Written by: Dallas Walsh

Stacey Rockwell feels her cheeks flush as she stands in the penthouse that her mother, Lydia Rockwell, shares with Kent Blackmore. She and Kent have agreed to meet this morning because they realized that they had to discuss the kiss that they shared on Christmas Day. Stacey hasn't been able to stop thinking about the kiss, despite trying to move on with Marat Kafelinkov.

"Do you want me to go first?" Kent looks back at her, unable to hide his attraction to her. No matter how hard he has tried, he hasn't been able to get Stacey out of his head. "I…I don't know what to say."

Stacey giggles back to him a little. "I mean, we kissed on Christmas," she reminds him. "We both know that it is not the ideal situation."

"It's not ideal, but is the start of any relationship ideal?"

"Relationship?" Stacey looks back at him in surprise. "Kent, we don't have a relationship. And, we can never have a relationship. You and I, we made love once because we were hurt by Houston and Sabine's affair. That night produced our daughter, Poppy, and when we thought she was dead, we mourned. It was only natural that we reconnected when we found out Poppy was alive."

"That's all true," Kent nods back to her, as he thinks about how devastated he and Stacey were when they learned that Houston Blackmore had slept with Sabine Andrews. "We were so overwhelmed with emotion when we found out that Poppy was alive and well."

"Exactly," Stacey continues to look back at him. "And that's why we kissed on Christmas, Kent. It was our first Christmas with Poppy; we just got caught up in the moment."

"Do you think that's all it was?"

"It has to be," Stacey stands firm with him. "You're engaged to my mother, Kent. There can be nothing more between us. Not now, not ever."

Kent uneasily nods back to her as he feels his heart sink. He wasn't sure what he was expecting but he can't help but feel disappointed in how this conversation has gone.

"Well that's perfect then," Kent forces a smile on his face. "Because, I was about to tell you the exact same thing. I am with Lydia; anything between you and I is off the table, completely."

Stacey looks back at him and nods. At the doorway, Lydia stands and sees her daughter and fiancé together and immediately wonders what is going on between them. She closes the penthouse door and sighs in the hallway.

"What is this all about?" she whispers to herself, as she feels her heart start racing about the private meeting between the two of them. "Why are you meeting Stacey when you think I am at work, Kent?"

***

Lexington Rockwell steps off the elevator at Blackmore Ltd. and quickly moves towards the main office. He knows that he and Houston have a million things to do today because they are hoping to get the company's sales to stay as high as they were over the Christmas holidays. A part of him feels bad because he knows that Rockwell Mining was impacted because of the behind the scenes drama, but he must keep that out of his mind as he is running Blackmore Ltd. While he is a Rockwell, he knows that he must keep his personal life and business life separate.

As he moves to the office, he can't help but notice something on the carpet moving towards the office. He stops and bends down to touch the carpet and notices that there are water-based footprints on the carpet.

He stands up and arches his eyebrow. "What the hell is going on?" he asks himself as he moves towards the office door. Once he's inside, he continues to see the footprints until he reaches the sofa, where there is a large amount of water on the floor.

"What happened here?" he asks himself as he moves to the phone and picks it up. "Yes, I need the cleaning staff in my office. There's water…almost everywhere. Get maintenance to ensure no pipes burst overnight."

He looks around the room and wonders what happened in the office that there is so much water everywhere.

***

"I've been thinking about something since our last meeting," Dyhannah Cooper tells Chase Cooper and Deacon Cooper as they sit at a table in the dinning room of the country club. She knows that she and Chase have been working together closely to try to help Deacon out of a jam where he believes he might have gotten intern pregnant. "And, I believe I have come up with a solution."

"Really? What would that be?" Deacon asks his mother, curious to hear what she has to say that could help him get out of this predicament.

"We need to get this woman, this intern, to Kelsey Lake."

"Why on earth would we do that?" Chase asks her quickly. "The last thing we need is for any press outlet to get wind of this."

"Because," Dyhannah purses her lips together. "If she is here, we can force her to do a paternity test. The test could prove once and for all that Deacon is not the father of her child."

