Episode 057: THE GUIDING LIGHT
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The Guiding Light: Episode 057
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Written By: Josh Hawkins & Dan Gobble
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Written By: Josh Hawkins & Dan Gobble
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Rick tightened the scarf around his neck, spring had arrived the day before yet the bitter wind blew uncontrollably as he stood on the porch.
Dr. Felicia Boudreau pulled open the door and smiled, “Rick this is quite the surprise.” She hugged him, “My goodness, hurry come in and get out of this wind.” Felicia pushed the door closed, “Can you believe this weather, almost April and it is just bitterly cold. Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“No thank you.” Rick replied, “Is Mel here?”
“Oh I wish she were.” Felicia answered, “You know you just missed her. I’m sorry.”
“Seems to be our luck lately, missing one another.” Rick looked around, “Do you know where she went?”
“I don’t.” She answered, “Um…Mel told us about Michelle’s pregnancy please pass our congratulations onto her and Dr. Bauer.”
“I will do that, but you don’t have to patronize me Felicia that was never your strong suit.”
“You’re right it has never been, but I was doing no such thing Rick and I’m sorry you felt I was.” She took a seat in an empty chair, “For what it’s worth Clayton and I think that our daughter is making a horrible mistake, one that I am assured she will soon retract.”
“We’ve both made mistakes Felicia.” Rick sat down, “Should she have come clean sooner? Yes. Should I have overreacted the way I did? No.” He took a moment for some silent thoughts, “She is the best thing that has ever happened to me without question and I everyday that I wake up and she’s not there next to me is a day that I think she is slowly slipping away. I don’t know what to do Felicia. You’re the expert here how about some expert advice?”
“Oh Rick…I’m not the one to ask about this. If you want an expert then I would tell you to go and talk with Clayton he’s the real expert.”
“What do you mean?”
“Clayton and I have had our troubles after we were first married.” Felicia began, “And he was desperate to have a child right after med school…and I miscarried much like Mel. Clayton left me, not right away…but he did and we were separated for eight months.”
**********
Reva shut the door and smiled, “Mel this is a surprise. How are you?”
“Better.” She answered short and to the point her single word hung in the air.
“Joshua and I were just talking about you the other night over dinner, curious as to how you were feeling. You received our flowers didn’t you? I hope so because that florist down on Fifth Street can be so ditzy sometimes…” Reva rambled.
“Your flowers were beautiful. They died though.” Mel was short again, “Reva this isn’t a social visit…you and I are not two old girlfriends catching up on days gone by. It’s taken me this long to muster up the courage and come here today. To see you face-to-face…for the first…” her words trailed off.
**********
And Now "The Guiding Light"
**********
“All right. Thank you Bill, I appreciate it.” Michelle closed her cell phone and sat it down on the kitchen table. Just as she was about to sit down herself she heard a knock on the front door.
Since coming clean about the baby Michelle was clearly showing now, she supposed it was because she was wearing clothes that actually fit.
“Marah…” Michelle was surprised to see her here.
“Is Danny here yet? He told me that you called earlier.”
“No, not yet. But he will be soon and the same with Bill, so I don’t really have time to talk.”
“You’ll make the time.” Marah replied.
“I see. So you’ve come to threaten me and make promises you will not be able to keep?”
“Don’t underestimate me Michelle.” Marah warned, “You’ve gotten yourself into quite the little predicament haven’t you?”
“One that I am working on mind you.”
“You know either way this turns out it is going to affect me in some way. Bill and I have become extremely close the last few years and…” Marah paused to think for a moment.
“And what? Go on say it Marah, you’re falling in love with Danny?”
“Actually yes, that is exactly what I was going to say.”
“That’s not my concern or problem, but I wish all the luck in the world, because you’ll need it. Danny is a complicated individual with a lot of baggage.”
“If that is some poor attempt to scare me away well then you’ve failed Michelle, I don’t scare easily.”
**********
Having spent the previous night together grieving for the loss of Alexandra and worrying about how to treat Harley, the Cooper family: Buzz, Frank, Marina along with Gus and Vera arrive at the Spaulding Mansion. Once everyone has assembled in the study, Buzz offers Alan his condolences and Alan-Michael announces that Rick Bauer is taking the Spaulding jet to Bar Harbor to pick Lucy up and that they will be bringing Harley back to Springfield.
