Written by: Dallas Walsh

"I don't want excuses, I want answers!" Mac Rockwell yells into his phone as he sits at his desk in the Rockwell Mining office. He has been working overtime trying to gain momentum with the latest Rockwell Mining collection, featuring the rare diamonds that are emerging from the Kelsey Lake mine. As he waits for the person on the other end of the phone to reply, he reaches over and grabs the wedding picture of him and Lydia Rockwell. He sets it back down when the conversation continues. "That's fine; just get me the report by the end of the day."

He hangs up the phone and sighs as he looks over at the picture again. It's only been nine months since the day in Mexico, but things have already taken a turn for the worse in their relationship. He brought Lydia back into Rockwell Mining, and immediately they started to clash about certain directions they wanted the company to go in. Of course, Mac wanted things to go his way because is the CEO, but Lydia continued to remind him about her stint as the CEO at Blackmore Ltd. and at Rockwell Mining. He shuts his eyes for a moment as he thinks back to a family meeting that happened a few months ago.

"I'm telling you, Mac, these designs are not the future of Rockwell Mining," Lydia snarled at him, as their children, Cole, Stacey and Lex Rockwell all stood in the office with their parents. "Stacey, darling, I don't mean to be rude, but these designs with the rare diamonds coming from the Kelsey Lake mine, they are too pedestrian. They look like something Celeste Baldwin would have come up with!"

"Lydia enough," Mac gritted his teeth back to his parents. "Stacey's designs are beautiful. I think they are very cutting edge."

"Of course you do," Lydia rolled her eyes back to him. "Need I remind you, Mac, that I ran Blackmore Ltd. and Rockwell Mining, I do know what I'm talking about!"

"Mom, I can rework the designs," Stacey chimed in as she walked up to her mother and grabbed the folder from her. "But, I think they are far from being bad. And, I take offence to you comparing me to Celeste Baldwin!"

"I always liked Celeste's designs," Cole shrugged his shoulders.

"Of course you did," Lex chuckled back to his brother. "You always saw the best in her, even when no one else in the family did."

"This is not about Celeste Baldwin!" Mac yelled back to his family. "The real problem here is Lydia thinking she is CEO of this company, when I am. My decision will always be the final decision."

"Well, isn't this typical of you!" Lydia barked at him. "We are supposed to be working together! We are supposed to be working as a family, but no, it is a damn dictatorship!"

"Mom, that might be extreme," Cole replied to her, trying to keep the peace within the family.

"Whatever, he's going to do whatever he damn well wants to anyways," Lydia waved her hand in the air. "I don't have time for this right now; I have to get to physical therapy."

The Rockwell's watched Lydia rush out of the office. Mac shook his head, upset with how things went down. "I'm sorry," he told his children. "I never meant for things to get so heated."

"So much for the peace of your reunion," Stacey looked back at him. "Daddy, honestly, I don't mind reworking these designs."

"I agree with Dad," Lex told her. "I think they are fine the way they are."

"Don't worry about it," Mac looked at his daughter. "I'll focus on Lydia, once she gets back from therapy."

"I brought you a fresh pot of coffee," Carmen Santos says as she comes into the office holding a fresh steel pot of coffee in her hand. She sets it down on the bar and slightly bends over in the process, causing Mac to snap out of his memory and coming back into present day. Mac can't help but look at his secretary's long, toned legs as she sets the pot down. He licks his lips together a little, enjoying the view. He knows that he has suspected Lydia of starting an affair with her physical therapist, Noel Baker. The younger man was hired to help Lydia fully regain the strength in her legs, following her paralysis, and Mac, while has no proof, has thought that they were more than just a doctor-patient relationship.

"If I can do anything else for you, Mr. Rockwell, please let me know."

"I will keep that in mind," Mac nods back to her, unable to hide his attraction to the younger woman in front of him. In his mind, if Lydia can have her fun, why can't he? "You know, Carmen, you really are the secretary I've ever had."

Carmen giggles back to him. "I'm happy to hear that," she purses her lips together. "I feel like I have a skill set you haven't even tapped into yet."

Mac looks back at her with some lust in his eyes. "Maybe I should arrange a meeting with you to get a better understanding of what these skills are."

"I think that would be appropriate," she winks back to him as she leans up from his desk, knocking over his wedding picture in the process. "Oops, sorry about that."

"Its fine," he waves his hand in the air.

"I'll be at my desk if you need anything," she walks towards the door. She looks back at him one final time before she closes the door.

Mac takes a deep breath and runs his hand through his hair. "Get it together," he whispers to himself. "She's old enough to be your daughter. And, you're married!"

***

Lydia rolls over in the large king size bed in the master bedroom as she sleeps while the sound of the shower in the unsuited runs. As Lydia rests, she dreams of the same day that Mac just remembered in his office.

Lydia walked into the gym in the Rockwell Mansion and stopped in her tracks at the sight in front of her. Her trainer, Noel Baker, was shirtless and lifting some weights. He grunted one final time before he set the bar bells back in their place and he leaned up to look over at his client.

