Once You Love Somebody

"You know I was rather surprised to hear from you this evening." Ellen confessed as she, Lucy, and Marisa were seated at their table in the center of the noisy Pub. "I would've thought that you and Kevin would be spending a quiet evening at home."

"Well, we'd planned on it, but as if on cue, the P.C.P.D. called once again taking my fiancee away from me." Lucy explained suppressing a grin as she waited for Ellen to respond.

"Your fiancee?" Ellen questioned raising an eyebrow as Lucy nodded excitedly. "So that means that......"

"He said yes Ellen." Lucy finished excitedly hugging her friend tightly as the two squealed while Marisa remained silent on the other end of the booth.

"That's wonderful news Lucy. I just knew he'd say yes." Ellen began glad to see Lucy beaming. "And you had your doubts."

"Well, I just had to be sure that Doc was willing to take the next step with me before I got my hopes up." Lucy sighed turning to Marisa realizing that they'd somewhat alienated her from the conversation.

"Dr. Marisa Dupuie, I'd like you to meet one of my bestest friends Dr.

Ellen Burgess."

"It's nice to meet you." Marisa smiled shaking Ellen's hand from across the table.

"It's nice meeting you too." Ellen nodded realizing that she'd heard Marisa's name before. "You're a neurosurgeon, right?"

"That was my specialty when I first started a while ago." Marisa explained with a smile as the music played in the background.

"I thought so." Ellen nodded in recognition. "You're the new surgeon on staff over at G.H.."

"Well, I haven't started yet, but yes, I was hired in over at General Hospital earlier this week." Marisa replied remembering her early morning meeting with Monica Quartermaine.

"We're going to be colleagues." Ellen added brightly. "I work over the intern program."

"You never told me that you would be working at G.H.." Lucy interrupted looking at Marisa in astonishment. "Now we've got more reason to celebrate. Waiter, waiter, could you please come over here?"

"Yes?" the waiter questioned coming over to the table.

"Excuse me handsome, but I was wondering if you could do a teensy little favor for us." Lucy began looking up at his dazzling blue eyes.

"For a woman like you, anything." the waiter flirted back at her with a wink.

"I'd like a bottle of your best champagne brought over here right away." Lucy insisted flashing a smile at the attractive young waiter.

"Lucy, what are you doing?" Marisa questioned in concern watching Lucy order.

"We're celebrating." Lucy explained tugging on the waiter's arm once again before allowing him to walk away. "Oh and could you please bring over a tall glass of apple juice for me as well. You see, I'd drink some bubbly too, but well, I'm very pregnant right now."

"And very beautiful I might add." the waiter said with another wink noticing the diamond engagement ring on her finger. "Congratulations."

"Now I know why you picked this place Lucy." Ellen teased watching the waiter rush off.

"Well, when you've got it, you've got it. What can I say?" Lucy shrugged with a grin. "Besides, how do you know he wasn't checking the two of you out as well?"

"Oh please......" Ellen muttered rolling her eyes. "His tongue was practically hanging out up until the point where you'd mentioned that you were pregnant."

"Oh Ellen, you're cute and you know if Matt hadn't already snagged you, I might've tried getting his number for you." Lucy continued sitting up straighter in her seat. "What do you think Marisa? Wasn't he cute?"

"He was all right. Nice eyes, but a little too young for my liking."

Marisa agreed watching the waiter from across the room.

"Yes, but the young ones are so trainable. So tell me, are you married?" Lucy questioned deciding to learn more about her interesting new friend.

"No, never." Marisa replied quickly. "I haven't had the time to even get into that one."

"Are you seeing anyone?" Lucy asked curiously as she scanned the room.

"No, not for a while." Marisa answered as the bottle of champagne arrived.

"Why not?" Lucy questioned after the waiter poured their drinks.

"Well, with work and other commitments I really haven't been able to find the time." Marisa explained taking a sip of her champagne. "The hospital was pretty time consuming for me."

"Ain't that the truth?" Ellen agreed with a laugh. "If Matt hadn't been working at the hospital, he and I may have never hooked up with one another."

"Oh come on Ellen, you and Matt are fated to be together." Lucy insisted taking a sip of her apple juice. "I always say that true love finds a way to get to you even if you think you don't have the time for it. Just look at Doc and I. We met when I was in the middle of a personal crisis. Just when I'd given up on my life, there he was eager to pull me out of the wreckage."

"Well, most people don't usually find true love with their psychiatrist Lucy." Ellen pointed with a laugh.

"Kevin was your psychiatrist?" Marisa questioned curiously.

"Yeah, well, even the best relationships have a rocky start." Lucy replied thinking back to the first time she'd ever encountered Kevin.

"From the moment our eyes locked, I knew he was going to be the man I'd spend the rest of my life with even if I had to go about some rather unusual ways to make him mine. You know, I always suspected that there was an ulterior motive I had for hiring him as my psychiatrist.

Just being able to spend all that time alone in a room with him, well, let's just say it paid off."

"How romantic." Marisa sighed thinking of how happy Kevin and Lucy appeared to be.

"We did have our share of conflicts, but now everything is going to work out as it should be for us." Lucy continued mesmerized with the idea of living happily ever after with Kevin. "So what about you? Have you ever been in love?"

"Maybe once." Marisa shrugged thinking back to another time and place.

"Oh would you look at that?" Lucy questioned nudging Ellen as she watched Marisa. "She had a special someone. Look at her face."

"Oh you're right. He must've been some guy." Ellen agreed leaning across the table. "So what was he like?"

"He was just your average guy." Marisa shrugged taking note of Lucy and Ellen's faces as she blushed. "Okay, he was pretty special."

"Well duh." Lucy blurted out tapping the table impatiently. "Don't keep us in suspense. Tell us about him."

"Well, I met him when I was living in Canada." Marisa explained smiling at the memory. "When I met him, he was completely heartbroken. He was living as a single father trying raise his daughter alone , and trying to move on with life after his wife had died."

"That's so sad." Ellen sighed listening to Marisa's tale.

"I thought so too, and I think that was part of the reason I fell for him because I saw his devotion to his daughter from beginning." Marisa continued remembering the first time she'd ever laid eyes on Scott.

"The first time we'd ever encountered one another, he'd tried taking his daughter fishing and somehow he'd managed to get the hook stuck in his thumb. He'd brought his daughter with him into the examining room and she was one of the most beautiful children I'd ever seen. She was such a happy child considering the circumstances taking place and after twenty minutes of stitching him up in the examining room, he'd managed to sweet talk me into having dinner with the two of them."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Thank you for dinner tonight Scott." Eve began as the two of them approached her apartment door. "It was wonderful especially the key lime pie."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it...all three servings of it." Scott replied with a laugh.