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“Felicia I had no idea.”
“No one does and no one ever. Do you understand me Rick?”
“Of course Felicia, so you think just wait it out like you did with Clayton?”
“Every couple is different, every situation is different and Rick I cannot tell you what to do, only you and Mel can decide that. It is going to take time though, that I can assure you. You love my daughter I know that, time will heal these wounds and when you finally are reunited it will be ten times sweeter.”
“Thanks for talking with me.” Rick stood, “I need to be going though.”
“So soon?”
“I um, actually came by to tell Mel that I was flying out with a trauma team to Maine later today. Harley was in a car accident out there and it’s not good.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Felicia answered, “Was anyone else involved?”
“Alexandra Spaulding. She died.” He revealed, “We just found out yesterday.”
“Rick…” Felicia hugged him, “I know how close you are to Phillip and with Harley, are you doing all right?”
“I will be once I get Harley home, where she belongs. Thank you for your concern.”
Felicia walked him to the door, “You will always have a place in this family Rick, please know that.”
“Thank you Felicia and tell Mel what’s going on would you?”
She shook her head…shut the door and once more Rick was standing out in the bitter cold.
**********
“You came to me Marah, I have no reason to try and scare you, I think you’re already afraid.”
“Of you? Hardly, but I am concerned about your child.”
“Okay, speaking of my child I don’t have the time or the energy to even deal with you right now. I have to stay focused on what matters, my baby.”
“Of course, I understand Michelle. That’s why I’m here.”
“Really?”
Marah shook her head, “Mm-hhm. Really. But you better be very concerned with me and worry at least a little, because one way or another you are going to be tied to me for a very longtime to come.”
“And how do you figure that?”
“Bill is my cousin and if that is his child then he or she will be a Lewis, through and through.”
“And if she’s a Santos?”
“Danny’s mine Michelle and I intend to keep it that way for a very long time, no matter what storm we have to weather together. If your child is his, we will deal with it and I just don’t want you to think you will be able to win him back, because you won’t.”
“You need to leave, now!” Michelle opened the door to see Danny standing there ready to knock.
“What’s going on?” He asked
“Danny!” Marah smiled, “I just stopped by to leave you a message to call me later.”
“Is there a problem?”
“Of course not. Mindy called and she’s flying into New York City in the morning for a couple of days and asked me to join her.”
“That’s sound nice.”
“Yes, very nice. So when you’re all done here you call me and we’ll have dinner. Okay?”
“Okay.” Danny bent down and kissed her, “See you in a bit.”
“Goodbye Michelle.” Marah waved, “Lovely talking to you.”
**********
Phillip informs Gus that he will be by later to pick Zach up and tells him that until Harley is well again he will be keeping Zach, Gus agrees. After his talk with Gus, Phillip approaches Beth and suggests they stay in the mansion to give Zach a sense of security with Harley being away. Beth becomes upset and notes that once again Harley Davidson Cooper has managed to work her way into their marriage and cause problems. Beth begins to storm away and tells Phillip it is bad enough that she has share a house with Olivia, but now Phillip is thinking of Harley more than her! She tells him to sleep in a guest suite and not their bedroom for a while!
**********
Reva stepped lightly, “Is this about Roxanne?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact it is, because since that woman entered my life…”
“I know what you must be feeling right now.” Reva interrupted, “And Mel I want you to know from the bottom of my heart I am so…so sorry for the trouble and torment she caused.”
“You have no idea what I’m feeling Reva.”
“You’re right. You are absolutely right I have no idea. But I do know the pain and the hurt she caused and you look as though…”
“As though what Reva? That I’m better? That I am over the hell your sister put me through? Well you are wrong!” Mel shouted at her, “How uncouth and insensitive can you be? I’m beginning to understand why Marah loathes you the way she does…”
“Did you have a purpose in coming here?” Reva stepped toward the defense side, “Because I’ve never had problem with you Mel, but my relationship with my daughter is not up for discussion. Perhaps you should go before you say something you will regret later.”
“I was pregnant Reva!” She announced, “Pregnant with my first child. Do you remember what it was like when you first found out you were pregnant for the first time? The joyous feeling you had, how worried you were about bringing a new life into the world…but then of course you were probably worried for different reasons…”
“Okay you’ve said enough.” Reva retorted as she went towards the door.