Grabbing a towel, he dried his sweaty, muscular chest off. "Sorry," he said to her. "I thought I'd lift while I waited for you to arrive. Hope you don't mind."

"Not at all," Lydia licked her lips together. "I told you, you should make yourself a home when you're here."

"Are you ready to work out?"

"I need to blow off some steam more than you," she moved up to him. "I need you to really go hard on me today. Make me feel it."

Noel uneasily chuckled back to her. "Are you sure you're talking about working your legs?"

She sat down and raised her left leg, while Noel bent down and starting helping her stretch her leg. "I had a brutal morning," she admitted to him.

"Sometimes blowing off steam is the best thing to help deal with stress."

Lydia looked at him while their eyes locked. "Yes it is," she nodded back to him. "You were lifting weights; do you need to blow off some steam?'

"I always have something to blow off," he winked back to her.

She dropped her leg and kneeled down to face him. "I have some ideas of how we could accomplish that together."

"Oh yea?"

She kissed him passionately and ran her fingers over his muscular chest. "You're married," he replied to her as their lips parted for a moment.

She reached down to his shorts and felt his growing member. "It doesn't seem like you care."

"I don't," he said, his eyes filled with lust. "I just want to make sure…" she cut him off by kissing him again.

"Stop talking," she said in between kisses.

Lydia rolls over, again, in the bed and slowly opens her eyes returning to present day as she sees Noel walk out of the washroom with a white towel wrapped about his waist.

"Good morning sleepy head," he winks back to her. "You slept in today.
"You gave me a good workout last night," she leans up in the bed. "How long have you been up?"

"Long enough to shower," he tells her. "I should get going though."

"What's the rush?"

"I'm worried that your husband will come home and find me here," Noel admits to her. "It's bad enough I'm banging you, but if he found out that I'm sleeping in the bed you share together, I don't know what he will do to me."

"If he came home at night, he would know that you were in my bed," Lydia purrs to him. "We've drifted so far apart; he has no idea what or whom is in this bed. Don't you worry Noel, nothing will happen to you. Even if Mac did find out about our affair, I can handle my husband."

Noel leans down and kisses her on the lips. "Appreciate that, but I should get going."

"I was hoping for some of you this morning," she removes the blankets from her body and exposes her nakedness to him. "Are you sure you have to leave now."

Noel licks his lips at the sight in front of him. "Damn, I guess there's time."

She giggles as he jumps next to her and starts kissing her neck. "Yes, there's always time baby."

***

"Have you seen what Rockwell is trying to do now?" Sabine Andrew asks Kent Blackmore as she storms into his office at the Blackmore Ltd. building. She moves up to his desk and drops a file down in front of him before putting her hand on her hip.

"Is this about the rare diamonds that they have found in the wild life perserve?" Kent asks her as he opens the folder and starts to read the report in front of him.

"It is," Sabine replies to. "If these diamonds are half as equisetic as Rockwell Mining is claiming, he will do major damage to Blackmore Ltd. We have to figure out a way to compete with this, Kent!"

Kent stands up and leans over the desk to Sabine. "You're so hot when you're mad," he teases her.

She chuckles back to him. "I wasn't trying to get into your pants," she replies to him. "I was being serious. We have to do something, or we will suffer in the long run."

"Don't you worry your pretty little head; I already have set something into motion that could prevent Rockwell Mining from ever getting one of those diamonds."

"What have you done?"

"I've requested that Grant Shaw revoke the last offer from Rockwell Mining since we were all under such…stress from the bombing at the hand of Odette Williams," he reveals to her. "He told me that the bombs occurred after the fact, but he agreed that there was a lot going on at the time, so he is considering it."

"Why would he do that?"

"Because, he is still upset that Cole got off for his role in Dixie Ryan's death," Kent continues to explain to her, recalling how Dixie was Grant's sister, whom died in Cole's hotel room due to a drug overdose. "The point of all of this, if Grant agrees to reopen the bid for the Kelsey Lake mine, I will get the mine back and I will be able to move forward with these rare diamonds."

Sabine giggles back to him as she rushes around the other side of his desk. She kisses him passionately. "You are brilliant, you know that?"

"I'm still thinking about how hot you looked when you were mad," he grins back to her as he kisses her again and she sits on the edge of the desk. He lifts her skirt up as he kisses her. "I want you so badly."

"Then have me," she moans. "I'm not wearing any panties. Have me, right here on this desk."

Kent doesn't have to think twice as he starts to unbutton his pants as his lips find hers again.

***

Vivian Blackmore sits at the bar of the country club nursing a champagne cocktail in front of her. Her mind is wondering to how she and her ex-husband, Kent, made love right before Mac and Lydia got married again. Since then, she knows that he has moved into a relationship with Sabine Andrews, which upsets her because she thought that they would have gotten back together and had a future together. She can't believe that he has moved from Lydia to her sister.

She takes a sip of her cocktail. "I am the woman for you Kent," she whispers to herself. "I thought you would have realized that after our night together. But instead you went to Sabine and forgot all about me."

