"What?" Bobby Ewing could not believe what he just heard.

"April Stevens. My mother, your deceased wife." Todd Foster strode matter-of-factly over to the seat in front of Bobby's desk, taking a seat as a shocked Bobby's jaw dropped. "I'm sure this is quite shocking to you, but I can assure you, I'm totally legit."

Bobby was trying to comprehend what was going on. Did this guy just say he was April's son? Before he could say anything, Todd produced a document from his bag.

"This is my birth certificate." Todd handed the paper to Bobby. Bobby quickly scanned the certificate, his eyes fixing upon the name "April Stevens" under "mother."

"Anyone could have produced something like this." Bobby was NOT about to believe this stranger. The whole Wes Parmalee saga of thirteen years earlier flashed into Bobby's head. "I've dealt with too many con-artists in my day to take this as word."

"Mr. Ewing---or can I call you Bobby?" Todd asked.

"You can call me whatever you want, but whatever it is, I don't think you will be calling me that for much longer, because there is really nothing I can do for you."

"Mr. Ew—Bobby—I can appreciate the fact that you doubt my validity, but that is my birth certificate. You can hire a detective to check me out. I will take any test you want. I am April Stevens' child."

The confidence in Todd's voice soothed Bobby's racing mind, but his skepticism had not disappeared. "April never mentioned any children to me" he said. "We were married, so I think that she would have told me."

"I don't think she told anyone, aside from her family---my family too, I guess. She had me while she was still in high school, long before she came to Dallas, or met Jack Ewing." Bobby was shocked that Todd knew about April and Jack, something that Todd picked up on. "I know all about my mother, Bobby. I know about how she came to Dallas, how she got all her money. I know about April Oil, about the restaurant she bought, about your marriage---about Paris."

Bobby's thoughts raced back to his honeymoon with April. After all the things that they had gone through together in their relationship, it was supposed to be a time when they could finally be happy.

"I can see that this might not be the best time to talk right now, I realize that I've just thrown a lot out at you." Todd reached into his pocket and pulled out a scrap of paper. "Here is my number. I'm staying at a motel here in Dallas. I really want to talk with you Bobby. You are one of the few links I have left to my mother. Please give me a call, and we can talk. We can have dinner if you like—my treat. I can't promise you anything grand, but I want you to hear me out." Todd gathered his things and got up. "In the meantime, please do hire a detective. Find everything out about me that you'd like. I've got nothing to hide and I am who I say I am. Give me a call."

Todd left a shaken Bobby in his office and headed outside. As he exited the NorthStar offices, he lit up a cigarette and thought to himself "So far, so good."

Night had passed all to quickly and the inhabitants of Dallas soon found themselves scrambling to get ready to face another day. For some of the residents, the day would not be easy.

Ellie and Clayton headed out towards the limo. The shock of Muriel's death had finally worn off and all that was left was sadness. Ellie was sad, but mostly tired. Not living at Southfork was beginning to take its toll. Ellie missed her early morning walks, meals with the family, the sound of the horses, the chirping of the birds. She turned back and briefly looked at the hotel where they were staying.

"Clayton, only a short while longer and we will be home."

"I know Ellie, I am looking forward to that myself. Ellie do you think we should have invited Lucy? She was Muriel's best friend, she might want to come with us to the will reading."

"Clayton, you read the letter, it is just you and I. I talked to Lucy last night and she is ok with missing it. I think she is still confused about her feelings towards Muriel, especially after the last few months."

"Yes, I can understand that. I can relate."

Ellie and Clayton got into the limo and headed to the office of Drew Lewis, the attorney in charge of Muriel's affairs. As the limo turned out of the parking lot Ellie turned towards her husband. "Clayton, I think it is now time we got tested."

"Ellie, I thought we agreed not to. That there was not real point in knowing."

"I know, but since Muriel's death...I guess reality has finally sunk in. If you or I have AIDS, I want to prepare. There is so much I still want to do in my life, things I need to say to my family."