"I know the child can't be mine," Deacon replies to his parents. "I mean, I used a condom. I used protection, that, itself, should prove that I'm not the father, right?"

"Unfortunately, no," Chase tells him. "While it is good that you used protection, they aren't a guarantee that accidents won't still happen. I'm in agreeance with your mother. We need to do a paternity test."

Deacon uneasily nods back to them. "Okay, I'll reach out and see if she will come see me in Kelsey Lake."

"Good," Dyhannah smiles back to him. "The sooner that skank is here, the sooner we can move on from this once and for all."

***

Lydia storms into the country club desperate for a drink after she saw Kent and Stacey together. She has no idea why they continue to be alone together, sometimes sharing kisses, but she is determined to ensure that she keeps Kent for herself. She will not lose Kent again, especially to her Stacey.

As she moves to the bar, she happens to see Houston packing up his belongings as he is leaving the club. She quickly moves up to him. "Houston, morning," she purses her lips together. "I am surprised your not at the office already."

"I'm just heading there," Houston replies to her quickly. "I had a late start because I was saying goodbye to my mother."

"Goodbye to Vivian? Where did that witch fly her broom too now?"

"Very funny," Houston says back to her. "She went to Portland to visit Madison. I'm not sure how long she will be gone."

"Well, I suppose we should all enjoy the peace and quiet while we can," Lydia tells him. "Listen, I need to ask you something and it is important."

"Uh, okay?"

"Where do things stand with you and Stacey?"

Houston looks back at her in surprise. "Me and Stacey? Why do you ask?"

Lydia shrugs her shoulders casually. "I know that you two have history and since you are seemingly in a better place right now, it seems like it would make sense for you two reconnect."

Houston chuckles back to her. "Well, I'm afraid that isn't going to happen, Lydia. The truth is, Stacey told me that she and Marat have reunited and are pursuing a relationship."

Lydia looks back at him in surprise. She knew that Marat told her that he and Stacey become lovers again but since she has seen Stacey with Kent numerous times since then, she worried that they weren't that serious. Now that Houston has told her that Stacey confirmed that she is with Marat, she does feel somewhat better, but she still doesn't know why Kent and Stacey are having all of these secret meetings.

"I see," Lydia nods back to Houston. "I am sorry to hear that. I know that you still care for Stacey."

"I always will," Houston admits to her. "But, maybe this is a sign that I have to move on, you know?"

Lydia uneasily nods back to him. "You're a good guy Houston. I know you've made mistakes, Lord knows we all have, but you will find happiness. I believe that."

***

Mac quickly opens the front door of the Rockwell mansion and moves inside the foyer. He was on his way to Rockwell Mining when he realized that he forgot his briefcase at home, so he came all the way back to get it. As he moves into foyer, he can't help but notice Slate Lockhart and Carmen Santos walking down the large staircase that leads to the second story of the home.

"Well, well, well, what is this?" Mac asks as he crosses her arms over his shoulders. "Is this your idea of a sick joke?" he asks Carmen.

Carmen chuckles as she wraps her arm around Slate's. "What's wrong, Mac? Are you jealous that I've moved on with a hotter, younger man?"

"Please," Mac spits back to her quickly. "I pity the man that you sink your claws into you."

"Hey, watch how you talk to her," Slate replies to him quickly. "Besides, who I choose to spend my time with, is my business. You have no right to say anything to me, Uncle Mac."

"Please don't call me that."

"Why? It's true, we are family," Slate tells him. "Even though you and my father don't share the same Dad, you do have Lucinda as a mother. I think that means I'm more of a Rockwell then you."

"You shut your mouth," Mac grits his teeth to him. "You don't know what the hell you're talking about."

"Actually, I do," Slate looks back at him as Carmen watches with glee. "You're not Mortimer Rockwell's son, so that makes you a complete an utter fraud. So, yea, you have no place to tell me who I can sleep with and who can, Mac Ashby."

