Thursday - 10/14
*AUTHOR’S NOTE: From this point forward, Meadow West will now be referred to by her first name. When she appears, Meadow Cole will continue to be referred to by her last name.
AIDEN’S OFFICE
Aiden was filling out some paperwork when a knock came at the door.
AIDEN: Come in.
He put the paperwork into a folder and slid said folder into his desk as the door opened. Belle and Brady walked in.
AIDEN: Good morning, Belle.
BELLE: Hi.
She turned to Brady.
BELLE: This is my law partner Aiden Jennings. Aiden, this is my...my brother, Brady. Sorry, I’m still getting used to this.
BRADY: I get it.
Aiden stood up and shook hands with Brady.
AIDEN: Nice to meet you, properly.
BRADY: You too. I, uh, I had a question or two that I’d like your help with.
AIDEN: Well, I’m happy to help, if I can.
BELLE: I’ll leave you guys to it.
Belle left the room. Aiden gestured to the chair across from his desk.
AIDEN: Please, take a seat.
BRADY: Thanks.
Both men sat down.
AIDEN: So, what’s on your mind?
BRADY: Before we really get into all of that, how much do you know about my...situation?
AIDEN: Not a lot, to be honest.
Brady filled him in on the basics of what happened to him.
AIDEN: I see. I’m very sorry that that happened to you. Did you want to press charges against the people who kidnapped you?
BRADY: I can’t, until my Dad gets back to me with information about who they are. No, there’s something else that I need to ask you about. As I said, when I was kidnapped, it was while Chloe and I were married and living in Vienna. I understand that when it was made to look like I was neglecting her, she filed for divorce and the other me signed the papers. But it wasn’t me that signed them. What I need to know is, because it wasn’t me who signed the papers, are they still legal? Are Chloe and I still married?
WEST HOUSE
Sydney and Silver slunk downstairs and sat at the kitchen counter. Meadow had just finished frying up the sausages and set a plate of food in front of each girl. She also handed each a glass of water.
MEADOW: You’ll need some of this. Dig in.
The two younger girls looked at their food and very tentatively started taking small bites. They both drank some water.
SYDNEY: Um...how much do you know about what happened last night?
MEADOW: That’s an interesting question. How much do you?
SILVER: Not a lot. We were watching Hocus Pocus and drank some cider...which apparently had alcohol in it. But, after the movie, we don’t remember much of anything.
SYDNEY: Exactly.
MEADOW: Well, as it happens I just came over a little bit ago. I was out late last night with Johnny and, anyway, I live in the Salem U dorms now, but I had a DVD to return and some clothes to pick up, so...anyway, I don’t know what you guys got up to last night, aside from getting wasted. I did look in on you guys when I first got here and you were both still out. So, talk. Why’d you do it?
SILVER: We didn’t mean to.
SYDNEY: It was my fault. When we got back, I wanted some apple cider. Silver told me there were a few bottles in the fridge. They all looked similar, so I just grabbed one at random. I had no idea it was hard cider.
MEADOW: You didn’t think to look at the label?
SYDNEY: That would have been a good idea, but no, I didn’t.
SILVER: Neither of us did. We were both excited about watching our favorite Halloween movie and spending time together, and we didn’t think to look at the label until it was too late.
Meadow nodded.
MEADOW: Well, I can’t say that I haven’t done something stupid like that. At least you guys did it unwittingly, whereas I...well, I didn’t plan on getting drunk at Johnny’s Christmas party, but I knew I was drinking wine.
SILVER: So...does Mom know?
MEADOW: No. As far as she knows, you guys fell asleep after the movie and slept in. She doesn’t know yet.
SYDNEY: Does she have to?
Meadow raised her eyebrows.
SILVER: Meadow, we’ve learned our lesson, we swear. We did something stupid, but we both feel like crap and we’re not gonna do it again.
SYDNEY: Exactly.
MEADOW: Well, if you don’t want her to find out, you’ll have to clean up the bathroom next to your room. It’s a bit of a mess.
SILVER: Okay.
MEADOW: So, I’ll keep your secret if you keep mine.
SYDNEY: What secret?
MEADOW: Let’s just say that mine and Silver’s mom doesn’t need to know that I spent the night with a boy.
Sydney’s eyes widened.
SYDNEY: Wait, you mean-
MEADOW: Like I said, you keep my secret, I’ll keep yours.
DIMERA MANSION
JOHNNY: Well, that sounds great! I love it!
ANDRE: Yes, I’d thought you might.
Johnny’s phone buzzed. He casually glanced at it and smiled.
ANDRE: A message from your young lady friend?
JOHNNY: No, one of my cousins, actually.
ANDRE: Oh?
JOHNNY: Yeah, I just met her at the beginning of the school year, actually. She and her mom moved here recently. Her name’s Peyton. I guess she’s Uncle Benjy’s daughter.
ANDRE: Ah, yes. Peyton Hawk.
JOHNNY: Yeah. Anyway, she wants to know more about our side of the family, so she’s coming over in a couple days. I haven’t told her anything about you, of course. Like I said, I know you have to keep a low profile.
ANDRE:I’m glad to hear it. Well, I’m sure you’ll have a lovely visit.
JOHNNY: That’s the plan. Anyway, thank you for updating me on the next phase of the plan. I’m looking forward to this next video.
ANDRE: As am I. Now, lovely as it is to have this little catch-up, I have some matters that I must attend to.
JOHNNY: Of course. I’ll see you later.
Johnny picked up his bag and walked out of the lab. André rubbed his chin, chuckled and smiled to himself.
ANDRE: So, Benjy’s dear widow Sonia finally felt brave enough to return to Salem. Perhaps it’s time that I pay her a little visit.
