<HR>

She burst through the doors of Cedars, her eyes heavy with tears of fears. “Hi…” her voice cracked, “excuse me, please. My name…my name is Reva Lewis.” She attempted to speak, “I need someone to page either Lillian Raines or Dr. Ed Bauer, immediately.”

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<HR>

San Jamar Island

“Ice tea?” Marissa Spencer-Randall extended a glass to her sister, “I just made it.”

“Thank you,” Olivia smiled. “For this and for all the sacrifices you’ve made the last few months. I know that it hasn’t been easy on you and Alfred.”

“Please don’t apologize Olivia,” Marissa took a seat next to her on the sofa. The two of watched as Hannah played quietly on a blanket in the corner. “Can you believe how big she’s gotten?”

“Nope, I certainly can’t.”

“So, how long are you going to hide out here Olivia?” Marissa questioned. “Please don’t get me wrong because I love having you so close. We haven’t spent as much time talking and just being sisters since we were little girls, I love having you here.”

“But you want to know how long I intend on hiding from my husband?” Olivia asked directly. “It’s okay. I’ve asked myself the same question over and over again since I got here.” She paused for a moment, “And I’ve came up with about half-a-dozen different answers. I’ve worked hard to have the things I have in my life…Hannah and my career. I saraficed far to much, I have done a lot of things in my life and deserve a lot, but what I don’t deserve is to have Alan Spaulding rip the benefits of my hard work away from me, I don’t deserve that Marissa.”

“Well of course not,” her sister agreed. “And from what you’ve told me your husband sounds like a first-class son-of-a-bitch. What kind of man fakes two heart attacks and turns his back on a child he’s raised as his own their entire life?”

“Alan Spaulding does,” Olivia answered.

“Can I ask you something sis?” Olivia shook her head yes. “How well do you know Phillip? I know you say that you love him and he’s Hannah’s father but there is a difference in truly knowing someone and loving them. And I only ask because, well, you haven’t always made smart, sound decisions when it comes to men: Richard, Josh Lewis and now Alan.”

“You know the old saying, ‘You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince charming?’”

“So are you saying that you’ve found your prince charming or is Phillip just one more frog that you’re going to have to kiss?”

“There’s something different about Phillip, he’s not like any other man I’ve been with. For starters Marissa he is my daughter’s father. Those other men, Richard, Josh and even Alan to an extent were never that. He is a good man, one worth fighting for.”

“I just don’t want you to get hurt again, you don’t deserve that Olivia. Moreover, to me it sounds like this Phillip has his own version of Reva Lewis…are you sure that you’re ready to compete with that all over again?”

<HR>

Upon returning home from the wedding, Beth saw her mother off to work, took a shower and put on a pair of PJs that Lizzie had gotten her for Christmas last year. She put on a pot of coffee and made her way back into the living room, tonight was just about her. She was going to drink coffee, eat something very unhealthy and watch “Steel Magnolias” for what she was certain was the tenth time since the divorce. However, the ringing doorbell had other plans for her…

“Alexandra…” Beth forced a smile. “How are you?”

Alex shook her head, “I’m not going to lie…not okay. I got back to the mansion and was going to have a glass of wine but there wasn’t anyone there to have it with.”

“So you came here with liquor?” Beth smirked. “How very Spaulding-esque of you. Come on in.” She held open the door for her.

“In all fairness to me and my liqour,” Alex noted, “came to see you mother.”

“She had to work tonight. But you know I am glad that you’re here.” Beth told her. “Since the divorce we don’t seem to talk much, not like we used to anyway.”

“I know and I’m very sorry about that, but you have to understand my position, Phillip’s my nephew and right now I’m the closest thing to a parent he has right now.”

“That’s not true nor is it fair Alexandra. He has Ross and Elizabeth is out God only knows where doing God only knows what. If she was so concerned about her son she could come home you know.”

“I can’t answer for Elizabeth or even explain her actions,” Alexandra replied.

“You’re not his mother Alex and I know that is hard for you to hear, but you’re not. You have to realize that Phillip has parents and other family to lean upon.” Beth disappeared into the kitchen and brought back two wine glasses. “And I’m not saying that you have to stop by everyday to see how I’m doing, because Momma does that. It would just be nice if you recognized the relationship you and I had for all these years.”

Alexandra took Beth’s hand, “I will, from now on I will do just that. You’ve been a very important part of my family for many years and no matter if you or Phillip are married, my love for you will never change Beth.”

“Thank you Alex.” Beth poured herself another glass of wine, “You know this beats what I had planned on doing tonight.”

“And what was that darling?”

“Watching Steel Magnolias again, it seems to have become my comfort movie since the divorce. Momma refuses to watch it with me anymore.”

“I would love to see that movie, it’s been years since I last seen it,” Alex told her. “If you don’t mind me inviting myself.”

Beth shook her head, “Of course not. It’ll be fun.”

“Okay then, I’ll go get some popcorn.”

Beth shook her head in agreement and smiled, this was the last thing she expected tonight.