"Well, it is my favorite." Eve blushed leaning up against her door a bit as she spoke. "I just couldn't help myself. Besides, you didn't seem to have any problems helping me finish off the last piece."

"I was hungry too." Scott chuckled remembering how Eve's face lit up once his surprise had arrived.

"Gee, I hadn't noticed." Eve laughed thinking of how Scott had cleaned his plate before digging into the pie with her. "You know, I wonder how the chef knew how much I loved that pie."

"He had a little help from some friends down south." Scott confessed taking a moment of silence as he looked into her smiling eyes. "We'll have to do this again sometime."

"Yeah, we will have to." Eve nodded pulling her keys out of her purse never taking her eyes off of Scott. "Maybe next time you can bring Lucy or something."

"Lucy?" Scott questioned in confusion. "Why would I bring Lucy?"

"Well, I just assumed that you two would be spending a lot of time together now that she's pregnant." Eve continued feeling a bit uneasy as she thought of the wonderful evening she had with Scott.

"What does her pregnancy have to do with me?" Scott questioned a bit puzzled. "I'm sure Kevin wouldn't like it very much if I started toting Lucy along on my dates with me."

"Dates?" Eve questioned raising an eyebrow. "Is that what this was?"

"Well, I'd thought so." Scott replied with a half grin as he noticed the dark cloud over her features. "What is it Eve?"

"Scott, I care you. I really do, but I just don't think that we should be seeing each other like this now that Lucy is carrying your child." Eve explained averting her eyes away from him.

"My child?" Scott questioned as it sunk in. "Oh, you thought that Lucy was carrying my children."

"Children?" Eve repeated in bewilderment.

"Yeah, she and Kevin are having twins. Kevin didn't tell you?" Scott replied noticing the color drain from her face. "Hey, don't look so surprised. Go figure he forgot to mention it. They were together before the wedding and she's been pregnant for quite some time."

"So that's why she was so afraid that I was going to take Kevin away from her." Eve concluded remembering the night Lucy had been taken to the hospital. "It all makes sense now."

"Well, I'm glad it makes sense to someone." Scott replied watching a smile form on Eve's lips. "So does this mean that now you'll go out with me tomorrow night?"

"I'll think about it." Eve teased looking up at him.

"Well, think about this." Scott suggested leaning in to kiss Eve realizing that something was missing as an image of kissing someone else entered his mind. Pulling back guiltily, Scott hoped that Eve hadn't noticed the difference in their kiss as she looked up at him. "So about dinner......."

"I'll call you." Eve replied opening her apartment door behind her.

"Goodnight Scott."

"Goodnight Eve." Scott waved as she closed the door and he turned to leave catching a glimpse of his reflection in the mirror at the end of the hall. "This is crazy. What are you doing?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Can I ask you a question?" Chris started turning to Karen after he'd finished telling her a round of cheesy jokes.

"Sure, go for it." Karen replied with a nod finishing up her drink.

"What do you think of me...as a person?" Chris questioned seriously.

"Do you want me to answer that honestly?" Karen chuckled realizing that Chris was serious. "Does my opinion matter?"

"Not really, but I'm taking a poll." Chris shrugged taking another swig of his beer. "Just humor me."

"Well, hmm......let's see." Karen responded realizing there were so many ways to answer his question. "You're one of the most insensitive, competitive, egotistical jerks I've ever met in my life, but once you get beyond that, I suppose you're a good doctor. How's that for starters?"

"Just as I expected." Chris sighed leaning back a bit on the barstool.

"You haven't learned anything about me during out little chat tonight, have you?"

"You haven't exactly been making life pleasant for those around you Chris." Karen explained wondering if she'd noticed a hint of sadness in his eyes. "You know you'll have to come a long way if you want people to give you a second chance. Maybe if you quit trying so hard to upstage everyone, you might be able to change the way people view you...well maybe."

"You think?" Chris questioned eager to hear more as the man arrived with Karen's order.

"Here you are Ms. Wexler." the man said handing her the bags.

"Listen, thanks for the beer Chris, but I should probably get going."

Karen said reaching for her order and standing up.

"It's been nice talking with you Karen." Chris waved returning his attention to the half empty glass before him.

"It's been interesting Chris." Karen agreed with a nod walking away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So what ever happened to this dream lover of yours?" Lucy questioned after listening to Marisa's tale of her lost love.

"I guess we just grew apart and went our separate ways." Marisa sighed thinking back to the last night she was with Scott. "I'd been transferred to a hospital here in the states and he'd decided to move again to make a better life for his daughter in another Canadian town, so we said our good-byes and promised to never forget our time together."

"That's it?" Ellen questioned placing both hands down on the table top.

"Yeah, that's it." Marisa shrugged taking the final sip of her drink. "We just went our separate ways."

"That's so sad, yet so romantic." Lucy sighed leaning on her hand for a moment when suddenly an idea sparked in her mind. "You know what Marisa, the last thing I wanted to do was bring you down in the dumps tonight. In fact after listening to your tale, I've decided that we're going to find you someone to make you forget your Canadian lover."

"Oh no that's not necessary." Marisa replied shaking her head. "Really.

Right now the last thing I need in my life is to be caught up in another whirlwind romance."

"Oh nonsense." Lucy continued waving her hands in the air. "In fact, tonight our mission is to find you one of Port Charles most eligible bachelors to spend some time with. What do you say Ellen? Should we help our friend out?"

"I think it's worth a try." Ellen agreed eager to join in on Lucy's matchmaking adventure. "After all, what could it hurt?"

"What about that guy over there?" Lucy suggested pointing to a tall dark haired man.

"I don't know. There's just something about him." Ellen shrugged eyeing him closely for a moment.

"Eeew, you're right." Lucy replied wrinkling her nose before turning to Marisa once more. "Don't worry we'll find you someone."

"Really it's not necessary......." Marisa began protesting as Lucy and Ellen discussed the men in the room. Letting out a sigh of defeat, Marisa leaned back in the chair and just enjoyed the show being played out before her.

"What about that one?" Ellen suggested with a nod.

"Too short." Lucy blurted out.

"That one?" Ellen questioned looking across the room.

"Too tall." Lucy replied shaking her head for a moment before directing her gaze upon a man sitting underneath a neon sign by the bar. "Now look at that one over there.."