"I won't let you stay with her," Vivian continues to herself as she takes another sip of her drink. "I wonder if Sabine knows about our night together. And, if she did, would she even care? No, Vivian, you have to think of something else. You have to think of another way to make sure Kent knows that you are the woman for him. But what could I do?"

She takes another drink of her champagne cocktail before a sly smile comes over her face. "That's it," she whispers in delight. "I know exactly what I'm going to do."

***

"You do know what today is, don't you?" Cole Rockwell asks the blindfolded girl up the stairs of the Rockwell Mansion. He is holding her hand and moving slowly so she doesn't fall.

"I think its Thursday," she purses her lips together. "Where are you taking me, Cole?"

"Do you trust me?"

"Of course I do!"

"Okay, we are almost there," Cole smiles as they reach the second level of the house, and a door opens. He guides her into the room, where there is a romantic table setting for two arranged. "Are you ready?"

"I'm more than ready!"

"One, two, three…" Cole says as he takes off her blindfold. "Surprise!"

"What is all this?" she asks him as she rushes up to the table, where there are two candles lite and a dozen red roses.

"Happy six months together, Madi."

Madison Stewart looks back at her boyfriend with a huge smile on her face. She rushes up to him and hugs him tightly. After working together at Rockwell Mining and the wild life preserve, they started dating one another as they couldn't hide their attraction any longer. "I can't believe you did all of this for me, for us because we've been together for six months."

"Do you remember when I first met you?" he asks her as they exit their embrace. "I was still so lost because of my relationship with Celeste. You pulled me out of that rut, Maddison. I don't know how I would have survived had it not been for you. I wanted to show you how much I love you, how much these last six months have meant to me and how badly I want to have a future with you."

Maddi looks back at him with tears in her eyes. "I love you too baby, more than you'll ever know," she licks her lips as he leans in and kisses her passionately. "Now, let's eat, I'm famished!"

***

"Why is no one else here? It's one of the busiest times of the day," Stacey asks Houston Blackmore as he walks into the country club with her, only the dining room is completely empty. She knows that the club is almost busy, so to see it empty is rare for her. She almost hopes that they are not in some kind of financial despair, because she doesn't know where she would eat if the club closed down.

Just as they approach the main door, however, she reads the sign that says "Closed for Private Function."

"Oh, I guess we'll have to go somewhere else," she sighs, as she looks at Houston. "Why are you being so quiet?"

"Because," he grins back to her. "We are the private function."

"What are you talking about?" she asks him in surprise.

He opens the door for her and she moves inside the dining room. "Mr. Blackmore, welcome. Ms. Rockwell, may I take your coat?" the hostess asks them, as Stacey passes her the jacket. "You two can make your way inside. Everything will be taken care."

"Thank you," Houston nods back to her.

"I can't believe you rented us the entire club," Stacey smiles back to him, as she reaches their table and sees a bottle of champagne waiting for them. "What is this for? It's not my birthday!"

"It's a day that I want you to never forget," Houston replies to her as he pours two glasses of champagne. He passes her one. "Let's have a toast."

"Okay, what should we drink too?"

"To you," Houston looks into her eyes. "You are the most amazing woman in the world. I adore you and think you're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life."

"You're making me blush."

"You're adorable when you blush," he smiles back to her. "So, to you." He toasts her glass and he takes a sip.

As Stacey moves the flute to her mouth, she gasps as the sight. "What is that?" she asks as she sees something in her glass. "Houston, what have you done?"

She sets the glass down and uses the table knife to fish out a large diamond ring from the bottom of the glass. "Houston, my God, it's beautiful."

"Not nearly as beautiful as you," he tells her. "It's a rare, one of a kind, blue diamond," he tells her.

"It's gorgeous."

"Marry me?" he asks her as their eyes lock. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Stacey. What do you say? Be my wife?"

"Oh Houston," she gasps as she gets tears in her eyes. "I'd love nothing more than to be your wife!"

***

"Are you really surprised that you and Lydia are already having difficulties?" Lucinda Rockwell asks her son as she pours herself a brandy from the bar in Mac's office at the Rockwell Mining building. She knows how Mac's first marriage to Lydia was; she can't believe he was stupid enough to marry her again. She wishes her son had thought about marrying her, since their history has been rocky, to say the least.

"Mother, I don't really want to fight with you about this," Mac sighs back to her. "I know your history with Lydia isn't exactly great, but we do have a years together."

Lucinda rolls her eyes back to him. "We all have history with her," Lucinda reminds him. "The only ones who have good history with her, and even this is a stretch, are her children. But she has hurt them too."

"What would you like me to do?"

"Divorce the witch," Lucinda snaps at him. "Why you married her, again, I will never understand."

"I loved her!" Mac protests back to her. "I wish you would stop criticizing every damn choice that I make!"

"I wouldn't have to, MacKenzie," Lucinda takes a sip of her brandy. "If you'd start thinking with your head instead of your pants!"

