Disclaimer: I only own myself and any other new characters that pop up a long the way, expect for characters that have been mentioned but have not be given life. I am working for Lennie Marie Inc., well not really working for them but they sponsor my story and my writings. Elizabeth is just a pen name, there is a real person around here somewhere. NBC and the creators, directors, and such are the ones that own Passions and I just borrowing the characters to play with. I promise to put them back where I found them when I am done. Thanks! Bye! Harmony: Homecomings by Annabelle Chapter 5 part 1 Lopez-Fitzgerald House Something told Miguel that for once in he needed to be home, he did not know what it was, but he left is girlfriend Charity and told her that he just need to be at home by himself right now, he just had this feeling. Charity smiled sweetly in her sometimes-eerie way and just agreed with him. Miguel sat down at his kitchen table and tried to think of a reason for why he felt he needed to be at home. Yeah he found out that Luis had been released from jail, but Luis had left a note saying that he would not be back till late tonight. He was not aware of the fact that his younger sister was standing outside their front door having a nervous break down. "What if they don't know how I am Hank? What if they don't want me back? I can't go in there like this! This was a bad idea. I have come up with some pretty stupid ideas in the past, but this is by far the worst!" Paloma paced back and forth on the front stoop. Hank sighed, "Will you please stop pacing you are starting to give me a headache." "Sorry, I just can't help it." "Look just ring the door bell, most likely Luis is going to be the only one home and he will be so happy to see you. Or no one is going to be home and if that is the case we can come back later, ok?" Hank understood what was racing through her mind because the same things raced through his mind every time he came back to Harmony. "I still can't believe that Luis was put in jail by Sheridan. Well I guess it was for the best, he will stay away from her now," Paloma tried to smile. "Whatever you say Pali. Just don't expect me to believe it. Now come on! Ring the doorbell," Hank pointed to the door and Pali looked as if she were about to make a run for it. Hank grabbed her hand and forced it to ring the doorbell, "See look, that wasn't so bad now was it?" Pali just glared at him. They waited a couple of seconds, "Okay, it looks like no one is home, let's go back to the Book Café," Pali said as she started to walk off. Hank grabbed he hand again, "I don't think so Pali. I hear someone coming." Just then Miguel opened the door, "Oh hi Hank. I wasn't expecting it to be you, Luis and Mama aren't here right now, I am the only here." Hank nodded, "Well I didn't just come here to see your mother or Luis. I have someone here I would like you to meet Miguel," Hank gave Pali as shove forward so that she was now standing in front of him. Miguel's mouth dropped, he could not believe what he was seeing. There standing in front of him was is baby sister, who had been sent to live with Aunt Maria when he was only six years old. He did not know what to say or do. Pali became even more nervous from Miguel's reaction but Hank poked her in the back indicating that she should say something, "Hey big brother, remember me?" All of a sudden she was enveloped in the biggest hug she could ever imagine. Pali started to cry. "Don't cry Pali, don't cry," Miguel said stroking her hair. Miguel stepped back to look at her. She had changed so much, yet if he had seen her walking down the street he would have known that she was his sister. The tears were still coming down her eyes and he wiped them away. "I was afraid that you wouldn't remember me and I was about to leave, but Hank made me stay," she told him with a huge smile. "Thank you so much Hank, come inside both of you. I actually have something to tell you about where Luis is, although I think you are going to flip when you find out Pali. Wow, it is so good to have you home again," Miguel hugged is little sister again and led her and Hank into the living room. Sheridan's Car "Sheridan! Sheridan! Slow down!" Elizabeth yelled at her daughter. "Sheridan, that light was about to turn red. Watch out for that-" Elizabeth was interrupted by the huge thud that the car made as it speed over a pot hole. "Sheridan you are really asking for it, I am absolutely positive that Luis is going to kill you when he gets out of that trunk. You need to slow down!" Elizabeth gripped the door handle for dear life. "Of course I am going to slow down. We are coming up to the Mansion turn off. I wouldn't want to miss the turn," Sheridan smiled sweetly at her and slowed the car. "Damn not even time, oh well." "Oh well? What do you mean?" fear was clearly visible in Elizabeth's eyes. Before Sheridan had a chance to respond she turned the car towards