Kay finally gets fed up with Miguel’s clueless behavior about her feelings and blows up which leads to problems. But eight years later something change. Maybe sometimes a person just needs to space to change and gather perspective. Will it help Kay and Miguel finally find each other? Space to Change By: Nykky jocenicole@excite.com DISCLAIMER: the characters mention in the story don’t belong to me but to NBC and Passions. I’m borrowing them for the purpose of this story so don’t sue me because I have stated that they don’t belong to me and I really am not trying to claim them. Chapter One Kay sat on the bench in her backyard with a sullen expression on her face. Half an hour earlier, Miguel came and picked up Charity. They were going away camping together with a bunch of other kids but she didn’t go. Her mind traveled back to yesterday. “Miguel, you are going camping right?” “Yeah, Charity told me she’ll come up with me.” “Charity, but… but…” “But what Kay?” “Oh nothing, I just didn’t know she liked camping.” “Yeah she does. Besides, I wanted to take her on a romantic trip.” “Really?” “And I thought that with you and Reese coming…” “Reese?” “Yes Reese. Aren’t you and Reese going together? I mean it is a Valentine camping trip.” “Reese?! How…how could you think!” “Kay, what…what he didn’t ask you out?” “Who cares if he did! I DON’T! I can’t believe you think I like Reese. You don’t know me at all. Are you so blind AND stupid to think that I would want to spend one of the most romantic holidays with the worlds biggest geek when I would rather go out with my goodlooking best friend who doesn’t know that I exist?!” Kay is almost shouting. Miguel is in shock. “Ka…Kay…what are you tal…” “Miguel,” she sighs heavily, “look I’m not trying to date Reese but you wouldn’t know that because nothing I said recently UNLESS it’s about Charity, matters. Even what WE had BEFORE is insignificant to you. All I am to you is a mouthpiece and advocate for you to help you date my COUSIN!” Miguel confused said, “Kay are you telling me that…” “Yes Miguel, yes,” she threw up her arms and let them drop with a smack on her sides, “I love YOU. But what does it matter? You don’t care if I disappear tomorrow. But I’m TIRED of it. I can’t play and pretend that I’m not in love with you or that I’m happy that you chose Charity over me. I’m not going to go camping in the hopes that I can distract you and get you to suddenly have feelings for me. I’m not going to listen to people talk about how you and Charity belong together and that you two are perfect together. I’m not going to help you keep her. I just won’t be there! So I’m going to take my best girlfriend’s advice and just leave you alone. Completely alone, forever!” Kay turned and ran away from Miguel. She didn’t take any calls from him and when he came to pick up Charity, she refused to open the door or see them off. When her mother asked her what’s wrong, Kay snapped at her. “Why do you care? My name isn’t Charity, right?” and she stormed out the house. Cold as it was outside, Kay refused to go inside. I’m a fool, she thought but she really didn’t feel like one. She just felt a pain in her chest thinking about what she lost. She knew her sister Jessica was probably having a blast over Kay’s misery. Finally, after sitting there for a while the tears fell. She let them fall. She heard footsteps and she looked up and there was her father. “Kay are you alright?” “Nothing’s wrong, Dad. I’m fine.” She turns away wiping tears from her face. “Kay, you’re crying. And you didn’t go on the trip.” “Dad, the trip is a romantic get-a-way. Generally only couples go.” “But Simone went and so did your sister. Charity was the only one with a boyfriend.” “Yeah, bully for her.” Sam stared at his daughter with understanding in his eyes, “Kay, are you telling me that you are upset because you didn’t have a date for the camping trip?” “Sort of.” Kay was about to confess the truth to her father until he said… “I’m sorry Reese didn’t ask you out, baby, but he is shy…” “Reese!” she said incredulously, “Why on earth would I want Reese! He dresses awful, wears funky glasses, and walks around like a dork. Are you trying to say that is all that I deserve? Reese!” Kay’s outburst and comments shock Sam. “I’m so sick of this. Why is it that the only guy I’m good enough for is a geek like Reese but goody goody Charity is entitled to MY BEST FRIEND! Why am I only good enough for second best for everything!!!” Kay leaves the backyard, leaving Sam feeling guilty about misunderstanding his daughter. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The camping trip was going okay but Miguel’s mind was pre-occupied. After Kay announced her feelings for him, he hadn’t been able to think clearly. On one hand, he wanted to be here with Charity but on the other he wanted to talk to Kay. Simone had been moping around all day regretting that she showed up at all. Miguel contemplated talking to Simone about Kay and finally he made up mind. He found Simone sitting by the fire with her bags waiting. Miguel stepped in front of her. “Hey Simone. Where are you going?” “Back. It’s no fun without Kay,” and Chad, “Besides this year there are more couples than single people.” “Oh. How is Kay? They told me she was sick.” “Well, I won’t really know until I get back. She hasn’t answered the phone when I called and they told me she left off early this morning upset.” Miguel took a seat next to Simone, “I guess you know what happened between me and Kay.” Simone forced herself not to roll her eyes. When Kay called her and told her that she confessed her love for Miguel to him, Simone was shocked as hell. But the rest of the story just made Simone feel bad for her friend. She offered to not go on the trip but Kay insisted that she go because she wanted to be alone. Simone went grudgingly. Now she figures that Kay had enough time to brood by herself. It is time she talked with a friend. “Well, I know Kay is very upset…” she finally said. “Simone, how long did you know about it? You know, her feelings for me?” he asked quietly. “For a long time. She told me last year. But this is something