Before Mac can reply, the door to the office opens and Lydia appears. "What am I walking in on? Let me guess? Lucinda is telling you what a mistake it was for us to get back together?"

"You're a mind reader," Lucinda quips back to her. "Mac, I believe this is my cue to leave. We'll be in touch about organizing a family dinner very soon."

"Very well Mother."

Lydia waits until Lucinda has left the office before she sets her purse down on the desk. "I'm sorry I'm late, I slept in."

"It's fine," Mac replies to her. "Mother and I were just catching up, you know how she is."

"How could I forget?" she tells him. "What have I missed around here today?'

"Not a lot," Mac says. "We are going ahead with Stacey's designs."

"Ugh," Lydia groans. "And, to hell with my thoughts on it? You know that I think they look pedestrian!"

"It's something you will have to get over dear," Mac tries to smile back to her. "How about we forget about that and have lunch together? We can try to put this behind us?"

"No," Lydia grabs her purse. "I've lost my appetite completely."

***

"I'm so glad that you were able to clear some of your calendar to see me," Vivian tells the handsome man who is sitting on her sofa in the living room of her mansion.

Deacon Cooper looks up and over at the attractive woman. He has known Vivian for a number of years as she knew his father, Chase Cooper. Deacon has always suspected that Vivian and his father were lovers, but he has no proof of that, nor does he care. Vivian was a big financial supporter of Chase's, who was governor for time. During this time, Deacon was going to medical school and is now a top performing medical physician. So, when he got the call from Vivian requesting to see her, he knew he couldn't say no.

"Of course," Deacon smiles back together. "You are lucky that I was in Kelsey Lake for a medical conference. I don't get out here that often anymore."

"I know," Vivian sits next to him as she sets a cup of coffee in front of him. "I'm sure since your father's passing; it's difficult to be here. I'm sorry, again."

"No need to apologize," Deacon replies to her. "He's been gone for a number of years now, I'm not grieving anymore."

"I still miss him," Vivian admits to him. "But, seeing you, it brings me fond memories of my time with your Dad."

"I got the feeling that you wanted to do more than just commiserate about my father."

Vivian chuckles back to him. "You always were too smart for your own good," she looks back to him. "But, I do need your help with something. But, I need your word that you won't think I'm completely crazy. Because, my plan, it seems extreme, but this my situation, it is dire. I need to take action and I need to take action now."

Deacon nods back to her. "You've always had a flair for the dramatics," Deacon tells her. "It's part of what my father and I always liked about you. So, tell me: how can I help? You know that I'd do anything for you."

"I'm glad you said that," Vivian replies to him. "Because without you, my plan will not work."

***

"You do know that this is extremely unheard of, right?" Mac says into his phone as he sits at his desk and sees Lex Rockwell walk into the office. "I mean, I could sue for breach of our contract!"

Lex moves up to the desk wondering what is going on with his father as it is not often that he hears his Dad have to threaten to sue someone for not following his orders.

"I'll be in touch, but just know that I'm not happy about this!"

"What was that about?" Lex asks him as Mac slams the phone down. "Do you want a brandy? It looks like you need one."

"Yes, I'll have one," Mac replies to him as Lex moves to the bar. "That was Grant Shaw; he's decided to put the Kelsey Lake mine back up for another round of bids because during the last bidding war, there was a lot going on with us and Blackmore Ltd. More importantly, he doesn't feel like everyone had a fair shot."

"This screams of Kent's dirty work," Lex passes him a brandy. "But Dad, don't worry. We got this. We know how to beat Kent at his own game. Let me go to New York, I can handle Grant Shaw."

"Are you sure? After everything that happened between you, Grant and Tanner Young, I don't want you to feel like you have to do this."

"That's all in the past," Lex waves his hand in the air. "I'm stronger now. I can handle this."

"Very well," Mac nods back to him. "I'll leave this in your very capable hands."

***

"Houston, I'm glad you're here," Kent tells his son as he walks through the doorway of Kent's office at Blackmore Ltd. "Sabine and I needed to talk to you."

"I'm sorry I couldn't come sooner," Houston replies to his father and his girlfriend. "I was in the middle of something. But, I do have news for you. So, the timing was good."

"We have news as well," Sabine purses her lips together. "We need to go first because this is about the future of Blackmore Ltd. It is very important."

Houston arches his eyebrow back to her. "What's going on?"

"I've spoken to Grant Shaw from New York," Kent begins to explain to him. "He's agreed to put the Kelsey Lake mine back up for bidding because of everything we were going through personally the last time the contract was up."

"How can he do that? Rockwell Mining has a contract with them?"

"I don't think Mac will contest it," Kent explains back to him, knowing that if Mac does, the fact that he and Lex used insider trading to obtain the contract could be exposed, which would mean possible jail time. "The fact of the matter is, we can't afford to lose this mine. We need to get that contract back. I'm going to have to get you to go to New York to meet with Grant in person."

"Now?" Houston asks him back. "Dad, this isn't a good time for me."