<HR>

“Come on in,” Marina held open the front door of her and Frank’s house. “You sounded pretty upset on the phone.”

“I was at Braxton’s apartment. I thought that since he couldn’t get off work for the wedding that I would give him a little surprise…” Lizzie raised her eyebrows.

“Oh…and did you, give him a surprise?”

“Hardly. I’m the one who got the biggest surprise…no that is, biggest shocker of all time.”

“You caught him there with another woman, didn’t you? Was it someone that you knew? One of those slutty nurses from Cedars, huh?”

Lizzie shook her head, “You watch to much television Marina. No, I didn’t catch him with anyone because he wasn’t there. He left town…”

“What? What do you mean he left town?”

“How many other ways can I say it Marina? He left Springfield. He left me a dear John, or in this case a dear Jane letter, packed his clothes and skipped town.”

“Bastard!” Marina gasped. “What did the letter say?”

“Oh who cares?” She shrugged, “Actually it said something about how he wasn’t the person I thought he was…”

“Uh, yeah obviously.”

“And how he had this clear cut agenda and couldn’t go through with it after he got to know the real me.”

Marina embraced Lizzie with a tender hug, “I’m sorry honey. Is there anything that I can do to help?”

She shook her head, “Yes. Call Shayne and see if Reva cares if we come over. I want to watch a movie where the incredibly sexy hero gets blown up by something, anything I don’t care.”

“Okay. I don’t think Reva will care,” Marina searched for her phone. “You Shayne could probably use some cheering up anyway. Tammy left for D.C. tonight.”

“She did what?”

Marina shook her head, “I know. She got accepted into this intersession course she needed so she took off tonight after the wedding.”

“Well, that is just…wonderful! You know what not only are we going to watch men blowing up movies, but we’re going to eat pizza and chocolate and ice cream!”

“Sounds great, but we may have to settle for a girls night,” Marina waved her phone in the air, “voice mail.”

She left him a short message to call her when he got the message and then tossed her phone onto the sofa. “Want to make the trip to the video store or should we see if my Dad has anything that will fit your criteria?”

Lizzie shrugged her shoulders and Marina’s phone began ringing. “Hello! Oh hey Dad…” her words trailed off. “Oh my God…when…” her voice turned and Lizzie could tell that something was the matter. “Actually Lizzie’s here with me we’ll be right down.”

“Marina? What happened?” Lizzie questioned.

“Put your coat on.”

“Marina!”

“Shayne’s been in some kind of accident…I don’t know what’s going on. Dad couldn’t tell me much but something has happened to Shayne. We have to get down to Cedars right now!”

<HR>

“I can take care of myself you know. I’ve been doing it for a very long time, alone without any help from you, Marissa.”

“Don’t you get defensive with me, not here of all places. I’m your big sister and there have been times in your life that I haven’t always had your best interests at heart, but I do now. You can’t keep jumping from one man’s bed to another, not anymore Olivia. You have someone else to look out for now, someone else you have to protect and care for, Hannah.”

“And that’s what I am doing here,” Olivia picked up the baby and held her close. “I am anything but naïve Marissa. I know my track record with men and yes this relationship with Phillip could work out, but I also know it could fail. I have to prepare myself for both of those things to happen. And when it comes to dangerous men, contrary to popular belief,” she gestured around her, “I can deal with dangerous men. The woman that left San Cristobel all those years ago, she’s grown up.”

“You have grown up,” Marissa smiled for a moment and then it fell. “You know, speaking of dangerous men Jonathan refuses to come from boarding school because Edmund is now back here in San Cristobel.”

“Oh God, that’s right. How is he doing as the sophomore Ambassador?”

“Who the hell knows? Or cares for that matter?” Marissa shook her head, “Jonathan refuses to even come back here for a visit. I sent him an email last month, practically begging him to come home and he flat out refused.”

“I am so sorry Marissa, I had no idea.”

“Plus, it doesn’t help that Reva popped in awhile back. I wanted to tell her what was going on but Alfred insisted I not.”

“Why did you do that?” Olivia asked shocked that her sister would do such a thing. “You know as well as the next person that there is no love lost between Reva and me but she has a right to know how Jonathan feels.”

“No!” Marissa said firmly. “Reva gave Jonathan to me, I’m his mother. Jonathan maybe almost grown, but I still have to protect him. It is my job to protect my son from Edmund, from Reva and anyone else who threatens his well being. Anyone.”

<HR>

“I forgot how terribly sad and yet wonderfully funny that movie was,” Alexandra smiled. “Thank you for letting me stay Beth.”

She began folding a blanket, “Well I’m glad that you and your liqiour stopped by.” Beth smiled, “You know when you got here you said that you weren’t doing all that well, is there anything you want to talk about?”

Alex shrugged her shoulders, “It’s Gus. He and Harley broke up a few weeks ago, he’s living in some trashy, run down motel on the edge of town and you know what Beth, it’s all my fault.”

“All your fault? Alexandra I some how doubt that.”

“No it is, really. I kept too much from him and tried to cover it up. I knew what Alan was capable of, you’ve what he’s capable of. I just didn’t want another one of my sons to be put through the turmoil of having me as a mother.”

