The Melaswen Paradox (Read 319,195 times)

[heroicmuse]

I can't wait for the baby to be born! I hope Roman not picking up his phone isn't due to something ominous.

I love the way you write Victor. I can hear his voice as I read. And I agree, underestimating Titus would be a bad idea. I wonder if Titus is too anti-Dimera to team up with Andre? Either way it will be interesting if they meet.

I'm glad Mary Moira is onto Thomas. I'd like to know what he's up to too.

Great chapter André DiMera.

[Kpatch]

That was a good idea to call Shawn. I'm surprised Max was able to carry Chelsea. She must be extra heavy right now.

I'm nervous about the Kiriakis feud.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 287

ST. LUKE'S
MOIRA: So, you don't actually know where he went?
SUSAN: No. All he said was that he had some business to take care of. Oh, Moira, you know Thomas. He's always so secretive about everything.
MOIRA: That's what worries me.
SUSAN: D'you think he's in some kinda trouble?
MOIRA: Well, as you know, I do not condone gambling, a sinful, sinful practice. However, I would be willing to place a bet that, if Thomas isn't already in trouble, he soon will be.

INTERROGATION ROOM
THOMAS: I told you, I don't know anything.
SHANE: A very unlikely story. Regardless, we're not here to talk about what you may or may not know.
THOMAS: Then why was I dragged here? Do you know who I am?
SHANE: Of course I do. You're Thomas Banks, one of the most powerful gangsters in Europe. You also are a wanted criminal.
THOMAS: On what charges?
SHANE: Several counts of conspiracy to murder, extortion, bribery, breaking and entering, kidnapping, and breaking the parameters of your parole. Suffice it to say, we have enough to put you away for a while.
Shane reached into his suit jacket pocket and pulled out a badge.
SHANE: Shane Donovan, Executive Director and Special Agent of the International Security Alliance.
Two men put Thomas in handcuffs.
THOMAS: You'll never hold me, you know. I have ways of getting out.
SHANE: We'll see.

BRADY PUB
The breakfast rush was in full swing. Ciara, Claire and the other waitresses ran from table to table, taking orders and delivering food. Shawn-D, meanwhile, worked the counter. Things were very chaotic for the first few hours, but the three of them made it work. After several hours, things finally began to slow down. A couple had just paid their bill.
SHAWN-D: Thanks for coming. Have a nice day.
He gave the couple their change, and they walked away. The phone on the wall rang.
SHAWN-D: Brady Pub, how can I help you? Uh-huh. Okay. That's great! Thanks for letting me know! Yep. Sounds good. Bye.
Claire came out of the kitchen with some clean glasses in hand. She set them on the counter.
CLAIRE: What's the order?
SHAWN-D: No order. That was your Grandma Hope in the phone. Chelsea's had her baby.
CLAIRE: That's awesome!
Shawn-D nodded.
SHAWN-D: After they get off this afternoon, Uncle Roman and Aunt Kayla are gonna take over for a couple of hours. You and Ciara wanna go meet your new baby cousin later?
CLAIRE: That'd be great!

PIER
Titus stood on the Pier, looking out at the water. He turned around as he heard footsteps and was greeted by Hondros, his assistant.
TITUS: I'm pleased that you were able to meet with me so quickly. After that creep Nico confiscated all of my Titan belongings, I wasn't quite sure how to get back in contact with you. We'll have to keep this on the down low, of course.
Hondros nodded.
TITUS: You have the number I requested?
Hondros pulled a card out of his pocket and handed it to Titus.
TITUS: Very good.
Titus pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number.
TITUS: Hello. I'm a concerned third party. I believe we have an acquaintence in common. His name is Victor Kiriakis. I need to meet with you. You choose the place. Whenever is convenient for you. Okay. My name? Titus Kiriakis. Yes, you heard right. We'll discuss it when we meet in person. Good day.
Titus hung up the phone and put it back in his pocket. He smiled at Hondros.
TITUS: And now, the games begin.

[heroicmuse]

I wonder what Titus is up to.

I can't wait to meet the baby.

I tend to agree with Thomas that he can't be held for long. And love Sister Mary Moore's comment about gambling!

Great chapter André DiMera

[mae00]

I'm thinking that Titus may have called the Dimera's. Titus wasn't sure how to get back in contact Hondros, yet he had a cell phone? I'm confused.


Yay! So glad the baby is here. Hope everyone is doing good.

I'm sure Thomas will have some tricks up his sleeve, but I have faith that Shane will be ready for them.

[Kpatch]

I never would have guessed at the beginning that Thomas was such a bada**.

This line was hilarious:
MOIRA: Well, as you know, I do not condone gambling, a sinful, sinful practice. However, I would be willing to place a bet that, if Thomas isn't already in trouble, he soon will be.

Eager to know who Titus was talking to!

[André DiMera]

Chapter 288

SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Shawn-D, Ciara and Claire walked through the hallways of the hospital until they came to the correct room. Shawn-D softly knocked on the door, then the three went in. Chelsea was lying in a hospital bed, Hope sat in a chair nearby, and Max was standing holding the baby in his arms.
SHAWN-D: Hey. How're you doing?
Chelsea adjusted herself so she was mostly sitting.
CHELSEA: I'm good. Glad you guys came.
HOPE: She was aamzing.
SHAWN-D: I'm sure she was.
MAX: So, you guys ready to meet your cousin?

