Previously: Six days before the body of a woman is discovered in the Winters Family’s home, Kevin Kale received a surprise visit from “Blanket” Onceblack’s personal assistant, Jeffery Tan. Tan had come to Onceblack’s Penthouse to deliver some important documents. Kevin, thinking the documents were contracts for a new movie, opened the envelope. In a hotel room in Los Angeles, Elizabeth Peacock-Canary was finishing getting dressed when she received a call from “Blanket”. “Blanket” told her he was on his way over to the hotel to pick her up so that they could resume their search for Elizabeth’s daughter, the missing Vivienne Scarlet. But “Blanket” had to make a quick stop before heading over to the hotel. At a nearby doctor’s office, Kendal Forrest Winters nervously held her husband Reynard’s hand waiting for the doctor to arrive. When he finally did, the news was not good. The doctor told a devastated Kendal that she has breast cancer. Back at the Winters’ home, Winterswind, Tyler Winters searched his bedroom closet, as his sister-in-law Amanda watched from the doorway. Annoyed with Amanda’s snooping, Tyler snapped at her just as his brother, Jason came into the room. Jason asked if Tyler wanted to go with him and his infant son to the park, but Tyler turned down the offer, saying he had some things to do. After Amanda and Jason left, Tyler rummaged through a box of masks and other costume items. Taking a Phantom of the Opera-like mask from the box, Tyler inadvertently left a bag of cocaine he had found in the box on his bed. Back at Onceblack’s Penthouse, a stunned Kevin Kale read over the documents that Jeffery Tan had rushed over. The documents were not the film contracts as Kevin had thought; instead they were copies of contracts signed by both “Blanket” and the late Albert Canary. Kevin quickly realized that it was “Blanket” who was behind the attempt on Vivienne Scarlet’s life. Knowing that “Blanket” was on his way to pick Elizabeth up at the hotel, Kevin called her and told her to stay at the hotel and wait for him to get there. Confused, Elizabeth agreed to stay in the hotel lobby and wait for Kevin. Meanwhile, “Blanket” was at the Los Angeles County Jail, meeting with the hit man he had hired to kill Vivienne. The hit man apologized for not getting the job done and for almost killing “Blanket” in the process. “Blanket” told the hit man he didn’t want his excuses and that he was working on getting the man released from jail so that he could finish the job of killing Vivienne. Vivienne, in the meantime, waited in the Winters Family’s guest house for Tyler to get back. Tyler returned to the guest house and gave Scarlet the mask from the box. Scarlet held the mask up to her face and looked at her reflection in the mirror. The mask was just the right size to cover the lesion on her cheek she suffered when “Blanket’s” hit man tried to kill her. Tyler and Scarlet were unaware however, that Amanda was outside the guest house door. As Amanda tried to hear what was being said, Jason saw her and asked her what she was doing. Amanda explained that earlier she had seen Tyler take some food to the guest house and that she thinks Tyler is up to something. Jason defended his brother, saying that Tyler was probably using the guest house as a way to escape the family. In the lobby of the hotel, Elizabeth Peacock-Canary waited patiently for Kevin and “Blanket” to arrive. Elizabeth was surprised to see Colonel Michael Mustard in the lobby. Michael asked her to have coffee with him, but Elizabeth told him she couldn’t as she was waiting for someone to pick her up. “Blanket” then arrived at the hotel. Elizabeth told “Blanket” that Kevin had called her and told her to stay at the hotel and wait for him. “Blanket” reassured her that he would call Kevin and let him know that Elizabeth was with him. Just as “Blanket’s” car left the hotel parking lot, Kevin arrived. Kevin then received a call from “Blanket” and Kevin lied to him, telling him that everything was fine. “Blanket” told Kevin to wait at the Penthouse for word on if Vivienne was found, not realizing that Kevin was aware that “Blanket” was the person behind the attempt on Vivienne’s life.

“Life-Altering Decisions”

FRIDAY, 7:33 PM PST

In the dimly lit library of the home of the Winters Family, crib is set up in one corner of the room. The crib, however, is empty. Across the room, in a stone fireplace, the fire has almost burnt completely out. On an area rug in front of the fireplace lies a metal fire poker. On the floor next to the poker lies the lifeless body of woman. Clutched in the woman’s hand, is a small plastic bag that contains a fine white powder…

FLASHBACK: SIX DAYS AGO, 2:41 PM PST

Kendal Forrest Winters is standing at the door of her son Tyler's bedroom just as Tyler reaches the top of the stairs. “Mom?” Tyler calls to his mother. Kendal wipes the tears from her eyes and turns to face him. “Are you okay?” Tyler asks her seeing that she has been crying.

“I am fine.” Kendal lies, trying to put on a brave face. “I thought you went to the park with the others.”