you should discuss with her and not me,” she looked up and saw the bus arrive. “I was so surprised by Kay’s statements, Simone. She threw me completely off guard. I can’t image why she didn’t tell me before then.” His face is stressed. “I can’t believe that you didn’t know. Anyway, I have to leave. The bus is here,” Simone got up and grabbed for her bag. “Let me carry this for you,” Miguel picked it up and walked her out. He loaded her bag in the bus and gave her a hug. Just as she was boarding, Miguel grabs her hand. “When you see Kay, could you tell her to call me? I want to talk to her.” Simone nods and leaves Miguel standing there until the bus disappears. Then he walks back into where Charity is looking for him. “Hey Miguel. Where have you been?” she smiled at him. “I went to tell Simone goodbye. She left today to go and hang out with Kay.” Jessica came up to them and overheard Miguel. “Oh that’s too bad. She would have had fun tonight. But it is just like Kay to just spoil Simone’s fun with her pouting,” she commented. “Well, Jessica, I don’t think Kay was trying to get sick to spoil Simone’s fun. She just wasn’t feeling well,” said Charity. “Charity, don’t be silly. Kay isn’t sick. She is upset that Miguel is dating you.” Jessica rolled her eyes. “What? What are you talking about?” said Charity. “Charity, Kay is in love with Miguel. She has been trying to break you two up forever. Thank God she finally realize that it is hopeless and moved on. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like to see my sister hurt but she was really being ridiculous about it,” Jessica said. Charity looked to Miguel, “Did you know about it?” “I just found out a few days ago. It shocked me so much that I forgot to tell you. I’m sorry. I know we promise not to have any secrets between each other,” he places his arm over her shoulders and pulled her close. “That’s okay. I’m just as surprised as you are. I thought that she was happy to see us together.” “Well, Charity she wasn’t. Simone and I have told her for weeks that she needs to moe on. Finally she gets the point. Come you guys. Let’s try and enjoy ourselves.” Jessica turned and Miguel and Charity followed. Later that night, Miguel stares out the window and wonders about his best friend Kay. Chapter Two When they returned from the trip and got back to school, Kay refused to interact with any of them except Simone. Jessica and Kay had a bad falling out which lead to Kay and Jessica rarely speaking to each other. Kay threatened to choke Charity to death if she came within twenty feet of her. This got her into a world of trouble and after she grudgingly apologized to Charity, they didn’t speak at all. The tension in the house got rather thick but the worst tension was between Grace and Kay. Kay believed her mother preferred Charity as a daughter and all Kay does is snap at Grace. Although her father berates her, Kay’s attitude doesn’t change. Eventually, they make her see a psychiatrist, worried that she might hurt herself or others if she didn’t get help. Kay went when she had to avoid any more tension. Everyone in town viewed her as a psycho, especially after Jessica told people what Kay did to get Miguel. Kay started turning more into herself. The only person that could talk to her is Simone and as their last school year passes, that was growing less so. By the time they all graduated, Kay really had no friends, she was estranged from her family and the psychiatrist told her parents that she made no progress towards improvement. A month after graduating, Kay calls Simone. “Hello?” “Hey,” says Kay in a raspy voice. “Kay. How are you?” Simone is distant towards her because Kay has pushed her away. “I’m fine. I’m just calling to say bye. I’m leaving.” Simone stood up worried, “Where are you going?” She heard the rumors that her parents might commit her. “Don’t worry. I’m going to New York City. I got into school there. I’m leaving early,” Kay said smiling because she knew what Simone was thinking. “Well, how can you go early? You don’t have any money.” “Yes, I do. I got it working all during school. Remember I got a job at the docks. Well, I saved it all so that I could leave when I want. I have enough to make it until my financial aid kicks in,” she assured Simone. “What did your parents say to all this?” “Who gives a damn what they say,” Kay said bitterly, “I don’t exist to them anyway. I don’t exist to anyone but you and that’s why I called you. I called to tell you that you are a great friend and I’m sorry I acted so mean this past year towards you. I missed hanging out with you and now that I’m leaving, I regret not doing it this past year.” “Kay, I am upset about you pushing me away but it is more important that you are okay. Are you okay?” “Yes, Simone. I’m okay. But I want to promise you that within ten years everyone is going to know that I am somebody who deserves the best. I will not be second fiddle anymore. You’ll see. I’ll be successful and I’ll make you proud,” Kay almost smiles. “Well, I just want you to be okay. I can’t believe your parents are letting you go to school in New York.” “They’re not. I got a full scholarship and I accepted without telling them. They think I’m going to school in the next town. Boy, won’t they be surprised.” “But they will find out…” “And it will be too late. I know what the head analyst told them ‘don’t let her go too far away because she can’t handle it’ well I’ll show them. I can make it and I am worth it to me to prove it to myself that I can. And maybe just maybe one day they will get it. They will see the result of the price I had to pay because my dear cousin was more important to everyone but you and me,” Kay takes a deep breath, “Anyway, I have to go. You’ll hear from me soon.” Kay hung up the phone. Simone stared at her phone wondering if she should call somebody. She decides against it. Unlike everyone else, she knew Kay wasn’t crazy just pissed off. In many ways Kay has a right to be but Kay moving to a city like New York made Simone worry. Simone shook her head and smiled thinking Kay is a strong person and she will make it. She left and went to her room. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Miguel and Charity sat at her aunt’s house for a going away dinner. Kay wasn’t present at the table but more than likely she wouldn’t be anyway. Kay stopped participating in family functions a while ago. But he was surprised to learn that the reason she wasn’t at the table this time. Charity called him and told him that Kay ran away from home two weeks ago and they just found out that she is in New York City about to attend New York University. The news shocked Miguel because he didn’t think Kay would be the type of person to live in New York City, let alone go to school there. But sure enough, her parents got a phone call from a dean telling them that Kay arrived in the city without them and they needed her parents to sign some forms. When her father talked with Kay, an argument started but in the end he agreed to sign off on them. He and Grace went to the city and returned the same day. Grace was clearly upset and Sam quiet. No one spoke about what happened in the city or about Kay. They just continued as if nothing happened. Now at the dinner table, Miguel sat there wondering about Kay’s presence. In the seat she would have taken is her brother Noah. He is back from school and has been living in Harmony. But he is going to New York to look out for Kay. He has been removed from the situation but he knew what happened. Kay would talk with him sometimes when he forced her but for the most part, she shut him out too. But when her parents told her that her first year she would have to live with her brother she grudgingly accepted so that she could stay in New York. Noah had a job there so wasn’t a big deal for him. Miguel and Noah got a long pretty well but sometimes Miguel felt that Noah blamed him for Kay’s condition. Noah treated Miguel well so Miguel never asked him. Grace started passing the food around. Everyone took a helping of each item and passed it until it got back to her. In the beginning they were quiet but Jessica started asking them if they were excited about going to college. Miguel smiles, “Yeah, I am. I’m getting to do what my brother wanted. I hopefully will live up to all their expectations. But if Theresa can do it, so can I. I just hope I have time to play football and keep up my academics.” “I’m sure you will do fine,” said Sam proud of Miguel like he is his own son, “If you don’t Luis will make you suffer.” They all laugh. “Yeah, you’re right. He has lectured me at least twenty times already about the importance of doing well in school. Finally I had to tell him to lay off or he couldn’t visit me once I leave.” “Well, at least you have some incentive to keep up your grades,” said Noah, “Are you excited Charity?” “Yes, I am. I just sometimes wish my mother were here,” Charity smiled sadly, “I wanted her to see me go to prom and graduate.” “I know that she is proud of you, Charity. We all are,” said Grace. They continued eating and then Sam proposed a toast, “to Miguel and Charity. We wish you both the best in college and in everything else you do.” They all raise their glasses and then take a drink. Another discussion develops about college and everyone is discussing moving, places to live and possible courses they wanted to take. In the middle of the conversation Miguel’s thoughts stray to Kay. He wondered what she was doing and what she will do. A few seconds later he heard his name. “Miguel. Are you all right? You weren’t with us for a moment,” said Charity. “I’m sorry. I was thinking about something.” “What?” said Noah. He had a feeling he knew but he wanted it confirmed. “Kay. I was wondering about her and what she was doing,” he saw the looks on their faces at the mention of her name, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…” “No, no Miguel. It’s quite alright,” said Grace trying to smile, “Kay was fine when we last saw her. I think New York will be good for her.” “Do you really, mother?” said Noah sarcastically. He didn’t mean to sound foul but he couldn’t help it. Half the things that Kay said about the way his mother treated Charity were true. He understood that mother wanted to get close Charity because she is the only connection to her sister but in many ways she did it at the expense of her own daughter. “Noah! Don’t use that tone with your mother,” Sam stated angrily. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to be disrespectful. It’s just that…” Noah search for the right words, “It’s just that this doesn’t feel right without my other sister here, that’s all.” “Well, I want her here too but Kay made her decision and she is living with it so we have to also,” said Sam glancing over at Grace who looked stricken. “Personally, I’m glad she’s not here,” said Jessica, “all she did was cause our family a lot of trouble and embarrassment. All this because of her jealousy of Charity.” Noah stared at Jessica for a moment, “Jessica, I find it interesting how you’ve treated Charity with more respect than your own sister like you prefer her. I don’t see what’s so good about Charity, she’s just our cousin who had a string of bad luck” Noah looks over to Charity, “No offense.” “No offense. Noah that was the rudest thing I’ve ever heard you say and it was in bad taste,” said Grace shocked. “Mom please. You know what I mean. Jessica has been driving Kay crazy for as long as I can remember and it has moved way beyond sibling rivalry. I was just making the point to Jessica that she is part of the problem when it comes to Kay.” Noah glared at his little sister. She glared back at him. Jessica always resented the way her brother treated Kay better than her, although he was never mean Jessica, just closer to Kay. “Still Noah, you could have said it better than that. Charity suffered tragedies not just bad luck.” Grace said looking over at Charity who is quiet, “Apologize.” “I’m sorry, Charity. I wasn’t trying to belittle your pain or losses.” “It’s okay. But I have to tell you Noah that I don’t miss Kay either. I do feel sorry for her. She shut us all out and refused to let anyone of us help her. And then she tried to hurt me to get to Miguel…I