"They know how you feel Ellie."

"Really Clayton? Does Bobby really know how much I love him? Does J.R. know that despite some of the things he has done, I still feel pride when I look at him, and Lucy, she still needs so much of my guidance, I love that girl like she were my own daughter." Ellie paused for a moment, a moment long enough for Clayton to take her hand. "And most of all Clayton there is Ray, and Gary. I don't think Ray ever truly realized I see him as if he were my own. And Gary, my Gary, so many years we have been apart, so many things I want to say to him. Clayton I need to do this."

"Of course Ellie, first thing tomorrow morning." Ellie Farlow kissed her husband's cheek. "But Ellie, no matter the results of the tests, you don't have to wait to say all of those things to your family."

"I know Clayton, you're right. I have always spent so much time trying to solve all my familie's problems, I think it is time I just sat back, love them, love them to death, but let what happens happen. I won't be around to solve the fights forever, they might as well get used to having to do it on their own."

Afton stood at the top of the staircase overlooking her living room. She was ready and eager to attend Cliff's will reading, dressed to kill, and ready to pocket all she deserved. She stopped and looked at the sight in front of her. It was a sight she was used to seeing, almost ten hours out of each day. Her mother sat silently staring at the television set. She used to walk by her countless times each day, never really giving it a second thought. Since the incident the other morning in the kitchen when her mother slit her arm up, Afton looked at her mother in a completely different light. Her mother looked straight ahead, Afton was sure she was not watching the television, she seemed in some sort of a trance. Afton's worries about her mother's mental state had changed as well. Afton was frightened, not just of what might happen to her mother, but what her mother might do.

Arliss turned quickly as Afton started down the stairs. She quickly rose and skipped towards her daughter. "Morning my darling, wow don't you look pretty."

"Pretty wasn't what I was going for, but thanks mother." Afton stepped ever so slowly back as her mother came towards her. "Mother, you have some lipstick smeared on your cheek, here let me get it for you." Afton licked her index finger, and moved it towards Arliss's face.

In one swift motion Arliss pushed back Afton's arm as it was heading towards her face.

"Mother, what are you doing? That hurt, I was only trying to....."

"I know what you were trying to do Afton and I think I look just fine. And by the way, don't think I don't notice how you have changed lately. Tip toeing around this house, watching me, you have even begun to lock your bedroom door at night. What on earth has gotten into you, your not scared of your old mother are you?"

"Not scared mother, worried."

"Afton, you have nothing to worry about, I am fine."

"Ok mother ok, it's just that thing the other morning with the knife really disturbed me."

Arliss stared deeply into her daughter's eyes. "Afton, what on earth are you talking about?"

"The other morning in the kitchen, you cut yourself mother, you talked about pain, a lot of pain."

"Afton my child, you are really losing it, you must have been dreaming, why on God's green earth would I cut myself with a knife?"

"Mother, roll up your sleeve."

"Afton stop it, stop it now! You are talking foolishness. You are going to be late, and I have to go get ready myself."

"Get ready, get ready for what?"

"To go out silly, it is a beautiful day."

"Mother you never go anywhere, where on earth are you going today?"

"Never go anywhere? Afton sometimes I swear the door to your brain is short a hinge. I go out everyday, errands, shopping, can't stay cooped up in this dungeon all day long."

"Mom, maybe you're right, I am confused." Afton walked towards the door, and as she was about to leave turned and bravely spoke again. "Mom, I think it is time for people to know you're here. Mitch has been calling and he is getting worried. No one thinks you're dead, just Lucy, and Cliff, but now he's dead too. Let's give Lucy a scare and move on. It is getting harder and harder to make up excuses to my friends about why they can't come visit me here."

Arliss headed towards her daughter, and Afton backed up into the corner. Her back hit one of the sharp hooks on the coat rack.

"Afton you're very funny, you don't have any friends."