"Lucy, he's got a nice build, but you can't even see his face." Ellen pointed out taking note of the view they'd seen of the man on the bar stool.

"Hey, who needs to see his face, when you're got a rear view like that?"

Lucy added teasingly as she assessed the man's wardrobe. "He seems to have a reasonable fashion sense. Good grooming."

"I think Lucy may have found a winner." Ellen pointed out as Marisa followed the direction of Lucy's gaze.

"I don't know if this is such a good idea Lucy. I'm really not interested."

Marisa began to protest squirming a bit in her seat. "Besides, it looks like he's here with someone already."

"Leave that up to me." Lucy insisted cracking her knuckles as she stood up. "I guarantee that by the end of tonight, you'll have a date set up with that fine looking man over there."

"Is she always this persistent?" Marisa questioned watching Lucy make her way across the room.

"All the time." Ellen replied pouring herself another glass of champagne. "Some say it's one of her finer qualities."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Karen, how lovely to see you." Lucy called out approaching her with a smile.

"Lucy, hey." Karen smiled holding the two bags in her arms.

"Looks like you've got a full house to feed." Lucy observed watching the bags slip from Karen's hands.

"Something like that. Victor and Mary are coming over for dinner tonight and Joe's opted for take out." Karen nodded realizing that she'd better be on her way if she wanted to make it back to Joe's house before the food grew cold.

"Hey listen, I don't mean to hold you up, but have you talked to Scott lately?" Lucy questioned curiously.

"Yeah, he's out on a date with Eve." Karen replied wrinkling her nose in disgust.

"Eve? What is he thinking?" Lucy blurted out unintentionally.

"I was wondering the same thing." Karen admitted gripping onto the bags tighter. "Well, I'd love to stay and chat, but I really have to get going."

"All right, I'll see you later. I'm going to have to have a talk with my pal, but first......" Lucy waved watching her leave as she thought of Scott being out with Eve before noticing the guy on the barstool and remembering her mission. "Excuse me."

"Yes?" Chris questioned turning to face Lucy before rolling his eyes.

"Oh Lucy, what a surprise. If you're looking for Scott, he's out with Eve and I don't know where he took her."

"I'm well aware of that." Lucy responded realizing that she couldn't believe that Chris was the mystery man that she and Ellen had chosen for Marisa. "Listen, is this seat taken?"

"Why? Couldn't find anyone to listen to you now that Scott is out with Eve?" Chris questioned sarcastically as she took a seat beside him. "I thought that pregnant women didn't usually hang out at bars."

"I didn't think that men in love usually let the object of their affection out with other men." Lucy shot back noticing Chris's response. "Don't look so shocked Chris. Half this town knows you've got it bad for that little roommate of yours. Heaven only knows why, but as Doc keeps telling me it's none of my business."

"Wise man." Chris muttered reaching for his beer once more as Lucy pulled it out of his hands eager to capture his attention. "Hey!"

"Look Chris, I didn't come over here to discuss Eve." Lucy explained flashing him a brilliant smile. "In fact, I've got a bit of a business proposition for you."

"Oh yeah, and what might that be?" Chris questioned in confusion noticing that Lucy was trying to win him over. "Do you want me to keep Eve locked in the closet while you spend your time juggling Kevin and Scott?"

"Chris please, give me a little credit here." Lucy huffed flashing her ring in front of his face. "Kevin and I are starting a family together and as much as I don't like the fact that Scott chooses to spend so much time with little Evie, I don't have a say in the matter."

"You mean Kevin's the father?" Chris asked in astonishment thinking of Scott's attempts to win back Eve's heart. "No wonder."

"Well, now that we've got that out of the way, how would you be interested in escorting a friend of mine from out of town around Port Charles?" Lucy questioned realizing that even though Chris was a little rough around the edges, he had potential. "I'm not asking you to make any commitment or anything, but just for you to show her a good time."

"What's the catch?" Chris asked raising an eyebrow curiously.

"No catch." Lucy shrugged thinking it over. "I just think that you might be just the guy to show her a good time. That's all."

"Why me?" Chris questioned in amusement realizing that he'd never encountered this side of Lucy before.

"Why not you?" Lucy countered with a grin placing a hand on his shoulder. "Besides, it would be a great way to stick it to Eve if she saw you out on a date."

"I don't need to stick it to Eve." Chris shot back rolling his eyes.

"Thanks, but no thanks Lucy."

"Oh come on Chris. I told her that I'd come over here and talk to you."

Lucy urged unwilling to accept defeat. "If I go back now and say that I wasn't able to make a connection, then I'll feel as if I've failed as a friend."

"Give me one good reason why I should do this for you." Chris replied facing her once again.

"Because if it wasn't for Kevin finding you at the carnival and saving your life, you wouldn't be sitting here right now." Lucy informed him knowing it was a weak answer.

"If it wasn't for Kevin's book or his psychotic brother, then none of us would've been stuck up at that carnival putting our lives in danger to save you." Chris reminded her quickly.

"I suppose you're right." Lucy agreed growing silent for a moment.

"Please Chris. Who knows? You might even have a good time."

"Oh all right. What do I have to loose?" Chris reluctantly caved in standing up from his barstool. "Lead the way."

"You won't regret this." Lucy cheered hoping that she'd be able to cheer her friend up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "So tell me Ellen, does Lucy always see herself as cupid?" Marisa questioned thinking of Lucy talking to the man on the barstool.

"I don't know if I'd call her cupid, but she does have a way of interfering with her friends love lives whether it's appreciated or not."

Ellen explained watching Lucy return to the table with the man behind her. "Oh God. I don't believe this."

"What?" Marisa questioned in confusion taking note of the bitterness in Ellen's voice. "What's wrong?"

"I'm so sorry Marisa. If I had only known........" Ellen trailed off realizing who was at Lucy's side. "Lucy should know better than to bring him over here."

"Who Ellen?" Marisa insisted as Ellen threw out a disapproving look at Lucy.

"Marisa, I'd like you to meet a dear friend of mine Dr. Chris Ramsey."

Lucy announced as Marisa's eyes scanned the man before her.

"I don't believe this." Marisa laughed unable to contain herself as she locked gazes with Chris.

"Dr. Dupuie?" Chris questioned moving in for a closer look before turning to Lucy. "This is your friend?"

"You two know each other?" Lucy questioned in confusion ignoring the glares she was getting from Ellen.