can’t say that I felt comfortable when she was around.” She looked over at Miguel who takes her hand in his. Miguel stared at Charity, but his thoughts quickly moved to Kay. He wished that he hadn’t brought her up because it obviously causes her family pain at the mere mention of her name but he had to be truthful to Charity. Well as truthful as possible. The truth is he has been thinking about Kay a lot. When Kay said she would leave him alone, she literally left him alone. When she saw him coming she went the other way. She refused to speak to him, look at him or be within thirty feet of him. She even changed her seat in every class. He got the hint and left her alone especially after she threatened Charity and Jessica told them about all the stunts she pulled to break him and Charity up. But he couldn’t hate her. He couldn’t find it in his heart to hate his best friend. A friend he had all his life. The table grew silent and everyone continued eating. Eventually the conversation turned to other things happening in Harmony. But Miguel’s attention went back to the day of graduation. On that day he bumped into Kay and for the first time in a year and a half she spoke to him. “Hello, Miguel. Congratulations.” Kay tried to step around him but Miguel puts his arm out to block her path. “Kay, wait. I want to talk you,” he started. “Why?” she refused to look at him. “I have wanted to talk to you since that day you told me how you felt. Kay…I …” Miguel had so much he wanted to say that he didn’t know where to begin. “Look Miguel, forget it. Just forget it, Okay. In a couple of months I’ll be a distant memory to you if I’m not already,” she tried to leave again. Miguel places his hand on her and Kay jumped, “Don’t touch me, okay Miguel,” she glared at him. “I’m sorry. I just don’t want you to leave until I talk to you. Look Kay, we have been friends for a long time and I care about you a lot. But…then…” “Miguel! Miguel where are you?” said Charity. “Then something more important came. My cousin, Charity. Excuse me but I have a graduation to attend,” Kay stepped away from him and left. A minute later Charity showed up. Miguel never told Charity about his encounter with Kay. He didn’t know why until he realize that she was gone and probably for forever. Deep down in the depths of his soul, he knew that not only that he would miss her but also he loved her. Miguel’s face fell for a second but when he saw Charity he smiled for her. No way. I love Charity. How couldn’t I? Charity is so sweet, beautiful, caring, and loving. She is a wonderful person. Unlike Kay who for all our years together she turns out to be a back stabbing, mean, and selfish person. But even as he thought those things about Kay, he knew he felt the same. He loved her. And now it was too late to tell her. As he stared into Charity’s eyes, he thought that maybe with Charity he could feel the burning sensation that races through his soul when he allows himself to think about Kay. He hopes so for both his and Charity’s sake. Chapter Three Eight Years Later… Kay loves her work. She is so good at conveying attitude, suave, and tenacity to survive the business. It shocked everyone when she got heavy into modeling and acting. But Kay swore to herself that she would do everything possible to prove that she could make it on her own without her family. She wanted to prove to herself that she was beautiful and tough, ready to handle any situation on her own. And she made sure that she wasn’t second fiddle in anything. After Kay left Harmony, she began to think of ways to raise herself from the one dimensional aspects of that town and the people who lived there. She wanted her own voice heard and Harmony was just suffocating her. So when she got into Tisch School of Film at New York University, she accepted without thought. Although the first year she had to live with her brother, she was able to get involved in a lot of things. Her brother gave her the breathing room she needed and that lead them to be closer than she would have thought possible. She was the first to find out that he had a crush on Simone and she even helped him get a date with her. By her second year, he and Simone were a couple and he paid her back by helping her keep the apartment they lived in after he moved out. He didn’t have to help her long because she got a modeling gig with a make-up company. Then she got another job modeling clothes for a few of the stores in NYC. Although Kay acted in numerous student films, she got her first part in a movie during her senior year in college. She was working on her senior project and a director noticed her. She had a bit part but it lead to other opportunities. She did an off-Broadway play for a year after she graduated and landed a role in a major film playing one of the lead characters. She became quite famous, traveling around and seeing the world. When she finally got back from travelling, she decided to make her own film. She did it in three locations, two in the States and one location in London. Kay wrote, produced, directed, and acted (small part) in the movie. It was called Anger. The film is about a young woman who has to choose whether or not to let her anger consume her. The critics loved her independent film and she entered it in the Cannes Film Festival. She won second place and now her film is being showed in the States. During the eight years that she has been away from Harmony, she has only really had contact with Simone and her brother. She went home for the holidays because of him while she was in school but after graduating, she preferred staying in NYC. Her brother moved back to Harmony and she only came back because he married Simone two years ago. She stayed long enough to see him married and attend the reception. It was at the wedding that she saw Miguel for the first time since she left. They greeted each other politely and she left him alone. He was still with Charity and she didn’t want to deal with him. Her relationship with her family did improve because she didn’t live in Harmony and she rarely spoke to them. She is cordial to her sister who is jealous as hell