the left, the only problem was that she had just drive past the left turn and had to make a semi U-turn. Then she made a sharp right turn into the two-mile long Crane driveway. While she was doing this Elizabeth heard the trunk slam against one wall of the car, and then crash into the other. "He is going to kill, you are a dead woman Sheridan." Sheridan just smiled as the approached the main house. "He can't kill me, it is not in his nature." She pressed hard on the brakes and the came to a sudden stop. "I think I am going to be sick," Elizabeth said as she bolted from the car. There outside waiting for them was Julian, Ivy, Ethan, Pilar, and a few other members of the house staff. Elizabeth eyed each and every one of them. For a brief moment she became fearful of these people who were standing in front of her. Then she realized that she had no cause to be afraid, all of this people were afraid of her, and what she would do to them. A sly smile spread across her face. Sheridan came to stand next to Elizabeth, she was not sure if anyone else had noticed the awkward silence that had fallen upon them. Elizabeth looked at her and she knew what she needed to do, "Everyone this is my new mother, Mrs. Alistair Crane." Julian looked at this, this girl that stood before them. She was dark skinned and dressed in such an odd manner that it was all he could do not to laugh. "Father really out did himself this time," he muttered under his breath. Ivy heard him and shoved him in the side. She stepped forward. "Welcome home," Ivy hesitated because she was not sure what she should call this young woman. "Please call me Elizabeth. It is nice to meet you Ivy," She held out her hand to and Ivy shook it. "Now what do you have to say for yourself Julian?" Elizabeth asked as she moved to stand right in front of him. She looked in the eye with out fear. Julian took her hand and kissed the back of it. "Welcome home Mother. I want you to know that we have arranged for you to have the best prenatal care possible. Now dear Mother, would you like to come inside so we can show you your room?" Elizabeth withdrew her from Julian's. She gave in a glare that would have killed an elephant. "And what of my grandson and his fiancé, why are they not here to meet me?" Ethan stepped forward. "I am here grandmother. It is wonderful to meet you," He held out his hand but she did not take it. Elizabeth eyed Ethan, "You don't look like a Crane." She walked past him to the door of the Mansion. "Have some one bring my luggage from the car and put it in my room. The big trunk is very heavy and very fragile." No one moved a muscle. "Well what are you waiting for, hop to it." Elizabeth said in a voice that was stern but sweet at the same time. The male members of the house staff proceeded to remove her luggage from the car. "Now grandson, why don't you show me around the house? You never did answer my question, where is your fiancé? What was her name again?" Elizabeth said motioning Ethan towards her. Ethan stepped forward to be at her side, "Her name is Gwen, and she would have been here to meet you but she is out of town right now helping her father out with a business merger." Elizabeth stopped, grabbed his arm so that he was now facing her, "A business merger? Your fiancé left you alone with the all the wedding plans because she had to work on a business merger? That does not sound like true love to me. Surely her father would have understood if she had taken time of from work to finish up the plans for her wedding! What kind of woman are you marrying? For that matter, what kind of family are you marrying into? No family should put business before love, especially when there is a wedding involved." Ethan was stunned beyond words at what was coming out of this young woman's mouth. She was barely older than Theresa, yet she talked with the conviction and wisdom of a true grandmother. "Gwen's father only trusts her to handle these deals that are being made. You will meet her soon." Elizabeth was not pleased. "I will meet her tonight, she must be able to find some way to come to this dinner tonight, there are going to be a lot of important people coming to our house tonight, and your future bride has to be here. If she does not show up, well than you and I will have to have a serious talk with your grandfather tomorrow." Ivy was horrified, "Gwen is a good hard working woman and she love my son deeply. However she is also devoted to her family, her father really needs her help." "Hard working? Just like you, right Ivy?" Elizabeth cast her glare upon Julian's wife. "Gwen has to be prepared to represent the Crane family in a respectable and honest manner at all social events, something that you have not been doing. You have be have been absent from many key social events, and even when you are there reports come back that you appear to be distracted. I need to make sure that Gwen will not do the same thing before