“Naw, I had some stuff I had to do.” Tyler says. “Are you sure everything is ok?” Kendal smiles and kisses her son’s cheek.

“Yes, Tyler.” Kendal says. She turns to go downstairs. “Do your homework.” She says.

“Yes ma’am.” Tyler says. He opens his bedroom door and goes inside. Closing the door behind him, Tyler sees the box of Halloween items on his bed. He takes a deep breath and goes over to the bed and flops down. Then Tyler realizes he left the bag of cocaine on the bed. “Oh no.” He says. Frantically, Tyler begins looking for the bag. “I know I left it right here.” He hops off the bed and crouches down on the floor and looks under the bed. “Where is it?” He says. Then he freezes. “Mom.” He says. Sitting on the floor, Tyler begins to panic when he realizes the reason his mother was outside of his room crying was because she found the bag of drugs. “Dad’s gonna kill me.” He says.

Outside the gates of Winterswind, Taylor Winters and her boyfriend Randy Dove sit in Randy’s car. “Today was nice.” Randy smiles.

“It was?” She asks, coyly. She leans over and they kiss. “I will call you later.” She says, not wanting to get out of the car.

“Alright, babe.” Randy says. They sit silently holding each other’s hands. “I know it’s hard, but our fathers will come around.”

“Do you really think so?” Taylor asks him.

“They won’t have a choice.” Randy smiles. Taylor leans over and kisses his cheek.

“I will talk you soon.” She opens the car door and gets out. Randy watches as Taylor walks up the driveway. She turns and waves. Randy smiles and waves, just as Reynard Winters' car comes down the street. Randy sees the car approaching in his rear-view mirror and speeds off, but not before Reynard glimpses Randy’s car turning the corner. Reynard doesn’t say anything to Amanda or Jason who are in the car with him. Taylor enters the house as Reynard pulls the car into the garage. Taylor goes to the kitchen and opens the refrigerator and takes out a bottle of water as her father comes in.

“Hi daddy.” Taylor says to her father.

“Taylor.” Reynard says, with a hint of anger in his voice. “So did you have a nice day with Marcie?” He asks.

“Yeah, we went shopping.” Taylor lies.

“I was surprised when your mother told me that you and Marcie are on speaking terms again.” Reynard says.

“Well, Marcie and I have been close friends for a long time, daddy.” Taylor says taking a drink of water.

“As close as you and Randy Dove are?” Reynard asks. Taylor almost chokes on the water. “I told you repeatedly that you are not to see Randy. And you repeatedly go against my wishes and spend the day with him. And what’s worse is you have your mother lying to cover for you.”

“Daddy…” Taylor says.

“Now this is the last time I am going to tell you. You are not to have anything to do with Randy Dove.” Reynard says angrily.

“But daddy…” Taylor says.

“Is that understood?” Reynard asks.

“I just don’t get why…” Taylor says.

“Is that understood?” He repeats himself.

“But you won’t even give me a reason why you don’t want me to see him!” Taylor shouts.

“Young lady, are you questioning me?” Reynard asks.

“You are being so unreasonable!” Taylor shouts.

“Am I?” Reynard asks. “Well how is this for being unreasonable? You are grounded until you decide you will obey my orders.”

“You can’t be serious.” Taylor says.

“Go to your room.” Reynard asks.

“Fine!” Taylor shouts. She slams down the bottle of water on the kitchen counter. “But I don’t care what you say, daddy. I love Randy, and he loves me. And we will be together whether you and Dr. Dove like it or not!” She storms out of the kitchen, passing an eavesdropping Amanda on the way up the stairs. “That man is ridiculous!” She says to Amanda as she stomps up the stairs. Amanda goes down stairs and the slamming of Taylor’s bedroom door knocks a framed picture off of the wall. Amanda goes into the kitchen, where Reynard is sitting at a table with his head in his hands.

“That was…loud.” Amanda says. She goes over to the table and sits down. “She just doesn’t understand why you are so against her being with Randy.”

“I am not having this conversation, especially with you, Amanda.” Reynard says.

“Well, perhaps you could talk to Kendal about it.” Amanda says. Reynard slowly looks up at his daughter-in-law. “Or maybe I could. I am sure dear Kendal is as confused as Taylor is as to why you are so adamant that she stay away from Randy. I could help clear it up in a jiffy.” She smiles.

“You’ve blacked-mailed your way into my family and my son’s bed, Amanda. What more do you want?” Reynard asks.

“Blackmail is such a harsh term, Reynard.” Amanda says. She gets up from the table, leaving Reynard alone.

“How did things end up like this?” Reynard asks himself, his mind flashing back in time.

