Sweet Schemes (Read 8,977 times)

[sudsyclassix]

“Want some coffee?” Sami greeted Hope, as she walked into the living room of her hotel suite. It was paid for by the ISA so that no withdrawal was made from the DiMera accounts and was all the more comfortable now that Shane and Kim had moved to the apartment above the pub to assist Caroline. Previously, Sami had had to sleep on the couch, giving the last available bedroom to Johnny.
“No coffee, thanks,” Hope declined. “I want to know why you didn’t show up at the station this morning to go over your testimony.”
Sami lowered her voice to a hiss so that she couldn’t be overheard outside of the room. “Hmmm, let’s think, maybe because I’m homeschooling my kids so that I can keep them safe from their grandfather. You know, the homicidal maniac you haven’t put in jail yet.”
“Knowing Stefano may have had a hand in EJ’s death, and proving it are two different things,” Hope sighed. ”Meanwhile you hold the proof that can put Clyde away. And we need you now more than ever.” Hope turned to Steve and Vanessa, who were sitting on the couch watching the conversation like some kind of sport. “Hasn’t she seen it?”
“She is in the room, thank you very much,” Sami snapped.
“Maybe you ladies would like to move this little discussion to the hotel spa,” Steve suggested. He grinned when Vanessa looked at him oddly. “What’s the matter, Thin Mint, don’t like mud wrestling?”
Vanessa shook her head good-naturedly. “Just when I think I’m getting used to you, Johnson.” She rewound the morning news until it was frozen on the image of a grim-faced anchor.
“’New developments are emerging in the case of alleged murderer Clyde Weston. Judge Donald Craig has set the trial date for Halloween, denying Weston’s request to delay proceedings while he seeks new representation after firing his assigned public defender.’”
“Trick or treat,” Steve muttered.
Hope nodded. “Now do you see why we need your testimony to be iron-clad? This isn’t some rookie lawyer from traffic court anymore.”
Sami glanced at the engagement ring on Hope’s finger. “If I were you, I’d be more worried that my new fiancé might take the case.”
"Do you know something I don't. Never mind," Hope picked up her purse. "I have more important things to do than sit around and listen to this!"
"Say it," Sami challenged Steve. "You think my instincts are right, don't you?"
"Haven't been back long enough to figure out Jennings' game," Steve replied.
"You think he has one?" asked Vanessa.
"I think it would make me real angry if Sweet Thing got hurt."

[doolfan4life]

Maybe it was bad timing but I agree with Sami
Aiden is a big fat slime ball...........

[sudsyclassix]

“St. Luke’s School, how may I help you?”
“Father Louis, this is Aiden Jennings. I know this may sound strange, but I found an unsigned note slipped under my office door this morning that says and I quote ‘I need your help’. I thought maybe Chase typed it up because he was too afraid to tell me something happened in person. Has he come to you, by any chance?”
“After working with children there are very few things that I find strange anymore, Mr. Jennings. I’m sorry to say I haven’t seen Chase, but I do hope he would come to me if something were wrong.”
“Thank you, Father." Aiden hung up the phone. If it wasn’t Chase looking to unburden his conscience, it had to be a potential client. He slipped the note into his briefcase and set off for the station, thinking that he might be able to eke out some alone time with Hope. All thoughts of a romantic interlude were dashed when he found his fiancée absent from the squad room.
“She’s out trying to track down a witness,” said Rafe, as though reading Aiden’s mind.
“I’m here trying to track down a potential client,” replied Aiden. “Take a look at this.”
Rafe scrutinized the note. “One guy did kick his legal aid to the curb. Did you see the news this morning?”
"Hope and I took the kids out to breakfast."
"Call the prison. The guy's only allowed visitation by phone."
"So much for attorney-client privilege," Aiden muttered.
"Not many privileges in maximum security," Rafe shrugged.
"Guess I better get on the horn, then."
Aiden found a park bench to sit on while he went through a tedious conversation about civil rights with a grand total of three guards before he got through to the warden. When his new client came on the line, the voice gave Aiden chills that had nothing to do with the September breeze.
"Got the note I had left for you."
"Yes, I did...but I don't think this business relationship is going to be possible."
"Anything's possible for you, Jennings," Clyde drawled. "You're one of the best suits money could buy."
 "Are we talking about blood money or drug money?"
"I'm not paying you to have a sense of humor here."
"You're not paying me at all."
"You offering to do this pro bono? Mighty nice of you. Just might be enough incentive to keep my mouth shut. No, no, no, I talk. You listen. The pretty wife of yours, her grandma lived in Poplar Bluff. Everybody there knows the truth about how little Meredith died. If you're not careful, everyone in Salem will too. What do they call a black widow who's a man? I guess they just call to warn Detective Brady."
"You've got yourself a lawyer," said Aiden quickly.
"Excellent."


Vanessa Lennox crossed her legs under herself as she turned to face her partner. "You really care about Detective Brady, don't you, Steve?"
"We go way back...Beauregard too."
"Is Bo one of the biological brothers or an adopted one. I was briefed on Sami's family tree, but I can never keep it straight."
"Bo's a bio Brady, and half of Salem can't keep the family trees straight."
"Half of Salem is related to Sami."
"Yeah, I don't think Adrienne was tickled about the relation. Or about Will when she first met him."
"Will and Sonny didn't grow up together?"
"Sonny was born in Texas. Dimples and Adrienne moved the boys there so they could be closer to our mama."
Vanessa almost gasped, but recovered. "Your mom lives in Texas, interesting...."

[sudsyclassix]

Drew picked up his phone before the first ring was even finished. "Mission accomplished, then?"
Aiden sighed on the other end of the line. "Weston knows."
"I'm going to need you to buy me a vowel."
"This isn't a joke, Donovan. Clyde knows what really happened the night Meredith died."
"Oh that," Drew laughed "That's not going to be a problem."
"Do you play these kinds of games with your own life?" Aiden snapped, "or just with mine."
"I'm a child at heart," Drew replied, putting on an Irish brogue just to irritate the attorney further. "And you have a weak stomach. I would've suggested you not get into debt with my former employers, but you are. Unless you fancy killing your lady love or watching your son join his dearly departed mother, this is your only option. Just think of it as the easiest case you've ever had."
Aiden was about to reply but since Drew had hung up without ceremony, he was left talking to himself. "Yeah, easy case. The hard part will be telling Hope."

[sudsyclassix]

Bit hard to get back in the swing of things after taking Thanksgiving Week off, but I hope this is up to snuff. Enjoy!

“What’s going on,” Chase asked, his eyes fixed on the line of desserts coming out of the Chez Rouge kitchen. “Hey, Dad, can I have some of that cake?”
Aiden nodded, beckoning to a passing waitress. “Cake, all around, please. This is a special occasion.” He winked at Hope. “You think we should tell them?”
“But who will do the honors?” Hope smiled.
"Someone just tell us, already!" Ciara urged
"Together," Aiden decided. "Hope and I-"
"-have set a wedding date," Hope blurted.
Chase held out his palm to Ciara "Pay up," he demanded.
"Not yet."
Aiden rolled his eyes. "Is there anything you two won't bet on?" he asked.
"Nope," said Chase. "I think a Halloween wedding would be awesome!"
"But you're going to get married at the Salem bicentennial," Ciara countered. "Right, Mom?"
"Actually, Aiden and I have decided to get married on New Year's Eve. We can't think of a better way to start off 2016."
"I was closest," Ciara gloated. "You don't have to pay me now," she added as Chase grumbled, "I know where you live."
"Speaking of, it's a school night," Hope announced, leading the way out of the restaurant.

"What do you think of the idea?" Hope asked after the kids had gone to bed."Getting married in costumes, maybe."
Aiden considered. "I think you will be a very sexy bride whatever you wear."
"Oh, really?"
"Very..." Aiden captured her lips in a kiss. "In fact, I wouldn't mind if we got straight to the wedding night right now..."

[heroicmuse]

Nice! I love the Haiden family scene! How old are Chase and Ciara in your story?

[sudsyclassix]

9 or 10, just like they were before they got aged

[sudsyclassix]

That fancy attorney of Hope's was sitting on the planter in the middle of Horton Square trying to casually catch his eye. Steve took the harp from his lips and arched an eyebrow. "Sorry, dude, I don't have a tip jar."
"Too bad," Aiden shrugged awkwardly, "that's some good music."
"Is there something I can help you with?"
Aiden stuck out his hand. "Mr. Johnson, I'm-"
"I know who you are," Steve interrupted.
"And you don't seem to care for me, but, I think I have something that may change that. A job offer. I hear you have PI experience, and all I'd be asking for is a simple fact-find. Why don't I give you my card, and we can discuss the details later?"
"Won't be any details unless you give me a name."
"Paige Larson."


"Hey, Paige," Hope smiled, taking a seat in the guest chair beside the woman's bed. "I was hoping I could talk to you before you got discharged tomorrow. I'll keep it to simple questions. Unless you want Dr. Evans to come in here and interpret. I hear Kim's teaching you sign language."
"Yeah," Paige croaked.
"I know you won't get your speech back in the three weeks left until the trial, but I thought I should tell you that Judge Craig has approved the DA's request to have an interpreter there during your testimony."
"Sure you're not leaving anything out, Sweet Thing?" asked Steve. "Like maybe who'll be sitting at the defense table."
Hope's jaw dropped.

[sudsyclassix]

Special Announcement
Hey everybody,
This week may be a little sporadic on the update front. My nephew will be born any day/minute now, and at that time I'll be spending some quality time with family. It's my goal to get today's installment out on time since there's no word yet, but things could change by the second. Thanks for having the patience to bear with me.
Love, Suds

[sudsyclassix]

Paige looked between Steve and Hope, her mouth moving as she tried to form syllables. "W-h-tsss?" 
Steve smiled kindly when she pounded the sheets in the frustration. "No, that was good! They're sending you home because you can swallow now. Not because you can quote plays written by some dead dude." Looking somewhat relieved, Paige switched to sign language.
"What's wrong?" Steve interpreted. "I thought he couldn't A-F-F-"
He looked at Paige, "Afford?"
She nodded.
"Got it. Afford a lawyer. Yeah, so did we. Don't just stand there gawkin',  Donovan. Come in. I was looking for you in the first place."
"Vanessa's with Sami and the children," said Shane by way of greeting. And then, "Did I hear you correctly? Weston managed to find himself a decent lawyer?"
"Not just any lawyer, dude. Aiden Jennings."
Shane whipped his head in Hope's direction. "You can't be serious!"
"I'm just finding out myself," Hope promised. "I've told Paige what I came to tell her. I've got to pick up Chase and Ciara. Guess now I know why Aiden's AWOL."
"Right," Shane sighed when she was gone. "So how did this happen?"
"Jennings approached me in the square, asked me to investigate Paige. But I won't," Steve assured, sensing the question before Paige could start signing. "I'm outta the PI biz, Full-time ISA now. But..."
"What?" asked Shane, recognizing the gleam in his partner's eye.
"Jennings doesn't know that, does he?"


 

[heroicmuse]

Great twist! I can't wait to see Steve investigate Aiden.

[gapeach]

Love when Steve is being devious. Enjoy your time with your family and congrats on the new addition!!

[sudsyclassix]

“Kimberly,” someone called, making the redhead turn toward the source of the sound—the opening hospital elevator. “I hear Paige is getting released today."
"It's wonderful, isn't it, Marlena?" Kimberly smiled, embracing the woman she still considered family.
"It is," Marlena agreed, taking hold of Kim's shoulders and searching her expression. "What is it?"
Kim laughed as she and Marlena sat down in the tiny waiting area. "You could read me since the day we met."
"I remember one time, back in '84...in fact, you hadn't been in town very long at all. You told Carrie that some of the happiest things made you emotional," Marlena mused.
"That's me, true to form." Kim gave a self-deprecating chuckle.
 "Well, I think Paige's discharge would certainly qualify, but there's something else too, isn't there? 
 Kim nodded. "I'm afraid this is only the beginning for a long road for Paige. I know she's strong...God, I know that. One of the strongest people I know, but look at what she has to go through. The attack, the trial, the need to find a new normal...on top of the problems she and Eve have been having lately. It's enough to make even a Donovan break down."
"Then it's a good thing you're doing, teaching her sign language. If she didn't have an outlet to bridge the communication gap, I'd say all the turmoil she's going through would be a hundred times worse."
"You sure know how to make a girl feel better, Marlena," Kim sighed, before continuing to laugh. "If we hadn't kept missing each other, we'd have had a proper catch-up long before now. Let me take you out to dinner sometime."
"It's a date-"
"Good."
"-but I have another idea. I need some help on a case."
"Oh, Marlena, I appreciate it, but three grieving children is a full-time job," Kim dropped her voice to a whisper. "I told myself I would never work for the ISA again after the  Alamain fiasco, but they've been keeping their cards close to their chests with this mission. Especially here in Salem, where the entire population has been either bankrolled or blackmailed by Stefano at one time or another."
"Isn't that the truth," Marlena drawled, "but I think our agendas would coincide too well for the ISA to have much of an objection..."

[heroicmuse]

Ooh the plot thickens... I am so curious as to what Kim is referring to.

[sudsyclassix]

Previews are back, people
Next Week on Sweet Schemes

Monday
Marlena and Kim continue to chat

Wednesday
Paige's release has a make it or break it condition.

Friday
Thanks to some sleuthing, more than one Salem secret is in jeopardy.