she marries into the Crane family." Sheridan could not believe what was going on. No longer was Elizabeth the carefree girl, which had run across the beach, nor was she empathic person who had helped Sheridan and Luis resolved what really happened that night on the wharf. Now she was a harsh demanding woman who wanted her family to appear to be as prefect as possible, she was stern but not unfeeling. Ever word that came out of her mouth was laden with emotion, showing that she was not just saying things that she was told to say, she believed in what she was saying. "Bravo mother, you are quite right. Ivy has been neglecting her duties as the representative female head of the Crane household," Julian said as he give held up give her mock applause. "Do not even get me started on you, Julian. Alistair has sent me here because you two have not been doing the proper things that you need to in order to represent our family in the manner that will keep the prestige of the name Crane. I am here to make sure that all of these mistakes are rectified and everything is put back on track. Things are going to change around here. No longer will there be trips taken on a whim, social events missed because you don't want to attend them, or for that matter attending events that we do not need to go to," Elizabeth paused to take a breath and let the things that she said sink in. Before she started again Ethan spoke, "You are not being far Grandmother Elizabeth. Mother and Father work very hold to keep the prestige in our family. Mother makes donations and has gotten more involved community and made our presence known. Father is very busy handing business deals for the family on a daily basis." Elizabeth scoffed at this, "Business deals? Is that what he has been telling you what he is doing? Yes your father does handle a lot of business deals Ethan. But the majority of my time is spent cleaning up the messes he has made of those deals and then dealing with Crane Industries international business. I do more work than your mother, father, and Gwen combined, and I am go to every social or business event that is required of me. I make sure that whenever I speak to someone that I am expressing opinions, ideals, and conducting myself in a manner that adds to the respect to our family name. Now that I am here I am still expected to all of that and much more. So I ask you Ethan, I ask all of you, Where is Gwen?" Sheridan did everything she could to keep from laughing. She had seen Elizabeth like this only once before when she had to interview for a job. Elizabeth knew what was expected of her and always did that and more. She expected everyone else to do the same. Ivy answered Elizabeth, "Gwen will be here later on, I promise you. She knows how important events like the one tonight are. That is why she is going to make a perfect wife for my son." Elizabeth glared at Ivy, walked over to her, and looked her straight in the eye, "Now you listen to me, and you listen to me very carefully Ivy Winthrop Crane," she stepped back and gestured to everyone, "All of you listen to me. Ethan is no longer your son Ivy. He is the son of the Cranes." She pointed at Ethan, "You will be expected to do and act in the manner that I or your grandfather tell you to. That goes for the rest of you too. The Crane family name has come too close to being dragged through the mud one too many times. It will not happen again." During this time the trunk that contained Luis had been brought out of Sheridan's Car with much difficulty. Sheridan did not know which was more comical, Elizabeth's speech or watching the house staff try to get the trunk out of the car. Sure she understood the seriousness of what Elizabeth was saying, but she had already gotten rimmed out today for not acting like a good Crane. Elizabeth walked back over to Ethan, "Now why don't you show me around the house and then call Gwen to get her here as soon as possible, I cannot wait to meet her." Ethan nodded, "Of course Grandmother, what would like to make sure that the your luggage is placed properly in your room first?" "No. Sheridan dear, you will make sure that everything gets in my room, won't you?" "Of course mother," Sheridan was a bit hesitant because she knew that something else was coming. "Oh and would you be a dear and open up the large trunk so that the clothes in there will start to air out." Elizabeth gave Sheridan an evil grin, "Here is the key." "The house staff can do that Elizabeth," Ethan told her in an attempt to get his aunt of doing something that she should not have to worry about. Sheridan looked at Elizabeth but knew there was no way that she was going to get out of this one, "No it's okay Ethan. Elizabeth has a surprise in the trunk that she has already told me about. I would not want one of staff ruining the surprise now would I?" "No you wouldn't. Here's the key," Elizabeth said has shoved it in Sheridan's hand. "Have fun." Sheridan