Afton winced as her mother got closer, now standing directly in front of her. "Well's there's my boss, and Sly, and what about Pamela Rebecca?"

Arliss gently put her hands on her daughter's shoulders and slowly inched her further into the corner. The pain in Afton's back grew sharper, but she did not fight her mother. "Afton you listen to me." Arliss spoke slowly, almost in a whisper. "Do you remember all the phone calls I received late at night from you, telling me about all the things Lucy did, manure fights, cruel words, sleeping with Cliff? Let's not forget slapping my granddaughter shall we, and trying to drown me."

Afton breathed deeply. "I know mother, I know, but I can take care of Lucy."

This time Arliss was not whispering, she was screaming at the top of her lungs. "YOU CAN CAN YOU!!!! IF YOU COULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF HER, I MIGHT HAVE A GRANDSON RIGHT NOW!!! RIGHT AFTON!???? RIGHT!!!!!"

A few moments went by and Arliss had let go of Afton's shoulders. Afton took a step outwards letting the hook release it's pressure on her back. "Your right mother I'm sorry."

"No worries my dear, your mother is here, everything will be fine, I promise you." Arliss reached for her daughter and gave her a hug. As she hugged her daughter she looked at the reflection in the mirror beside the front door. "Afton my God, look at me, I have lipstick all over my face. Arliss grabbed Afton's hand, pulled it towards her mouth, licked her finger and used it to wipe off the lipstick. "Afton, you could have told me, I could have gone out looking like a fright."

"Sorry mother." Afton grabbed for the door and headed towards her car, her legs were shaking so badly she wasn't sure she was going to make it. Afton got into the driver's seat, locked the door behind her and sat back in her seat frozen. It took almost 15 minutes before she was able to drive.

Lucy was dressed to kill too. Although she, unlike Afton was not looking forward to the reading of the will. Lucy had left the hotel a little early, she had a stop to make on the way. She parked her car and headed into the building. She entered the elevator and pushed her floor. The elevator gave a small jolt, then stopped. Lucy pushed the button again, and this time, after another jolt, it headed up towards Ewing oil. Lucy got out of the elevator and headed right into her Uncle's office, this time not waiting to announce herself to Kendall or Judy. Judy rose as Lucy whipped on by. Lucy turned and snapped. "Don't bother, I know he's in there, if you want something to do lady, see if you can get someone in to fix that elevator."

Lucy opened J.R.'s door and walked towards the desk. Unlike her last visit, on this occasion, J.R. actually seemed to be doing some work. "So J.R. ?"

"So?" J.R.. smiled as he played dumb with his niece.

"So? Did the little red-haired girl speak with Charlie Brown? J.R.. cut it out, just tell me, am I working with you or not!"

"Lucy, I have given this a lot of thought...."

"J.R. just spit it out." Lucy interrupted.

"My, we are a little edgy this morning, up a little late last night? If you need to know so badly then, the answer is no. Lucy you have been a little pest to me since you were born. Buzzing around all day at Southfork, driving me crazy. If only I had a fly swatter big enough to smack you. The only saving grace was that while at work, I do not have you around, driving me batty."

"Ok then J.R., fine, I accept your answer, but mark my words, I will be buzzing around here very soon. That is a promise to you."

"Lucy, give it your best shot. I am still very confused about why you want to work at Ewing Oil anyway."

"I've already told you."

"Yeah but I think there is more." J.R. got up and walked around to the front of his desk. "Lucy why do you want to work with me so badly?"

"J.R. as I said, I already told you, and I don't have time to rehash it, I am going to be late."

"Where you going Hon? All you eat buffet at the Over the Hill Models' Club?"

"Actually I am on my way to the reading of Cliff's will, you didn't get an invitation?"

"Must have gotten lost in the mail. Well you have fun, say hello to Afton for me will you. And Lucy, if he leaves you any of his trashy furniture, don't bring it back to Southfork."

"Actually, I am hoping for something a little bigger."

"Bigger?"

"Yeah, something bigger."

