"That is for cooking," Leslie Hanley said. She snatched the bottle away from Eric and placed it back on the counter. "Vince! Akilah! Get back in here so you can help!"

Vince and Akilah reluctantly filed into the kitchen. Instead of being excited by the aroma of turkey and dressing, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, and sweet potato pie, they were instead sickened by the idea of being forced to help cook in the hot kitchen. Yet again.

"I enjoyed not being at home for the past two years," Vince muttered.

"I heard that, boy," Leslie said, swatting Vince in the back of the head. "Get over there and start making that cranberry sauce."

"I think Vince can handle that just fine," Akilah said.

"Grate some cheese," Leslie said through clenched teeth. She meant business.

"Okay," Vince and Akilah said in unison, hurrying to their duties.

"Your mom's a real slave driver," Eric whispered to Vince.

"Why are you talking me?" Vince demanded.

"Oh, I'm sorry...that wasn't a black joke."

"Huh? I wasn't talking about...I wasn't talking about that," Vince hissed. "I was talking about you using every moment you can to see me naked."

"What?!" Akilah cried, turning her head and exposing herself as an eavesdropper on the conversation. "I always knew you were gay."

"I'm not gay," Vince snapped.

"Whatever," Akilah said. "I'll bet you take it up the butt for Blake on the regular."

"Stop being a bitch, Akilah."

"Vince, don't call your sister a bitch," Leslie said angrily.

"She called me gay!" Vince cried.

Leslie shrugged, smiling. "Well, you do listen to Madonna."

"I hate all of you," Vince groused, returning to the can of cranberry sauce sitting on the island in the kitchen.

"So, it looks like the entire family's gonna be here," Eric said. "Except for those unsavory ones we want to forget. Like the ones in prison. Or, you know, the ones being held hostage in London."

Vince shook his head. "I hate Matt. A lot. But his mom is a nutcase."

"True dat," Eric said, attempting to knock fists with Vince. "Okay...I'll admit, that was kind of a black joke."


LONDON, ENGLAND

"I left my money," Matt muttered softly.

He'd also had money stashed away in his room, which he had neglected to take while making his exit. He was going to have to go back and get it.

As he struggled to climb to his feet, he took a look around the alley. A horrible smell was assaulting Matt's senses, along with the rain that was drizzling onto his head. But he didn't care at all. He hadn't been outside in nearly a year. Not since his mother had brought him to London.

He'd confronted her about that. He'd confronted her about his paternity and about the secrets she'd been keeping from him and his father. It was what drove Matt to start using again. But Valerie didn't want to deal with any of that, so she simply made the decision to shut him up.

For how long she'd planned to keep him there, he had no idea. But he knew one thing — when he got back to Marquette Cove, there was going to be hell to pay.

"Hey there pal, call you spare a dime?"

"Huh?" Matt turned to find a homeless man lying in the alley, a few feet away from him. "I'm sorry, I don't have any...any money...what the hell?"

Matt felt groggy again and leaned against the all of a building to clear his head. That's when he noticed the large gash on his arm. Blood was dripping from it. He must have cut himself when he fell in the alley.

"How long have I been here?" Matt wondered aloud.

He wasn't met with an immediate response, but a few seconds later he collapsed onto the ground.

"You'd love that, wouldn't you?" Melissa demanded. "Well, I'm not going anywhere. And you're not going to keep my son away from me."

"Both of you stop talking about me like I'm not here," Tyler Rogers said from his seat on the opposite side of the hallway. "I just want these test results to come back from the lab and tell me whether or not my mother is alive. I don't need you two arguing."

"I'm sorry, honey," Melissa said, smiling.

"Stop calling him that you screwball," Hugh said.

"Dad, that's enough," Tyler snapped. "Because if what Melissa is saying is true, you kept me away from my mother. For my entire life!"

"I did no such thing," Hugh said. "You're not her son."

"You can lie about those memories," Melissa said.

"No, but I'm sure all the booze you were hopped up on back then can," Hugh insisted.

"I need some air," Tyler said, rising to his feet and hurrying out of the hallway.

"You know what you did to me," Melissa said. "And when this is all over, don't think I won't have you arrested for kidnapping."

"Trust me," Hugh said, frowning. "When this is all over, you're going to be committed."


BALE HOME

"Yeah, but do you really want to have dinner at the Hanley mansion?" Darren asked.

"I don't know, it's sort of the difference between people who are crazy and keep it beneath the surface like us and crazy people who just let it out twenty-four-seven."

Darren laughed. "Right."

"Hey baby," Jack Atlas, Darren's boyfriend, said as he entered from the kitchen and kissed Darren on the cheek. "What's up?"

"Brother and sister talk," Darren said. "How's the kitchen?"

"Oh, it's like being at home again," Jack said. "Jessica and her mom are whipping up some enchiladas."

"Sounds good," Darren said. "A melding of cultures tonight."

Darren's cell phone rang.

"Excuse me," he said, disappearing into the living room.

"Hello Sara," Jack said.

"Hi," Sara said. "I'm gonna go outside for a smoke. Want to come?"