grimaced, "Oh I know it's going to be so much fun, I might just die from how enjoyable it is going to be." "Well if you would follow me Grandmother," Ethan led Elizabeth and the rest of people standing outside into the house. It was a grand procession to watch as the members of the Crane family entered their castle. It was a thing of beauty and grace, and as one girl watched from an upstairs window she smiled. "One day soon, I will be apart of all that Whitney, just you wait. I will be standing along side Mrs. Alistair Crane and she will be telling me what a wonderful granddaughter I make," Theresa told her best friend. She was so happy she looked like she was on cloud nine. "Theresa, I don't know why you say things like that. Ethan is engaged to Gwen. Within the next month she will be the one standing next to Mrs. Crane, not you. Now why don't you come home with me now okay?" Whitney said as she tried for the billionth time to try to talk some sense into her best friend. "I can't, Whit. I can't go home with you," Theresa replied. "Oh and why not? You and Ethan are not going to get anymore planning done on his wedding to Gwen today. He will be to busy dealing with his grandmother," Whitney was starting to lose her patience with Theresa. "Well I kinda promised Ethan that I would attend the banquet with him," Whitney gave her a look of disbelief. "I had to Whit! He needed me. He knew that his grandmother would not be happy that Gwen wasn't here and he figured that having me, the wedding planner, there would help appease her." "Unbelievable Theresa, you are absolutely unbelievable. What do expect to happen? Mrs. Crane will decide that she wants you for a granddaughter-in-law and not Gwen? Even if she did decided that Ethan loves Gwen. He is still gonna marry her," Whitney was really at her wits end with Theresa. She wished there were something she could to stop Theresa from thinking that Ethan was really in love with her. She in that in the end Theresa was going to get her heart broken. Theresa was frustrated, Whitney never understood what was going on. Ethan did love her, he just could not admit it yet, but tonight when he saw how well she interacted with his grandmother, he would be able to admit his feelings for her. "Whitney, don't worry about me. I am not going to get hurt by Ethan, he loves me, and one day he will realize that it's me he wants to be with not Gwen." Whitney threw her arms up in the air, "Theresa please don't do this to yourself. Ethan does not love you, he is marrying Gwen. Just come home with me now, tell Ethan that something came up and you can't come tonight. Please!" Theresa shook her head, "I am not going anywhere Whit. Ethan need me here, I can't let him down. Please try to understand." "Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald do not say that! Ethan does not need you, he needs a cold shower. Even if he finally ever did tell you that he loves you it wouldn't matter. You and he could never be together, his family would not allow it. They would rip you to pieces," Whitney Theresa was not listening to one word she was saying. She grabbed Theresa's arm and started to drag her to the door. "Whit what are you doing? I am staying here," Theresa struggled to break free from Whitney's grasp. "I am trying to get you out of here before you make a total fool of yourself!" Theresa pulled back with all her might and freed herself. "I am not going to make a fool of myself. Whitney please, I know what I am doing." "I give up Theresa! I mean you really just don't understand that this will never work. If Ethan does ever realize that he loves you he is not going to go up against his whole family. Even if he does go up against Mr. and Mrs. Crane they will rip you to pieces, or even worse! Then there is Luis? Have you even thought about him? He will never expect Ethan because he is a Crane." Theresa just shook her head with a smile, "He does not hate all the Cranes, he is in love with Sheridan. That's the reason he is going to have to except Ethan and I being in love." Whitney wanted to hit her, "Theresa, Sheridan put Luis in jail. She does not love him, and he doesn't love her." "They just got a little sidetracked that's all Whit, pretty soon they will reconnect and everything will be prefect." "Whatever Theresa, you are really amazing sometimes. You know what I really don't have time for this today. I have to get to practice. Maybe your mother can talk some sense into you before the party." Theresa shook her head. "Fine, will you at least walk to the back staircase, I don't feel like running into the new Mrs. Crane," Whitney asked her best friend. Her plan was to pull Theresa down the staircase with her as soon as she got the door open. If she had to gag her and tie her hands together she would to it, Whitney was not about to let Theresa stay in this house. "I don't see what the problem is, she looks really nice to me," Theresa still had