"You're right. He probably left you that God-awful painting of him that always hung in his office."

"Later J.R., we will be talking again soon." Lucy whipped around and headed back to the elevator. She put on a good front, but Lucy Ewing Cooper was pissed, she would be working at Ewing Oil, one way or another."

Bobby's detective had just called him back. Todd Foster checked out. He was born right near April's hometown in Illinois, to a woman named April Stevens. The hospital records on Todd's mother checked out---it was April. Bobby was shocked---April had a son almost twenty years ago that she never told anyone in Dallas about. It was amazing. The investigator went on to explain Todd's adoption soon after birth by a couple in Massachusetts. His adoptive mother died when he was young, and Todd was left to be raised by his adoptive father. No siblings. The detective assured Bobby that Todd was true in his claim of his parentage. Bobby thanked the detective and hung up the phone. He took out the scrap of paper that Todd gave him at the office. He dialed the number. Todd answered after the first ring.

"Hello?"

"Todd, this is Bobby Ewing. I'd like to meet with you, perhaps for lunch or dinner?"

"I'm guessing that the detective cleared me."

"Yes. Yes, he did."

"Excellent. I'll call you in a bit with specifics about when and where. I'm looking forward to being able to talk Bobby."

"Me too."

Afton and Pamela Rebecca stood making small talk in John Ward's office. Afton was still quite shaken, but managed to hold it together at the thought of the millions soon to come her way.

"Mom, what's up? You have been so edgy since you got here."

Afton patted her daughter's shoulder. "I'm fine honey, just a little nervous at the thought of another run in with the poison dwarf."

"You mean Lucy, why the hell is she coming?"

"Because Cliff loved her very much, that's why!" Pam Ewing walked in alone. "Any other bright questions from the two of you?"

"Well Pam, I am still confused about your attitude towards me, but I am fine with Lucy coming, lets just get on with it shall we?" Afton took a seat in front of John's desk.

"Well ladies we are running a little late, but we should wait for Mrs. Cooper."

This time Pamela Rebecca spoke. "Ok, I can accept Lucy is going to be here, but we are already fifteen minutes late, having to wait for Pam." Pamela Rebecca glared at her name sake. "I do not see why we should be held up any longer."

Pam Ewing also took a seat. "Just relax you two, file your nails or something. We will not start without Lucy, and that is final."

Lucy was running late. She had run to the elevator, but it took a while to arrive. She was about to take the stairs when she heard the light ding. Lucy got in and pushed the button for the main level. This time the elevator started out smoothly and while it took her down, Lucy began thinking about where to go next. She supposed it was time to involve her grandmother in her plan to work at Ewing Oil, but she hated to do that unless she had to. Lucy's thoughts were interrupted when the elevator again stopped with a quick jolt. Lucy had to grab the railing in order to keep from falling. She looked up and saw she was on five. A brief thought of again going the stair route passed her mind, but she was already so late. The elevator doors opened and a woman, totally dressed in white embarked. Lucy giggled to herself when the woman entered and stood behind her. It was obvious the woman was old, even though she was wearing a white veil to cover her face. Her hands were wrinkled and she did not walk very gracefully in her white pumps.

The elevator again jolted downwards toward the main floor. Lucy stood, staring straight ahead, even though she could see the reflection of the woman in the glass elevator doors. Lucy could not be sure but she was certain the woman was very slowly, very slowly, getting closer to her. As Lucy was about to turn and speak to the woman she froze. Lucy Ewing had no idea why, but she had a strong sense of terror. A smell had brought it on, a musty perfume smell, she had smelled before. Lucy was not able to connect why the smell was familiar, but it drew terror closer nonetheless. As the elevator was moving from the second floor to the main floor, it again jolted, leaving both woman scrambling not to fall.

"Damn, I am getting sick of this!" Lucy turned to the woman. "Are you ok lady?"

The woman did not speak. She stood directly in front of Lucy, but did not open her mouth."