PIER
Titus turned around as he heard footsteps.
TITUS: I'm pleased that you were able to meet on such short notice.
Nicholas and Ivan walked up.
NICHOLAS: Your phone call this afternoon intrigued me.
TITUS: I must say, I had expected you to come alone.
NICHOLAS: Oh, that would have been very foolish of me, wouldn't it? You can't be too careful these days, you know.
TITUS: I do. Nevertheless, I wasn't expecting this. Who is this?
Titus gestured towards Ivan.
NICHOLAS: Ivan G'Vera, my assistant.
Nicholas gestured towards Hondros.
TITUS: Hondros, my assistant.
NICHOLAS: So, Titus Kiriakis, what is it that Nicholas Alamain, and by extension, Alamain Industries, can do for you?
TITUS: As I said over the phone, you and I have a common enemy. Titan Industries. More specificially, Victor Kiriakis.
NICHOLAS: You see, that's where this meeting puzzles me. You're a Kiriakis. Surely, you must have some stake in Titan.
TITUS: Not anymore. My brother all but disowned me. As of this morning, I'm a Kiriakis in name only.
NICHOLAS: And you want revenge.
TITUS: Oh, I want more than that. I want Victor to suffer. To feel pain the way that I have. He's responsible for my son's death, you know that? He was supposed to keep an eye on my boy, and he allowed him to be killed.
NICHOLAS: I'm very sorry to hear that.
TITUS: Well, Victor won't get away with this! Once you and I have teamed up together, we shall bring him down!
NICHOLAS: So, you would willingly destroy your own brother?
TITUS: You bet I would. So, that do you say?
NICHOLAS: What's in it for me? If we are to become partners, it should be mutually beneficial for both parties.
TITUS: What, is the prospect of destroying your biggest competition not enough? You need more?
Nicholas scoffed.
NICHOLAS: Titan isn't my biggest competition, it's the second biggest. My biggest competition is DiMera Enterprises. Besides, Victor's old news. He doesn't run the company anymore. His son, Philip, does.
TITUS: I am aware. I did some research on you before calling. You and Philip have been rivals for years. Wouldn't it be wonderful to know that you have finally bested him? I can do that for you.
NICHOLAS: I can already do that, given enough time.
TITUS: Wouldn't it be nice to do it sooner?
NICHOLAS: Perhaps. But I'm a patient man. Give me something else. Something that can really dazzle me.

[heroicmuse]

I love that Nicholas isn't making it easy for Titus. I wonder if he will end up working with him or not.

I am more than ready to meet the new baby! I can't wait for that!

Great chapter André DiMera.

[mae00]

I'm glad that Nicholas didn't jump right into Titus' plan. I wonder what Vivian would say about Nicholas trying to take down Philip.

[Kpatch]

Dazzle me. LOL. I was not at all expecting Nicolas. I'm sure Ivan is nowhere near as intimidating as Hondros. Still, this is an interesting alliance!

[André DiMera]

Chapter 289

SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
CHELSEA: Would one of you like to hold him?
CLAIRE: Can we?
CHELSEA: Sure.
Hope patted the seat next to her.
HOPE: Come take a seat, honey.
Claire sat down next to Hope. Max walked over and handed the baby to Claire.
MAX: Put your hand under his head. There you go.
Claire did so, and looked down at baby Isaac. He looked, Claire assumed, like Max must have when he was a baby. However, he had Chelsea's eyes.
CLAIRE: He's beautiful! Hey, little guy. I'm your cousin Claire. You and me are gonna have so much fun together as you grow up. Yes we are.
Max and Chelsea smiled.
CHELSEA: Where did Mom go?
HOPE: She got a phone call while you were asleep, dear. She'll be back in a little while.
CIARA: Hey, Mom, can we talk for a minute?
HOPE: Sure.
Hope got up, and she and Ciara walked out of the room.

PIER
TITUS: You have an aunt, yes?
NICHOLAS: I do.
TITUS: She is ill, I believe? In a coma.
NICHOLAS: Yes. How did you-
TITUS: As I said, I did some research on you before I came. Now, if we team up, not only can we bring down Titan, and by extension Philip and Victor, but I will make sure that your aunt gets better.
Nicholas smirked. He clapped his hands.
NICHOLAS: Nicely done, using my Aunt Viv to try to coerce me. Unfortunately for you, you tipped your hand way too early.
TITUS: How so?
NICHOLAS: Here's a tip for you, my friend. In future, if you wish to team up with somebody, you shouldn't give away that you have nothing to offer them so early.
TITUS: What?
NICHOLAS: You said it yourself when we first met, Victor practically disowned you and you're no longer part of Titan. You're not the only one who did his research, I looked into you, as well. You don't have half as much power as Victor does, nor do you have his connections. Now, were you still at Titan but acting as a double-agent against it, then I might buy that you can cure Aunt Viv. But, as it is, no thanks.
TITUS: But...
NICHOLAS: None the less, I like you, Titus. I find you fascinating. Give me a few days, and I'll get back to you on whether we'll be teaming up or not. Have a nice night. Ivan, let's go.
Ivan and Hondros had not stopped staring at each other this whole time. At last, Ivan looked over Hondros one last time, and turned to follow Nicholas.