a dreamy look in her eyes. "She seems so elegant and beautiful. I wonder if she learned how to do that in a finishing school or if it is just comes from marrying a Crane." "Come on Theresa. I just want to go to tennis practice," Whitney tugged at Theresa's arm to get her into the hallway. Theresa laughed, "You know you are really to involved with tennis Whit. You got to live a little" "I start living a little after you are done getting your heart broken, come on I want to get out of here." Theresa laughed again and the two girls headed to the back staircase Lopez-Fitzgerald House Paloma was shocked. She was beyond shocked. She sat on the couch in utter disbelieve. "Pali, say something," Miguel said reaching out to hold her hand. "You are starting to scare me." Paloma could not make the word form on her mouth. She just did not know what to say. She was not expecting this at all. "Come on Paloma. Stop acting like this is the end of the world," Hanks gave her a little nudge. She looked at him, "It is the end of the world. Not only is that family responsible for me having sent away, they are now trying to ruin my brother and sister. Theresa will be shot instantly if Ethan tells her that he loves her. Luis, oh don't even get me started on Luis. He will probably end up in jail again if he even tries to go on a date with Sheridan." "It really isn't that bad Sis," Miguel said squeezing her hand. Pali laughed a little, "You're right Miguel that really isn't that bad. What is really that bad is that Theresa and Luis are both in the Crane Mansion, on the same night, going to the same party, and Luis doesn't even know that Theresa works for Mrs. Crane." "You mean Mrs. Ivy Crane," Hank corrected her jokingly. Both Paloma and Miguel groaned "What? It's true. Ivy isn't Mrs. Crane anymore. That Elizabeth chic is." "Anyway back to my point, once Luis finds out that Theresa works for Ivy Crane it is going to start World War III. And why is exactly did Mrs. Elizabeth Crane get him out of jail, what kind of deal did he have to make with her to get the charges dropped? Why is he even at the Mansion tonight?" Paloma was becoming hysterical. Miguel shrugged, "I really don't know Sis. All I have here is the note that he left saying that Mrs. Elizabeth Felipes Crane had the charges dropped on him and he was going to a party with her and Sheridan at the Mansion tonight. Not to wait up for him, but tomorrow he had two big surprises for us." "Well when Luis finds out that Theresa is in the Mansion, that she has been working for Ivy Crane, that she personal knows Ethan Crane, and that she is his date for the party, he is going to send her straight to the convent. No doubt that we will probably feel the shock-wave his anger all the way over here," Paloma got up from the couch and began to pace back and forth. "I really wouldn't worry so much Pali-anna. You have done worse things and Luis never sent you to convent," Hank reminded her. "I was never here for him to send me anywhere!" Hank got up, "Well I would love to stay here and chat with you guys about Luis losing his head, but I really got to go get some work done. I am suppose to hang out with Kay and Jessica tonight so I got to get ready." "Sure Hank, we understand. Tell Kay I said hi," Miguel said as he stood up and walked with Hank and Paloma to the door. Paloma hugged Hank, "Thanks so much for all your help today. And for making me stay." "Hey no problem Pali. Just keep your head on your shoulders okay? And don't worry to much about Luis," Hank squeezed her hand. "Oh I'll try not to. Goodnight Hank." "Night Hank," Miguel said opening the door for him. "See you guys later," Hank walked out the door and head back towards the B&B that his brother and sister-in-law owned. What Hank didn't see was that Beth had parked her car on the other side of the street and was waiting and watching for her opportunity to go and pay a visit to the new Lopez-Fitzgerald. Beth had changed into some fresh clothes and baked a pie to offer Paloma, she of course hadn't know what Paloma liked so she picked Pumpkin Pie since it was an American Classic, and she knew that Paloma hadn't been in the States for sometime now. Since Hank had just left, now was the prefect time to go give Paloma her offering. She just had to double-check her make-up and she would be ready. "Pali, I really wish you wouldn't worry so much about what is going to happen tonight. I mean there is no way we can stop it. You really should not get so worked up over this," Miguel said as he led his little sister back to the living room. "You are right Miguel. I guess I just really tired. You know I lost like six hours coming back here. You know it feels like it is one in the morning, even though it is really only six in the evening, my body is screaming for me to go to sleep," Pali tried unsuccessfully to stifle a yawn. "You should go to bed. Nothing major is going to happen tonight, nothing that