of her lifestyle and career. Kay speaks to Charity also. Her relationship with her father improved a lot faster than her relationship with her mother. But she manage to find it in her heart to at least speak to her mother every so often although she still resented the her and also the others in her family for the way they treated her when Charity came around. But when they came and visited her in NYC, she showed them around and even took Charity and Jessica out in the city. Jessica still has the ability to stick it to Kay by using Miguel. All Jessica does is mentions how perfect Miguel and Charity are together and how he would never like a psycho like Kay, and Kay loses it. But she has learned to control her temper even though Jessica torments her. When Noah is around, he helps her out by jumping on Jessica when she bothers Kay. But Kay prefers to be away from them and their encouraging Charity’s relationship with Miguel. So after the wedding, Kay hasn’t been back to Harmony since. She is sipping coffee in her Manhattan apartment and reading a script for a movie. She plays a thief in an action movie. As she memorizes her lines, she imagines the scenes with her in it. Next week she is flying to Australia. The film takes place there. As she fantasizes about her role, she visualizes Miguel as the lead. Even now, Miguel is her ideal man. She could never let go of how things were before Charity came. So when she has to act opposite a male, she usually substitutes Miguel’s face for the real person. She was just getting to the most interesting part when her phone rings. Kay sighs heavily, annoyed for being disturbed. She gets up and snatches the phone from the receiver. Caller id tells her its one of her parents calling. What the hell could they possibly want? “Hello.” Noah is on the phone, “Kay, it’s me Noah.” “I know Noah. I can recognize your voice. What is it? You know I don’t like being disturbed before noon,” said harshly. “I know Kay…,” Noah’s voice catches which scares Kay. “Noah, what’s wrong? Are you upset?” she gets nervous. “Yes Kay. I’m upset because Mom…Mom was in a bad car accident and the doctors don’t think she will live.” Kay dropped her coffee cup and it shatter, splashing hot coffee on her. Kay ignores the pain because she is in shock. “Kay! Kay, did you hear me? I said that Mom might die. You have to come up here. Now!” Noah said highly upset. Kay blinks rapidly as tears formed in her eyes, “Noah, what happened?” “I’ll tell you when you get here. So catch a plane and get up here as soon as possible. She might not live through the rest of the day.” “But, I can’t,” she started but Noah hung up the phone, “come.” But she knew she would. Three hours later Kay was in the air flying back to Harmony. She called Simone and told her when she would arrive. Simone told her that she would pick her up and take her straight to the hospital. Kay sat on the plane afraid for the first time in her life of losing her mother. Although she and her mother barely got along, she always counted on her being around. To have her suddenly taken from her threw her enough to let go of her pain and develop a desire that her mother be okay so that she can talk to her again. Maybe they will even get to resolve their differences. But Kay had to get there first. She had to get there and encourage her mother to fight for her life. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Miguel sat in his apartment looking out the window. He has a place near the water and from that window he has a great view of the ocean. Every weekend he spends it in front of this window letting his thoughts roam. Peddlin’ someone coined it. When the weather is warmer, he stands on his back porch and watches the ocean. As he sat there, his thoughts flowed into the past, present, and future. Right now his thoughts are on his impeding wedding to Charity. Although he knew he should be happy, deep down in him something isn’t. He couldn’t put his finger on it but he knew something wasn’t right. When he is out in public or with Charity, he puts on a face that let’s everyone think that things are as right as rain. That he is happy and very much in love with Charity. But once he gets home, his thoughts lingers to the spot deep in his soul that shouts out to him that he is a liar. No matter how he tries to reason with his doubts, he knows that it won’t go away. The doubts are not there because of his nervousness about marriage and his future with Charity. It is not there because of any worries he has about his job. The reason it is there is because of Kay. That part of his soul and his heart that she captured somehow now won’t let him marry Charity with the ease and happiness he should feel. And knowing that a small part of him wants Kay and with each passing moment, wants her more makes him feel guilty. He promised to always love Charity and keep no secrets from her. Yet as he sits here, his thoughts can’t help but wonder what things would have like if he had finished talking to Kay at graduation. Would he been able to convince her to keep talking to him? Would after that they become friends again? Would he have eventually started dating her? These thoughts float through his mind. Questions of what if have plagued him since he saw her at Noah and Simone’s wedding. After he went to college, he was able to move on with his life. He and Charity grew closer as time passed. He got a job working for a business in town trying to revitalize Harmony and make it a tourist haven. Charity worked as paralegal in a law firm. They made plans and decided to live together. Things were going well because although Kay came home from school, he never saw her or mentioned her. Then he saw her picture in a magazine Charity had with her. He asked about it but she didn’t know. Miguel kept the photo from the magazine and later found out that it was indeed Kay. Everyone was shocked by the news because Kay refused to tell anyone until Noah asked. After that they saw her face in an advertisement for clothes for a retail store. Miguel kept those pictures too. After a while he had such a collection that he felt like Theresa