"Why? What else is going on?" Sabine asks him.

"That's what I was going to tell you," Houston replies to them. "Stacey and I, we just got engaged. We are planning an engagement party and a wedding."

Sabine uneasily looks back over to Kent, who runs his hands through his hair. "You're engaged? To Stacey Rockwell?"

"Why are you surprised?" Houston asks him. "You know that Stacey and I have been solid since Marat Kafelnikov went back to Moscow. We've been in love for so long; had I not been trapped by Lucinda, we probably would have been married by now."

"Honestly Houston," Kent looks back at him. "I had hoped that this fling would have run its course. I'm not sure I like the idea of you marrying a Rockwell. You know what that family has done to us, what their company has tried to do to Blackmore Ltd."

"I don't care about that Dad," Houston stands up to him. "I will marry Stacey with or without your support, but I'd prefer to have it."

"That doesn't change the fact that you're going to have to do your job here, at Blackmore Ltd," Sabine tells him. "That includes going to New York to meet with Grant Shaw."

"Fine," Houston snaps at her, annoyed that Sabine is giving him orders. "But, I will go after my engagement party. Nothing means more to me than Stacey and our pending marriage, and I expect the same from you."

***

A short time later, Kent hears a knock on his office door. He looks up and wonders if Houston has come back to tell him that he will go to New York sooner rather than later, since he knows that ime of the essence with Kelsey Lake mine bid.

"Come in," he calls out as he stands up from the chair. He sees Lex move into the office. "Lexington, this is a surprise. What brings you by?"

"Sabine called me and asked me to come see you," Lex admits to him. "Despite everything that happened, you are still my father. I guess we shoudn't forget that."

"You are my son. I have not forgotten that. I know that you're busy with Rockwell Mining, however. I wish you would leave and come work with me."

"I can't do that," Lex shakes his head back to him. "I was raised as a Rockwell. That is my legacy."

"Have you heard that Grant Shaw is reopening the bid for the Kelsey Lake mine?" Kent asks him.

"I have," Lex nods back to him. "I'm going to New York to bid on Rockwell Mining's behalf."

Kent gulps knowing that Lex is a damn good negotiator; now more than ever, he needs Houston to step up his game. "I wish you wouldn't do that. Blackmore is your blood too."

"Sorry Kent," Lex looks back at him. "I'm going to New York and I will get the mine back. I won't let my Dad down."

"I'm your father!"

Lex uneasily looks back at him. "I'll see you around, Kent. I have to get going. Good luck with your bid."

***


"I'm glad you're all here," Stacey announces to her family, as Mac, Lydia, Lucinda, Cole and Lex all stand or sit in the living room of the Rockwell Mansion. "I have news, and I wanted you to all hear it from me first."

"Darling, what it is?" Lydia asks her daughter, knowing it is not often Stacey calls a family meeting.

"Yea, what' sup Stacey? I hope this won't take too long, I have a plane to catch," Lex tells her, knowing that he booked the first flight to New York to see Grant Shaw. "I'm off to New York for business."

"This won't take long at all," Stacey purses her lips together. "I wanted you to all know that I'm engaged! Houston asked me to marry him and I said yes."

"Congratulations," Cole comes up to his sister and hugs her. "After everything the two of you have been through, this is long overdue."

"Yea, congrats Stace," Lex hugs her next. "If you don't mind, I'm going to take off. I can't miss my plane."

"How long are you going to be gone?" Stacey asks him. "My engagement party is tomorrow night; I was hoping you'd all be there."

"I will try to be back, but honestly, I might miss it. Just know that I love you and support you, no matter what," Lex winks back to her.

"Thank you," Stacey smiles back to him.

"Okay, I'm off to the airport, Dad, I'll be in touch," Lex looks at Mac.

"Don't let me down," Mac replies to him, as Lex nods and leaves the living room.

"Mom, Dad, Grandma, I hope my news is good news?" Stacey asks them, as they have been pretty quiet about her news.

"This is exactly why I put Houston in that damn cage!" Lucinda snaps as she pours herself a brandy and takes a sip of it immediately. "I do not want my granddaughter to be married to a Blackmore!"

"Of course you bring up the worst time of my life," Lydia spits back to her. "You're still a demented old woman, you know that?"

"Enough you two! This is about Stacey and Houston, not this never ending feud!" Cole tells them. "Now, we might not get along with the Blackmore's but Houston and Stacey has been through enough to last a life time. Can't we just be happy for them?"

"Congratulations, darling," Mac moves up to his daughter and hugs her. "I might not like the Blackmore's, but you and Houston have had your share of ups and downs. If this is what you want, then I will try to support you."

"It is what I want Daddy, it really is."

"Just watch yourself," Lucinda looks at her. "Kent and Houston, the entire family, they will take you in and spit you out when they are done with you. Need we remind you that Kent tried to have you killed!"

"I know Grandma! But, we've all made mistakes," Stacey tells her. "And, I'm marrying Houston, not Kent. He is nothing like his father."