"You son of a bitch," Mac moves up to him and prepares to punch him. "You shut your damn mouth now."

"Temper, temper," Slate chuckles back to him. "Careful uncle…you might be falling to new lows if you hit your own nephew."

Mac takes a deep breath and realizes that he can't hit Slate, or he will create more chaos with his family. "I need to get to the office," Mac spits back to him. "You two, you can do whatever you damn well want. I don't care."

***

Cole moves past the study of the Rockwell mansion and pauses when he sees Lucinda pouring herself a drink at the bar by the fireplace. He looks at his watch and realizes that it is still early in the day.

He opens the door and moves inside. "Nana, are you okay? It seems a tad early to be having a drink?"

Lucinda turns to face Cole before she takes a sip of her brandy. "Good morning Cole," she says back to him. "It has been a long few days, and so I thought this brandy could calm me down."

"I know that it has been difficult," Cole moves closer to her. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Mac is furious with me," she admits to him. "I don't know if there anything that I can do or say that will make him forgive me for what has happened."

Cole uneasily nods back to her. "I know that he is upset right now, but we are family, Nana. We have been through so much together, and you know what always happens? This family unites together because that's what we do. We will get through this; just watch you'll see."

"You're a dear boy," Lucinda lets a tear fall down her eye. "Thank you for those words of encouragement."

"What can I do to help? There must be something that I can do to help the situation."

Lucinda slowly takes another sip of her brandy. "Actually, yes, there is."

"Name it," Cole looks back at her.

"I suspect Nathan will try to remove Mac from Rockwell Mining," Lucinda reveals to him. "If and when that happens, we will need a set of eyes at the company to ensure Nathan isn't harming the company that we have worked so hard to keep strong and steady."

"I can do that," Cole tells her. "I will work overtime to ensure that Nathan doesn't do anything that will hurt Rockwell Mining. You can count on me, Nana."

Lucinda pulls him into a hug. "Thank you, Cole," she whispers to him. "It seems like you're the only one in my corner right now."

***

Meanwhile, in the bedroom that she shares with Nathan, Sabine paces back and forth as she continues to think about her last conversation with Nathan, where he admitted that he would try to get along with Mac as long as he finally got everything he wanted. The fear that Sabine has is that Nathan wants everything that Mac has had for so many years. If that is the case, she worries that the feud between Mac and Nathan will continue and end with explosive results.

"Maybe Lydia was right," she whispers to herself. "Maybe bringing Nathan back to Kelsey Lake was a mistake."

She moves to the bar and quickly pours herself a brandy and takes a healthy sip of it, trying to calm her nerves. "If they go to war, this family could be ruined. But, what can I do to stop this? I must get through to Nathan that this isn't Mac's fault. He's so angry with Mac but the real person to blame here is Lucinda. If she hadn't spread her legs to Dane Ashby all those years ago, this never would have happened."

She pauses as she takes another sip of her drink. "But how in the hell am I going to convince my fiancé that his anger is directed at the wrong person?"

***

"I'm glad you're here," Houston says as he opens the door to the main office at Blackmore Ltd. and moves inside as he sees Lex sitting behind the desk, working furiously. "I've had some ideas after Kent's visit yesterday."

Lex looks up from his laptop screen and at his half-brother. "I'm actually glad that you're here too. "Something very weird happened this morning and I need to know what you're up too, Houston."

Houston arches his eyebrows back to him. "What are you talking about?"

"When I arrived today," Lex stands up from his chair. "There were footprints on the carpet that lead into the office. They were water-based footprints, which is odd. Then, when I got into the office, the entire sofa was covered in water. I had the cleaning staff clean it up and maintenance ensure that no pipes had burst."

"Really?" Houston asks him in surprise. "What happened?"

"That's what I want to know. Did you have anything to do with this?"

"Me?" Houston gasps back to him. "Why would I have anything to do with this?"

"I have no idea," Lex quickly replies to him. "After everything that happened to me in Cabo, I just wonder if you are trying to play with me. Are you trying to get me out of the CEO seat again, Houston?"