"I said, are you all right?" Lucy was really beginning to get worried now. "Listen lady, are you deaf or something, I am just wondering if you are ok."

Lucy gave up, and turned to pick up the emergency telephone, as she attempted to speak, the woman grabbed the phone from her hands.

Lucy let go and put her hands on her hips. "What the hell are you doing, I need to get out of here!"

The woman slowly put the phone down, and moved a little closer to Lucy. She opened her mouth, although Lucy could not see it, and quietly whispered. "Don't want to miss a good will reading do we dear?"

Lucy's fear was turning to anger. "Who the hell are you?"

Before Arliss could answer the elevator jolted again, and within seconds the doors opened on the main level. Lucy Ewing Cooper did not need an answer, not yet anyway, all she needed now was to get the hell out of that elevator.

Donna Dowling looked at her picture of Andrew and cried. She missed him terribly. She loved Ray and cared for him deeply, she always had, but that didn't ease the pain of loosing Andrew that much. Sure, it helped some, but no one would ever take his place in Donna's life.

She respected him and had learned so much from him. She had a hand in Sam Culver's affairs, in his last days, but she wasn't really exposed to that much of the political arena. Andrew had taught her so much about it. She loved learning from him and watching him work.

Donna had received a call from Dave Culver earlier that morning. Dave was Sam's son and a longtime friend of Andrew and Donna. He had asked her how she was and about Maggie's new school, but he told her he had to talk to her about something, something very important, and that he would be coming to Dallas to see her personally.

She had, of course, agreed to see him. They had always enjoyed a great relationship, even after Sam died. He had told her to meet him at City Hall around 3. She thought that City Hall was a strange place to be meeting someone, but she was sure that he had his reasons and that she would find out soon enough.

Kaitlin scrawled her signature on the papers before her, smiling as she capped the pen. "Fred, I really want to thank you for getting out here so early and doing this for me. It must have been a large amount of trouble on your part to get all of these papers drawn up so quickly."

"Well, Kaitlin, if you weren't paying me so much, I might complain."

"You do have a point," laughed Kaitlin. She was in good spirits, considering that Christopher hated her.

"This is interesting. It's not every day that I get to draw up papers transferring such a large amount of stock. Glad to see that you're keeping a little for yourself though Kaitlin. A lady could live on what you'll be getting for a lifetime."

"I know. Just make sure Christopher gets these and signs. I know its asking a lot, but I know you can pull the necessary strings to be able to pull this off without me here."

"I'll do that and I'll be in touch. Have a nice day Kaitlin."

"You too Fred." When Frederick Lauder had departed, Kaitlin strolled over to the telephone. "Yes, I need to speak with Katherine Wentworth please…this is Kaitlin…"

After several minutes, the phone clicked and Katherine's voice came across. "Yes?"

"Katherine, it's Kaitlin."

"What do you want?"

"I just want you to know that I'm leaving Dallas, maybe even Texas. I won't be in your way anymore. Don't worry about the rest of the money you owe me. I won't be needing it." Kaitlin hung up the phone before she could hear Katherine's reply.

Ellie and Clayton had been sitting for almost twenty minutes. Finally a young man entered the room, he could not have been more than thirty, and was dressed somewhat not all put together. He had on a suit, but it was not quite tucked in, and it seemed just a few sizes too big.

"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Farlow, I am Drew Lewis, I was a close friend of Muriel and Alex's."

Ellie looked at Mr. Lewis. "Alex?"

"Yes, I believe you saw him briefly with Muriel in the park a few weeks back."

"Yes, Yes, there was a man with her that day. How on earth did you know that?"

"Well, as I said, I was a friend of theirs. I spoke with them daily, they told me about that day."

This time Clayton spoke. "Mr. Lewis, I am sure you are a very busy man, shall we get on with the will reading?"

