"I had a lot of…there have been…I'm so confused Viv," Gabriella finally said as she sat down next to her cousin.

"She told me all about it Gabriella…I'm sorry. I think Mom is still in shock."

Gabriella nodded.

"How was he?" Vivian asked as she put her legs under herself facing Gabriella on the sofa.

"I don't know…you can't know anything about someone in a few…" Gabriella didn't finish the sentence. Blayne suddenly filled her thoughts. She got up and walked towards a window. " I mean…you can't make life changing decisions…." She ran her fingers through her hair again in exasperation.

Gabriella turned towards her cousin; her face showing all the fears and uncertainties she was feeling within. "Oh Viv, I met someone."

Vivian blinked twice in surprise then got up from the sofa. "You what? Wait! Wait! You mean…?"

Gabriella began to pace around the room nervously. "Oh Viv, what a mess. I never thought…I mean I…" Her control began to slip.

"Holy shit," Vivian said in a trance. Vivian then noticed her usually composed cousin fidgeting nervously. "Gabriella?"

Gabriella turned towards her. Vivian was surprised to see the tear filled eyes looking so miserable and lost. She immediately walked over to her cousin and put her arms around her. "Oh Christ Gabriella, you're scaring me," Vivian said as she held her tighter.

After awhile they both sat down. Gabriella's eyes avoided Vivian.

Vivian placed her hands over Gabriella's. "Talk to me. You and I have always confided in each other. Remember when I cut math in high school and mom found out?"

Gabriella looked up with a smile as tears rolled down her face. Vivian tightened her hands around her cousin's, encouraging her to talk.

"Oh sweetie, it's going to be okay, tell me," Vivian coaxed.

Gabriella suddenly got up. "No it won't. Nothing will ever be okay."

Vivian tried another approach. "Well, we can't always control our feelings, Gabriella. Why don't you tell me about it."

"I can't…" Gabriella put her arms protectively around herself.

"You are not the only woman to have an affair. It happens." Vivian insisted. "It's not something that women plan on; but it happens."

Gabriella remained silent.

"Look if it's that important…Jesus! divorce your husband. I think he's an asshole anyway."

Gabriella still remained silent.

"This is more than an affair isn't it?" Vivian asked cautiously.

Gabriella looked up at her and again tears ran down her face.

"Oh Gabriella," Vivian realized that this was really serious. Something was really wrong.

"I couldn't stop it, Vivian. It was stronger than I was." Gabriella covered her mouth to control the sob. "Oh my God, what am I going to do?"

Vivian got up and tried to console her cousin again. "Then maybe this is a good thing."

"No!" Gabriella became agitated again and took a few steps away from her.

"Is it only one sided?"

Gabriella shook her head.

"Then you can make it work. A divorce won't be easy but…"

"I can't."

"Why not? If you want him so much and he wants you."

"It's not that simple." Gabriella murmured softly barely above a whisper.

"I know it's not honey. The kids would understand. They are great kids."

"Oh God." Gabriella covered her mouth again.

"Is he married?" Vivian dreaded asking.

"No."

"Does he want a relationship with you?" Vivian couldn't understand so she kept on fishing for answers.

Gabriella nodded. "I wanted just to stay in those arms for the rest of my life." She closed her eyes as tears escaped them. "I've never wanted anyone like…" Gabriella said miserably.

"If he wants you too Gabriella, then why not?"

"There is no he, Vivian!" Gabriella turned and looked her straight in the eyes without avoiding them now.

"I don't understand. You said…"

"Blayne is Arthur's step daughter…"

"I don't understand…" Vivian was really confused. Then suddenly Gabriella could tell that her words had finally hit home.

Gabriella sat down avoiding her cousin's eyes.

Vivian sat down as well opposite her. The news had caught her off guard for a moment and she remained silent.

Gabriella looked up towards her then down again.

Vivian shook her head. "You say she feels the same?" She asked softly.

Gabriella nodded still looking down.

"You said you had an affair…you mean you….?" Vivian trailed off not knowing exactly how to pose the question.

Gabriella got up suddenly and walked towards the window again. She stood looking out.