"That's one way of putting it." Marisa nodded watching Lucy tug on Ellen's arm.

"Good, that makes this easier." Lucy replied pulling Ellen out of her seat without giving her an opportunity to protest. "Come on Ellen.

Let's leave them alone to talk."

"Who would've thought?" Chris laughed taking a seat in the booth next to Marisa.

"Not me." she responded thinking of how ironic it was to see the most demanding patient she'd ever encountered sitting across from her. "So how are you feeling?"

"Better." Chris nodded noticing Ellen chewing Lucy out across the room. "I guess you're probably not too thrilled with Lucy's little attempt to set you up, huh?"

"It could be worse." Marisa shrugged feeling a bit foolish. "Of course if you're going to start complaining again, I may have to follow their lead and walk away....."

"Ah, what you saw back at the hospital was one of the worst forms of Chris Ramsey." Chris explained apologetically. "In fact, if you'll let me, I'd like to take this opportunity to invite you out to dinner tomorrow night to introduce you to one of the finer sides I have to offer. That is if you're interested."

"Well, after the hell you put my staff through, I suppose it's only fair that I let you make it up to me." Marisa smiled realizing that Port Charles may prove to be an interesting place after all.

Chapter 29
Lucy awakened from her dream only to discover Kevin's side of the bed empty as she checked the time to discover that it was two thirty in the morning. Reaching for her robe draped over the side of the chair next to the bed, she slipped out of bed wondering what had held Kevin up for so long.

"Surely, he can't still be at the police station." she thought to herself as she crept down the stairs noticing the faint light from the outdoors cast upon the chair in the center of the room. She stepped out into the living room towards the chair and noticed a dark figure before her.

"Doc?" Lucy questioned noticing the chair had been turned around to face the fireplace as she moved in for a closer look. Upon reaching Kevin's side, she noticed that he was staring blankly into the burning fire with a look of sadness in his eyes that she knew oh too well. "Hey you, I didn't hear you come in."

"I was going to come up to bed, but I was too wound up to sleep." Kevin confessed gazing up at her through the darkness. "I didn't want to awaken you."

"Come on Doc, you know I can never sleep when you aren't here by my side." Lucy explained reaching out to him as he pulled her into his lap. She gazed into his eyes sensing that something was weighing on his mind as he held her. "Care to tell me what's on your mind?"

"Not really." Kevin shrugged kissing her hand for a moment before pulling her closer to him.

"Does your not coming to bed have to do with your trip to the police station?" Lucy questioned still probing the issue for a moment longer as she snuggled into Kevin.

"I guess you could say that it's just a build up of everything Lucy." Kevin began thinking of Ryan's letter to him. He thought of revealing the details of his brother's letter to her, but after a moment's hesitation decided against it and changed the subject. "So tell me Lucy, what are you doing up at this hour?"

"Well, other than the fact that I missed you terribly," Lucy began with a smile. "I couldn't wait to tell you about the fantastic time Ellen, Marisa, and I had tonight. You wouldn't believe what happened when we were out."

"Oh I'd believe anything is possible at this point in time." Kevin replied directing his attention to her beautiful smiling face. "Why don't you enlighten me?"

"Well, it all started off after you were called down to see Garcia. We decided to have a ladies night together and while we were out Ellen and I decided to set Marisa up and boy oh boy, you'll never believe who we ended up choosing for her.....of all the guys in Port Charles that Ellen and I could've picked for her, we picked the most unlikely one and I couldn't believe how well they hit it off. In fact, now that I think about it, I wouldn't have believed it myself if I hadn't been there......" Lucy began noticing that far away look in Kevin's eyes once more as she paused. "You aren't listening to a word I'm saying, are you?"

"That sounds very interesting Lucy." Kevin nodded staring back at the fire before him. "A real treat."

"Kevin Collins, you haven't heard one word I said." Lucy insisted realizing that something was terribly wrong as she turned his face forcing him to look at her. "What is it? What's going on? Does this have to do with your trip down to the police station?"

"Do you ever think we'll have a normal life? I mean think about it." Kevin pondered with a blank stare not waiting for a response from her as he continued to answer his own question. "Not that the actual presence of normality exists in today's world, but I suppose that it's possible for people to live day in and day out with some semblance of continuity and stability in their lives. I just wonder if there's a chance for us to have that."

"Kevin, what are you talking about?" Lucy questioned a bit worried as he appeared lost in his own thoughts.

"Think about it Lucy. When will it be our time to move forward without any fears of what the future might hold or of the past coming back to haunt us? Tell me, can you ever see us settling down into domestic bliss? You know the house, the kids, carpooling, nit picky arguments about things like who gets to take out the garbage...."

"Well, that one's easy. That job's all yours baby." Lucy interrupted flashing him a playful grin. "Somehow I get the feeling that this has to do with more than who takes out the garbage though."

"It seems as if everything is happening all at once after this period of darkness we've had hanging over us. The question is can we handle it all?" Kevin continued with a hollow laugh as he reached for the glass of brandy he had sitting on the table next to him. Taking a swig of his drink, he turned to her expectantly seeking the answers he had been searching for most of the night. "Will we be ready for it when our moment finally arrives?"

"Doc, I hate to break this to you, but we don't really have a choice in the matter in our current situation. In fact, I don't think that you should be worrying about it because before you know it, these two will be out in the world and we'll have to deal with all the joys of parenthood whether we're ready for it or not." Lucy explained rubbing her stomach for a moment.

"I suppose you're right Lucy." Kevin sighed leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes for a moment. "I just wonder if when that time arrives, that we'll be prepared for it? I have all these questions running through my mind....like what kind of father I'm going to be or what I'll bring to our children's futures. Starting a family with you means more to me than anything in this world Lucy, but at the same time I start to think about my own childhood and how that will effect my ability to be the kind of supportive, loving parent that my children need. After all that's happened over the last few years, I'm just afraid that when my time comes, I'm going to fail miserably like my father did with his children."

"Kevin, I have no doubt in my mind that you're going to be the bestest father in this whole entire world." Lucy assured him giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "As for Victor, I know that he's made some mistakes in the past, but the two of you have come a long way since he's come back into your life again."

"I know we have, but I have so many questions still left unanswered about everything.......like why this had to happen......why it had to be so difficult all those years when we left Ryan behind.....why we couldn't save him too....." Kevin admitted tearfully as he turned his head away from Lucy embarrassed by his display of emotion. "I know that Victor was trying to do what he thought was best, but to abandon one of his children...just the thought....to have to make that kind of choice and leave a child in so much pain........"

