan coming out.
"I was just going to look for you," He said then noticing the tears in her eyes and the redness on her cheek he asked "Are you okay? What happened?"
Before she could answer him they heard Jennifer yell "Jonathan!"
Both Jonathan and Jessica ran towards the gates where they saw Jennifer wrestling with Caroline. "Jessica go up to the house and call the police."
"But,…"
"Go!" he said forcefully causing Jessica to jump slightly as she went to do as she was told.
Jonathan quickly broke up the fight and held Caroline close to keep her from running off. "Are you okay, Darling?"
"I’m fine." She said as Jessica came back.
"They’re on the way." Jessica said as she stared at Caroline. "She says she’s my mom."
"What?" Jennifer and Jonathan asked simultaneously.
"She said that she pretended to be Caroline so that she could find out why Sam killed Davis."
Jonathan looked at Caroline and asked "And, did you?"
Elizabeth nodded her head and said, "Yes, he thought Davis was blackmailing him."
"Blackmailing him? For what?" Jennifer said
"For whatever reason he was disinherited from the family. I never got to find that out."
"Do you believe her?" Jessica asked quietly.
"I don’t know what to believe, but there is one way to prove who she is." Jennifer said. "A DNA test."
It wasn’t long before they heard the sounds of sirens getting closer.
"You really called the police on me?" Elizabeth asked Jessica.
"You were hurting my mother." Jessica said pointedly as she turned around and started walking back towards the house.
Alexander arrived at the police station about an hour after Elizabeth had been taken in. She had called him to post her bail. He still wasn’t sure if he would do that for the woman who had caused Jessica so much pain. He entered the bullpen and saw Jonathan Hart sitting at one of the desks talking with Sergeant Smith.
"We’re seeing far too much of each other these days Mr. Hart" Alexander heard the Sergeant say as he walked up to the desk.
"How’s Jessie?" Alexander asked.
"As well as could be expected. She and Jennifer are at the hospital having some tests done."
"Tests? What kind of tests?"
"DNA tests, they took a sample of Caroline, or Elizabeth’s down at the police lab and are going to send it to the hospital"
"Oh, then we’ll know if she’s telling the truth."
"Then we’ll know if she’s telling the truth about who she is anyway."
"I’m scared." Jessica said as she and Jennifer sat in a hospital room. Jennifer had hoped it would be a lot longer before she had to be in a hospital room.
"I know, it’ll be okay."
"I am afraid of needles." Jessica admitted.
"It’s okay, I’ll be right here holding your hand the whole time."
"I wouldn’t want anyone else to hold my hand." Jessica said as she smiled at Jennifer who understood just what she was implying.
The doctor came in and Jessica started to panic when she saw the needle. She tried to back away but Jennifer pulled her into a hug and held her there. She made sure to leave a part of Jessica’s arm exposed so that the doctor could get his sample. Jessica started whimpering as she sensed the cold metal touching her skin. Before she knew it, however the doctor was applying a bandage on her arm and Jennifer was loosening her grip. Even though it was all over, Jessica still shivered as she tried to get rid of the fear that had taken hold of her.
"Darling, we’re home!" Jennifer called as she and Jessica entered the house. Freeway greeted them at the door and barked at them to go into the kitchen. They followed obediently. When they entered the kitchen they saw Jonathan and Alexander sitting at the table.
Jonathan quickly stood and proceeded to kiss his wife. "I didn’t hear you come in."
"What’s going on?" Jennifer asked.
"Alexander wanted to talk to Jessica." Jonathan said, "I told him I was sure she wouldn’t mind." He said addressing Jessica.
"Of course not." Jessica said.
"Well, we’ll leave the two of you alone. Come along darling."
Jonathan and Jennifer walked out of the kitchen as Jessica sat down at the table across from Alexander.
"Do you believe her?" Jessica asked.
"Yes, I do."
"Do you believe why she did it?"
"Yes, but I don’t agree with it. I think it was a very selfish thing of her to do. How are you taking all of this?"
"I’m okay. She’s not my mother anymore, Uncle Alex, she gave up that right when she pretended to be dead."
"She always loved you."
"In her warped way, I suppose. What’s going to happen to her?"
"She made a deal with the DA, for the information she’s given to them about Sam they’re going to give her a light sentence. A slap on the wrist so to speak."
"What!" Jennifer yelled from the other room. "You have to be kidding!"
"Apparently they believe her that she was only an accessory, that she never actually participated in anything."
"What about Jessie? What happens to her after Car...after Elizabeth gets out of jail?"
"She’ll stay with us, Alexander says the adoption was finalized this morning."
"But, she can still contest it, what if she tries to take Jessica away from us?"
"We just won’t let that happen." Jonathan said assuredly.
Sam sat in his jail cell contemplating his future. He knew that Caroline would double cross him, but he never expected that she was really Elizabeth. "Perfect, just perfect" he thought to himself. Elizabeth had ruined all of his plans, well; at least she’d get her comeuppance. She’d serve time in a concrete cell just like him. He just wished she had to sit in one as long as he would. Maybe he could make a deal too, nah, they’d never believe him anyway. He was a cutthroat, why would anyone believe him that Elizabeth had been blackmailing him when he had killed her. Or when he thought he had killed her. At least he had succeeded in getting rid of that annoying Davis, he wasn’t a total failure.
It had been a month since Elizabeth first set foot in the cell and now here she was getting ready to spend another 5 months in the same place. She knew she’d have to pay for what she’d done, but she had hoped that maybe the deal she’d made would’ve been payment enough. Her dealings with Sam and cost her a lot, most notable her daughter, but at least they hadn’t cost her life. Not like they’d cost Davis his. Poor Davis, she really did love him. Now, she got to sit there and count the days until she was a free woman again. As free as she could be with everything she’d done hanging over her head anyway. She was just glad that no one found out that she and Davis had discovered together why Sam had been disinherited. It would have just hurt Alexander too much to know that Sam was having an affair with Clara. Too bad it hadn’t continued, she thought, Sam could’ve been her step dad instead of her stepbrother. Then maybe none of this would have happened. She wouldn’t have had any reason to blackmail Sam and Davis would be alive. She could be living her life the way she had always planned. With her husband and daughter by her side and a loving brother to turn to. Now, it was all gone and it was all her own fault.
With Sam and Elizabeth safely behind bars Jessica and the Harts had moved on with their lives. They were happy and in a way they were even glad about all that had happened. They would never have become a family if it weren’t for Sam and Elizabeth’s schemes.
Jennifer and Jonathan were in the backyard watching Freeway play. Jennifer was petting Junior playfully when Jonathan pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
"What was that for?" She asked
"Must a husband have a reason for kissing his wife?"
"Umm, maybe." Jennifer looked at him slyly.
Jonathan kissed her on the nose and said, "There’s reason #1" then he kissed her on the forehead and said "Reason #2", he continued to kiss her face and give them numbers and Jennifer giggled.
When he reached #4 Jennifer turned so that he kissed her directly on the lips.
Their passionate embrace was interrupted when they heard Jessica calling.
"Jennifer, Jonathan, look what I found!" Jessica called as she ran outside to the backyard.
"What is it?" Jennifer asked.
"It’s some sort of letter, I found it under my mattress when I was changing my bed sheets." Jessica said. She went to hand it over to Jennifer when Freeway started chasing her. Finally, she gave in and sat down on the ground where Freeway proceeded to jump in her lap. Before she could do anything, Freeway grabbed the letter from her and began tearing it to pieces on the ground.
"Good boy, Junior. Long lost letters are nothing but trouble!" Jonathan said as they all laughed at the dog’s antics.