"No," Houston shakes his head back to him quickly. "When I was in jail, I really realized that I needed to change, and I have. When we made amends on Christmas Day, I meant it. I have no idea what happened with these footprints, Lex. You believe me, right?"

Lex sighs back to him but finds himself nodding back to him. "I believe you. It's just weird, that's all."

"I agree. If I uncover anything, I will let you know."

"Thanks," Lex looks back to him. "Now, what was this idea that you had that you mentioned when you walked in?"

"A new marketing campaign with a gorgeous model," Houston informs him. "If we cast the model correctly, will sell the latest designs."

"I like that," Lex nods back to him. "Let's put out an ad for models and see what bites."

"Great, I'll do it now," Houston says back to him, thrilled that his idea worked. "This will prove to be good for us, I know it."

***

Stacey moves into the living room of the Rockwell Mansion and drops her purse down on the sofa before she takes a deep breath. She just came from seeing Kent and they agreed that nothing could happen between the two of them because they can't hurt Lydia. She knows that it was difficult for her to say that to Kent because she does have feelings for him, but the last thing that she wants is to hurt her mother. With everything going on with Mac right now, the family doesn't need more drama.

"There you are," Marat Kafelinkov says as he moves into the living room. "I was just upstairs with Ashlee, Ivan, Drake and Poppy. They are having a pretty epic tea party."

Stacey turns and chuckles back to him. "I'm glad that the children are getting along. It warms my heart to see them together."

"Yea, me too."

"I'm glad you're here," Stacey looks back at him. "I wanted to apologize to you."

"Apologize? What for?"

"I've been…well, distant, since we made love," Stacey admits to him as Marat nods back to her in agreement. "I want you to know that it was nothing that you did. You were wonderful that night."

Marat chuckles back to her. "I'm glad to hear that I haven't lost my touch."

"You certainly haven't," she moves closer to him. "I guess I just didn't want to rush into anything. After the year I had last year, I wanted to make sure I was doing the right thing."

"And? What have you concluded?"

"This," Stacey replies to him before she leans into him and kisses him passionately. "I want to be with you, Marat. And, I don't want anything to come between us this time."

Marat kisses her again before he looks deep into her eyes. "I was hoping you'd say that, Stacey. Because, that's exactly what I want too."

***

Lydia, meanwhile, opens the door to the penthouse and storms inside. She moves into the living room and sees Kent reading something on his IPad.

"You look like you're having a relaxing morning," Lydia says as she drops her purse on to the desk and pours herself a brandy. "Anything exciting happen while I was out?"

"Not really," Kent puts his IPad down and stands up to look at his fiancé. He knows that he is purposely not telling her that Stacey stopped by and they discussed their Christmas Day kiss. "I guess I did hear from Vivian. Appears she has left town for the time being."

"Yes," Lydia looks back at him. "I ran into Houston at the club earlier and he told me the same thing. Hopefully she has a nice visit with Madison."

"You saying something nice about Vivian? What's gotten into you?"

Lydia chuckles back to him, even though she is annoyed that he didn't tell her about Stacey's visit. "I've been thinking, darling."

"Oh boy," Kent grins back to her. "I don't know whether I could be happy or scared when you say that to me."

Lydia playfully slaps his arm. "I'm tired of waiting, Kent. I want to be your wife. Can we please, finally, get married?"

Kent uneasily smiles back to her. "I suppose I can get behind that request," he winks back to her. "How about this? You do all the planning and just tell me where and when to say 'I do'?"

"That sounds wonderful," Lydia leans in and kisses him on the lips. "I can't wait to be Mrs. Kent Blackmore. It's been a long time coming, Kent."

"Yes, it certainly has been."

***

"Come in," Dyhannah tells Deacon as she opens the door to her suite and lets her son move into her room at the country club. "I am hoping that this has something to do you reaching you to this woman who is claiming to have your baby?"

Deacon sighs and looks back at his mother. "I really appreciate everything you're doing to help me, Mom."

"You know that I would do anything for you Deacon. You mean the world to me."

"I know, I am just trying to thank you."

"You're welcome," she purses her lips together. "But, you can really thank me after this bimbo has arrived in Kelsey Lake and taken this paternity test that will prove that you're not the father of her baby."

"Well that's the thing," Deacon replies to her quickly. "I texted her this morning, but I haven't heard back. I don't know if this will work or not, Mom."

"Keep on her," Dyhannah informs him. "The more she hears from you, the more likely she will respond to you, Deacon."

"Right," Deacon nods back to his mother. "I'll send her another text now and keep you posted."

***

A short time later, Dyhannah moves downstairs into the dining room of the country club hoping to grab a light lunch and a drink. She is determined to prove that Deacon didn't father this unborn child, but she has to admit to herself that she is worried that they might not be able to perform the paternity test if Deacon is unable to get a hold of this woman.

"You pesky little bitch," she whispers to herself. "You will respond to Deacon's messages, you have too."

She looks over at the bar and sees Chase sitting by himself. She fixes her skirt and moves over to her ex-husband. "Well, it looks like we had the same idea."

"Dyhannah," Chase looks over at his former lover. "Please, join me for lunch?"

"I'd love too," Dyhannah tells him as she scoots into a chair next to him and orders herself a Manhattan. "I just saw Deacon."

"You did?" he ask her quickly. "And, what is the latest?"

"Well, he hasn't heard back from this woman claiming to be carrying his child. I didn't let on in front of him, but I am worried that we won't be able to prove anything if she doesn't respond to his messages."

"I have faith that she will respond," Chase replies to her. "Especially if she was as into Deacon as he claims."

"Of course she was," Dyhannah purses her lips together. "Who wouldn't be interested in our son?"

Chase chuckles back to her. "You really are going to stop at nothing to prove that Deacon didn't father this child, aren't you?"

"I am," Dyhannah nods back to him. "I believe in Deacon and I will do whatever I can to help him."

"You know," Chase looks back at her. "This is one of the reasons why I fell in love with you all those years ago. You're loyalty to your friends and family is unmatched, Dyhannah."

"It's about time you started to remember that," she winks back to him before she takes a sip of her cocktail.

***

A short time later, Deacon is seated at a table in the dinning room of the country club staring at his phone as he is hoping that the intern he slept with will text him back. When he doesn't see the three small dots on the bottom of his screen, he sets his phone down and picks up his beer to take a sip of it.

"I have to make sure you get back to me," he whispers to himself, as he thinks about the woman in New York. "Mom and Dad have worked too hard for this to fall through the cracks."

He looks up and gets a smile on his face when he sees Sabine moving into the dining room. He is immediately taken back to a time when they had a brief fling because she was trying to determine if Vivian was truly ill or not (of course, she wasn't; Vivian was faking her illness to get Kent back and away from Sabine).

"Sabine," he puts his hand up to get the blonde's attention.

Sabine notices Deacon and rushes up to his table. "Deacon Cooper," she purses her lips together. "I had no idea you were back in town."

"I got back around Christmastime," he reveals to her. "You, you're looking good, Sabine."

Sabine feels her cheeks flush back to the former doctor. "Thank you, so are you. How is the campaign trail going? Winning everyone's votes?"

Deacon chuckles back to her. "Everything was going fine and I'm hoping that this little hiccup I'm having will pass. But, I don't want to get into that right now. How are things with you?"

Sabine uneasily shrugs back to him. "I mean, I can't complain really. I am engaged to a wonderful man."

"That's amazing to hear," Deacon replies to her quickly. "Why do I get the feeling that there is more to the story?"

Sabine chuckles back to Deacon. "Well, he's Mac's brother and they aren't exactly getting along right now."

"Ah, good old family drama," Deacon laughs back with her. "I think we have all been there at some point."

"I just hope that we can all move on from this and get back to being normal."

Deacon continues to chuckle back to her. "I'm not sure things will ever be normal around Kelsey Lake; it seems to move from chaotic moment to another."

Sabine giggles back to him. "Isn't that the truth. It's really nice to reconnect with you Deacon."

"Likewise," Deacon winks back to her.

***

Houston and Lex sit on the sofa next to one another in the main office of Blackmore Ltd. while a tall, beautiful, blonde haired woman sits across from them in one of the arm chairs. The half-brothers are thrilled that their hiring posting of a new model has worked already; the woman in front of them is beyond stunning, and so far, she has answered all of the questions with impeccable answers.

"Our final question," Houston looks over at Quinn Cunningham, who purses her big lips back to him. "Is there anything or any reason why you wouldn't be able to complete a modelling contract for a year or so?"

Quinn takes a deep breath and subtly puts her hand on her stomach. "No, there is no reason why I wouldn't be able to do anything and everything that this company asked of me. I am very eager and excited to show you my skills in front of a camera."

Lex and Houston look at one another for a moment. "Could you excuse us for a quick second?" Lex asks Quinn, who nods back to him.

The half-brothers move over to the desk huddle together while Quinn takes another deep breath. She looks at her phone and sees some missed text messages. She rolls her eyes at the sight of the messages and quickly puts her phone back in her large Louie Vuitton purse as Lex and Houston move back to the sofa.

"Thanks for your patience," Lex looks back at Quinn. "Houston and I just wanted to discuss the interview quickly."

"It's not a problem at all," Quinn replies to him.

"We'd like to offer you the position, Ms. Cunningham."

"Really?" Quinn gets a smile on her face. "I'm flattered."

"We will have the contract drawn up and you can look it over before you give us your final answer," Houston tells her.

"That sounds great, you have my contact information," Quinn stands up and shakes their hands. "Thank you very much gentlemen."

"Thank you, Ms. Cunningham. I believe we will do great things together," Lex nods back to her.

"Yes, we will. And moving forward, please, call me Quinn."

***

Mac steps off the elevator and makes a beeline towards the main office at Rockwell Mining. He has a million things to do at the company and he is looking forward to working because he can forge himself into the work and try to forget about all the on-going drama that is happening in his life. He opens the door to the office and stops dead in his tracks when he sees Nathan in the office, sitting behind his desk.

"What the hell is this?" Mac grits his teeth at the sight in front of him. "Why are you in my office?"

"The office that I was using is being painted," Nathan replies to him. "Since I am a Rockwell, I thought I could use this office since this is my family's company."

Mac rolls his eyes back to him. "Well, I need the desk. I have some very important files that I need to review in depth, so please, make yourself scarce."

"I don't think so," Nathan shakes his head back to him. "I was here first, working away on these finance reviews that you asked to be completed. I am going to continue to work here; you can find another location, Mac."

"You son of a bitch," Mac moves up to the desk quickly and glares at Nathan. "You think you own this place just because of some minor fact that you revealed on Christmas Day? You have no idea the ins and outs of this company the way I do and you never damn well will!"

Nathan chuckles back to him. "We will see about that brother, I mean, half-brother. We will see."

***

A short time later, Slate moves into the office at Rockwell Mining and sees Nathan still working behind the desk. Slate immediately arches his eyebrow back to his father.

"How did you get so lucky to score this office today?" he asks his father as he moves over to the bar and pours himself a brandy.

Nathan chuckles back to his son. "Well, you should have seen it when Mac walked in and saw me. I thought Mount Mac was going to erupt."

Slate laughs back to him. "He was the same earlier when he saw me with Carmen Santos."

"I bet that was salt on the wound," Nathan winks back to him. "Mac's ex-wife is on the arm of his nephew while he just learned he isn't a true Rockwell. He is obviously going to be livid."

Slate chuckles back to him. "We almost came to blows; sounds like you two did as well."

"I'm not worried about Mac," Nathan waves his hand back to Slate. "He is all bark and no bite."

"I hope you're right," Slate nods back to him. "He's had such a short fuse lately, I am worried he is going to explode."

"I hope he does," Nathan smirks back to him. "The worse Mac behaves, the better our chances are to take over the company."