can't wait till tomorrow. Go to sleep Pali," Miguel urged. "Oh, all right," she gave into him. "Where should I put my things?" "Well set you up in Theresa's room. That's where your old bed is," Miguel told her with a smile. Paloma perked up, "My old bed? You guys still have my old bed. Oh, that's the best news I have heard all day. You really did miss me." She threw her arms around her brother. Miguel laughed and hugged his sister; it felt so good to have her back. He was going to make sure that she didn't have to leave them ever again. "Come on let's go get you settled in for the night." Beth took one finally look in the mirror. If anyone had been with her they might have been kind enough to tell her that she had on way to much makeup and especially way to much eyeliner, but unfortunately no one was there to warn her. Beth, being the bad judge in fashion and makeup that she was, thought that she looked prefect and that Luis would fall for her the minute he opened the door. "Well it's time to get this show started. Get ready Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald, here I come," Beth stepped out of her car and pie in hand she walked up to the front door of the Lopez-Fitzgerald house and ring the door bell. Miguel sighed, "Now who on earth could that be? I bet Hank forgot something here, that must be it." He walked to the door and opened it. He was surprised to find Beth standing there hold a pie. "Hi Miguel, I heard that Luis was let of jail and that your little sister was back in town so I decided make her this pie and come over and meet her," Beth beamed at her accomplishment. Miguel felt sorry for Beth. He knew that is was an attempt by her to get back into Luis's live. It was a bad one, and would have never worked if Luis had actually been there, but he still felt sorry for her. "Wow, news travels faster here than it used to," was the only thing that he could think to say. "Well Chad come to the Book Café today and told me about Luis get a jail free card and I kinda briefly meet your sister early when she stopped in at Café on her way here," Beth was getting impatient with Miguel. "Well aren't you going to ask me in?" Miguel cringed at her ill mannered behavior, "Actually, Luis isn't here this evening, he went out and my sister, Paloma, just went to bed. It's a six-hour time difference between here and Spain so she was really tired. I was just about to try to make her a snack incase she woke up in the middle of the night hungry." Beth was furious. It was Luis's first night out of prison and someone had beaten her to the punch and was spending time with her man! When she found out who this person was, and she was pretty sure it was a girl, she was going to make sure that they did not get in her way again. Luis was hers! "Oh well I see. Okay, would you please tell Luis I stopped by, and give this pie to your sister. I hope she likes it," Beth voice was overflowing with fake sweetness. Miguel took the pie, "I'll be sure to give him the message, and I am sure that Paloma will love the pie. Well, goodnight Beth" Beth knew she was not going to get anywhere tonight, she needed time to formulate a new plan of attack for tomorrow. "Goodnight Miguel, I'll see you tomorrow." She walked back to her car. Miguel cringed again and closed the door, "Tomorrow? Poor Luis and Paloma, that woman is going to drive them crazy tomorrow." Miguel took a peek at the pie, which was covered with tin foil. "Pumpkin! Paloma hates Pumpkin Pie, what is she going to tell Beth when she comes back tomorrow? I envy you not Paloma. No one in this family is going to even try to eat this, not even Luis." Miguel took the pie to the kitchen and set it on the counter. He then proceeded to make Paloma a snack that she would actually eat. There was no doubt in his mind about what was going to happen to the Pumpkin Pie that Beth had made, it was going to end up in the trash. Miguel remembered some of the letters he used to get from Paloma. She would tell him how much she loved Spain, how nice everyone was to her, and how she hated the food there. The only thing that she would eat was Paella, and they had that every other night. Miguel decided to make her favorite meal from when she was a little girl. After she had left Miguel had begged his mother to teach him how to make it in hopes that it would bring Pali back to them, now he was an expert on it. "Enchiladas Chipotle," was something that she had loved from the first time she tried it. Miguel smiled as he pulled out the ingredients to make it, the main reason she loved this meal so much was because the way the name was pronounce. Miguel sighed again, this time it was a happy sigh, he was happy that his family was coming back together. Part 2 is up now.  Hate it? Love it? Wanna kill it or me? Help me out here people, tell me what you think and I'll see wait I can do to improve my writings. ©2000 Lennie Marie Inc. (don't mess with me! :) )