"Victor did what he could under the circumstances no matter how hard the reality of the situation was, he did what he had to do in order to save his child's life." Lucy began sensing that Kevin was still torn up inside about his brother's death. "Kevin, you did the best that you could with Ryan. It wasn't your fault that things turned out the way that they did."

"Then who's fault was it Lucy?" Kevin questioned with a hint of anger. "Fate? Ryan's for being born? My mother's? Victor's? God's? For all I know, the table's could've been turned and it could've been me that was left behind all those years ago and I can't help but wonder if the world would've given up on me too under those circumstances."

"Kevin, Ryan made his choices and sooner or later he had to face the consequences of those actions." Lucy explained sensing Kevin's feeling of guilt. "You weren't responsible for his downfall."

"Lucy, he was only a child when we abandoned him...an innocent child with a bright future ahead of him. What right did we have to condemn him to a life like that at such a young age?" Kevin insisted with tears in his eyes as a lump formed in his throat. "I can't stop thinking about what would've happened if we could've only saved Ryan before he came to that point in his life where he felt there was no where else to turn to. I just keep thinking if only I could step into that moment in time when he'd given his first cry for help and if only I'd been there to help him......but I wasn't there Lucy and it makes me so damn angry to think of all the time we were cheated out of when he was alive. I thought I could deal with all of this by saying that my brother was inherently evil, but the fact remains that he was my brother........my twin brother for God's sake and I abandoned him when he needed me the most."

"Kevin, you have to let go of this guilt you're feeling." Lucy insisted watching his face cloud over as the tears fell from his eyes.

"You know what he said to me Lucy? Do you want to hear his final thoughts before he died?" Kevin began taking another sip of his drink as he reached inside his pocket to pull out the letter from Ryan and handing it to her. "He said, 'you always were the lucky one'.

Me, the lucky one? Ha, can you believe that? How can I be the lucky one when I'm the one who has to live with the guilt of knowing what I didn't do....knowing that I allowed my own flesh and blood to live a life of agony....."

"Oh Doc, I know how you must be feeling right now....." Lucy began touching the side of his face as he abruptly pulled back from her.

"You have no idea what I'm feeling." Kevin snapped at her regretting the words as soon as they escaped his lips. "Lucy, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for that to come out that way."

"I know Kevin." Lucy nodded with tears in her eyes hating to see Kevin in so much pain.

"I know that this is hard for you and I may never be able to understand what it's like to lose your brother, but I do know what it's like not to have a close family Kevin, and it's the worst feeling in the world. I don't want our children to grow up feeling unloved or isolated from us or each other."

"Lucy, I'm just so afraid that the sins of the past will come back to haunt us and our children." Kevin admitted feeling his heart pounding in his chest as he turned to her.

"What will I tell them when they ask about their father's life growing up and about their Uncle Ryan?"

"We'll burn that bridge when we get there Kevin," Lucy insisted taking his hand in hers and squeezing it, "but right now we need to concentrate on the second chance we're all being given. These children are the opportunity for us to start over again......a chance for you to give all the love that you've missed out on in the past....a way for us to come together and make all the wrongs of the past right. It might even be just the thing that you and Victor need to come together and bury the demons of the past once and for all."

"Do you think that's possible?" Kevin began gazing at her with questioning eyes.

"Doc, with you and I together, anything is possible." Lucy informed him with a soft grin as she noticed the worried crease in his brow slowly disappear.

"You're my rock Lucy." Kevin declared running his fingers through her hair as he continued. "With you by my side I know that I'll always have light at the end of any seemingly dark tunnel life throws in my direction."

"Coe-Collins against the world." Lucy added brightly kissing his hand.

"I like the sound of that." Kevin pondered cocking his head slightly as a smile formed on his lips.

"Me too." Lucy agreed kissing him softly before snuggling against him once more. "In fact, I have a feeling that once these two arrive, you are going to be the one who'll keep me sane through the late night feedings, the play time, the feelings of jealousy over toys, the assurances of our love and that's only a start at keeping Sigmund happy. I haven't even gotten into what the twins are going to take out of us in the years to come."

"So you think we're ready for this, huh?" Kevin questioned looking into her hopeful eyes and realizing just how much he loved her. Just holding her close to him was enough to alleviate his worries about what the future held in store for them.

"I know we're ready for this." Lucy replied moving in to kiss him once more as she stopped with a sudden jolt. "Ah!"

"Lucy, what is it?" Kevin questioned in a panic noticing the expression on her face. "Is something wrong?"

"They just moved! Oh Doc, I just felt them kick." Lucy explained as her eyes lit up and she placed her hand over her abdomen as she let out a soft chuckle. Gazing up at Kevin, she reached for his hand. "Oh, there it is again.......and again. Boy oh boy, I think we have an active bunch in here. Doc, you have to feel this? It's the most amazing thing."

"I don't feel anything." Kevin responded a bit disappointed as he waited to feel the movements.

"Wait a second. I know they're not finished just yet." Lucy insisted frantically moving his hand around searching for the right spot when she felt another twitch. "Oh I found them."

"This is amazing." Kevin beamed feeling the miracle taking place beneath his fingers as his heart was filled with joy. He leaned in towards Lucy and began to speak to her abdomen.

"Hey you two....daddy's here."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Late night last night Ramsey?" Eve questioned looking up from the newspaper as Chris stepped out of his room into the kitchen.

"Something like that." Chris replied feeling a bit of a hangover as he moved to pour himself a cup of coffee. "Oh my head....."

"I'd like to say that I feel sorry for you, but that's what you get for partying too hard and coming in at three thirty in the morning." Eve remarked smugly directing her attention back to the article she'd been reading before he'd entered the room.

"I thought you weren't going to wait up for me." Chris commented curiously turning to face her once again.

"I wasn't waiting up for you, but it was kind of hard not to notice your entrance after all the noise you made when you arrived home." Eve shot back at him before turning the page in the paper.

"Gee, why are you in such a chipper mood this morning?" Chris questioned taking note of Eve's sarcasm as he took a seat next to her. "Date with Baldwin didn't go as well as anticipated?"

"Dinner with Scott was wonderful as always. In fact, we're going out to dinner again tonight." Eve replied smugly not bothering to look up from her newspaper.

"Twice in one week? Now that's interesting considering that he hasn't had the time of day for you up until yesterday. Oh that's right.....he's free again, so it's time to come back to good old Eve who's more than willing to him a million or more chances. I'm assuming that he told you about Lucy and Kevin being back together then, huh?" Chris questioned leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes.