"Right," Slate looks at his father. "Your meeting with the board. Have you heard back from them on their decision?"

"Not yet," Nathan moves over to the bar to pour himself a scotch. "But when I do, and they back me on removing Mac as CEO, we will officially be taking over Slate. Just wait, we will rule the Rockwell empire, I know we will."

***

Lydia walks into the Rockwell mansion living room as she is looking to have a quick family meeting with her children so she can tell them about her engagement to Kent. She wants them to all hear the news from her but she is also curious to see what Stacey's reaction will be. She hopes that this news will finally allow Stacey to move on from whatever it is that she thinks is going on between her and Kent.

She puts her purse on the sofa and looks at Lucinda, who is about to pour herself another drink.

"Lucinda, hi," Lydia moves up to the elder woman. "I didn't think I'd find you here."

"Why not Lydia?" Lucinda asks her quickly. "I am living here now, why wouldn't I be here?"

"I just meant that I am meeting the children here," Lydia replies to her quickly. "That's all."

"Well, sorry to disappoint you," she replies to her former daughter in law. "But, I am here. What's this big news you have for the children, anyways?"

"Never mind that," Lydia looks back at her with concern. "You don't look so great, are you okay?"

Lucinda slowly takes a sip of her drink as she moves closer to the sofa. "How could I possibly be okay right now? Things between Mac and Nathan continue to escalate each and every day. And, it is all my fault."

"Look Lucinda," Lydia moves up to her. "You gave me a hell of a hard time when the truth about Lexington's paternity came out, so I know exactly what you're going through. All I can say is that you did what you thought was right; you believed that telling everyone that Morti was Mac's father was for the best. I believe that because I did the same thing with Lex. Were we right? Who knows," Lydia continues to tell her. "But, we can't change what happened. All we can do is try to move forward the best way possible. I know things seem dire right now, but they will get better. You have to believe that."

"I wish I could," Lucinda sighs back to her. "The truth is, I think I've lost Mac forever."

Lydia pulls Lucinda into a hug and holds her tightly. "He loves you Lucinda," she whispers to her former mother in law. "He is just hurt right now, but deep down, Mac loves you. He will come around, I believe that."

Lucinda feels her eyes swell with water, which she hates because she doesn't want to show her vulnerable side to Lydia. "I appreciate that Lydia," Lucinda manages to say. "Now, what is this news you have for the children?"

***

About an hour later, Cole, Stacey and Lex are all standing in the Rockwell mansion living room while Lydia pours them all a glass of champagne.

"I had this bottle of champagne brought up from the cellar specifically for this meeting," Lydia beams to her children before she passes them each a glass of the 2003 Dom Perignon.

"Wow, Mom," Lex looks over at the bottle. "This is the good stuff, what is going on?"

"I'm curious about this news as well," Cole looks at his mother.

"Well, I wanted you all to hear this from me," Lydia smiles to her children before she looks at Stacey. "Kent and I have finally agreed to be married. I'm finally going to be Mrs. Kent Blackmore."

Immediately after she reveals the news, she looks over at Stacey, who forces a smile on her face. Inside, however, Stacey feels her heart move into her throat. She knew that this day was coming but still hearing the words is some what of a sting to her. She forces a bigger grin on her face while Lex and Cole finish embracing their mother and offering their congratulations.

"I suggest a toast," Stacey raises her glass to her family. "To Mom and Kent, may you live happily ever after."

"Thank you sweetheart," Lydia looks over at her, thinking that her daughter is genuinely happy for her. "This is definitely as cause for celebration," she says while she purses her lips together.

***

A short time later, after the celebration has cleared out of the living room of the mansion, Lucinda re-enters and looks around. When she doesn't see either one of her children, she breathes a sigh of relief. The last thing she wanted was to have another encounter with her feuding.

Before she can do anything, she turns around when she hears a noise and sees Mac moving into the living room.

"Oh Mac, how was your day at the office?" she asks him, trying to make nice with her son.