FLASHBACK:
HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM, APRIL 18, 1991

A nervous Reynard Winters paces back and forth, while an equally nervous Dr. Richard Dove sits nearby holding his two-year-old son, Randy. Both of their wives were in a car accident and they are waiting on the doctors to come and tell them about the women’s conditions. “Come on, Rey.” Richard says. “Come sit down.”

“I can’t sit down, Richard.” Reynard says. “Why haven’t they been back in to tell us something?”

“I am sure the doctors are doing everything they can.” Richard says. Reynard goes over to a window and looks out.

“It’s amazing isn’t it?” Reynard asks. “Not only are both of our wives pregnant at the same time, but now they are in there fighting for their lives, and the lives of our unborn children.”

“Kendal and Helena are fighters, Rey.” Richard says. A candy striper enters the waiting area.

“Dr. Dove, I can take Randall if you would like.” She says.

“He is getting a little antsy.” Dr. Dove says. He hands the young woman his son. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, doctor.” She leaves the men alone. Reynard comes over and takes a seat next to his friend.

“What could be taking them so long?” Reynard asks, he puts his head in his hands. “I knew I should have stopped Kendal from going to Anaheim. Then she and Helena wouldn’t have been in that accident…”

“Hey, Reynard.” Richard says, putting his hand on Reynard’s back. “Kendal and Helena were going to take the kids to Anaheim no matter what we said. It’s no one’s fault. It was an accident.” Richard says, just as a doctor enters the waiting room.

“Reynard.” The doctor says.

“Jim, how is she?” Reynard asks.

“We stopped Kendal’s bleeding.” The doctor says.

“Thank god.” Reynard lets out a sigh of relief.

“But we couldn’t save the baby.” The doctor says. “I am so sorry, Reynard.” Reynard’s breath stills. Richard puts his hand on Reynard’s shoulder.

“We lost the baby.” Reynard says solemnly. He begins to sob. The doctor leaves the men alone.

“Reynard I am so sorry.” Richard says.

“Kendal is going to be devastated. How am I going to tell her that the baby is gone?” Reynard asks. “How? She just lost her father, and her mental state is so fragile. Why is this happening?” Reynard sits back in the chair, with tears streaming down his face as another doctor enters the room.

“Marty?” Richard stands up. “How are Helena and the baby?”

“Richard, it’s a little girl.” The doctor says.

“A girl!” Richard exclaims. “And she is alright?”

“Yes, the baby is perfectly healthy.” The doctor says solemnly.

“And Helena?” Richard asks. The doctor doesn’t respond immediately. “Marty, how is my wife?”

“I’m sorry Richard, but we couldn’t save Helena. Her injuries were too extensive.” The doctor says. A stunned Richard collapses back into the chair next to his weeping friend.

“Richard.” Reynard says through his tears. “I am so sorry.” The men embrace, sobbing. The doctor leaves the room.

“How am I going to live without my beautiful Helena? And Randy, he is so young.” Richard says, taking a handkerchief from his pocket. A nurse enters the waiting room.

“Dr. Dove, we have your little girl all cleaned up. Would you like to go to the nursery and see her?” The nurse says. Richard wipes his eyes.

“Can I have a few minutes, nurse?” He asks. “To compose myself.”

“Yes, yes of course.” The nurse says, she leaves them.

“What a cruel twist of fate.” Richard says. Reynard doesn’t respond. “Me losing a wife, only to gain a brand new daughter…and you losing your child.”

“Once Kendal finds out that the baby is gone, I may lose her too.” Reynard says. “It will kill her to know the baby died, Richard. I don’t know how I am going to tell her. It will be the hardest thing I will ever have to do in my life.” Richard stands up and walks over to the window.

“What would you say if I told you that there was a way that Kendal would never have to know the pain of losing her child?” Richard says. Reynard stands up.

“What are you thinking, Richard?” Reynard asks.

“I can’t raise two children alone.” Richard says.

“You won’t have to, Kendal and I will help you with the children, you know that.” Reynard says.

“But you said yourself that when Kendal hears that she lost your child, she will surely die herself.” Richard says.

“What are you saying?” Reynard asks.

“What if we let Kendal believe that the baby that survived is her child?” Richard says.

“Are you crazy?” Reynard asks. “You don’t know what you are saying.”

“Yes I do.” Richard says.

“I can’t let you sacrifice your child like that. There has to be another way.” Reynard says.

“You and Kendal will give the baby what she deserves, a home with two devoted parents.” Richard says.

“But Randy, he will have lost so much.” Reynard says.

“Randy is still young...” Richard says.