"I hope you're right," Mac tells his daughter. "Because otherwise, you're in for a very long and rocky road."

"While we are on the topic of good news," Cole interrupts everyone as he clears his throat. "I've decided that I want to ask Madi to marry me."

"What? Darling, this is great news!" Lydia rushes up to him and hugs him, thrilled by her news.

"Thanks Mom," Cole smiles back to her. "But don't worry Stace, I won't ask her until after you've had your moment in the sun. I won't compete with you."

"Good," Stacey chuckles back to him as she hugs him. "Because that would be cause of problems between us."

***

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK

A few hours later, Lex moves into the Bar at the Baccarat Hotel in New York City. He is staying at the Baccarat Hotel and knows that The Bar in the hotel is one of the city's best. He looks down the bar and feels his heart move into his throat when he sees Grant Shaw sitting in the middle of the long bar, with an open chair next to him. He wasn't surprised to hear back from Grant about a meeting because Kelsey Lake mine is once again up for bidding, but seeing him now is suddenly bringing everything back to him. Grant and Tanner Young were secret lovers while Tanner was working with Odette Williams to drive Lex crazy; it worked as Lex started seeing a fellow named Toby Sinclair, who never really existed. He was all in Lex's mind. Lex, once he got the drugs out of his system, focused on his work at Rockwell Mining and tried to put men out of his mind. Seeing Grant, though, he can't help but think of everything that has happened.

Grant slowly turns on his stool and smiles when he sees Lex slowly walking up to him. "Lex Rockwell, it's good to see you," Grant uneasily smiles as he offers the seat next to him to Lex.

"Likewise Mr. Shaw."

"Please, call me Grant," he tells him as Lex sits next to him. "Can I get you a drink?"

"I should probably be asking you that question," Lex replies to him. "After all, I'm here to enquire about your mine."

"I won't argue with your logic."

"I'll have an old fashioned please, and I'll get his drink," Lex tells the bartender, as Grant orders a whiskey sour. "I must admit, seeing you, it's brought up a lot of memories for me."

"I can imagine," Grant nods back to him. "If I'm honest with you, I was surprised that you were going to represent Rockwell in this."

"My father told me not to come," Lex admits to him. "But, I didn't think it would bother me. Seeing you, I mean. Of course, as soon as I saw you, it all came flooding back to me."

"I'm sorry, for what it's worth," Grant tells him. "I had no idea the extent of Odette's plan, or Tanner's, for that matter. They just told me that I would be getting revenge on Dixie's death and a pay day. Tanner told me he loved me. I was just so hurt over Dixie's disappearance … I wasn't in a good place."

"You really went after Cole," Lex reminds him.

"I know. I wanted someone to pay for Dixie's death," Grant admits to him. "I was wrong, I know that now."

"What happened to Tanner?"

"He came to New York with me after the charges were dropped against us," Grant reveals to him. "He was looking for a way to escape everything involving Odette's plan. But as soon as we got here, he left. I haven't heard from him since. He never loved me; he was just using me as a pawn in their plan."

"I'm sorry," Lex takes a sip of his drink. "Seems like we have a lot in common when it comes to Tanner Young."

"I don't think you should be apologizing to me," Grant chuckles back to him. "What happened to me is nothing close compared to what he put you through."

"It's in the past," Lex looks him in the eye. "I've taken a lot of time for me. I've focused on getting myself back on track. I think I'm finally in a good place again."

"I'm happy to hear that," Grant replies to him. "I think you deserve happiness. I deserve it too. I think that's why I'm glad you came to represent Rockwell; I think it was a sign that we are both ready to move on."

Lex smiles back to him. "Yea, about the mine…"

Grant stops him. "How long are you in town?"

"A couple days," Lex replies to him. "Why?"

Grant leans over and kisses Lex on the lips. "Why don't we focus on us tonight, and finding some more happiness? We can meet again tomorrow to discuss the mine."

Lex licks his lips a little as he looks back at Grant. "What did you have in mind?"

"Dinner?" Grant asks him. "Then maybe my place, or your hotel room?"

Lex blushes a little. "I'd like that," he admits to him, unable to deny that he finds Grant attractive. "I'd like that a lot."

***

The next night, Stacey and Houston's engagement part at the Rockwell mansion is well underway. Guests are mingling and drinking glasses of champagne, while enjoying the party in the fully restored Rockwell Mining.

"I hope this is what you wanted for your party," Houston leans into Stacey and whispers in her ear. "I would do anything for you, I hope you know that."

"I know that," she looks into his eyes. "This is exactly what I want. I just hope that our families can come together. It would mean so much to me."

"Me too," Houston nods back to her. "But, I'm not sure we should hold our breath on that."

She chuckles back to him. "Come on, let's go get another glass of champagne."

***

"I haven't seen Kent yet," Vivian tells Sabine as she walks up to her ex-husband's new girlfriend. Vivian still can't believe that Kent would rather be with Sabine instead of her. She knows that it's only a matter of time, however, that Kent comes back to her. "It's urgent that I see him tonight."