Where are you Blayne? Gabriella closed her eyes and leaned her head back before saying, "Yes, I slept with her."



* * *

"Get out of my sight!" Arthur yelled at the top of his lungs.

"Father…" Chaz appealed to Arthur's sense of familial responsibility.

"I'm only your father when it's convenient to you." Arthur put some distance between him and Chaz in exasperation.

"I admit I acted badly. How many times can I say I'm sorry!"

Arthur faced him with disbelief written all over his face. "Bad judgment?"

"Yes, bad judgment. I admit it father."

"Chaz you accosted my daughter and you were about to strike Blayne, your sister, when I showed up! That's more than bad judgment." Arthur ranted as he paced the room. "It's time that you grew up, Chaz."

"Father…"

Arthur turned to face him as he stopped and faced his son. "I won't be around to pull you out of things any more Chaz." Arthur felt and looked tired.

"I can help Blayne in the company."

Arthur looked at Chaz and the surprise of what he had just heard was evident in his face.

"I know that I have to take charge of my life. I have done nothing else but think about what a disappointment I've been to you all night father. I want to try." Chaz implored.

Arthur knew that this was probably some kind of rouse on Chaz's part but he was also hopeful that his son actually might mean what he had just said.

Arthur turned around and walked towards a chair by the fireplace and sat down in contemplation.

Chaz walked up to him and stood next to him. "I won't disappoint you this time father."

"All right, Chaz. I'll talk to Blayne." Arthur finally said.

Chaz smiled. "You won't regret it. I promise."

"All right my boy. All right." Arthur sounded tired. He let his head fall back on the chair as Chaz left the room.



* * *

"Blayne?"

"Make it fast Diana, I'm on my way out," Blayne said impatiently into the telephone.

"I didn't even know you were leaving."

"I'm sorry…..I should have told you. I had some business come up that I had to take care of immediately. As a matter of fact I'm on my way to the airport."

"Where are you going?" Diana kept the conversation going.

"London." Blayne said as she was going through some papers on her desk.

"I can meet you there," Diana said hopefully.

"What?" Blayne looked up.

"Well, I thought I might meet you there. There is so much I want to talk to you about. You are the only one that I can talk to this about."

"Diana is something wrong?" Blayne asked rushed.

"No, I mean…well, I can't talk to Daddy or Mother. And Chaz…well, you know how Chaz is."

"What is it?" Blayne looked at her watch. She was running late and yet she felt guilty about just hanging up on Diana.

"It's Gabriella…"

"Oh God…can we… I mean….I'm running late, Diana. What about Gabriella?" Blayne sounded more sarcastic than she had meant to.

"Hey, I thought you two had made up." Diana blurted out.

"We…we aren't fighting. It's….what about Gabriella, Diana?" Blayne ran her fingers through her hair.

How can I do this? I can't do this! Blayne's resolve seemed to be quickly vanishing. "Diana, I can't do this right now. Please, give me a little space right now okay?"

Diana could hear the frailty in Blayne's voice and she didn't understand it. Again she was filled with feelings of dread. "Blayne? Are you okay?"

Blayne closed her eyes.

"You can always talk to me you know. You don't have to be the strong one all the time," Diana said softly.

Blayne's eyes remained closed. "I can't…"

"Okay."

"Diana…it's not that…" Blayne tried to say then just trailed off.

"When you're ready."

"Thanks."

"So? London then?" Diana asked hopefully.

"Yes." Blayne smiled. "Yes, London."



* * *

Gabriella found the discussion with her cousin incredibly draining. Vivian had obviously been completely surprised. They agreed to meet again the next day. It was almost a relief to both of them when Vivian had remembered she had planned on having lunch with a friend.

Gabriella went to her studio and uncovered the piece she had begun to working on before leaving. She wet the clay and began to mold it. She never noticed the time; her mind was completely focused on the piece in front of her. Her every touch and was an extension of a part of her and it took her by surprise when her mind caught up with what her hands had begun what seemed like a lifetime ago. The clay had come to life and she as she stared at it she felt the inevitable pull.

"Who is she?" a male voice said from behind her.

Gabriella gasped and turned around. "God, you scared me," she said to her husband as she breathed in deeply.