when it came to Ethan. She had every photo she could think of with Ethan in it and he had just as many with Kay. He kept it in a small photo book and that was his second secret that he kept from Charity. But guilt made him confess and show her the book. He told her that he wanted to have memories of the friend he lost. Charity understood. She even told him that she has pictures of Kay also. But deep down it didn’t ease his guilt because he lied about why he kept the pictures. After Kay’s movie came out he began his collecting again. Although she had a minor role, Miguel went to see her movie five times. He liked her in it and thought she was talented. He went on the internet and looked her up. He gather all the information and pictures he could about her and downloaded it on a disk. When Kay’s second movie came out and she was one of the lead characters, Miguel saw the film five times also and then bought the movie on DVD. But nothing prepared him for seeing her at the wedding. Even with his silent obsession with all things Kay (he was even a member of her fan club) he still believed that he loved Charity. They have a good relationship. It was warm, loving, and strong. Then to everyone’s surprise, Noah announced that he and Simone were going to get married. Everyone was shocked that he wanted to date Simone in the first place. Miguel always thought he had a crush on his sister Theresa. But they dated for five years and finally married. At the wedding, Kay showed up, shocking everyone. They all thought that she wouldn’t come. Noah was the only one not surprised to see her. Later Miguel found out that he and Simone both held up their own wedding waiting for her arrival. Kay was one of the bridesmaids. She looked good in the long soft peach color dress. Her hair rested on top of her head and her make-up job highlighted her eyes. She wore a nice necklace that accented the length of her neck. She looked stunning. The only other person who looked as beautiful as her was the bride. Miguel was speechless. When Kay finally managed to walk to the front and turn around, he saw her smile and its brilliance and beauty nearly knocked him out. For the first time he really saw his best friend. And what he saw he knew he wanted it. Charity leaned over and said to him that Kay looked beautiful and Miguel just nodded. At the reception, he spoke to her briefly, after admiring her from a distance all night. When at last he could talk to her, Miguel’s heart pounded. He wanted to reach out, pull her to him, and kiss her passionately. Instead he nodded at her. “Hello Kay. It’s nice to see you again. I didn’t think we would see you.” Kay just stared at him a moment and then she smiled slightly, “Hi, Miguel. I just came back because my brother and Simone would never forgive me if I didn’t show up.” She started to walk away but Miguel reached out. “Kay. Wait a sec.” Kay stopped and looked at him again. Miguel smiled and said, “I loved your movies. You were great in both of them.” ‘And I collect everything thing that has to do with you,’ he thought. “Thanks Miguel. That means a lot to me,” she sounded like she really meant it too. Charity stepped up to them. “Kay you looked wonderful up there. Hopefully you will come Miguel’s and my wedding when we get married,” said Charity. The look on Kay’s face indicated that she doubted that highly, “Well, we’ll see won’t we. I have to go. Bye,” she walked away. But when Miguel looked over his shoulder he saw Kay looking at him and something in her eyes told him that her feelings for him are still the same. Kay turned away and walked out of his life for a second time. Now two years later, Miguel is left with only the memories of the feelings she stirred in him when she was in town for the wedding. And those feelings, he realized, are the source of his doubt. After a few more minutes, Miguel got up and prepared for the day. Charity had asked him to meet her at her aunt’s house to talk about the wedding. He had just gotten out of the shower when the phone rang. He grabbed a towel and race to answer it. “Hello.” “Miguel. It’s me Charity. Something awful happened. Aunt Grace was in a bad accident and she might not live. Please come to the hospital,” Charity is crying hard and Miguel hushed her and told her he would be there in twenty minutes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kay’s plane finally landed and she hope she wasn’t too late. She got up from her seat quickly and grabbed her stuff from the overhead cabinet. Since there were only five other people on the commuter plane, she was able to get off fast. When she finally exited the terminal, she spotted Simone immediately. Simone is standing by her car and waves to Kay. She is seven months pregnant and looks every bit like it. But her face has nothing but sorrow on it. Kay never regretted helping her brother get Simone. When she first learned of his crush it shocked her because she would have sworn that he liked Theresa. But after Simone came and visited her in New York, her brother couldn’t stop talking about her. So the next time Simone came to visit, Kay set it up so that Noah and Simone were alone with each other most of the time. By the time Simone left, she and Noah were beginning to get close. With Kay’s encouragement and scheming, Simone and Noah were hooked up. Seeing Simone pregnant made Kay smile. At least her work in getting Noah hooked up with Simone worked out. Simone hugged her fiercely and Kay let out a sob. They stayed that way for a few seconds and then they got into the car. They rode in silence for a while until Kay asked what happened. “Well, you know how the roads can get in the winter? Well, she was driving back from a store in another town when another car slid in front of her. I guess when she tried to avoid the car she slid off the road. The car flipped over when she reached the embankment and landed against a tree. She was there for an hour before helped arrived.” “What happened to the other person?” whispered Kay. “Barely a scratch. Just knocked unconscious,” said Simone. When they arrived at the hospital Simone stopped Kay from coming out the