Sabine takes a sip of her champagne. "He is getting ready to make a toast to Houston," Sabine advises him. "I helped him with the wording. He wants to ensure, despite the fact that Houston is marrying a Rockwell, that he gives his son his support."

"Our son," Vivian rubs her face in it. "Houston is the best thing that Kent and I ever did. We were so good together."

"That was a very, very long time ago," Sabine replies to her. "Before your first face lift."

"Kent and I often talk about those days and we refer to them as the best days of our lives," Vivian tells her. "It's a pity that you'll never have the chance to experience something like that."

"What? Being divorce? Being a single mother?" Sabine asks her. "Yes, pity."

Before Vivian can reply, Lucinda walks up to the two women. "Well, isn't this interesting. The slut and the whore talking to one another. Let me guess, you want to play rock, paper, scissors to see who Kent will go home with?"

"I don't have time for this," Vivian snaps back to her. "I have to find Kent, the father of my son."

***

"Dad, I'm glad you're here," Houston announces to Kent as he walks up to him in the foyer of the mansion. "After your reaction earlier, I was worried that you wouldn't show up."

"I wouldn't miss this," Kent replies to him. "I might not get along with the Rockwell's, but you know that I love you, Houston."

"I know that Dad," Houston nods back to him. "And, I promise you, first thing tomorrow morning, I'll go to New York to meet with Grant Shaw. I'll do my best to secure the Kelsey Lake mine for Blackmore Ltd."

"I'm glad that you feel that way," Kent tells him. "Because, I know that Lex is there now. And you know and I both know that Lex has very good negotiating skills."

"I'm not interrupting anything am I?" Vivian asks as she moves into the foyer.

"No, Mom, not at all," Houston puts his arm around her. "Dad and I were just talking."

"I'm about to go give a speech to Houston and Stacey," Kent tells her. "Shall we go in?"

"Yes, of course," Vivian nods back to him. "But Kent, as soon as you're finished, we have to talk. I have something very important to discuss with you."

***

"Are you ready for your speech?" Lydia asks Kent as she grabs another glass of champagne from a passing waiter.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Kent replies to her. "You're looking good, Lydia."

"Thank you," Lydia nods back to him. "I feel better than I ever have before."

"I'm glad to hear that," Kent tells her. "I know that we've had a lot of ups and downs, but I do still care about you Lydia. We spent too many years together for me not too."

"I feel the same way, Kent," Lydia purses her lips together. "I wish you weren't with my sister, you could do so much better."

"Let's not talk about my personal life," Kent licks his lips. "Have you heard from Lex?"

"He's in New York," Lydia tells him. "I think he'll secure the Kelsey Lake mine for Rockwell. I know you're not happy about that."

"I just wish he would recognize me as his father," Kent admits to her. "I want my boys together at Blackmore."

Lydia chuckles back to him. "Good luck with that," she winks back to him. "Good luck with your speech."

***

"Does your family always throw such fabulous parties?" Maddison asks Cole as they walk through the living room arm in arm. "This house is amazing."

"I can't believe that after all these months, yesterday was the first day you've been in the mansion," Cole admits to her. "I mean, we had lunch yesterday but today, you're realty getting to see where I live."

"You kept telling me you wanted to go slow," she reminds him. "After your last relationship with Celeste, you said you didn't want to make the same mistake again."

"Yea, I know," he winks back to her. "You're nothing like her though. You're amazing; You're beautiful; You're honest; You're the best thing that's ever happened to me."

Maddison blushes as she leans in and kisses him. "I'm the lucky one," she replies to him. "But, I'm out of champagne. Will you go get us another glass?"

"Of course," he tells her. "Be right back."

As soon as Cole leaves, Lucinda approaches the young woman. "Well, well, well," Lucinda whispers to her. "What do we have here?"

"Mrs. Rockwell, I'm…"

"I know exactly who you are," Lucinda snaps at her in a hushed stern voice. "The question is, what is Vivian Blackmore's long-lost daughter doing kissing my Grandson?"

"Cole?" Maddi asks her. "We are dating. We are in love!"

"HA!" Lucinda cackles. "When he finds out who your mother is, you won't have anything left."

***

"Ladies and gentlemen," Kent says loudly at the front of the room. "If I could have your attention please," he continues as the crowd silences and turns to face him. "It gives me great honor to be here today to celebrate my son's, Houston, engagement to Stacey Rockwell. I know what you're all thinking, how can a Blackmore be happy that there will be ties to the Rockwell's, but the truth is, Stacey is the best thing that has ever happened to my son. Seeing Houston happy means more to me, and his mother Vivian, than any possible rivalry than our families have. The happiness of our children, that's all that really matters. So, that being said, to Houston and Stacey, and may they live happily ever after."

"To Houston and Stacey," the crowd says back in unison as Stacey and Houston start to kiss and the crowd claps to them.

Just then, the doors behind Kent open and two figures emerge. The crowd starts gasp as Celeste Baldwin and Marat Kafelnikov emerge with a baby stroller in front of them. "Have we missed the party?" Celeste asks as she purses her lips together.