Mac grunts back to her as he thinks about his encounter with Nathan at Rockwell Mining. "That son of yours is ruthless," he moves to the bar and pours himself a drink. "I've never met such a cruel vulture in my life."

Lucinda sighs back to him. "He is making up for lost time," she tells him. "He thinks he has missed out on a life time of his birth right."

"Well he's wrong, dead wrong," Mac spits. "I just have to find a way to prove it."

"You have to know that I am going to do everything in my power to make this right," Lucinda moves closer to her son. "And, remember, I am on your side, Mac."

Mac looks back at her and feels his heart start to melt a little at the words of his mother.

"Well, isn't this lovely," Nathan announces as he moves into the living room and witnesses the seemingly close moment between Mac and Lucinda. "Of course, my mother is supporting her poor, lost, child. And once again, I'm dealing with my own issues on my own."

"Nathan, please don't start," Lucinda snaps at him quickly. "You are both my children, I'm trying to support you both in the best way possible."

"Just save it," Nathan snaps back at her. "It's clear that you're taken sides in all of this and its sure as hell isn't mine!"

***

Marat is walking down the hallway of the Rockwell mansion as he is heading to find Stacey as they have dinner plans at the club. He pauses when he hears his cell phone ring. He looks at the number on his screen and arches his eyebrow. He quickly moves into the study before he answers his phone.

"Marat Kafelinkov," he says into his phone as he listens to the person on the other end. "You're kidding, are you sure? Yes, this is great news, thank you very much."

He hangs up the phone and sighs to himself. He just got news that Celeste Baldwin is going to be released from jail early. She has been in jail since she helped switch Stacey's daughter, Poppy, and raised her as her own. Marat knows that this news will likely create heartache for Stacey, and the other Rockwell's, but he has to admit that he is happy because his children, Ashlee and Ivan, need their mother.

"I guess I can tell Stacey tonight that Celeste, the woman that stole her daughter, is getting out of jail early," he whispers to himself, hoping that she takes the news well.

***

Nathan quickly opens the door to his bedroom that he shares with Sabine and moves inside. He slams the door closed as he is furious with the fact that Lucinda is seemingly taking sides with Mac in this on-going feud. The fact that she lied to everyone about Mac's paternity for years and now isn't allowing him to get what is rightfully his, makes Nathan's blood boil.

"I'm also your son," he grits his teeth together. "It's time that you give me the same love, respect and attention that you give Mac, who isn't even a Rockwell. Damn it!"

Before he can say anything else, his cell phone rings. "Yes," he says as he picks up his phone. "Oh, hi yes, Gregory, how are you tonight?" he asks as he realizes it is the board of Rockwell Mining calling him back.

"You've made your decision?" Nathan gets a sly grin on his face as he thinks about his secret meeting with them. "Yes, I'll be there first thing tomorrow. Thank you, and I look forward to seeing you tomorrow morning."

***

Deacon slowly opens the door to his suite at the country club and moves inside. He is still riding a high after running into Sabine earlier in the day. He hadn't seen her in a long time but it did bring up a lot of great memories for him.

He looks at his phone and doesn't see a new message from the woman that is claiming he got pregnant. He sighs as he thinks about her and for the first time, he thinks that Sabine and the woman he was with are similar: they are both tall, blue eyed, bombshells with long blonde hair.

"Come on Quinn," he whispers to himself. "Please get back to me. Please tell me that you will come to Kelsey Lake and have this paternity test."

***

Meanwhile, in the dining room of the country club, Sabine collects her belongings from having another drink after Deacon left her. She knows that she wants to get home so she can ensure that Nathan doesn't do anything crazy with his feud with Mac. As she stands up, she looks at the entry way and freezes when she sees Quinn Cunningham walk into the club.

"What the hell?" Sabine gasps to herself as she grabs her purse and rushes up to woman. "Quinn?"

Sabine reaches the model that just got hired at Blackmore Ltd. and looks at her. "My God, it is you, what are you doing here?"

Quinn purses her lips back to Sabine. "Hello mother, so nice to see you too."