Jack smirked and patted his jeans pocket. "Definitely. I brought some of my own this time."

"Good," Sara said. "Let's go."

As they walked out the door, they brushed past Robert Bale as he entered the house carrying his son, Hunter. His elder son, Alec, followed him.

"I can't believe they were out of turkeys," Robert said angrily.

"I told you to go shopping earlier this week," Alec said.

"Melissa was supposed to take care of it, but she's off visiting some relative with her cousin," Robert said. "She's not even answering her phone."

"Maybe she's cheating on you," Alec said. "That'd be ironic."

Robert glared at his son. "Shut up and go in the kitchen."

"As you wish," Alec said mockingly.

He headed toward the kitchen just as Darren returned to the foyer, hanging up his cell phone.

"Who was that?" Robert asked, noticing Darren's pensive look.

"I just got word that the wife's parents in my case have a new witness," Darren said. "He's willing to testify against Karl and James about the alleged abuse."

"I told you this was going to be trouble," Robert snapped. "I want this case dropped. You call them right now and tell them you quit."



"Where's your mother?" Alec asked, entering the kitchen to find Jessica washing her hands under the sink.

"She went back home," Jessica said. "She forgot to bring some ingredients."

"I was already out, why didn't she call?"

"You know my mother," Jessica said.

Alec nodded. "That I do. How are you?"

"I'm fine," Jessica replied. "How are you? You look tired."

"Just been up all night, that's all," Alec insisted.

"Those nightmares again," Jessica said. "You need to see someone about them. Talk to Aaron Maddock or something."

"I'm fine," Alec said sternly. "I need a drink."

He opened the freezer to grab a bottle of vodka.

"Good to know this shit's still around ever after my mom's moved out," Alec said.

"That's not funny," Jessica said.

Alec slammed the freezer door shut. "Look, why the hell are you always riding me?"

"I don't know," Jessica said, folding her arms. "Maybe it has to do with you telling me the only reason you married me was because I got knocked up."

"Well, I'm not going to stay married to you if you don't stop acting like a cunt all the time."

Taken aback, Jessica threw her hands up in defeat and tried leaving the kitchen. Alec grabbed her arm to stop her.

"Jessica, I'm sorry."

"Forget it, Alec!" Jessica cried. "I'm done arguing with you!"

Alec threw the bottle of vodka against the wall and it broke into shards of glass, spilling its contents on the floor. Jessica flinched and backed away from Alec.

"Now someone has to clean that up," Jessica snapped. "You're such an asshole, Alec."

She walked toward the broken glass, but Alec stopped her. She tried moving past him, but he continued to struggle with her until he finally slapped her across the face and shoved her back against the sink.

"Dammit!" Alec shouted, angrily slamming his fist against the kitchen table.


MARQUETTE COVE POLICE DEPARTMENT

"A visit from my brother?" Valerie asked, sitting up on her cot. "I guess this is a season for miracles."

"It's far from a friendly visit, so don't get your hopes up," Michael said.

"What do you want then?" Valerie asked, rolling her eyes.

"I know what you did to my nephew," Michael said. "Everyone knows."

"Did...Felicia tell you everything?" Valerie demanded. Valerie's voice quaked as she realized that Felicia could have told Michael and the rest of the family about Matt's true parentage. About the fact that Matt had been born of an unintended affair between Valerie and her half-brother, Kyle Maddock.

"Of course she did," Michael said. "She told me how you locked him away in London because of a drug problem? Are you insane?"

Valerie breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh. Is that all?"

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Michael demanded. "You're supposed to screw over other people, Valerie. You pull all of that bullshit on people who deserve it, people like our father. But you don't play those games with your children. Not with my nephew!"

"How is that any different from you shipping your children off to boarding school?" Valerie shot back. "Eric returned home, but you have no idea where —"

"It is entirely different," Michael said, cutting in. "These childish stunts you've been pulling lately? Setting things on fire, having your son locked up, driving away your husband, hiring a man to impersonate Victor Lopez to torture Melissa —"

"Oh, get off your fucking high horse," Valerie snapped. "You're the one who helped me do that in the first place. And yet, I had to take all of the blame once again."

"That's because you're stupid and you don't know how to quit while you're ahead," Michael said. "The difference between me and you, Valerie, is that I get away with the things I do. But you always screw up and get caught. This time, however, I won't be able to help you. I don't even want to."


LONDON, ENGLAND

As she lit up the cigarette and took a drag, she leaned her head back to blow a ring of smoke into the air.

"That�s fucking great," she said, welcoming the rush of nicotine into her body. She glanced around the alley, seeing two men lying in the street. "Fucking bums. Always lying around the goddamn...wait a second. Is that...Matt?"

She stepped forward and kicked one of the men on the ground. He opened his eyes and glanced up at her, still groggy.

"Matthew Holden!" She shouted. "What the hell are you doing in this alley?"

"Huh?" Matt asked, finally recognizing the woman. "Ariel?"



EAST ATLANTIC HOSPITAL
ATLANTIC CITY

"Hey," Melissa said softly.

"Hey," Tyler replied.

"I'm sorry about all of that in there," Melissa continued. "About all of this."