car. “Kay, I want to prepare you for what you’ll see. Your mother is in a body cast and her face is swollen. There are tubes going into her body. The doctors are not sure what is going to happen but if she makes it through the night her chances of survival increases.” Kay nods and gets out. She pulls her coat closer to her body. The wind is lightly blowing snow around. Kay looks up, trying to control her tears and wishing that this wasn’t happening. Finally, she follows Simone assisting her across the parking lot and going into the hospital. Once inside, she let go of Simone’s arm and stopped moving. Kay’s fear of seeing her mother froze her. Simone turned and saw the stricken look on her face. “Kay, I know you’re afraid to see your mother but you have to,” Simone said. “It’s not just my mother. It’s everyone. Simone what am I doing here. My mother and I haven’t really spoken to each for a long time and I know she loves…” Kay is sounding slightly hysterical. “Kay, calm down. You’re mother would love to hear your voice. She needs to hear it. And don’t you start with that Charity stuff. This isn’t the time,” Simone chastised. Kay nodded and followed Simone again. Once they hit her mother’s floor, Kay started walking slowly. She grew more nervous by the step. Just as they arrived at the door, Simone turned to her again. “Remember Kay, what I told you.” Kay stepped into the room and saw her family. When she saw her mother her eyes bugged in shock. She felt her heart break and almost collapsed. Noah caught her before she fell. He helped her over to the bed. “I’m sorry Mom,” but her voice was barely audible. Kay left the room soon after and Simone followed. Kay just couldn’t take it. In her mind she kept thinking that her mother is going to die thinking that she hated her. Simone comforted her best friend and sister-in-law. She felt bad for Kay because she knew Kay felt guilty about her current relationship with mother. “I can’t believe it. All this time I had to speak to my mother. To talk with her about my anger and try to resolve it and make amends, and this happens. Simone what if she dies? What if she dies thinking that I hate her when I don’t?” Kay sobbed and Simone held her close. “I know Kay, I know. I’m so sorry that this happened. It is a shock to all of us. But I’m here for you. We all are. Even Mig…” “Hi, Kay,” said Miguel softly. He had just stepped from around the corner carrying coffee. He places them on the table and looks at Kay. His eyes looked on her in sorrow. Kay stares back into his eyes and she thought she saw something else in them. She thought she saw love for her in his eyes for the first time. So when he opened his arms, Kay ran into them before her mind could tell her feet not too. Miguel held her tightly. Feeling her cry on his shoulder. He slowly stroked her dark hair, thinking how much he wanted to protect her. He began to rock her a bit and then they finally parted. “I’m so sorry Kay. I can’t believe that this happened to your mother,” he reached out and touched her cheek. Kay looked down and sighed. When she looked up, she saw Charity had left her mother’s room. Miguel’s eyes followed her gaze and he spotted Charity looking at them. He reluctantly lets go of Kay and hugs Charity. Charity squeezes him close and pulls back and kisses him. Kay drinks this all in before turning away. Simone watched her friend and Miguel hold each other and she began to think about what Noah told her six years ago. I think Miguel loves Kay. He just hasn’t let himself see her yet but when he does, I’ll feel real bad for Charity because she going to lose his heart and there is nothing she can do about it. Simone thought he was crazy but now she wasn’t so sure. The way Miguel held her, it was like he wanted to do it forever and never let go. Her thoughts were interrupted when Noah came out. She stood up and hugged her husband. Simone knew that Kay schemed to get them together but she didn’t care. She loved Noah Bennett with all her heart and she is happy Kay did it. Noah had to step around Charity and Miguel to get to Simone. He went for his wife but just before he got to her he noticed Kay’s eyes on Miguel and even in that distant look on her face he could see her longing for Miguel. He watched the shield come up over her face, hiding any feelings she may have for him and look away. Noah held Simone tight. He worried sick about her driving but she insisted that he stay. She promised to drive extra careful and she was true to her word. He pulled away from her just in time to see Luis come in with Sheridan, followed by Theresa and Ethan. It is funny that two people from the Lopez-Fitzgerald clan married into the Crane empire and could care less about it. Sheridan and Luis married six years ago and Ethan and Theresa married last year. Sheridan and Ethan married without their parents blessing. Noah greeted them and Luis asked about Sam. He directed him to the room, while Sheridan took a seat by Simone. Theresa and Ethan went over to Miguel and Charity and talked to them. Jessica came out the room and when she spotted Kay she walked passed her asking ‘why she was even there because she didn’t care about their mother’. Charity berated Jessica who just broke down in tears. Theresa hugged her as she cried. Kay just stood off by herself watching and hurting. Finally she left. She was halfway down the hall when her brother caught up with her. “Kay, where are you going?” he said stopping her. She shook her head, “I shouldn’t be here. Not after everything that has happened. I don’t belong.” Her head hung down. Noah lifted her head and stared into her eyes, “Yes you do. No matter what happened in the past, you need to be here now. Mom needs you. And you need her. We have to get through this as a family.” Kay just looked away from him but Noah kept leaning his head until he made eye contact with her. She finally nodded and he pulled her into a hug. They stood like that for a while and then they walked together back towards her mother’s room. “Do you have a place to stay Kay?” Noah asked. “No but I was hoping to stay with you and Simone,” Kay knew that Jessica