"How did you know about that?" Eve asked lowering the paper to look at him closely.

"I ran into Lucy last night while I was out, and you wouldn't believe the rock on her finger." Chris commented remembering their encounter at the bar. "I don't know how Kevin managed to pull it off considering that he's been out of work for so long, but I suppose that he made a killing after his book became a best seller. No pun intended of course."

"Lucy?" Eve questioned in surprise as Chris got up to refill his coffee mug. "Chris, what in the world were you doing with Lucy Coe?"

"She one of the women who approached me last night while I was out." Chris explained with a smile remembering how his seemingly awful night had some unexpected twists for him after Lucy had convinced him to talk to Marisa.

"Women? I thought you were on a date.....as in with one woman?" Eve began eyeing him curiously while waiting for Chris to dish out information.

"Well, for you information I spent my time wisely in the company of several beautiful women last night." Chris continued watching her face closely as he spoke. "In fact, I have a date with one of them tonight."

"Another date?" Eve questioned struck with a twinge of something that felt strikingly familiar to jealousy before she responded with her usual sarcasm. "Wow, now that's a surprise."

"I knew it was a matter of time before my dry spell would end." Chris replied brightly thinking of his late night with Marisa as they ended up being the last ones at the bar after having danced the night away together.

"So who's the lucky girl?" Eve questioned curiously taking note of the goofy grin on Chris's face.

"Well.......actually, you'd never believe this, but.........." Chris began as the phone rang cutting into his explanation. "I'll get it. Hello........Ramsey here........of course......uh- huh......sure."

Eve watched Chris wondering who was on the phone as she munched on her bagel.

Thinking back to her evening with Scott, she remembered their kiss goodnight and wondered if she would be making the right decision if she chose to have dinner with him once more. She had enjoyed their time together, but something had seemed missing almost strained between them as they said goodnight to one another, but she couldn't quite place why. Glancing up at Chris, who had moved into the far end of the kitchen with the phone in hand she began to wonder just what he and Lucy had talked about and who his mystery woman was.

"Sorry about that......." Chris interrupted her thoughts as he returned to his seat next to her.

"So who was that Chris?" Eve questioned curiously noticing that he was humming a tune in between taking sips of his coffee. "Was that your favorite phone sex operator calling to give you her tearful goodbyes now that you won't be spending your late nights on the phone with her since you've got your groove back?"

"Oh come on Eve, you know I save all my steamy, lustful talk for our late nights alone together." Chris teased wrapping an arm around her.

"Oh please Ramsey." Eve muttered rolling her eyes. "Is that before or after you wake up?"

"Ha, very funny. You know you want me." Chris replied taking note of the bitterness in Eve's voice. "Besides, you know what they say: jealousy will get you no where."

"Hey, who's jealous?" Eve questioned innocently flashing him a grin. "I was merely making an observation."

"Yeah, well observe this one honey. That was the hospital and they're expecting you in fifteen minutes." Chris smirked giving her a quick peck on the cheek before cleaning up his mess as he moved into the kitchen. "Ta!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Marisa stepped off of the elevator and checked the time making sure that she wasn't late for her appointment with Monica Quartermaine. Walking through the halls of General Hospital Marisa felt nervous anticipation in the pit of her stomach trying to brace herself for whatever the first day of her new job would bring her way.

"Marisa," she heard a voice call out from behind her as she turned to discover Ellen waving at her.

"Ellen, hello." Marisa smiled as Ellen approached her.

"Hey, I'm surprised to see you here this morning after last night. By the way, I'm sorry that Lucy and I ducked out on you like we did, but you have to believe me when I say that it wasn't my idea to leave like that." Ellen commented remembering the last time she'd seen Marisa she had been slow dancing with Chris Ramsey.

"It's alright Ellen. Under the circumstances I understand Lucy's motivation behind making a quick exit, and she'll be happy to know that all of her hard work and efforts paid off.

Chris and I are having dinner tonight." Marisa explained remembering how Ellen and Lucy had convienently slipped out of the Pub shortly after she and Chris had started talking to one another.

"You know Marisa, I don't usually make it my business to butt into other people's lives since that seems to be Lucy's job, but I wouldn't feel right if I didn't warn you ahead of time about Chris Ramsey." Ellen started seriously turning to her new friend. "I don't mean to sound like the town gossip, but underneath that handsome exterior, Chris has a mean streak.......especially when he wants something bad enough."

"I've had a glimpse of the darker side of Chris Ramsey. Afterall, I did have him as a patient not so long ago and boy was he a terror. The way he handled the staff...ugh..just enough to drive anyone crazy." Marisa responded remembering Chris's brief explaination of his relationship with Ellen after she and Lucy had left the Pub. "Plus, he gave me a brief overview on the stunt he pulled on you and Matt, and quite frankly, I'm surprised that he's still walking around. If I were you, I would've smacked him and not been able to stop........of course, that's just for starters."

"You know, I have a feeling that Chris Ramsey may have met his match." Ellen laughed tilting her head slightly. "He doesn't know what he's in for with you does he?"

"Well, I guess time will tell." Marisa shrugged as another young doctor approached the two of them.

"And to think, I was worried about you." Ellen chuckled lightly.

"Ellen, excuse me I hate to interrupt, but you're needed in room three." Karen explained with a distraught look upon her face.

"Oh Karen, this is Dr. Marisa Dupuie. She's new on staff here." Ellen began introducing the two of them quickly. "Marisa Dupie this is Dr. Karen Wexler."

"Nice to meet you." Marisa nodded with a smile as Karen extended her out her hand to greet her.

"Likewise." Karen nodded directing her attention back to Ellen. "Look I hate to bother you, but Mrs. Stevenson is putting up a fuss once again and you know how she is once she gets started."

"Say no more. I'm on my way." Ellen replied with a sigh. "Marisa......."

"I know duty calls." Marisa smiled with a knowing nod as Ellen took off down the hall.

"We'll talk later."

"Excuse me, Dr. Dupuie. I know this may sound strange," Karen called out to Marisa, "but have we met before?"

"I don't believe so." Marisa replied checking the time once again.

"No really...I think we have, but I can't quite place from where." Karen insisted racking her brain for a moment. "Oh I know. We met over at the firehouse yesterday. You came over to talk to my father."

"Your father?" Marisa questioned in confusion trying to place the young woman's face.