“Your crazy sister ruined that for me. I lost my baby because of what Roxie did. And since the day I found out I held myself responsible, but I shouldn’t have. Because I hold you responsible, Marah’s right you and your actions are to blame for all of this and no one is holding you responsible.”
“That may very well be how it appears.” Reva snapped, “But my momma used to say the good Lord giveth and the good Lord taketh away, so before you come into this house blaming me for what has transpired Mel…maybe you should reexamine your life again.”
“And just what the hell does that mean?”
“It means if I hadn’t done what I did and take Richard off life support you wouldn’t even have a husband right now. So before you go getting all high and mighty on me, in my house, mind you…I suggest you remember whose heart is beating in your husband’s chest right now.”
“That maybe the case, but one day Reva…one day, you are going to get what you so rightfully deserve.”
“You’ve overstayed your welcome Mrs. Bauer…now get out!” Reva demanded as Mel headed towards the door.
“Gladly!”
**********
“I don’t mean to sound crass but I have a meeting at Cedars in half an hour.” Bill announced as he took a seat at the Bauer table.
“I talked with both my father and Claire about an amino DNA test, however after the fifth month they become extremely high risk for the mother and child. So I went with Plan B…”
“Which was?” Danny questioned.
“Pin-pointing the date of conception.”
“Are you joking Michelle?” Bill erupted, “Seriously?”
“No I’m not Bill. In fact Claire…” The mere mention of her name caused Danny to roll his eyes, “And I worked for hours yesterday going through my medical charts and we came to a very clear answer. There was two weeks difference in between the time Danny and I slept together, Bill…”
“Bill…Danny…” Michelle bordered on tears, “I love you both more than either of you are willing to realize, but Bill…you are the father of my baby.”
“How sure is Claire?” Bill asked before she could answer.
“I’m not buying it Michelle.” Danny interrupted, “Claire Ramsey hates me with every bone in her vengeful body. So until you produce hard, concrete evidence I won’t accept that Bill is the father of this baby.”
“You can’t drop it can you Danny?”
“Do you honestly want to raise my child as your own Bill?” Danny asked with no answer, “I didn’t think so. When is your due date?”
“May 16th.” Michelle answered, “I know that you don’t believe me…”
“It’s not that I don’t believe you Michelle.” Danny told her, “But I have to much on the line here to put all my trust and faith into a calendar and Claire.”
“So where do we go from here?” Bill asked as Michelle leaned against the bar holding her stomach listening to the men talk amongst themselves.
“STOP IT!” She shouted at the top of her lungs, “Both of you shut up. You want to know where we go from here? Fine, I’ll tell you both…” she flung open the back door, “The both of you can get the hell out. You want to know where we go from here? Well, we…go nowhere. You asked me to find out who the father of this little girl is and I did. You can’t accept my answer then I don’t want to see either one of you until she is born.”
“Michelle…” They both reasoned and Bill spoke again, “You can’t do this on your own.”
“Why not Bill? I’m much more stronger than either of you give me credit for. Now both of you get out…and I mean it I don’t want to see either of you until I have this child. Do you both understand?”
The men shook their heads in agreement, “Good.” She watched them leave and slammed the door behind her and quickly fell into the first empty chair she found, her mind raced, her heart ached, tears flowed down her cheek and in this moment Michelle missed
**********
Blake Thorpe Marler curled up on her bed and looked out the window at her children playing below. Ross had stopped by earlier to visit and Blake had taken the opportunity to make a long overdue telephone call.
“Hi Daddy.” She softly spoke, almost in a whisper, “I figured I would end up getting the machine, but oh well. It’s great to hear your voice. Anyway…Ross is out back with the kids, they miss you by the way and I thought I would just call tell you how much I love you. As soon as you get this you call me, I miss you. Okay then, well I’m going to let you go…I’ll talk to you later Daddy. I love you.” She ended the call and put the phone on the nightstand and looked out the window again.
:Fades to Black:
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Next on "THE GUIDING LIGHT"
- Lizzie goes to Oakdale!
- Reva runs away!
- Alan Michael has a plan!!
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