“I can’t do this now, Richard.” Reynard says. “I appreciate what you are trying to do, but it is just too much to think about right now. I am going in to see Kendal.” He leaves Richard alone staring out the window. Walking solemnly down the corridor to his wife’s room, Reynard tries to fight back the tears. He takes a deep breath as he enters the room. Kendal lies sleeping. She is hooked up to an IV bag and a heart monitor. Reynard goes over to the side of the bed and sits down. He takes his wife’s hand and kisses it gently. Kendal’s eyes open. A small smile comes over her lips when she sees her husband. “Hi there.” Reynard smiles at her.

“Hi.” Kendal says weakly.

“How are you feeling?” He asks.

“Like I’ve been on the worst version of Space Mountain imaginable.” She says. “How is Jason?”

“He is alright. Just a few bumps and bruises.” Reynard says.

“And the baby?” Kendal asks. Reynard takes a deep breath.

“She is beautiful. She is in the nursery waiting for her mother to hold her.” He lies. He looks up and sees Richard standing at the door of the hospital room. Richard nods. Reynard smiles at him and caresses his wife’s head.

END REYNARD’S FLASHBACK

A nervous Tyler enters the kitchen and he sees his father sitting at the table. “Dad.” Tyler says. “I have something I need to talk to you about. And you aren’t going to be very happy.”

Upstairs in her bedroom, Taylor is tearfully talking on the phone to Randy. “You have to talk to your dad. He is the more reasonable one of the two of them.” She says.

“It’s okay baby.” Randy says.

“I don’t care what he says; I am not going to stop seeing you.” Taylor says. “I love you.”

“I love you too, baby.” Randy says. “And don’t worry. I will talk to my dad. It will be ok.”

“Talk to me about what?” Richard Dove says as he enters the apartment.

“Hey, I gotta go. I will call you in a little while.” Randy tells Taylor. He hangs up with her and turns to his father. “Your golf game over already?”

“Nice try.” Richard says.

“Huh?” Randy says.

“I heard you tell whoever it was you were talking to that you would talk to me about something.” He sits down on the couch. “I’m all ears.”

“Don’t you ever not wear the Psychiatrist hat?” Randy asks.

“What can I say? I’m good at my job.” Richard says. “So what’s going on?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.” Randy says. “I can handle it.” Randy walks to his room.

“Are you sure, son?” Richard asks.

“Yeah, pop, I’m sure.” He says. Once Randy is in his room, Richard picks up the phone and dials a number. “Reynard, its Richard. I think we have a problem on our hands.”

Back at Winterswind, Amanda is in her and Jason’s room. She is standing at a bureau looking through a drawer. She finds a small box and takes it out of the drawer. Opening the box, she takes out a piece of yellowing paper. Unfolding the paper, Amanda remembers the first time she read the words on the paper.

FLASHBACK:
BISCAY FAMILY HOME, JANUARY 2005

Amanda Biscay is cleaning out her late mother’s closet when she finds a box of old files. The files are all marked with the name of a Los Angeles area hospital. “These must be old records from when mom was a nurse in L.A.” Amanda says as she thumbs through the files. She is about to set the box aside when she sees a folder at the back of the box. The name on the file is circled in red ink. “Kendal Forrest Winters.” Amanda reads the name from the file. Opening the file, Amanda realizes that the contents are copies of Kendal’s medical record. “Oh mom, you were very naughty, weren’t you?” As Amanda continues to thumb through the file, a piece of paper falls out. Amanda unfolds the paper and sees that it is dated December 2004. She begins to read it. “Dear Mr. Winters: I was once a nurse at the hospital that both you and Dr. Richard Dove are employed. I know the decision you and Dr. Dove came to that fateful day in 1991 was a difficult one. I do not envy you at all. However, I also know what you and Dr. Dove did was very illegal and infringes on the rights of the child you are raising as your own. I know that you had the best intentions for the child, and that you are providing her with a good home. I realize that you would like to keep the secret of your actions to yourself. That is why I am willing to keep your secret, but at a cost. I will be in contact with you in the coming days.” Amanda refolds the paper and takes Kendal’s file. She gets up and goes to a computer. Pulling up an internet browser, she does a search on Reynard Winters. “Reynard Winters, White Hill Estates, California.” She reads from the screen. “Mr. Winters you are about to get the surprise of your life.”

END AMANDA’S FLASHBACK

“Lose something?” A voice calls out to Amanda. She quickly folds the incriminating paper and puts it in the palm of her hand. She turns to see Jason. “I was just looking for my engagement ring.” She lies. “Since I’ve lost most of the baby weight, I wanted to see if it would fit me again.”

“Really?” Jason says, surprised. “You always said you hated that ring.”

“I never said I hated it.” Amanda says. She turns back to the drawer and takes out the ring. “Here it is.” She slips the piece of paper into the drawer, slips the ring onto her finger next to her wedding band and turns back to Jason. “It fits perfectly.” She smiles.

TO BE CONTINUED...