"A lot to take in," Tyler said. "But for what it's worth...I believe you."

"Really?"

"My father has never told me the truth about my mother," Tyler said. "For years I was starting to think I was adopted or something. Now it all makes sense."

"I'm glad," Melissa said. "Now, I've been thinking...I don't want to uproot you and start making changes in your life. I figure, I could do some visiting to Atlantic City, maybe you could visit Marquette Cove...so we could get to know one another properly."

Tyler nodded. "That sounds nice."

"You have a brother!" Melissa said, excitedly. "Hunter. His name is Hunter. And I'm married, to a wonderful man named Robert. And he has a son, his name is Alec. Three boys. I have three boys now...wow. I must sound crazy."

Tyler laughed. "It's cool. I'm excited too. I never thought that —"

"Mrs. Bale." Dr. Crawford, the lab technician, stepped outside and interrupted Tyler. "I have the test results."

Hugh followed Dr. Crawford outside, eager to hear what the doctor had to say. Tyler clutched Melissa's hand as they rose to their feet.

"Good," Melissa said softly. "I'm ready."

Dr. Crawford gripped the folder in his hand. "According to these test results, I'm sorry to say, but Tyler is not your son."


BALE HOME

"I don't care how far you and your people have come," Robert snapped.

"What? I wasn't even talking about —" Darren stopped himself. "How ignorant are you?"

Before Robert could respond, the sound of shattering glass coming from the kitchen interrupted him. "What the hell?"

"Don't worry about that," Darren said. "We're having a conversation."

"Oh, no," Robert said. "This conversation is over."

"Is it?" Darren asked. "As over as your new marriage?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I'm only referring to the divorce Melissa would surely want if you found out about you screwing her wedding planner in the office," Darren said, his face expressionless.

Robert didn't respond.

"Oh, no response?" Darren asked, smirking. "I thought so. I'm sick of you trying to run my life. It stops now."



Jessica and Alec stood in the kitchen, not speaking for what seemed like an eternity. A swirl of emotions were running through both of their minds. Alec was irritated and confused, trying to figure out what had driven him to hit his wife.

Jessica on the other hand knew she should have seen this coming. Alec hadn't been the same since she found out she was pregnant. There'd been so much anger in him. And now, with these nightmares he was having...she didn't even know what was going on with him anymore.

"I'm sorry," Alec said.

"I'm sure you are," Jessica said, fighting back tears. "I need to leave."

"Wait," Alec said, trying to reach out and stop her from leaving.

Jessica flinched, moving away from him. "Leave me alone!"

"Jess, I'm so sorry," Alec repeated. "I didn't mean to...I don't know what happened."

"Neither do I!" Jessica shouted. "When the hell did you get so angry, Alec? Is this all of because of me?"

"No, none of this is your fault," Alec insisted. "This all has to do with my father and everything that's been going on with school and our marriage and Phillip...I'm so sorry. None of this is your fault."

Jessica couldn't hold back her tears any longer. "I need to leave."

"Please don't," Alec said. "Please. I'm so sorry."

"I just...I can't talk to you right now," Jessica said.

Jessica walked toward the door.

"Are you coming back for dinner?" Alec called out.

He didn't get a response.


EAST ATLANTIC HOSPITAL
ATLANTIC CITY

"You ready to check into that institution now?" Hugh asked. "Tyler, I told you this woman was insane."

"Dad, shut up," Tyler snapped. "Melissa...are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Melissa said, rising to her feet. "I just...I don't understand any of this. The test has to be wrong, the test has to be wrong."

"It's not wrong," Hugh said.

"Go to hell!" Melissa cried, lunging at Hugh.

He grabbed her arm and twisted it around behind her back to subdue her as she began to cry, desperately clawing at him.

"I heard you and Aaron!" Melissa cried. "I heard you!"

"I let your cousin believe what I wanted him to," Aaron said. "It gave me access to you. Control over him. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Where is my son?!"

"You don't have a son," Hugh said. "I told you. I had that child taken care of you when were pregnant. It was right for the business."

"Dad�" Tyler said, shaking his head. "That's disgusting."

"Do you see what kind of man your father is now, Tyler?" Melissa demanded. "I'm sorry that I'm not your mother. Perhaps I could have protected you from all of this. But whatever you do...find out who your real mother is. Whatever you do. Don't let this man be the only influence in your life."

"Are you finished?" Hugh asked, glaring at Melissa.

"You're lucky I didn't bring a gun this time," Melissa muttered, walking away from Hugh. "This time, I actually would have killed you."


LONDON, ENGLAND

"Huh?" Ariel asked, confused. "I haven't been in Marquette Cove forever. Are you okay? You look kind of gross."

"I'm...I'm fine now," Matt said. "Or, I will be."

"You need to get cleaned up," Ariel said. "Come inside."

"Where are we?" Matt asked.

"Some warehouse," Ariel replied. "I live here. Sort of."

Ariel helped Matt to his feet and started to lead him toward the door.

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, sorry, I should explain," Ariel said, laughing. "I don't technically live here. I was kidnapped, I'm being held hostage."