“What are you talking about? The turmoil? Yes you are anything but common, you’re over-the-top at times, pushy, domineering, but above all of those flaws Alexandra you’re a good mother.”

“You’re just saying that Beth. And I think it is very kind, but you really don’t have to sugar coat anything for me.”

“Who said I was doing that? I don’t sugar coat anything any longer, I don’t have the time or the desire.” Beth smiled at her,

“Can I give you some advice?”

Alex shook her head, “I think that would be nice.”

“After Lorelei and I integrated there were nights when I would lie awake and berate myself for being a bad mother. For not being strong enough to handle that flood, for leaving my children and countless other things that I had no control over.”

“Yes, but I had control over giving Gus up. I made that choice, not Alan and not my father.”

“But because of the choices that were made for you already in your life by them is what forced you to make that choice. You made the choice yes, but it was because of their actions,” Beth explained. “The point of this story is that I couldn’t move forward with my life as Beth, until I came to the conclusion that I was a good mother. Lorelei’s mistakes were just that mistakes and I finally realized that. I decided to move forward and rebuild a relationship with my children.”

“So what are you saying Beth?”

“That you have to admit your mistakes to yourself, to Gus and then move forward. Look around you Alexandra, you have Nick, Phillip and Alan-Michael in your life who respect and look up to you know. At some point in your life you did something right with them and more importantly for yourself. You’re capable of doing it again, you just have to want to.”

“You know what you’re right. One-hundred percent without a doubt right,” Alexandra leaned over and kissed Beth’s forehead.

“Thank you for listening, the movie…the wine.”

“Anytime Alexandra, anytime.”

<HR>

She burst through the doors of Cedars, her eyes heavy with tears of fears. “Hi…” her voice cracked, “excuse me, please. My name…my name is Reva Lewis.” She attempted to speak, “I need someone to page either Lillian Raines or Dr. Ed Bauer, immediately.”

Billy placed his hands on shoulders, “Reva…darlin’”

She spun around to face him, “So help you God, Billy Lewis…” she wiped tears off her cheek, “if the next words out of your mouth are calm down…because if they are…” she was trembling with fear, “have her page Lillian. Please Billy…please…”

Lillian pushed open the doors marked, “trauma room one.”

“Reva,” she spoke softly, “come over and sit down for just one moment.” Lillian led her across to a vacant sofa in the corner of the waiting room. “Reva you need to take a very deep breath right now and remain as calm as can be expected. Okay?”

Reva shook her head yes and took Billy’s hand. “Do you know where Josh is?”

She shook her head, “No. He left to go somewhere earlier tonight. I’ve tried to call him several times, but nothing.”

“All right,” Lillian took Reva’s other hand.

“What is going on?” Reva pleaded, “Lillian you have to tell me what is wrong with Shayne?”

“There was some type of accident at the Beacon tonight. Shayne was…he was…”

“What?” Billy asked. “Tell us what happened…”

“Frank seems to think that Shayne was attacked with some type of club or a baseball bat.”

“Attacked…” Reva shook her head, “what do you mean?”

“Frank and the police detective working with her seem to think that he was mugged. They don’t know that for certain, however that’s what they think happened.”

“Is Ed in there with him right now?”

“No, Rick and Mel are working to stabilize him,” Lillian explained. “Listen Reva, Frank’s with the person who found Shayne at the Beacon and she’s going to want to ask you some questions about where Shayne was going tonight…”

“Who found him?” Reva questioned. “Who was it Lillian? Not one of the girls, oh please tell me it wasn’t Marina or Lizzie?”

“No.”

“Was it someone that I know? Who? Lillian!”

“It was me,” Lucy appeared from the corridor still wearing the clothes from early. “I found him Reva…” she choked back tears as Reva stared at her in shock.

“Lucy…” Reva raced over to her. “Oh my God…” she sank to the sofa in shock as Lucy took the seat next to her.

“I am so sorry this happened…” Lucy cried as Reva opened her arms for the young woman to weep in.

“It’s okay. You…you didn’t do this to him. Some monster did…no, you, you Lucy, you saved boy.” She stroked her hair and looked up at Lillian and Billy. “You, you go find your brother and you bring him here, Billy. And Lillian…you page Ed and you tell me that I want him here right now!” She shook her head in agreement, “And then I want to talk Frank. He has to know that if he wants to see the person who did this to my son alive, ever again, then he had better find them before I do. Because, I swear to God as my witness, when I find the person who did…I will kill them!”

<HR>

At the same moment Reva was holding Lucy, making her threat, Austin Hollingsworth stood on the observation deck of the lighthouse by the river. The moon reflected on the water as the young man pulled back his arm and threw the bloodstained wooden bat into the calm water below him. The bat hit the water. Austin could see it floating out to God only knew where as Rick and Mel worked frantically to stabilize Shayne!

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Next on "The Guiding Light"

- Ben tells Holly about his cancer!

- Alexandra confronts the men in her life.

- Reva offers Danny some advice.

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