Two days later.
(Melissa's House)
Melissa sits at the kitchen table going through her appointment book. Nathan walks in.
Nathan: Morning mom.
Melissa: Morning sweetie, how are you feeling?
Nathan: Better than yesterday.
Melissa: You know I was thinking, should they have released you so soon?
Nathan: Yes, it was standard in this case since I am only recovering from the incision.
Melissa: I see.
He pours a cup of coffee and sits down.
Nathan: So how is business?
Melissa: Hectic. I have to get caught up on the meetings I had to cancel.
Nathan: I hope it wasnt very many.
Melissa: Just a couple. I will say one thing though, I have a new respect for the managing side of things.
Nathan: Well, if anyone can do it its you. You know the trials and tribulations of trying to make it as a singer in this city.
Melissa: Thanks.
He picks up the newspaper and looks over the front page. He opens it up to page two and sees the headline, "Crisis Center Founder Passes Away". He reads the small article. He looks at Melissa, she notices.
Melissa: Is everything ok?
Nathan: They had Wes's burial this morning. Apparently it was only a graveside service.
Melissa looks back down at her book.
Nathan: Im sorry mom, I shouldnt have said anything.
Melissa: No, its ok. I know your worried about Cassidy.
Nathan nods.
Nathan: Yeah, I am.
(Waffle House)
Maggie and Melanie sit in a booth looking over the menu.
Melanie: I think I'm going to have the strawberry topping with whipped cream.
She looks up and notices Maggie staring out the window.
Melanie: Maggie?
Maggie looks at her and smiles.
Maggie: I'm sorry dear, my mind is still wandering. I thought getting out would help but it doesnt seem to be.
Melanie: Still worried about Nathan?
Maggie: Yes.
Melanie takes her hand.
Melanie: He is going to be ok, we are all here for him.
Maggie: It was such a shock for him to find out the truth, and I know he is feeling for Cassidy right now. I just hope he is going to be ok emotionally.
Melanie: Well, he and I actually talked about that last night. He thinks it would be a good idea to see a psychologist when we get back to Salem.
Maggie: Oh good! It would be a very wise decision I think.
Melanie: Yeah, I agree.
Maggie takes her hand.
Maggie: Melanie, thank you so much for coming here with me. I dont know what Nathan would have done without you.
Melanie: Well, I dont know where I would be right now if it wasnt for your family. I am just trying to return the gesture.
They both smile.
(Watson House)
Nathan walks onto the porch and rings the doorbell. A woman answers the door.
Woman: Yes, can I help you?
Nathan: Hi, is Mrs. Watson in?
Woman: Yes she is, but its not a good time right now. Her husbands funeral was this morning.
Nathan nods.
Nathan: Yes I know. Uh, I dont mean to be pressing, but if you could please tell her its Nathan.
The woman sighs and shuts the door. Nathan walks to the other side of the porch. The door opens again, Brenda steps out, she is wearing a black dress.
Nathan: Brenda.
Brenda: Nathan, I wasnt expecting you to stop by.
Nathan: I hope Im not imposing.
Brenda: Of course not, my mother just didnt know who you were. But please, come in.
Nathan: Actually, I was wondering if I could see Cassidy.
Brenda smiles.
Brenda: Thank you for thinking of her. She is having a really hard time.
Nathan: Would you care if I talked to her?
Brenda: Of course not. She is actually in the backyard, just follow the sidewalk around to the gate.
Nathan: Thanks.
He walks around and pulls the gate open. He see's Cassidy sitting in a chair near the edge of the yard. He walks over to her.
Nathan: Hi Cassidy.
She glances at him then looks away.
Nathan: How are you holding up?
She doesnt answer him. He pulls an empty chair up.
Nathan: Do you care if I sit here with you?
She looks at him but still says nothing. He sits down.
Nathan: I know its hard when we lose people we love. I lost my Grandpa and Great Grandma last year. I miss them both very much.
She looks away again.
Nathan: But the important thing is that we keep their memories alive. When someone leaves us, they live on through those they touched. And your dad is going to live on through you.
She continues to look away from him. He notices a small clubhouse sitting just beyond the yard near the woods. He looks at her and smiles.
Nathan: Say, I bet that was your clubhouse when you was younger? I bet you have alot of good memories from it.
She still says nothing. He stands up and moves the chair back to where it was. He looks at her.
Nathan: I understand if you dont want to talk right now. But your mom has my number and I want you to know that you can call me anytime. Take care Cassidy.
He starts to walk off.
Cassidy: My dad built the clubhouse when I was eight.
He stops and turns around.
Cassidy: My friends and I used to play in it all the time.