still lived at home and she didn’t feel like dealing with her sister. “Sure. No problem, although I’ll probably be at Dad’s house a lot.” “What about Simone? She’s very pregnant you know.” “More than likely she’ll be with me. Don’t worry everything will work out.” When they arrived in the area outside her mother’s room they notice that there were a slew of doctors racing inside. Noah and Kay ran to find out what was happening only to see Luis and Ethan manhandling her father out the room. “Give them room Sam to help her,” yelled Luis. Jessica and Charity were in hysterics. Miguel comforted Charity. Theresa and Simone held Jessica. Kay stood off alone on the side as everyone waited, afraid. Minutes ticked and then finally the doctors came out and Sam rushed them. The doctor nodded and Sam shouted thank God as he went back into the room. Everyone flooded in against the doctors orders and watched Sam fall to his knees by his wife’s bed. They all just wanted to see that Grace’s heartbeat wasn’t flatline. Later that night, Kay lay in the guest bed in her brother’s house. She hasn’t been able to sleep since she got here. A couple of hours later, the doctors told them that Grace appeared to be stabilizing and that there shouldn’t be anymore complications in the night. Her father said he would stay with her and order them to go home and get some rest. Kay walked away first and waited for Noah and Simone by the exit. They went to their house, ate a meal and Kay told them that she was tired and went to bed. But once there her eyes stayed open. Kay sat up and went to the window. The weather had calmed and it looked peaceful outside. Her thoughts wondered to when Miguel held her. It felt so good to be in his arms. She felt like she was back where she belonged. And it didn’t help that Miguel grew up to be a handsome man. He is still just an inch taller than her but to her it made their match more perfect. Stop it, Kay! You know that Miguel doesn’t want you and never has. You saw him with Charity. She went back to bed. As her head rested on her pillow she thought about the look in his eyes when he saw her. He looked like he loved me. But that’s crazy. How could he love me? He doesn’t even know me anymore. He did tell me that he liked my work. Maybe he just likes the star Kay and not me. I’ve met a lot of guys like that. They love me because of my fame and not because of who I am outside of it. But then again with Miguel, I can’t believe that he would be that shallow. Wait a second, he is dating Charity…he probably is shallow like that. Stop it Kay! Now is not the time to care one way or another about Miguel. But if, no, when mother wakes up, I plan on finding out the truth. Kay’s eyes closed. Meanwhile Simone and Noah sat downstairs talking. Simone is trying to ease her husband’s pain and he is trying to keep a calm and cool outlook about his mother. Simone decided to distract him. “It’s nice seeing Kay again, even though I wish the circumstances were different.” Noah nodded and continued to gaze off into the distance. Eventually he says, “I’m glad she’s here. Maybe when Mom wakes up they can resolve their differences.” “Yeah, I hope so too. It is time for it,” she reached out and stroked thick brown hair. She laughs a bit and said, “You should have seen the look on Miguel’s face when he saw her. He was at a loss for words at first and then he gave her a big hug. It was nice to see them share a moment together, like they did when they were friends. Of course I wish the circumstances were different.” Noah raised his eyes to look at Simone, “Miguel hugged Kay and she didn’t stop him?” Simone nods. “Well, I’m glad that it finally happened. Those two belong together. Hopefully when this is all over that will work itself out.” “I don’t know Noah. Right now I just hope that Grace makes it. Everything else is not as important.” “She will. I know she will,” he said. A tear ran down his face and Simone wiped it off and pulled him into an embrace. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Miguel managed to leave Charity long enough to go to their apartment and get some things. Charity wanted to stay with Jessica at her aunt’s house. She asked Miguel to get her some clothes but then she broke down. She cried and cried, telling him that it seems that everything that she loves keeps getting taken away from her. Miguel finally helped her calm down and sent her to bed. He checked on Jessica and then left. Inside the apartment, he gathered a few of Charity’s things and put them in a duffel bag. He had just finished packing when he thought about Kay. He remember looking up one minute and seeing her standing alone, away from everyone else and then the next she was gone. Because of the chaos that followed when Grace flat lined, he lost sight of her until he saw her getting into the car with her brother and Simone. He didn’t get to speak to her again but he wanted to. He wanted to hold her close and kiss away her tears, make passionate love to her to help her forget her pain and ease her fears. Seconds later guilt racked him like a bad cough. He knew that he shouldn’t have those types of feelings for Kay. He should want to do those things for Charity but whenever he closes his eyes, he just kept seeing Kay in his arms and remembered how good it felt to have her there. Miguel, pull yourself together. You have a fiancée in a state of devastation. Her aunt who has been her surrogate mother for more than nine years is on death’s door and you’re fantasizing about her cousin. A girl who tried to ruin your relationship with the girl you love, even threatened to kill her. It’s not right. Charity needs you and you promise that you will be there for her. Anything that could have happened with Kay ended the day she decided not to speak to you ever again. But as he though it, Miguel knew that he didn’t care. He had to find out if his feelings for Kay are real. But right now wasn’t the time. No, he has to wait until this family crisis ended before he would allow himself to think anymore of Kay. However, as he drove back to the Bennett’s house, Kay stayed on his mind the whole way.