"Scott.....Scott Baldwin." Karen continued remembering how upset Marisa was the previous day. "You came over earlier in the afternoon."

"Oh my gosh, you're Scott's daughter?" Marisa repeated with a laugh as things suddenly began making sense to her. "You're Scott's little Karen?"

"Well, actually, I've never heard anyone quite put it that way before, but yes, I am his daughter." Karen laughed noticing the surprised look on Marisa's face. "I take it you and my father are friends?"

"Something like that. I was coming over to visit him yesterday, but....." Marisa began feeling the need to explain her actions as Karen's pager went off.

"Listen, I hate to cut you off, but I have to answer this." Karen apologized eager to hear more about Marisa.

"Of course." Marisa nodded silently relieved that she wouldn't have to explain herself to Karen. "I have a meeting with Dr. Quartermaine anyways."

"Well, it's been nice meeting you Marisa, and maybe we'll get a chance to talk in the future." Karen explained with a smile.

"Sure, I'd like that." Marisa replied as Karen took off down the hallway and she shook her head suddenly feeling foolish thinking it over. "Scott's daughter. What was I thinking?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Kevin, hey do you have a minute?" Eve questioned stepping into Kevin's office as he signaled for his friend to come in. Taking a break from his workload for a few minutes, Kevin set his pen down on his desk top.

"What can I do for you this afternoon Eve?" Kevin questioned leaning back in his chair a bit.

"Actually, I came over here to talk to you about a couple of things." Eve confessed as she moved in closer towards Kevin's desk. "First off, I wanted to say that I heard the news about you and Lucy. When Scott told me last night, I was rather surprised..."

"Eve, I'm so sorry I didn't mention it to you earlier. I guess that it slipped my mind back at the hospital considering everything that was going on in between Lucy and Chris. We were both so upset about the circumstances that well...." Kevin interrupted apologetically remembering how he'd been too caught up with worry to share his good news about Lucy.

"Say no more Kevin." Eve cut him off raising her hand in the air. "I completely understand and I just wanted to say that I'm happy for the two of you. I know how hurt you were when you thought you'd lost Lucy and it's good to see that fate pulled you two back together again."

"Thank you. That means a lot to me Eve." Kevin replied with a smile as he nodded for her to take a seat. "So tell me, what else is on your mind?"

"Actually," Eve began hesitating for a moment, "I know that this is probably not the best timing in the world, but I wanted to talk to you about Ryan."

"Oh?" Kevin questioned in surprise as Eve began to clear her throat.

"I know that everyone wants to put this whole General Homicide mess behind them, but something you said to me back at the hospital keeps playing in my mind." Eve explained locking gazes with him for a moment. "You mentioned to me how you felt as if there were so many questions left unanswered and that it seemed as if you should have some kind of closure in the situation. Remember?"

"Of course." Kevin nodded feeling a chill run up his spine as she continued. "I still feel that way."

"Well, I want answers too Kevin." Eve insisted sitting up straighter in her seat. "Your brother went through a lot of trouble trying to frame me for those murders and I want to know why."

"Eve, Ryan was a very complicated man and I don't think we'll ever uncover his reasoning behind all that he's done." Kevin informed her seriously drawing in a breath. "In fact, the more I think about it, the more I realize that perhaps it's best that we leave things as they are and not travel back down that road again."

"Kevin, I know for a fact that you haven't given up on seeking some type of answers. I can see it written all over you face that this is far from being over with you." Eve added quickly taking note of his silence. "You want answers just as bad as I do."

"Eve, Lucy and I are starting a family together." Kevin snapped back at her trying to dismiss his feelings about Ryan. "Even if I'd like to unravel the mystery of my brother's reappearance in Port Charles, I can't afford to do something like that right now. I have too much to lose by dwelling in the past. I won't allow myself to become a victim of those demons lurking in the shadows and I strongly suggest that you do the same."

"I understand where you're coming from Kevin, but I'm not letting go of this just yet.

Ryan wrote me a letter before he died and I want to know why." Eve explained noticing the color drain from his face. "I suppose Garcia showed it to you, didn't he?"

"Among other things." Kevin nodded thinking of his own letter from Ryan.

"Then you know why I need to find the answers I'm looking for.....if only for my own piece of mind." Eve began clenching her fists a bit as she leaned forward.

"I know how you're feeling Eve, but digging into this is only going to leave you more frustrated than you already are." Kevin tried assuring her taking note of how upset she appeared to be. "Trust me on this one."

"Kevin, some of the things he said in that letter made it look like he and I worked hand in hand with one another. Heck, Garcia is still trying to pin this on me and with all the evidence pointing in my direction still between my cell phone being used to make the call to you when Lucy was taken, the letter from Ryan, the admission from Ryan to Lucy that he had an accomplice..........it doesn't look too good for me Kevin." Eve confessed exposing her fears about her current situation as she began to pace around the room. "I keep telling myself that there's nothing to worry about, but it seems as if everytime I try to move forward with my life something else pops up."

"Listen Eve, I know you had nothing to do with this and I promise you that Garcia will ease up sooner or later." Kevin insisted standing up and wishing that she would calm down.

"Kevin, I want to believe that, but as time goes on, I just get the feeling that something's still missing..........like it's not over..........as if this is just the beginning......" Eve continued still doubtful about the current situation.

"Eve as your friend, I'm advising you to just let this go because if you don't, it's only going to eat away at you." Kevin urged as the door to his office opened up and Lucy entered the room.

"Doc, you'll never believe this, but the most amazing thing just happened to me......" Lucy began excitedly noticing Eve standing across from Kevin. "Eve.."

"Lucy," Eve nodded turning around to face her.

"Doc, I just wanted to see if you were interested in going to lunch with me and when I noticed the crack in the door, I just assumed that you were alone." Lucy explained quickly directing her attention to Kevin.

"Don't worry. I was just leaving Lucy." Eve replied turning to Kevin. "Thanks for the talk Kevin. I'll think about what you said."

"What was that all about?" Lucy questioned as Eve made a quick exit.

"Nothing important." Kevin sighed not wanting to rehash the details of his discussion with Eve as he gazed into Lucy's bright eyes. "So what did you want to tell me?"

"I just had the most amazing encounter down the hallway." Lucy explained deciding not to probe Kevin anymore about Eve as she noticed the agitated look upon his face. "Ellen and I were just making plans to go dress shopping tomorrow afternoon when we ran into Sophe D'Amore and we ended up having the most intriguing conversation."

"Sophe who?" Kevin questioned curiously.