"Well Mr. Farlow, first of all , this is not actually a will reading. I have a letter here for you, that Muriel wanted you to have. I also have a note for your granddaughter. Muriel wanted to apologize to her as well. And...furthermore, I am not actually a lawyer yet, I just rented this office for the day."

"Well, can we have the letter then sir?"

"Certainly Mr. Farlow, but first I do have two things to give you." Drew Lewis reached into his pocket and handed Clayton a gold watch. "This was a gift from Muriel to Alex, they both really wanted you to have it. And Mrs. Farlow...." Alex reached behind the desk and handed Ellie and oil painting. "Muriel painted this landscape for you. It is done by memory, so it may be flawed. It is the view of the beach in front of the villa you and your husband shared in Italy."

Ellie stared at the painting for a long time. "It is breath taking."

"Why on earth would they give me this watch?"

"Well, maybe we should get to the letter, it is all in there. First of all, I need you to understand, Muriel and Alex wanted to tell you everything that was in the letter in person. I think that Muriel couldn't stand seeing your faces when you heard, so she wrote the letter, just in case she chickened out. She loved you both very much you know, the closest thing to family she had."

"Mr. Lewis, please just read the letter!" Clayton took his wife by the hand. He was sure that Muriel was again going to apologize for bringing HIV into their lives.

"Yes of course, I just need you to understand. Muriel did not die of her disease. She and Alex committed suicide, out of guilt." Last week, they jumped side by side off a cliff.

"Oh my God!" Ellie began to weep. "The poor soul, why, why didn't she come and talk to us? Clayton and I are dealing with this, we could have made her feel better."

"Mrs. Farlow, I do not think you could have. Here, let me read."

The letter began with a page thanking Ellie and Clayton for all of their love and friendship, and talked about how much meeting them had brought to her life. Then it took a shocking, and unexpected turn.

Dan Bellows was not just a john. He was my last john. I met him after you and Ellie had headed back to Dallas last year. I was missing you very much, still feeling lost and alone. Dan introduced me to the world of cocaine. He supplied me with enough to keep the pain away for a while. Dan also introduced me to another world, the world of HIV. It was he who infected me with the decease. I owed him so much money. He began to get violent, threatening me, and beating me daily. I was down, and broken. The only way he was going to leave me alone, is if I paid him the $20,000 I owed him. I had no idea where to get the money. He is the one who came up with idea to get the money from you. I didn't want to do it, I truly didn't. But by the time I came to Dallas, he had convinced me that you two had used me, taken advantage of me, and that you deserved it. I was still on cocaine most of the time, and was out of it most of the time. That is why I did not stick around Southfork for too long then, I needed regular fixes. The plan was for me to tell you about the aids, draw on your sympathy, then convince you I need money for my treatments. The first part of the plan was easy, talking with Lucy got me angry it was easy to tell her those things. I was so guilt ridden, I went even deeper into drugs, that is until I met Alex. He convinced me that it was still worth living, still worth fighting. I knew I could not go through with getting money from you. I tried on so many occasions to tell you the truth. You do not know how many times I picked up the phone, attempted to get in contact with you. But...I couldn't. Could not face the terrible thing I had done. That is why I put my focus on helping others, something to ease the guilt. But it didn't work. I am so sorry, truly sorry. Please do not feel any guilt at my death. Alex only had weeks, we made a vow to die together. Please remember I did not follow through with getting the money, I hate myself for what I have done, I know you must hate me as well, I guess I hoped the two of you would get tested, and be let off the hook, but it appears that did not happen. I am truly sorry, there is nothing I can do to relive the past, nothing except tell you the truth.

The Farlows sat perfectly still. Finally Ellie stood and spoke to Drew. "Please tell me this is the truth. Muriel did not have AIDS when she was with Clayton, we cannot be infected.?"

"That is right Mrs. Farlow."

Clayton rose, kissed his wife and then threw the gold watch he had been given against the wall. Clayton turned and left the rented office, leaving Ellie alone with Drew.

Ellie slowly picked up her painting, and followed her husband out of the door.

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