***

"I can't believe those two are back," Mac pulls Lydia aside once the crowd as hushed down. After everything Stacey and Houston have been through, this is the last thing that they needed.

"I had hoped we'd never see Celeste Baldwin's face again," Lydia agrees with him. "But you know what, darling, Stacey and Cole are both in a very good place right now. I believe that they will be okay."

Mac looks back at his estranged wife and can't help but me amazed by her positive attitude. "You never cease to amaze me, you know that?"

"Why is that?"

"You're just always so positive when it comes to our children," Mac tells her. "I tend to think of the worst and you're never that way."

"Our children our the best of us, Mac," she replies to him. "We are strong, determined people and so are they. "

"That they are," Mac nods back to her. "Cole and Stacey will be fine, you're right. They will move forward with Madi and Houston, I believe that."

"And, if Celeste and Marat try anything, they will answer to me," Lydia tells him. "Mark my words on that."

***

Once the crowd has settled down, Cole, Stacey and Houston rush up to the two late arrivers to the party. Cole looks into the baby stroller and sees a sleeping baby boy. He still has a hard time believing that Celeste was able to have a baby after she was told that she would never have another child; this is why she left town to go to Moscow with Marat, because she wanted the father of her baby to be present during the pregnancy and for the birth.

"What are you two doing here?" Cole asks them, as Stacey and Houston look on.

"We haven't heard from the two of you since you left town and now you're here at my engagement party? What kind of game are you playing?" Stacey asks them next, also wanting answers.

"There is no game," Celeste replies to them. "Our son was born two months ago, and everything had settled down at the Kremlin Diamonds for Marat, so we decided it was time we come home."

"Ironically at our engagement party?" Houston rolls his eyes. "This smells of a game that you're playing, only you're going to be the losers!"

"We won't lie about our intentions," Marat looks back at Stacey. "I never stopped loving you, Stacey."

"And, I still love you Cole," Celeste looks at him. "We are parents together but nothing has stopped us from wanting you to back."

"What are you saying?" Stacey asks them. "You can't just show up here and want things to go back to normal."

"I want you back, Stacey," Marat tells her as they lock eyes.

"And, I want you, Cole," Celeste purses her lips together. "We came to get our loved ones back."

***

Lydia grabs another glass of champagne and then turns around to watch Cole and Stacey confront Marat and Celeste. She still can't believe that they have crashed the engagement party. She looks over and happens to see Noel pop into the living room.

Their eyes lock for a moment and Noel licks his lips. Lydia watches him leave the room, which causes her to set her glass down and then quickly follow him out of the room.

***

"Kent, please, I told you I had to talk to you," Vivian says as she approaches Kent and Sabine.

"Vivian, we were just about to leave," Sabine replies to her, annoyed by her interference. "Can this wait?"

"Kent, that was a lovely speech," she ignores Sabine. "Do you mind if we go somewhere to talk?"

"Whatever you have to say to me you can say to Sabine," Kent replies to her. "And if you could make it fast, we were going to go. We have a busy day planned tomorrow."

"Very well," Vivian waves her hand back to him. "There's no easy way to tell you this."

"What is it?"

"I'm dying Kent," Vivian shocks him. "I don't have long to live."

"This is bullshit," Sabine shrieks back to her. "I don't believe a word you're saying."

"I knew that you would feel that way," Vivian replies to her. "That's my doctor is here. Kent, Sabine, meet Dr. Deacon Cooper. He will tell her that I'm not well."

"Doctor," Kent shakes Deacon's hand, still reeling from Vivian's news. "Is this true? Is my ex-wife dying?"

"I'm afraid so," Deacon looks back at him. "She doesn't have long to live. She will die."

***

Mac looks around the living room trying to see where his wife went; he knows that she will likely be in over-protective mode with Cole and Stacey as she knows the history they have with Celeste and Marat, respectively. He arches his eyebrow when he doesn't see her in the crowded room.

"Where did you rush off too?" he asks himself, as he moves up to grab a glass of champagne. "Excuse me, have you seen my wife?"

The bartender nods back to him. "I believe she went up to rest, she said she was rather tired," the bartender replies to him.

"Thanks," Mac replies to him, as he rushes to the door. He walks up the stairs heading towards the master bedroom. He didn't even think that, maybe, Lydia was still struggling with some of her fatigue due to her legs. Suddenly, he feels bad for all the awful things he has said to her lately; maybe, she's been trying to cover when she hasn't been feeling her very best.

"Damn it," he whispers to himself. "I have to make it up to you, Lydia. I have to make things right."

He reaches the door and hears a noise inside the room. He arches his eyebrow and slowly opens the door. He peers inside and feels his heart move into his throat immediately.

"Oh God," Lydia moans as she lays on the bed on her back and Noel is making love to her. "Don't stop Noel. Please, don't stop."

Mac moves out of the room and leans up against the wall, suddenly feeling his blood boil.