"Sophe D'Amore." Lucy repeated taking note of the blank expression on Kevin's face.

"Doc, please don't tell me that you haven't heard of her."

"Nope, sorry. I must've missed that name on my list of who's who in Port Charles." Kevin teased realizing that Lucy was unimpressed.

"Kevin, she is only the most exquisite, talented wedding coordinator in the whole entire world. In fact, she's put together some of the most elegant weddings for royalty. Royalty Kevin, can you believe that?" Lucy questioned shaking her head in amazement as she continued, "and when I told her about our wedding, well, I was so shocked that she was more than happy to offer some of her opinions on our ceremony........"

"Hold on a second." Kevin interrupted shaking his head in disbelief. "I thought that we agreed that we weren't going to make a spectical of our wedding."

"Well, we aren't Doc, but it couldn't hurt if we had some advice on how to perfect the most wonderful day of our lives and seeing how awful things turned out last time, I think we could use all the help we could get. Plus I mentioned our desire to get married as soon as possible and she said that it wouldn't be a problem for her to throw together one of the best weddings that this town has ever seen. Plus, here's the best part, she even offered her services for free because as she put it, 'I changed her life when I ran Deception because my products gave her the confidence to succeed in today's world'." Lucy explained excitedly as she moved about the room. "Can you believe that Doc?"

"Let me get this straight," Kevin began sitting on the corner of his desk and taking in what she was saying, "You mean to tell me that your cosmetics line changed this woman's life?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying. In fact, she mentioned that she was so moved by an article she read on me a few years back, that she said it was an inspiration to actually meet me in person." Lucy explained noticing the look of skepticism on his face. "Oh Doc, would you at least open yourself up to the experience. All she's going to do is come over tonight to discuss a few of our options for the ceremony."

"Tonight? What happened to that romantic dinner for two we'd talked about earlier this morning?" Kevin questioned as a frown crossed Lucy's lips.

"Doc, I completely forgot about that, but I promise to make it up to you tomorrow night.

This is a once of a lifetime opportunity and when Ellen and I heard it, neither one of us could pass up on it." Lucy explained flashing him one of her dazzling smiles as she nudged him slightly. "Can't you picture it now? Getting married in front of our friends and family in the most elegant settings sure to have everyone envious of us?"

"Lucy, I'd marry you right here in the office if it meant that we'd be able to spend the rest of our lives together." Kevin confessed watching her face light up as he took her in his arms.

"In this office?" she questioned with a laugh. "You've got to be kidding."

"Uh-uh." Kevin responded shaking his head. "We have some very interesting memories in this place. If these walls could talk......."

"That's true, but I'd much rather we have something a bit more elegant." Lucy replied kissing him. "Afterall, I don't think that our friends and family could all fit into this room."

"Ah, who needs to have a big wedding when we have each other?" Kevin questioned noticing the look in her eyes as he let out a sigh. "Oh all right, you win Lucy. I'll listen to whatever Sophie D'Amore has to say."

"Oh goody. I promise that you won't regret this." Lucy cheered hugging him. "Now what do you say we head off to lunch? I'm starving."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Knock-knock. Hello?" Eve called out impatiently tapping on the bathroom door. "Chris, what in the world are you doing in there? Scott is going to be here any minute and I'd like to finish my make up before he arrives."

"So use your own bathroom." Chris replied through the door.

"I would, but you know that I blew a fuse in there earlier. Besides, yours has better lighting in it." Eve insisted as she pounded on the door once again. "Come on Chris. Quit stalling."

"You know if you wouldn't have ran your hair dryer for so long, then you wouldn't be in this position. Besides, your not the only one who has a date tonight." Chris informed her stepping out of the bathroom as he finished buttoning up his shirt. He looked her over and noticed that she'd grown silent. "What?"

"Nothing." Eve replied with a shrug gazing him over for a moment.

"What is it Eve? Do I have something in my teeth?" Chris questioned turning towards the bathroom once again.

"No, not at all. You look good." Eve insisted noticing the sparkle in his eyes. "I mean it."

"Thank you, now hopefully my date will think so when she gets here." Chris grinned stepping out into the living room.

"Tell me again why she's meeting you here?" Eve questioned curiously watching Chris fuss with his hair.

"Because she's running behind at work." Chris explained remembering the phone call he'd received from Marisa earlier. "I offered to pick her up at her place, but she wanted to meet here."

"I see." Eve nodded thinking of how much effort Chris had been putting into getting ready for his date.

"Just give me five minutes, then the bathroom's all yours." Chris decided slipping back into the bathroom before Eve had a chance to protest.

"Five minutes and that's it!" Eve warned turning back to the mirror on the wall and looking over her appearance as the bell rang. "Great, that has to be Scott and just look at me."

Eve quickly made her way over to the door stopping to reach into her purse to apply one more coat of lipgloss and fluffing her hair a bit before finally reaching to open the door.

Flashing one of her brightest smiles, she opened her mouth to say hello to Scott, but was greated by another familiar face.

"Dr. Dupuie. What are you doing here?" Eve questioned a bit puzzled as she noticed the woman standing before her.

"Eve, what a surprise." Marisa smiled a bit confused to find Eve standing before her. "I was supposed to be meeting Chris, but apparently I must've written the address down wrong......"

"Marisa, sorry I'm running behind." Chris called out stepping into the center of the room.

"Well Eve, don't just stand there. Let her inside."

"Of course." Eve nodded opening the door for Marisa. "Come on in."

"Thank you." Marisa smiled feeling a bit awkward as she entered the apartment.

"Marisa, you look beautiful tonight." Chris greeted her giving her a quick kiss on the cheek as he took her hand in his.

"Well, it's nice to see you again, but I'm going to finish getting ready before my date gets here." Eve explained after a moment ducking into the bathroom as she shot Chris a look of confusion.

"I didn't realize that you two were roommates." Marisa spoke up as Eve exited the room.

"Oh well, yeah we are, but we don't like to broadcast it too much. Eve thinks it would be bad for her image if word got out that we lived together." Chris teased with a wink eager to get the evening started. "Just let me grab my jacket and we'll be on our way."

"Okay," Marisa agreed with a smile as the bell rang.

"Could you get that?" Eve called out from the bathroom as Marisa moved to open the door.

"Hey beautiful, these are for you." Scott called out holding out the roses that he'd picked up on the way over. He waited for a response from Eve, but was greeted by silence as he lowered the flowers to look at her.

"Scott?" Marisa questioned in confusion.