CAR
A short while later, Nicholas and Ivan were in the car on their way back home.
IVAN: Mr. Alamain?
NICHOLAS: Yes, Ivan?
IVAN: Far be it from me to question your decisions, sir, but are you honestly thinking of teaming up with that ghastly Kiriakis man?
Nicholas chuckled.
NICHOLAS: No, of course not, Ivan. But there is a proper procedure to things, as I'm sure Aunt Viv has explained.
IVAN: Ah, right. Of course.
NICHOLAS: No, there is no place at Alamain Industries for Titus Kiriakis.

[heroicmuse]

Oooh I wonder what Nicholas is up to. I like how he put Titus in his place.

I'm interested to see Ciara and Hope's conversation! Glad to finally meet Isaac!

Great chapter André DiMera!

[mae00]

I'm thinking Ciara is going to talk to her mom about her feelings for Trix.

Hmmm. What is Nicholas's plan and how does Titus play a role in it? His comment about how there is a proper procedure to things as Aunt Viv explained makes me wonder if Nicholas is the one that killed Deimos instead of Andre....

[Kpatch]

Love how Nicolas turned it around on Titus and got the upper hand!

[André DiMera]

Chapter 290

SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
CLAIRE: If you guys ever need a babysitter, I am there! As long as it doesn't conflict with work, of course.
MAX: Well, I don't quite think we're ready for a babysitter just yet. But, as soon as we are, we'll give you a call.
Baby Isaac started to cry.
CHELSEA: Uh-oh. Sounds like someone's hungry.
MAX: I'll get him.
Claire handed Isaac to Max, who then handed him to Chelsea.
CLAIRE: I'll give you guys some privacy.
MAX: Actually, I wanna talk to you for a minute. I'll be right outside, hun.
CHELSEA: Sounds good.
Max and Claire walked out of the room.
MAX: Hey, I heard you and Ciara did a great job today. Thanks for taking over on such short notice.
CLAIRE: It was no problem. I actually kinda liked working at the Brady Pub. It was super busy, but it was fun.
MAX: How would you like to make it a more permanent arrangement?
CLAIRE: Really?
MAX: Yeah. I know I said I would trial you for a week, but when I called Ma after Isaac was born, she couldn't stop talking about how well you guys did. Kay texted me the same thing. So, how about it?
CLAIRE: I would love that! Thank you, Uncle Max!
MAX: No problem. Welcome to the team.
Meanwhile, Hope and Ciara had walked into another room.
HOPE: So, what's up?
Ciara took a deep breath.
CIARA: This might take me a minute.
HOPE: That's okay. Honey, is something wrong?
CIARA: No, nothing's wrong, I just...I'm not exactly sure how to say this.
HOPE: Say what?
Ciara took another deep breath.
CIARA: Okay, so, you know how when my high school class left for that trip, we met up with a new student from Australia?
HOPE: Vivian Alamain's great-great-niece, yes, I recall.
CIARA: Yeah, Trix. So, while we were in Australia, Trix and I were hanging out a lot. And, one night, as we were watching this beautiful sunset off of a huge standstone rock, she kissed me.
HOPE: Okay.
CIARA: And, at first, I didn't know what to think, you know? I was so shocked that I kinda freaked out a little. But, after thinking about it for a while, I came to the conclusion that I liked it. I liked it a lot. And, I'm not really sure what this all means. I mean, I've always liked guys, but recently, I've been having all of these feelings about Trix. Like, romantic feelings. I guess what I'm trying to say is...Mom, I think...no. Mom, I'm bi.
Hope gave Ciara a hug.
HOPE: I love you, Ciara. And I'm proud of you.
CIARA: Thanks. I'm proud of myself, too. That's actually the first time I've ever been able to say it out loud.
Hope gave Ciara another hug.
CIARA: So, what now?
HOPE: Well, that depends. Do you like this girl, Trix?
CIARA: I do. I really do.
HOPE: Does she know that you like her?
CIARA: I don't really know. I mean, I'm still trying to figure everything out. It's all still new to me, but she's been helping me figure things out the last few days.
HOPE: That's good. Well, when you're ready, tell her. I'm very happy for you.
CIARA: Thanks.
HOPE: Just remember, if you ever need anything, your family and friends all have your back. And you know I'm always here for you.
CIARA: Thanks. I love you, Mom.
HOPE: I love you too, little one.
Ciara and Hope hugged again.

PIER
Titus sighed.
TITUS: Well, that didn't quite go as I had planned.
He looked at Hondros, whose face was grim.
TITUS: Oh, don't give me that look. You were as hopeful as I was on the way here. Though, I must say, something Nicholas said has given me an idea. Hondros, I need you to find another number for me. Soon, we shall have other visits to make.