Nathan: I bet you guys had alot of fun.
Cassidy: We did. What I would give to go back to that time right now. Atleast my dad would be here.
Nathan puts his hand on her shoulder, she looks up at him.
Cassidy: Thank you for being willing to help him.
Nathan: Your very welcome.
Cassidy: I just dont understand, why did a blood clot have to go to his heart?
Nathan: Some things can never be understood.
She starts to cry, he hugs her. He then notices Brenda standing on the back porch, she is whiping tears out of her eyes.
Cassidy: Thank you for coming to see me Nathan.
Nathan: I wanted to, I was worried about you.
Cassidy: I know this may sound weird, but I find it so easy to talk to you. Its like your a member of our family.
Nathan takes a deep breath as he fights back tears. He looks at Brenda and raises his eyebrows, she shakes her head yes. He pulls out of the hug and puts his hands on Cassidy's shoulders.
Nathan: Cassidy, I think there is something you should know.
Cassidy: Something I should know?
Brenda walks up to them, Cassidy looks at her.
Cassidy: Mom? Whats going on?
Brenda: Nathan has something to tell you sweetie.
They both look at him.
Cassidy: What is it?
Nathan: Your dad was my biological father.
Cassidy puts her hands over her mouth and starts to tear up.
Nathan: Your mom found me and asked if I would come to be tested for a donor match.
Cassidy is now sobbing, Brenda hugs her. She whipes away the tears and looks at Nathan.
Cassidy: So I have a big brother?
Nathan smiles and nods.
Nathan: Yes, you have a big brother.
(Melissa's House)
Two hours later Nathan pulls into the driveway. He gets out and walks to the back deck, Melanie is sitting in a chair reading a book.
Melanie: Hey you.
Nathan: Hey Mel. Where is everyone?
Melanie: Your mom had an appointment, Maggie is inside making a pie.
Nathan: Ah.
She sits the book down and stands up.
Melanie: Is everything ok?
Nathan: I think so.
She raises her eyebrows.
Nathan: Cassidy knows Im her brother, Brenda and I told her.
Melanie: Oh. I didnt know you went over there.
He sighs.
Melanie: So, how did that go?
Nathan: Cassidy was happy about it, or alteast seemed to be.
Melanie: Seemed to be?
Nathan: I dont know. Thinking about it now, maybe we shouldnt have told her, not on the day her dad was buried.
She looks at him.
Nathan: I dont know Mel, I just had this impulse.
Melanie: Impulse?
Nathan: She actually told me that I was like a member of her family. After that, I just felt the need to tell her.
Melanie: Then Im sure you did the right thing.
Nathan: I hope. I just have so much weighing on my mind right now.
Melanie: Is it the stuff we talked about last night?
Nathan: Part of it is.
Melanie: Well, if there is more, you know I am a good listener.
He smiles and puts his arm around her.
Nathan: Lets take a walk.
They walk around the backyard as he tells her about the experience while being under in the operating room.
Melanie: Wow!
Nathan: You know, Im still trying to figure it out. It may have just been a dream, but I swear it felt so real.
He looks at her.
Nathan: You think I am crazy dont you?
She smiles and shakes her head.
Melanie: Never. To be honest, it sort of makes sense.
Nathan: Makes sense?
Melanie: Who else would you have went to for advice other than your Great Grandma if she were still alive?
Nathan smiles.
Nathan: Your right. If Gram was still here she would have been the one.
Melanie: And as for Wes, he was obviously thanking you for being willing to help his daughter.
Nathan: But he thanked me for a gift.
Melanie: Right, your gift to Cassidy, that she now has a big brother in her life.
He starts to tear up.
Melanie: If there is any legitimate purpose as to why you found out the truth, it would have to be you becoming a part of Cassidy's life, to be here for her and see her through this. With her dad gone, she needs her big brother now more than ever.
Nathan whipes the tears out of his eyes, Melanie hugs him.
Nathan: Thank you Mel. I honestly would not have gotten through any of this without you.
She starts to tear up.
Melanie: I will always be here for you Nathan. I love you, and I always have.
Nathan: I love you to Mel.
They kiss.
Maggie watches them kiss from the kitchen window. She smiles and pulls the blind down. She walks into the living room and stops at the fire place. She looks lovingly at all the framed pictures on the mantle. She stops at the one of Mickey, Tom, and Alice. Mickey stands in the middle, he has one arm around Tom and the other around Alice. They are all smiling happily. Maggie tears up as she rubs the glass with her finger tips.
Maggie: Please continue to watch over us, and please continue to bless us, for all the days of our lives.
THE END
:cry2: