Together and Forever
Chapter 1 — Terrible News

It was July 1987. Mason sat at a table in his apartment and wrote something. However no matter how hard he tried to concentrate he got nothing as a result. He constantly had looked back to the door of the bedroom in which Chip slept. Today he was with his son tête-à-tête. He persuaded Victoria to go out for the weekend and now he reaped the fruits. Chip’s behavior was usual for any 5 months old baby — the crying of half the day and sleeping of the other half. Mason nearly went crazy from the first half "a joy of parenthood" and was really glad that the second half began at last. But even now he couldn’t manage to think about the work.
Got tired from his fruitless attempts he's up and tiptoed to the bedroom. Chip slept peacefully in his cradle. "Thank God," Mason thought and his baby begin to stir. Mason quickly returns back in the living room.
He thought what he's better to make first — to finish the contract or have a rest as suddenly he heard the phone call.
Mason ran and quickly grabbed the phone's receiver, not wishing to wake up Chip again.
"Mason Capwell."
"It's Officer Black, Police Department. Is Victoria Capwell your wife?"
"Yes," Mason felt a nasty feeling deep in his stomach. "What's happened?"
"I’m afraid that I have bad news for you, Mr. Capwell. Your wife was involved in the car accident."
"My God! Is she seriously injured?
Phone fell silent, and then the officer said: "Your wife is dead, Mr. Capwell."
He said something else but Mason did not hear him anymore. He dropped the receiver on the floor and absently looked around the room. Tori was gone? In the same moment Chip began to cry desperately. Mason rushed in the bedroom and got his son on his hands.
"My God, what I suppose to do now?"

Chapter 2 — Disasters Comes In More Than One

A few hours have passed before Mason could have reached the police department. At first he needed to find a nurse for Chip because Mrs. Witcomb got flu. When he finally arrived to the police he found out that the accident has one more impact on him. The same accident which caused Victoria's death it's killed Julia too. It was not clear why the car did lost control and crushed into the corner of the building. But The Orient Express' personnel were parking nearby had said Mason something about the events that happened before the tragedy. Victoria called Julia when Julia left the restaurant, and Julia climbed in her car. They did not hear Julia and Tori's talking but from their gestures they figured that the women were confronting. Shortly after the car took off and after just 300 foots it crushed into the corner of the building.
So Mason became widower and Chip and Samantha lost of their mothers.
The following 4 weeks were like a nightmare. Two funerals, endless confronting between Capwells and Augusta who arrived to bury her sister and left again as soon as the decencies were done...
Mason barely remembered all this; this time — this incomplete month — seemed to him as a very long-drawn bubble-gum. He didn't leave his children who stayed with him now and almost did not sleep. He could not. As soon as he closes his eyes as he starts to see the unhappy eyes of Victoria and serious eyes of Julia. Probably he was guilty in the death of these women. Probably he was the cause that these babies — now living almost as twins — lost their mothers. So thought Mason and looked at the whiskey bottle. All this time he felt that he wants to drink it to stop his pain. But he didn’t. He had to do for the sake of his children. Now they were all that he had.
Chapter 3 — The Mystery

That day was very strange. It began with the disappearance of the folder of important documents which was very necessary for Mason. And Mason knew that he left it on his desk in the evening, and in the morning it has disappeared.
Finally Mason gave in, stop his search and after giving orders to the babysitter, he has gone to the office. He spent there all the day, and then got a call from Mrs. Rold.
"Mr. Capwell, I don't mean to interrupt you, but something strange is happening here--"
"What is it?" Mason becomes to worry.
"Someone has already called for 4 times and as soon as I start to speak the line is dead. I just thought that you should know about this--"
"Thank you, Mrs. Rold. You were right to call me, I will return home now".
Mason put his unfinished work in the wall safe and rushed to the exit. After that awful auto accident he reacted very nervously to such things.
However when he arrived home, he could have seen that everything is very peaceful. The children were pleased and cheerful. Mason looked at them and thought that after the last past month they become like more alike looking. Now he felt himself as the father of twins.
After playing with the children and put them to sleep, he began to pass in the apartment, absently thinking, who could have called him so urgently, not wishing even to talk with Mrs. Rold.
Suddenly like a reply to his thoughts, the phone rang again. Mason flinched and quickly grabbed the receiver.
"Hello!" The line was silent, but a fast breath of a person was audible. "Hello! Who’s at the telephone? Speak!"
"Mason," Mason heard finally the voice that stunned him. "It is impossible!" flashed into his head.
Chapter 4 — The Voice From Past

"Mason," the female voice repeated. "It is Kelly. Are you OK?"
Mason felt a relief mixed with a disappointment.
"All right Kelly. I just got lost in my thoughts. Why do you call so late?"
"Late?! It’s not even late yet in children's time, it is only 9 p.m."
"9 p.m.?" Mason looked in his watch. Really. It seemed to him that it’s already passed midnight.
"Mason, is you sure that you are OK?"
"Yes. It just seemed to me--"
"What did it seem to you? Mason, wait for me I’m coming." And the line was dead.

Kelly came in half an hour. Together with Mason she looked on the sleeping babies, and then she sat opposite him in the living room and asked: "Mason, what happened to you? Why were you so frightened when you heard my voice?"
"I do not... I do not know. There was a moment when it seemed to me that it is not you--"
"And who? Who, do you thought, call?"
Mason got up and after coming to the window he looked out. There all is OK, but he answered Kelly. "You will decide that I’m total crazy--"
"I won’t decide that. Mason, tell me."
"OK... Kelly, in the first moment I thought that I hear the voice of... Mary."
"Mary? And I thought--"
"Yes, I know that you thought, that I thought that you were Julia... Probably this would be more logical. But I have thought that Mary called me. I’m completely crazy--"
"Mason, you loved Mary. Everybody knew this."
"Loved... The love is a strange feeling. The person is dead for so long, and the love to her is still alive. And a constant reminder to you about your loss...Kelly, I love her now. When Julia and Tori were dead I have felt it even stronger."
"Mason, I do not know what to tell you. I do not know how to help you."
"You are already helping me. You are listening to my fantasies, aren't you?" Mason turned his face to his sister and smiled. "I am sorry that I loaded you with my problems. Now to the point, did you want to see me because of any business?"
"Yes... But you what you’ve just told me--"
"And what?"
"Look, father... He wants--"
"What does my father want? Kelly, don't scare me! What are you afraid to tell me?"
"Our father offered you to come over for a rest."
"WHAT? To come over for a rest? Me? Kelly, you were probably confused! It must have been offered to Ted."
"No. He offered this to you. Mason, dad loves you. And he can see how hard everything that happened is for you. Especially because now you have two children. He saw you last week and said that you looked awful."
"If he was raising up twins babies, he wouldn’t have looked better either--" Mason grumbled while cooling down a little.
"Exactly. Mason, he said that he and Sophia would take Sammy and Chip to their home while you go out for a rest. Go somewhere and try to get some fun."
Instead of answering, Mason went to the bedroom and looked on the sleeping babies. On the one hand, he was afraid to part from them. On the other hand... he, in fact, was exhausted.
Kelly approached behind and embraced him from the back.
"Mason, things will only get worse for them, if you’ll get completely exhausted," she whispered. Samantha start moving and Mason pull Kelly back in the living room.
"You might be right... Ok, probably, really I need to have some rest. When should I take the children to our parents?"
"You can them now while they are still sleeping."
"OK.
Packing of things has taken something like a little more than one hour. Thank God, passing the babies went well and after a couple of hours Mason has returned to his apartment.
The place was messy from what happened during the search of the necessary things in the apartment. It seemed to become empty without the children. With a deep sigh Mason has risen from the sofa and come in the direction of the bath. Into the shower and to sleep!
But in this moment in the complete silence of the apartment a very loud phone call was heard. Mason flinched. Who can this be?
He rushed to the telephone, but then he just stunned. And what if... If now he would be informed... He shakes his head. No, all MUST be OK. May be just Sophia wants to tell him that he has forgotten any of the children’s things? Not without a shudder Mason taken the receiver and pressed it to his ear.
"Hello--"
"Mason--" 
Not, this is just an obsession! Getting over it Mason forced himself to say: "Kelly, what happened?"
"I am not Kelly, Mason. I am... Mary. Remember me?"
Chapter 5 — Beginning Of the Trip

In the first second Mason fell silent.
"Mason! Mason, are you there?"
"Y-yes," he forced himself to say. "Mary?"
"Mason, I know that you think that I died. But it’s not true. And I need your help. For the sake of whole the sacred, Help me, Mason!"
"Where are you?!!" Mason squeezed in the receiver until he felt pain in his fingers. "Where are you? I’m coming!"
Even if it is a voice from the other world, he will not miss a chance to see her again!
"In Santa Catalina, in Mexico--" her voice suddenly died away.
"Mary!? Mary, where are you? Answer me, please, answer."
Line was silent about a minute, and then again become alive.
"Mason, I cannot speak for long. Look, I do not know the address of the home, in which I live. This is the house on a coast with a red roof and garden. Try to find out the address of Mark, he works in clinic "Blanca"--"
"Mark!??"
"Yes. Mason, be careful. Mark is dangerous."
"I will. Don't worry about me. And wait, I’m already going to you. Mary--"
"What?"
"I love you, Mary."
"I love you too," and the line went dead.
After throwing the receiver to its cradle Mason start to rush around the apartment. He must take her away from this bustard as soon as possible! Mark! All this caused by Mark!
After half an hour he was already sitting in the car and driving in the direction of the airport. My God, Mary is really alive and he will soon see her?! Suddenly he got one idea and he stopped sharply. And what if he’ll take the yacht? With it he will be in Santa Catalina faster than an airplane maybe — now there are no flights anyhow because a mist fog. And fog is as thick as milk.
Mason turned over and directed the car to the marina. Fortunately, Capwell's yacht stayed in its own place. Mason dropped off the bags in the cabin and moved the yacht into the sea. Soon we can see each other, Mary! Very soon!
Chapter 6 — Where You, Mary?

Mason calculated the course of his yacht and after turning on the automatic rudder; he lay in the cabin on the bed. He felt very tired, but he could not sleep. He lay with open eyes and dreamt. In his head he had flashes from the past of him and Mary together...
Riding on the coast, together in the tent, proposing:
"And you, Mary... Take this man to be your husband?"
"I do".
Finally Mason fell asleep. His dreams were confused and unspecific until the morning, when he woke up in cold sweat with a shout "Mary!" In his nightmare Mark tormented her and he could only watch her helplessly. The yacht was supposed to arrive at Santa Catalina up at10 in the morning, but Mason was waiting on the deck from 8, looking intently at the coast in an idiotic hope to see where the house with the red roof and garden is.
He did not see the house, but he moored in the harbor on time, as he expected. It was not so difficult to find the clinic “Blanca”. But before he entered the building Mason has start hesitating. Mark could recognize him, and he didn’t want that. Eventually he called the clinic from a phone booth. They told him that they don’t have any Dr. McCormick.
Mason hanged up confused. What the hell is going on? Is that some sort of a joke? But then he’d thought that Mark probably changed his name and he has a new name now. But how is he supposed to find Mary now? Mason’s eyes catch a sign of small restaurant, and realized he was very hungry. Ten minutes later he was already chewing a steak and watching the front door of the clinic. He sat in the restaurant for a couple of hours, but nobody left the clinic. Mason was very confused, but then he heard the barmen telling some man that because of the rules of the clinic employees are leaving that place only twice a day. In 6 p.m. and in 6 am. Mason thought that he has some time until 18 and decided to drive to the coast. Who knows, may be he would just find the house with a red roof and a garden?
Mason drove to the coast and felt a treacherous desire to throw it all and return to Santa Barbara. It all looked like bad joke... But he could not, just could not, force himself to leave. The voice of Mary still rang in his ears.
"For the sake of whole the sacred, Help me, Mason!"
The time passed so fast it was almost 5 p.m. when Mason decided to return to the clinic. After all it was the only way to find out whether or not work Mark was there. But even if it doesn't work, this does not mean that Mary is with him...
Mason decided to drive to the nearest crossroads and then return. Houses at Santa Catalina coast were almost all with gardens, but their roofs were green. However in the end of planned way, Mason saw... Three houses which have red roofs! Mason stopped his car and start watching it. Then he shakes his head — all three houses can be Mary's. All three roofs are red and all three houses have gardens. May be Mary is in one of them? On the other hand, it is possible, that there are still 50 or 70 houses with gardens and red roofs that he didn’t see. Mason started driving again towards the mark, which shows where the end of the territory of Santa Catalina is. Other look-a-liked houses he did not see. Mason’s heart start beating hardly — did he really find it?! He still didn’t know which of the three houses Mary's, but there were only 3 houses, not 123.
Mason returned to the houses with red roofs and looked at his watch. Dammit! Already 18:40 p.m. He cannot find out now in which of the houses Mark lives. OK...
Mason suddenly thought that he made a stupid thing. If Mary called him last night — Mark couldn’t be home then. Mary couldn’t have called him if Mark was at home — he would have never allowed her to do it. But if yesterday Mark was at his duty as a doctor — a supposedly 12 hours shift. It means that he came off today to 6 am and he should be home now...
He went out from the car and after a moment become unsteady as he went in the direction of one of houses. Mason carefully sneaked up the window and starts to listen. He heard two voices from the house — female's and man's!
Chapter 7 — Is This My Dream?

However, it didn’t take him long to realize that this is not Mark and more so this is not Mary. A large family with many children lived in the house. So this means that he has only two more houses...
Mason went to next house and listened. It was absolutely quiet inside. He carefully went around the house and glanced through a window. Just a room, empty... Understanding that if someone will enter and see him he will think that he is a thief, Mason jumped and climbed in the window. He only had time to make a few steps and suddenly he heard someone walking. Mason rushed to the wall and hide behind the door, hoping not to be noticed. The steps came nearer to the room. The person stayed close to it for some moments and then... continued. Mason breathed in relief. It seems the danger has passed!
However he still did not find out if this is where Mary lives. Therefore he peek out the hall and silently gone. Mason did not know about where are the rooms, but tasty smell told him in which part he could find the kitchen.
Mason tiptoed and reached the kitchen door where he stopped hesitating. To see or not to take risks? Then he took a deep sigh, reached the handle of a door and... With fast burst opened it. In the kitchen at the table on which there was the cup with coffee, sitting... was Mary.
Yes, this was just the Mary he remembered. The same soft hair scattered on shoulders, the same warm shiny eyes... Mason suddenly felt deaf and blind. He made a few steps and touched the ghost. The ghost was a warm and quite human. She looked at Mason with widely open eyes, in which was hope and pleasure.
"Mary? Is it really you? Is it not a dream?" Mason heard her voice as though from a fog.
"Yes, Mason. It's me. And this is not your dream."
Chapter 8 — Runaway

Mary’s familiar voice gave Mason a feeling of reality. He embraced her and closed his eyes. He becomes full of emotions--
"Mason, you hurt me--"
"I am sorry," Mason took away, continuing to look at her. "Excuse me; I’m just crazy because I’m so happy. I could not even dream of seeing you again--"
"Mason, I need your help! Mark--"
"Don't care about damn Mark! I found you!"
"No! Mark is dangerous and he can come in any time!"
"Don't be afraid! You are safe now; you are here with me--"
"Mason--"
"Let's leave here. You are so afraid of this bustard--"
"Yes, let's go! As soon as possible, while Mark still has not returned. I just want to change clothes--"
"It is not necessary; I’ll buy everything for you later. Come on!"
"Only one minute! I can not go out in a bathrobe."
Mary ran to the other room. Mason went behind her but she has slammed the door almost before his nose.
"Mason, I’ll be right back!"
Mason shook his head and looked around. This house did not make you trust it... there was some kind of evil about it...
The door of the bedroom was fast opened and Mary left it. She put on a man's jeans and a shirt.
"It belongs to Mark," she explained. "I have no normal clothes, he was afraid that I’d run away. Though he thought that I'm mentally ill--"
"Let's go!" Mason took Mary by her hand and led her out. Suddenly they heard a noise of an approaching car.
"It’s Mark!" Mary sharply turned pale, and becomes dizzy. "Run!"
Mason is not afraid of Dr McCormick but after he saw that Mary is afraid to death of him decides that it would be better for her not having a meeting with him.
He dragged her on a hall there, where he early entered trough a window. Here! Mason jumped out in the garden and drew his hands up to Mary. But Mary was stunned because she heard Mark’s voice calling her.
"Mary! Let's go! Here!"
Mason jumped up and grabbed her hands. Feeling his touch Mary woke up and jumped out from the window. Mason caught her and they run through the garden to his car. A minute later, Mary was already sitting in the car and Mason drove away with wild speed. They drive to the marina. Mason helped Mary climb out because her oversized man's clothes and lead her to the yacht of the Capwell's.
"Mary comes here. I’ll just return my car to the rent agency and we can leave this place. We will go to a place where you will be in a complete safety."
"I am afraid."
She hugged him.
"Me too. Just one minute--" 
Mason gave her quick kiss and rushed to the agency.
Chapter 9 — On the Way

Mary has been pacing nervously in the cabin wring her fingers. When will he come! And what if Mark got to him ... No! She’s bitten her lip and forbid herself to even think about what can happen to Mason if Mark will catch him... She will never forgive herself, if something will happen to Mason. It would only be her fault!
In this moment when all of her doubts and fears dispelled, she heard fast steps on the deck and a very familiar voice start talking with a guard of the marina. "Thank God" Mary said aloud. But she did not dare to come to the deck. However in less than two minutes, Mason went down the narrow ladder into the cabin.
Mary hugged him on his neck.
"Mary!" Mason hugged her back. "I’ve already told you that you are safe now--"
"I know. But I’m still afraid--"
"Let’s go up the deck. Very soon we’ll sail away and then you can stop being so afraid."
Holding Mary by her fingers, Mason led her to the deck. A few manipulations with the anchor and the mooring lines and the yacht start to rock on the waves. Mason come to the deck-cabin and started leading the yacht away from the shore.
Mary felt a huge relief, looking hatefully on the shores of Santa Catalina as moving away. Is all this horror really behind her?! Mary's eyes wandered to the far side of the marina for the last time... And suddenly she felt a chill of horror crossing her body from top to bottom. She saw Mark's car getting nearer!
Not now! How did he manage to catch up with them so quickly?!
"Who?" she heard Mason’s voice. She probably spoke aloud the last phrase.
"Mark--" Mary felt her teeth chattering. "Mark... He is there--"
"He will not catch up with us," Mason said in sure voice, hugging her. "And he doesn’t even have any chance to race us. I’ve taken care of that."
"How?" Mary moved away and looked at him surprised.
"Like that!" Mason smiled and rubbed his forefinger with his thumb.
Mary understood that he bribed the guards of the pier to make sure Mark could hire neither a boat nor a yacht. She smiled.
"You are still the same... trickster."
"I’m ready to do much more in order to see you alive and smiling ... Lets come down, Mary. The yacht is on the automatic driver and it brings us directly to where we should go. I want to finally get a look on you--"
"Let's go," Mary turned her head so that Mason wouldn’t see her tears. What will he think if he would look...?
They came down back to the cabin. Mason arranged a comfortable place on the sofa for Mary and covered her with a plaid. Then he sat beside her on the same sofa.
"Mary... I still don't believe that you are alive... Tell me how could it happen? It seemed I didn't make everything I could to rescue you--" 
Chapter 10 — Mary's Story

"Of course you did!" Mary moved her body ahead, their fingers mixing. "You did everything!"
"But how McCormick could have rescued you then? How?"
"He did not rescue me," Mary leaned on the back of the sofa.
"What?"
"I was rescued by another man, not Mark--"
"But who was he?"
"I do not know. Mason, listen to me, OK? Don’t interrupt because then I must start from the beginning again," she smiled weakly.
"I am ready to listen to your voice the whole eternity," Mason answered truthfully and moved closer to Mary. "I’m listening to you. Start."
"The last that I remember about that awful night is your eyes. Eyes filled with pain and anguish. And then... Just a line was broken." Mason flinched. The shadow of Death touched his wing. Mary continued. "The next thing that I remember is a white ceiling. It was the clinic. Common usual. But I didn’t understand this then and at first I just saw a white ceiling and did not know where I where, or who I was. In general I did not know or understand anything. Then — I think after months — my memory began to have some flashes. I began to remember something but there were not any clear images, it transformed into something more particular, only when I’ve seen Mark." Mason wanted to say something, but he thought he’d better not. "Mark did not know that I was alive. He just arrived to work in this clinic. He was shocked when he found out about me, as soon my physical condition allowed as he has taken me away from hospital. He transported me to Mexico and start waiting."
"For what?" Mason asked although he was not sure that he wants to know the answer.
"For the time my memory will be back and I’ll recognize him."
"Mary, I do not understand--"
"The minute I saw Mark, I remembered who he is and what he did to me too. And I have understood that I’m under his full control. Mason, I pretended that I cannot recognize him."
"And he?" Mason felt trembling. He didn’t even want to think about what McCormick might have done to her--
"His sounded strange, but he believed me. The truth is I only had part of my memory then, but when he took me away from hospital — it happened two or three months ago — I remember almost everything. Even your name," Mary smiled weakly.
"Mary, but what for? Why has he taken you away? What did he want from you?"
"For me to be a lawful wife for him. I don’t know, what I would have done if he start to force me... But Mark didn't insist. He spoke that while I did not remember him, he will not force me into anything. I wanted only one thing — to never see him," Mary lowered her head, tears dropped on the plaid.
Mason got her closer to him and embraced her. He felt that her shoulders are trembling and understood that she cries.
"Mary doesn't cry! This bustard does not deserve even one of your tears!
At last Mary stopped trembling and wiped her wet face against his shirt. "I should finish. From the moment I crossed the threshold of that home I thought only of how I can get out. But all the ways were cut off. I did not even know the number to ring the police. Mark was very cautious. He hired a woman who didn’t speak English to do the cooking and cleaning for us. I couldn’t leave the house; all the windows and doors were locked by automatic system--" 
"That’s reminds me, how did you manage to get out of there?"
"The window was open... Probably, the electricity was casually disconnected."
"May be. And it was just improbable coincidence that you arrived to me at the same moment."
"Happy coincidence."
"Yes. In general Mark made only one mistake in all this time — give in to my arguments, he has taken me to the city. There I found out several important things — that I was in Mexico, in Santa Catalina, that Mark hated me, and that he has connections to some dark persons."
"Mary, the first thing I can understand, but the second and third?"
"Mark has taken me to a cafe on the shore. Usually he was nice enough with me, but here... He was very nervous. He constantly looked back, jerked me and his treatment was not too polite. With every moment he became more pressured and finally he just forced me to return to the car. And at the point I’ve seen his hate. He looked at me as if he wanted to set me on fire. Later he brought me at home, locked and left. It happened yesterday," Mary gave Mason a gaze and again nestled her head against his chest. "When he left, I began to remember all the other things. And your telephone number too. Several times I got on a woman, and then you’ve taken the receiver. And you know the rest. Mason, you are married, right? Mason did not know what to answer her. He didn’t want to tell her everything that happened after her death time. But he must tell her something. Something that will give Mary an understanding- that he still loves her. And always will."
"I was married," he answered. "My wife died in the car accident about month ago."

* * *

A silence fell in the cabin, silence, which was interrupted only by a weak sound of waves.
Mary nestled closer to Mason.
"You loved her?"
Mason thought and then slowly had shaken his head.
"No."
"She was a very good person, but I did not love her. We met in a hard time for her, I’ve helped her... She reminded me of you," he said unexpected for himself. "I do not know why. But she did. Mary--"
"It's Ok, Mason. You thought that I died and decided to move on with your life. It is normal, and I would not wish it other way. Really do you think that I wanted you to mourn me all your life? I am only sorry, that you had to pass through this once again--" Mason pressed her palms together. "I’ve passed a lot more than that this year, but I’ll tell you all about it later, OK? Just answer me one question. Why do you think what Mark is connected with crimes?"
"He behaved strangely there, in cafe. As if he was afraid that anyone would find us. Strange people called the house ... I do not know. May be I am mistaken."
"Don't seek to excuse him! Mark is capable of doing horror things and you know it. Mary, you need to have a rest. Let's go, I will lead you to your cabin."
"And you?"
"I must to go up and do something. But I'll be back soon."
"Alright."
Mary fell asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow. Her face looked exhausted, but happy as a child. Mason touched her hair by his palm. Mary moved in her sleep and smiled. Mason smiled too because she recognized his touch, and then he went up to the deck. The fresh wind immediately messed his hair, cooled his blazed cheeks. He felt himself completely happy. However in the depth his soul he has an alarm.
Let this not to be found out a dream! Let this stay the reality!
Chapter 11 — The Dream and The Reality

The slender girl, almost 10 years old of age, was walking on an empty street. Her steps sounded distinctly in the night’s silence. She didn't know where she was going; however her legs conducted her on a tangled labyrinth of lanes and little streets. Suddenly bright light of headlights blinded her. The girl closed her eyes by her elbow and...
Mary woke up and sat on the bed. She couldn’t realize where she was. But after seeing the familiar sweater which was thrown on a floor, she suddenly remembered everything. She slipped on Mason’s shirt, which was hanging on the back of bed, and peeped out from the door. What she has seen made her smile. Mason was sleeping on the sofa in the cabin. He slept half-dressed, fluffy plaid lay on the floor. Mary approached him tiptoeing. Mason didn’t wake up; he mumbled her name in his sleep. Mary as before tiptoed back to her cabin and looked around. The cabin of the expensive Capwell's yacht. Mason’s clothes were scattered on the floor. Mary picked up his jacket and Mason’s wallet dropped out of it. Mary looked at the door and opened the wallet. Credit cards, bills... In the photos’ compartment there were only a few cards. The first picture — an old sample — was a woman near 40 who was imperceptibly similar to Mason. "Pamela," Mary guessed. The second one was of Julia. The third was of a wedding .Mason was being embraced by an unfamiliar woman in a wedding dress. Mary turned over the photo and read "Victoria and Mason Capwell". Victoria... And the last photo that she found was the most unexpected. On the picture were two babies smiling. The boy looked about 5 months old and the small girl looked younger. Or maybe it was just her size. “Mason, do you have two children?”"
"What?" Mary heard Mason’s sleepy voice.
"Do you have two children?" she repeated her question and showed him the photo. "They are twins, aren’t they?"
"They aren’t," Mason took the photo away from Mary. "They had different mothers."
"How?"
"This is a complicated story... OK, since you’ve already dug it out, I’ll tell you everything."
"When you died, I almost lost my mind... I needed to do something to fill the emptiness in my life. And I decided that helping Julia is the best way."
"Helping?"
"Yes... She wanted to have a baby without getting married. She needed a potential father, and I thought that I was good for this role. We concluded a contract. For having a child."
"Mason, Mason--"
"And then I met Tori. Our first meeting was on the same roof; it was not one of her best days--"
"Mason doesn't continue. I understand."
"At first I just helped her. She had many problems — both financial and personal. And she was pregnant." Mason went silent for a while. Then he gave Mary an askance look and continued. "Chip's father is Cruz. I knew about it almost from the very beginning. Tori didn’t want to destroy his love with Eden and this was the reason why she agreed to marry me, when I proposed her."
"And Julia?"
"I still didn’t know that Julia is pregnant when I married Tori. I understood this fact much later. At that time I thought that Julia didn’t get pregnant. And then... Mary, in that accident Tori was not the only one who died, Julia died too."
"Well now it’s getting clear for me--"
"What?"
"How you’d became the father of both these children... Mason and where are they now?"
"With my father and Sophia. My relatives decided to give me a holiday and I was just going to set off for a trip on the yacht."
"And here I appeared ... And ruined all your fun."
"Mary! What are you saying?! On the contrary, you made me happier than ever! From the minute I lost you — when I thought so — I didn’t even have a happy minute. Even when I was married to Victoria, even when Samantha was born! I thought that I couldn’t be happy. And you returned my hope. Only... Mary, will you take me as a husband with such a heap of children and everything that happened lately?"
The last phrase was told without a smile; Mason was looking steadfastly in Mary’s eyes as if trying to guess her answer in them.
"Of course," she smiled, her eyes flashing.
Mason hugged and kissed her. Mary kissed back. Without taking off from her lips, Mason cautiously picked Mary up and laid her on the bed. The world disappeared for them both.
Chapter 12 — To Accept an Important Decision

Mary was sitting on the deck, in the bright sun, a wide smile on her face as she was looking at Mason floating in the water. She didn’t want to go into the water — she only started to dry, but Mason was probably a fish in his past life.
As if he heard her thoughts — Mason turned to her, taken his hand of the gangway and waved her.
"Come here! Don’t you feel hot?"
Mary shook her head — no — and moved into the shadow. It was very pleasant to her — to watch Mason receiving pleasure from swimming. She felt herself almost happy. Almost. She winched. As if she could hear someone near her say that word. But there was nobody here beside her. Only she, swimming Mason and this yacht.
In that moment water, which seemed very cold to her, were poured down on her, and wet hands embraced her shoulders. Mary squeaked, but then with pleasure nestled to Mason.
"Mason!"
"And who can it be, besides me? Mary," he's taken her face in his hands. "Mary, what have I done wrong?"
"Why do you think that you’ve done something wrong?" She was surprised.
"You seem so sad. What do you think about?"
"About returning to the real world," Mary finally expressed in words the thing that made her suffer and felt relived. She looked at Mason. He became serious. "The real world separated us in the last time. What will it make us do now?"
"He’ll make. Nothing."
"Not everything depends on us. Mason, I’m still Mark’s wife. Legally."
"As if this year never happened, right? The same problems."
"Now it's even worse. I am officially considered dead yet."
"Are you sure? May be Mark--"
"He didn’t. I saw his documents, the word "widower” was written everywhere."
"OK. So you are afraid of the real world?"
"I am afraid. And I have reasons."
"I agree that you have reasons. But I have another offer — tonight we will return to Santa Barbara, you will live in my apartment and meanwhile I will think about our future. I will find a way to save us from potential encroachments of Dr McCormick."
"And why do you think what they are only potential? Whence do you know? May be Mark already knows that I’m with you?"
"I’m sure that he doesn’t. How could he recognize me? It’s incredible from such a long distance. My car was hired by the name D. Smith."
"And phone number? He can find out what numbers were called to his home and at once he will understand everything."
Mason sighs.
"Well and what if he will understand? Don’t worry, I will find justice for him."
"I am not so sure and I’m afraid."
"Just trust me. Trust me and everything will be OK. There were enough fears for you. So do you agree?" Mason led his finger on her chin and looked in her eyes.
"Yes, of course. With you — even to the edge of the world."
"Mary... But there I will have my babies--"
"This is not so terrible," Mary laughs softly. "I am a nurse, if you’ve forgotten. Children don’t frighten me."
"Yes, I forgot--" Mason embraced Mary and pressed him to her head, inhaling the delightful smell of her hair. "So much time passed! OK, let's go to swim!"
Then making a lot of noise he jumped down from the board of the yacht and lured her by his finger. Mary smiled and jumped down to the water too.
Chapter 13 — Returning

The yacht of the Capwells gets slowly closer to the coast. Mason was nervous. Not because he was afraid of possible problems — it just seemed to him that by approaching Santa Barbara the thin thread, which connect him to Mary, might break. The thread was broken, when she was died, and he was afraid that now it will be broken again. And Mary. She was so frightened of coming back that he started to think that maybe she keeps hidden something that Mark made with her something just awful. She was a little bit different. More afraid, less self-reliance. Where did her usual “I know what I had to do” disappear? Now she hangs on to him so, as if after a minute — and they will be separated. In a way this was pleasant for him — she was more unapproachable and independent before, and now this barrier was destroyed. But he was more afraid that something terrible was done to her and that what caused her to change. But she was the same Mary he couldn’t live without. When she fell asleep he got the feeling that she becomes who she was before.
"What do you think about?" Warm hands hug his shoulders.
"About you."
"Have I changed a lot?"
Mason shook his head.
"And me?"
"I don’t know. Barely," Mary smiled and then become serious again. "When will we arrive?"
"In a couple of hours."
"Don’t you want to call your relatives?"
"I don’t. I want to arrange everything for you first. And besides they will begin to question me: why did I return so quickly and etc?"
"Mason, you care so much about me! I don’t deserve this."
"Mary! How cannot you understand! I thought that I lost you forever. I didn’t even have a tiny bit of hope!"
"But I am the wife of another man--"
"Mark doesn’t have any relation not to you! And he is not your husband!"
"Mason--"
"What "Mason"? Mark is a sex maniac, he's--" Mason suddenly cut off his talk and hugged Mary. "I am sorry. I did not mean to shout. But I so mad at him!"
"Mason, you believe that he raped me?"
"What? Mary what are you talking about?" Mary went silent waiting for his answer.
"Of course, I believe," Mason press her fingers and tried to glance into her eyes, but Mary escaped his look. "Besides he admitted the rape to me."
"How did he admit?" Mary lifted her head with a jerk. "When?"
"After... After the funeral. I lured him into the Orient Express and forced him to write down his confession."
"Forced how?"
"With the gun pointing at him. Don’t worry, he told the facts, everything that happened."
"What?" Mary’s voice started to tremble.
"That he was mad at us both; he was fury about the fact that you told him that you love me. Mary, you don’t have to remember this case. Let it stay in past. Just trust me for good? OK?"
Mary without words buried her head in his chest and begun to cry. Quietly and hopelessly as a child. Mason rubbed her on her back and waited while she calmed down. He already knew that there is no other way to make her stop crying.
At last her sob stopped and they both started to look slowly at the coast of Santa Barbara getting closer.
Chapter 14 — Return To Past

Mason Capwell’s car approached the building apartment. Mason switched off the engine and looked at Mary. 
"We are here. Shall we?"
"Don’t you need...?
Mason smiled.
"I’ve already taken care of everything. Do you really have any doubts?"
Mary looked stunned at Mason for a few moments and then laughed.
"I should have guessed that you’d provide all. The trickster! And when did you get the time to do this?"
"I did. Let's go. To the real world, which we meet fully armed!"

They stopped at seeing the familiar door with number 412. Mason unlocked it with his key and let Mary in.
Mary walked into the living room and looked around. Everything changed since she was here in the last time. It didn’t surprise her, but she felt some sadness.
Mason threw the keys on the little table and went to her.
"Mary? Are you OK?"
"Yes, of course. I was just deep in my thoughts."
"Come on, I want to show you something."
Mason took her by her hand and led her into the bedroom. There was a bulb light there, but Mason didn’t turn on the light. He led Mary to the corner and there opened a door. Mary was surprised; she did not remember that there was another door in the apartment. Passing through the door, she stopped in complete amazement.
The door in the wall of the bedroom led to the past. Or if to be more accurate it led to the next apartment, which was a copy of the apartment of Mason now and pretty much look-alike his apartment before Mary’s death.
Mason look at her with worry in his face, regretting that he didn’t warn her about what she will see.
"Mary?"
"М-Mason," she says at last. "How did you make all this?"
"Mary, I am sorry! I didn’t want you to be frightened! I purchased this apartment shortly before our separation. I thought that my old one would be too crowded for us," he smiled sadly. "After what happened. Coming here was hurtful for me, and I locked it. When I found you, I thought that it would be just ideal for you, because, now it’s better for you that no one will see you."
"It is incredible! Everything here is as pretty just as it was before."
"Well, not absolutely," Mason smiled. "There is no dust, and it contains new things. Do you like it?"
"Very! Only--"
"What only?"
"Only it also reminds me of how it was before."
Mason lowered his head.
"You can do here what ever you like. Only tell me what needs to be changed and I will do it."
"Mason, I do not want anything to change!" Mary turned to him, her eyes shining. "Just this is real life," she became serious. "And I should get used to this again."
Chapter 15 — Parting and The Danger

Mason smiled as he looked at Mary who was sleeping at the armchair, taking the phone with him to the kitchen. He was calling the Capwells' Residence.
"Hello?
Rose picked up the phone. "Mason! Where are you? Are you returning any time soon?"
"Yes, I do. I miss Chip and Sammi. How are they?"
"They are good. Mason, how are you? You have such a strange voice--"
"I am fine. I am coming for the children now."
He hung up and left after writing the note for Mary.

Mary woke up when she heard the sound of the slamming door. At first she did not understand, what it was, and called Mason's name. Then she saw the note and read it.
"Sweetie, I go to bring Chip and Samantha.
I will be at home very soon,
I love you,
Mason. "
Mary didn't smile. She was somewhat afraid. Let him return very soon!

* * *

Mason arrived at his father's house. He didn't want to talk with anyone, not even with Rose, but he understood that without explanations he cannot do anything, and decided to reveal only the minimum to his relatives.
However he did not expect all his family to be waiting for him in the hall. They all looked at him in silence, and Mason didn't like it.
"What is the matter? Why are you all here? Has something happened with my children?" He begins to worry.
"Don't worry," Kelly assures him. "It's OK; Sammy and Chip are all right. They are sleeping."
"I will not wait until they'll wake up. I'm taking them away right now."
"Mason waits. There is something that you need to know."
"Drop these sentimentalities, Kelly," CC upset told her. "Tell him what has really happened! Tell him that he almost killed you!"
"What? What are you saying? Kelly?"
"Mason, two days ago I casually taken from our parking place your car."
"You couldn't. I left it in the airport."
"Your other car, your old one. Mine has suddenly got broken and I decided to take your old car in the meanwhile. You didn't use it for a long time--"
"So what happened? Have you scratched it and were afraid that I'll force you to paint it?"
"Mason, your car was burst with thousand pieces!"
"How? What are speaking about?"
"It was bugged with a bomb. Look, I was driving it to the Orient Express, but in middle of the way I suddenly remembered that I should make a call. I stopped the car and went to the cabin and at this time your car has blown!"
It seemed to Mason that the ground has shaken under his legs. He was shaken so strongly physically that he was forced to grab the wall with his hand. His car! The car that he used to drive before Mary's death. He knew immediately what they are talking about — only this his car was parking in the garage at the Capwell Residence. Yes, Mark has clearly didn't make an effort for nothing!
Kelly ran to Mason.
"Mason, are you OK?"
"I am fine," he straightened. "I want to take my children away."
"Mason, you understand that you are the one they wanted to kill?"
"This is not your business."
"Wha-at?"
"Dad, it seems to me that I somewhat understood. Mason, you know who is behind this? Do you know who wants to kill you?!"
Mason barely viewable wince, and Kelly noted this.
"I am right. You do know! And you want to take away the children?"
"With me they will be safe. Instead staring on me as the herd asses, you'd better found out how anyone can bug any bombs in a so carefully protected garage at the house!"
"Mason, how dare you!"
"I dare. OK, enough with the idle talking. I take my children and leave."
"Mason, before you do that you must think about the babies," Sophia joined the conversation breaking the strange silence that was around them. "You put them in a lethal danger."
"I will put their life in a lethal danger, if I WON'T take them from this house. And don't talk to me about egoism, you, Sophia."
After these words Mason went on the second floor and start packing the things of the children. No one even bothered to find the time to do this, though he warned them that he wants to take away his children.
While packing off the children's things in bags, Mason couldn't stop thinking about Mark. It seems he underestimated this "nice doctor"...
Though earlier he wasn't up to such methods. May be Mary was right when she spoke about the large danger they are faced from him?

* * *

Mary was walking in the apartment, don't know, where to put herself. Mason's absence weighed on her, she did not feel safe here as at her home. Eventually she decided to do some cleaning before his arrival. After all he will bring the children! She removed all the things from the big table and replaced the table-cloth. Then she came to the window with intention to water flowers which were on the window sill. A sixth feeling force her at first to look through glass, not removing a curtain. In the street she saw the man. He was walking on the opposite side of the street and occasionally keeps an eye on the window of Mason's apartment! Mary nestled at the wall in a pier of the window. She at once remembered this person. He sometimes came to Mark. She even thought to try to ask him to help her, but then thought better of it. 
"I'm glad I didn't," she thought now. "I can barely hold his appearance here as just a coincidence. She move down by her back on the wall and began to cry. Mason, where are you?!
Chapter 16 — Besteaded

Mason drove his car in the coast highway. His hands, shaking on the wheel, His opinion about Mark abruptly changed in the last hour. And when has this bastard become so determined? This year has changed him so much? Or maybe it wasn't Mark? But who is except him?
Getting more and more nervous, Mason added speed and after 15 minutes of driving he was already almost at home. A sixth sense forced him to go from the back entrance instead of the front one. Scolding himself for being so suspicious he took the twin carriage from the trunk of his car and brought his upset children into it. They woke up and the grimaces of their faces show clearly that they do not like such a way of spending time. On the big elevator Mason went up on the floor and opened the door with his keys. In the apartment was dark and quiet. Mason rolled the carriage and turn on a light. The living room was empty. He locked the front door and called: "Mary?"
The answer to him call was a loud crying from his both hungry babies. The door of bedroom opened and Mary entered the living room.
"Mason! You are here!" A huge relief was heard in her voice.
"Well, of course," Mason embraces her and kisses. "Me. Who comes here except me?"
Then he took Chip, who was crying more loudly than Samantha from the carriage, and introduced him to Mary. 
"This is Chip, Mary."
"I'm glad to meet you, Chip," she smiled. "Give him to me. He must need to change."
After marvelously quickly care for the children, Mason and Mary sat on the sofa at last.
"You so well care about the children."
"We did a good team work. They are very nice. Mason--"
"What?"
"Mason, I saw a person out of window."
"Who is he?" Mason took her hand.
"I do not know his name, but I saw him at Mark's house. And today he looked at our windows. I'm afraid."
Mason did not answer. He approached the window and cautiously looked from behind the curtain.
"He has dark hair and jeans jacket, right?" Mason asked after few minutes.
"Yes!" Mary jumped and ran up to him. "Is he still there?"
"Yes. Have you noticed him a long time ago?"
"Two hours ago, or more."
"This means that his being here is not an accident," said Mason with sigh. "It seems that you and we got in some kind of a siege. But everything will be OK," He took Mary's pale face in his hands. "We will find him out. I promise."

* * *

At the same time Dr McCormick was pacing in his room of his motel, not far from Santa Barbara, in a powerless rage. "How could it happen?" he thought walking from a corner to corner of the tiny room. "How everything that I've worked for the last 6 months could fail??!"
His face deformed with a grimace of fury, when he remembered that he should thank Mason Capwell for that! "You've taken her again even though she doesn't belong to you!" But how could he found out about it? He couldn't, could not absolutely do anything to hear about this! Even Mary didn't guess anything.
Mark almost collapse on the bed, exhausted and caught his head by his hands. What is he supposed to do? How he can get back at Capwell and return his lost? How is he supposed to do this before Mason bring to actions for court? If the business will reach authorities — he is dead!
Getting even more nervous he smoked the cigarettes and dials the phone number.
"Duke, how is it there?"
"All right. No one entered. Can I begin?"
"Let's go. Only you must not lose, any other case for us will not happen."
Mark hanged up and extinguished blow out the cigarette on the little table. Now he needed only to wait and hope.
Chapter 17 — The Attack

Duke hung off his sell phone and resolutely moved towards the house, which during shadowing bored him until flashes in eyes. He passed the black entrance and risen by a ladder to the fourth floor. Looked back, listened and silently taken from the pocket the lock-pick. Now of whole a little bit habitual movements and he will get to the purpose!

Mason was sitting on the bed and passionately kissing Mary. Suddenly she got tense and move away.
"What's wrong? Mary?"
"Do you hear that?"
"What? I hear nothing. Come here."
"Don't, look! There is someone who wants to break in our front door!"
Mason left Mary in the bedroom and emerged to the living room. He suddenly heard the sound and instantly understood what it is. After directing Mary to go into "her" apartment, Mason crept to the kitchen. He took in his hand the heavy candlestick and hidden for the jamb.
And right on time! After a few seconds he heard the sound of the opening lock and saw that slanting shadow falling on the carpet. An unknown man stood still and then turned on the little lamp. The bright beam illuminated the furniture.
Mason understood that he doesn't have any time for waiting. He jumped on the robber and brought his hand over his head.
"Who sent you? Speak!"
The gangster was silent. Such reception he did not expect and now convulsively thought what he must do.
"Speak or I do--" 
Mason made a move as if he wanted to hit him by his candlestick. The gangster understood that he doesn't have any more time.
"I do not know his name. Take off this thing, you can kill me!"
"Well, is that your claim that you don't know? Time is passing!"
"I know that he has the nickname "Doc". I am telling you the truth! I do not know his name."
"What for did he sent you here?"
"For papers. And a woman."
"What papers?" Mason was so puzzled, that he even lowered his hand, with the candlestick, a little bit. The gangster used this at once. He pushed Mason, jump up and run out.
Mason woke up on his legs, desperately coughing — the robber hit him directly in his throat. In the living room Mary rushed to Mason.
"Mason! What happened?!
Mason quickly locked the door with all locks and leant against it by his back.
"I do not know, who he was, but I know that I am very glad that I'm at home."
"He was a thief?"
Mason was silent and shaken his head.
"Mark?"
"Not exactly. Mark sent this guy for some papers. I do not understand what papers he means, do you?"
"Papers?" Mary look at him shocked. "Are you sure?"
"This is what the guy told me. I do not think that he lied in the situation. Do you understand about which papers he spoke?"
"I don't. Absolutely."
"Is Mark involved in the crime businesses?"
"I do not know. As I spoke early I thought that he communicates with crime persons. But I don't know anything about any papers."
"OK. It will wait. Lets us return to the bedroom and continue from the direct place where we stopped, when we were so rudely interrupted."
"How can you think about in such a moment?!"
"I can. I do not think about this idiot! Forget about him, think about me. About us!"
"OK," Mary smiled. "Though I do not share your positive opinion."
She has no time to continue. As Chip stat crying in the other room as fire siren started. And after a few seconds Samantha joined too.
Mason with suffering expression of his face looked at Mary. She laughed and went to the babies. In a couple of minutes and both babies calmed down as if after doing a magic.
Mary returned to the bedroom and sat beside Mason.
"You are just a sorceress," Mason amazed told her not specifying what he means.
"And you're too."
She wanted to tell him something more, but Mason's kiss taken the opportunity. And later the words appeared to be not necessary. For both lovers.
Chapter 18 — An Unexpected Visit and A Strange Offer

Very angered Mark went in his motel room. Duke's puncture was so inopportunely! He is just an idiot!
In this very moment the phone rang. Mark jerked and reluctantly lifted the receiver.
"Your time expires the day after tomorrow in 18 00. I hope that you prepared the documents, because otherwise you will have A LOT to pay for--" These words were told by a husky voice and worked on Mark like a bucket of cold water. He blew away gas as stabbed air ball. After hearing short hooters Mark hang up cautiously and sat on the bed. What to do? How to get these papers? It was already midnight

Mason was talking on the phone, keeping an eye on sleeping Mary.
"Yes, Dan. I want to get all possible information on this person. Including the color of his pajamas and the name of the restaurant, where he orders his fast food. Yes. Yes, I will wait."
Mason hung up and called another number. After finishing the conversation, he hanged up again and started to think. So the guards are being supplied. Dan will dig out all that there is to know about Mark. But still what are those papers he wants to get?
Mary started to move. She turned over and mumbled. Mason quietly approached her and squat near her. 
"Daddy, I brought you the orange... Uncle Larry told that it has many vitamins... Uncle Larry is good... He is not crazy--" 
Mason was surprised. Mary never spoke about her relatives and her dad was never even mentioned. But she loves him! Suddenly he felt a kind of shame because of the involuntary penetration to the part of Mary's past life that was unknown hitherto for him; he stood up sharply and left to the kitchen.
After drinking coffee for vivacity, he took very fat code of laws and went in deep into his reading. There will be a way to relieve Mary from this bastard!

* * *

Mason sunk so deeply into his reading that it took him some time to catch that the door’s bell is ringing. He threw the book on the sofa, jumped to the switch and after switching off the light, cautiously approached the door. There was no sound outside. Mason tiptoed as he went to get the candlestick, which was already good help for him once, and nestled in the jamb. Probably, his movement was heard, because outside the door he heard a kind of rustling and then... the voice of Mark.
"Mason, open the door. I know that you are in there. We're needed to talk."
Shocked by such an impudent Mason stood stunned for an about a minute still holding the candlestick in his hand. Then he came to his senses and developed rough activity. After leaning his "weapon" on the wall, he quickly run to Mary and lifted her on his hands. Mary didn’t wake up, just nestled on him and embraced his neck. Mason took her into "her" apartment, put her on the bed and covered her. Mary nestled in a cozy like a small cat. Mason went back to the apartment, locked the door, which lead to Mary’s, then closed the door of the bedroom and only then approached the front door again. After taking the candlestick again, he sharply opened the door, ready to meet next bandit. But what he saw on the stairs was only Dr McCormick.
"What do you want?" Mason addressed him not too kindly.
"To talk. Simply to talk. Can I come in?"
"No, you cannot."
"Why are you so afraid, Capwell? I won’t do anything to you."
"And I am not afraid of what you’ll do. I just don’t have any wish to see you."
"So why did you open the door?" Mark grinned. "OK, we had enough small talk. I have to talk business with you."
"I do not want to have any businesses with you, McCormick."
"But you do want to get Mary, right?"
"Mary--"
"Don’t speak as if you think she’s dead! We both know that she is alive and lives with you," Mark grimaced. "Our talking is not about that. Here is my offer — you’ll give me back my papers, which Mary has taken away from my home casually and I’ll sign a divorce and open for you the road to your happiness."
Chapter 19 — A Real Way or A Trap?

Mason watched Mark silently for a moment and then signed him by his head.
"Come in."
Mark came in and saw around the living room.
"You can’t see Mary," Mason warned him and leant against the jamb. "I’m listening to you, McCormick."
"I’ve already told you: give me the papers, and I will give Mary her divorce."
"What papers?
Mark looked at Mason, trying to decide whether it’s true that Mason does not know, about it.
"About bodies for transplantation."
"And what is it to you?"
"Mason, don’t you think that you ask too many questions?" Mark thrown angry.
"I don’t. I am a lawyer."
"They are unimportant to me. The only thing important is the fact that I should receive them and soon."
Mason come to the bar and poured a drink. Without offering the same to Mark, he has taken a sip.
"And what about guarantees?"
"What can be guarantees, Dammit?! Look around Capwell!"
"Guarantees that you will not refuse to divorce as soon as you will receive what you required. Look, Mark. I will give you the papers, but only after your marriage to Mary will be officially terminated, and you will sign the document that you do not arrange any meetings with Mary for at least 5 years."
"Mason, are you crazy?"
"I am not," Mason slowly shook his head. "I have no doubt that I will be able to prove in court that Mary lived with you on compulsion, so she will got the divorce without your help too. With duress. So this contract is more necessary to you than to me. I will get all that I want without it too."
"Dammit!" Mark jump up. "You are... You--" He mumbled because he was furious.
"Make your choice, McCormick. Either you accept my conditions or you get out from here!"
Mark paced nervously around the room, almost starting to run. Mason, externally calmly, even is lazy, observed him. At last Mark stopped and looked at Mason with hatred. 
"OK," he muttered finally. "I agree. But remember, Capwell, you will pay for this. You will pay--"
"Tomorrow we will get the divorce in Las Vegas and you will receive your papers. Or maybe we can even call it today," Mason looked at his watch.
"Where?"
"I will call and inform you about the place of our meeting."
"I want to know now!"
"More then one word and no settlement will not happen."
Mason put down the glass and looked at Mark directly in the eyes. Mark turned around and promptly went out the apartment.
"I call as soon as I will be ready," Mason told rushing after him and locked the door.
Then he exhaled and put his flaring head under the jet of cold water in bathroom. The affected coldness cost him so much.

* * *

Mary woke up from a sudden feel of cold. She sharply sat on the bed and understood that in her sleep she dumped her blanket. She picked it up and suddenly heard the children's quiet cry. Mary made some steps and only then realized that this is not the same apartment, where she fell asleep. She turned and passed in Mason's apartment, where she found the very strange picture.
Mason, almost absolutely moving down with his sofa, deeply slept. On the floor near him was a book — a code of the laws in the state of Nevada. And just stunning crying hungry children.
Mary went to the babies and started changing them.
"Mason," she called. "Mason, help me. They want to eat."
Mason moved, but didn’t wake. Mary has already dressed Samantha in her bed and came to Mason. Knee near she kiss him on his cheek. Mason opened his eyes. Mary smiled and rise. 
"Help me or your children will soon die of famine."
"Which time is it?" Mason still hardly understood what’s around him.
"It’s 8 AM already. Mason, when did you fall sleep?"
"I do not know," Mason slowly realized that this is already morning. "Dammit! How could I not hear that they were crying?"
He rise up and went to the kitchen. After preparing a meal he returned to the living room and took Sammi. Mary began to feed Chip. After feeding the babies and putting them down in beds, Mason stopped in the middle of the living room and thought.
"Mason? What is wrong?"
"Mary, where are your clothes in which you arrived?"
"Clothes? It's... un the bathroom probably."
Mason only shook his head and dig with head in the wardrobe. After minutes he pulled out the man's jeans and the shirt.
"These are?"
"Yes. Mason, why do you need this?
But Mason didn’t answer. He began to touch carefully all the pockets of the clothes of Mark and soon he was remunerated for his efforts. From a superimposed pocket of the shirt he pulled out combined four times lists of paper. After carelessly throwing down the clothes that now become unnecessary, Mason sat on the sofa and began to read. Mary looked at him with worry.
"Mason, what is its? From did these papers come from?"
Mason was silent as he re-read the documents once again. Their content was very unambiguous. But what is he to do with it now?
Chapter 20 — Old New Guests

"Mason!" Mary's voice became demanding, and Mason woke from his thoughts.
"Yes, I am here, Mary. Were you saying something?"
"Mason, are those the papers that Mark is looking for?" she repeated her question.
"Aha."
"And what are they about?"
"It is not very important," Mason lied. "Mary... Mark came here yesterday."
"What?" Mary became livid. "He came for me?"
"No. He came for the settlement."
"For... what... the... settlement?" Mary’s face became even greyer because of her fear.
"Don’t be so frightened!" Mason quickly approached and embraced her. "He offered to give you a divorce in exchange on these papers. It’s all he asked for."
"Only that?"
"Yes. Why, what did you think?"
"Me... nothing. What did you answer him?"
"I agreed. We will go to Las Vegas today and get your divorce, and then I will give him these papers which he wants to receive so much."
"Do I have to see him?"
"Yes, but I will be with you all time. Don’t be afraid, he can’t hurt you. Not in front of all of us."
"And the children? Would they be safe, if we will leave together?"
"Children?" Mason suddenly remembered about them but he quickly recovered. "I will send them to CC again. Capwell's house has the reliable guards."
"And how you’ll explain?"
"Somehow...
In this moment they were distributed by bell door. Mason and Mary were both alarmed, as if they were two thieves, who were caught on their robbery.
"Go to your place," Mason whispered, and after making sure that the living room has no trace of Mary’s being there, he went to the door.
"Who is it?" he asked, without unlocking door.
"It’s me. Mason, it is Kelly," he heard the very surprised voice of his sister. "Mason, why you are hiding?"
Mason felt simultaneously both relieved and worried. It was good that it wasn’t Mark like he thought, and only his sister, but it would still be difficult to get rid of her.
He opened the door and with a nod invited her to come in.
"Kelly, what happened?"
"Nothing. I just wanted to visit you. You are acting very strange recently."
"Am I?" Mason furtively looked at the clock. He needed to get rid of Kelly as soon as possible otherwise they can’t go to deal with their doubtful case.
"Yes, you are. You have a very strange behavior. The car is blown. You don’t answer your phone. Isn’t that enough?"
"I don't answer my phone calls?" Mason was amazed and went to check the phone. The plug was out the socket. "I just didn't notice," he guilty looked at his sister.
"Do you want to tell me that all these things are accidents?"
"Sure, they are."
"It seems to me that you need help. Mason, do you hear me?
Mason stood for nearly a minute with an absent expression of his face, making a decision, and then he smiled and called loudly. "Mary, can you come here, please."
"What?" Kelly's face didn’t reflect even the slightest surprise because Mason’s words seemed like a joke to her.
But suddenly she saw Mary, who left the bedroom and timidly looked at her.
"Mary?" It was just a sigh, even not a word.
"Yes, it’s me. Hi, Kelly."
"Kelly, I have no time for explanations. We are leaving now."
"To where? Mason! What is happening?" Kelly caught her brother by his sleeve.
"I will explain later. But I need someone to take care of Chip and Samantha. Can you take them to father's house?"
"Я... Yes, I will take them their, if you want. But where do you go?"
"To Las Vegas. We will stay there until tomorrow top. And now I am sorry, but I need make a call." Mason went into the bedroom and closed the door. From there he called Mark and informed him about the place of their meeting. And then he took again those hateful papers and with a sigh looked at them. The best would be to destroy them, but he could not do it. He had no right. He put the papers back to his pocket and returned to the living room.
Mary and Kelly were talking but they stopped at once as they saw him getting in.
"We need to go out," Mason dryly said. "Kelly, take children and save them as your own. I want be sure that they are in complete safety."
"OK, I will. You can go, but I must to call for a taxi. I don’t want to drive babies."
Mason hesitated, but then nodded. "Be cautious," he told to Kelly as a farewell and together with Mary he left to the street.
They had a difficult trip in front of them.
Chapter 21 — Trying To Kill Two Birds With One Stone (1 Part)

The plane flight from Santa Barbara to Las Vegas took off. Mason took Mary’s hand and pressed it intensely to comfort her.
"I am with you," he whispered, and then added louder: "But of course you cannot to be a spy. Everyone can see that you carry documents that fit a diplomat after only one glimpse of you."
Mary relaxed and giggled.
"Mason!"
"And you smile!"
"Trickster, you always knows how to make me laugh."
"Yeah.
She nestled, her cheek on his shoulder, and started to nap.

* * *

At the same time Mark McCormick was talking by his sell phone in one of the Las Vegas's casinos.
"Yes, I am already here. Of course I did not yet, but I will receive. I do know! Listen, I had enough of you threatening me! Yes, threatening! The hell with you — I am doing everything by myself!"
Mark disconnected the sell phone and put it in his pocket quite upset. Then he looked at his watch and went out, but at the entrance door of casino he was stopped by two guards.
"What the hell?" Mark was frightened.
"The boss ordered to say to you that if you don’t bring the papers by 9 PM today — you are a dead man."
"Today by 9 PM? Are you crazy?! Tomorrow at 6 PM! Let me have at least one day!"
"Orders of the boss are not to be discussed, guy. If he said "today at 9 PM", he means at 9:15 your ears will be cut!" The guard with the bull neck roared from his joke and joined the crowd of visitors of the casino.
Mark got out of the building feeling his legs shaky and almost fell on the bench near it. Mason, if you cheat me--
"Oh you lost all your money, didn’t you?" He heard a spiteful voice, after looking up he saw beside him a teen with greasy hairs. "Of course, they took all!"
"Go to hell!" Mark pushed the boy and with fast steps went in the direction of City Hall. He decided to wait there.

* * *
"Mary!" Mason shook her softly. "Mary, we are landing!"
"What?" She looked up at him sleepy. "Have we already there?"
"Yes. And soon you will be free."
"Soon I will see Mark--" Mary turned away and started looking in the window of the plane, there were only clouds there.
"But later you will not have to see him anymore. Do this only today. Only one time, OK?"
"I will try--"
"Mary, why are you so scared of him?" The words escaped Mason’s mouth almost against his wish. "What did he do to you?"
"I am...me--"
"Don’t answer! I am just a fool."
"I do not know," Mary finished. "Mason, I do not really know. But it seems to me that if I will see him — I will be completely under his authority. He affects me like a boa on a rabbit."
"And me? How do I affect you?
Mary had no time to answer. They got into the appreciable shake and then listened to the announcement "Ladies and gentlemen, our plane just now arrived in the airport of Las Vegas City, Nevada State--" 
"OK, now we are in the right place. Let's go, we will have plenty of time to be afraid later. First I must relieve you from the authority of Mark McCormick," after these words Mason took the Mary’s hand, and they went together go to the pass way.
Chapter 21 — Trying To Kill Two Birds With One Stone (2 Part)

Since Mason didn’t want Mary to stay near Mark more than the necessary, they arrived at their destination only in the last moment, even though he was concerned that the papers’ registration would take a lot of time. By the time they arrived Mark has already exhausted himself by thinking Mason has decided to deceive him.

"You are late!" He started, but was roughly interrupted by Mason.
"We are exactly on time, so you’d better shut up. Let’s go, the process will take more than enough time."
"I don’t," Mark shook his head. "I don’t go anywhere until I receive these papers."
Mason looked at him for almost a minute and then took the papers from the internal pocket of his jacket, but he didn’t give them to Mark. He just showed it.
"I have it here, but you will receive it only after you will accept ALL of the conditions of our agreement."
Mark seemed to be relieved, and starting to believe that he will actually receive the papers, he looked at his wife for the first time, he even tried to take her by her hand but Mary jerked away in fright. Mark shrugged his shoulders and entered the building.

* * *

Kelly was still in Mason’s apartment. When she returned to the children after accompanying her brother to his car, they were quiet and slept peacefully. It seemed unreasonable to her to wake them up, and she decided to wait before she makes them departure. After all, a few more hours wouldn’t change much... Though frankly speaking, she was just afraid of the thought of having to carry two babies out to the car at the same time. A few hours later, when they still haven’t waken up. Kelly began to get nervous and almost jumped up, when suddenly her cell phone rang.
"Kelly? It's CC. I need you to take the papers from Gregson."
"I can not, not just now."
"Kelly, this is urgent. What is it that you are doing and you can’t leave? You must know that Gregson--"
"I know, but I can not. Find someone else," Kelly began. In this moment, Chip woke up and cried loudly, and after half a minute Samantha joined him.
"Kelly? Whom do you have there? Sophia, she has children there!"
"Dad, I am..." But instead of her father’s voice she heard the voice of her mother. 
"Kelly, baby, what is the matter? Where are you?"
"I am ... These are Chip and Sammi crying. I am at Mason's apartment."
"At Mason's apartment??? But what are you doing there?"
"I’m babysitting with his children, in case you haven’t understood it already," Kelly became a bit upset. "Mason asked me, he had to leave."
"And where is their nanny? Or does Mason think that you are his hired worker? Sophia, do you hear what she is doing???"
"Daddy, I need to go. I should feed the children. Find someone else to take care of the reports of Gregson. Bye," Kelly disconnected her cell phone and took a deep breath. Sometimes their father was awfully unfair with Mason...

* * *

Mary sat close to Mason in the hall and waited for the decision on her divorce. Mark was leaning on the window frame, looking at her. He felt sorry that he would lose her, but he consoled himself that at least he will receive the papers, and they are more important than Mary is. Yes and frankly speaking, he was bored with his "married life". He didn’t feel any special passion for her, especially after the accident. In the first moments when he has seen her in that hospital, he has even entertained the silly idea of informing Mason, but then he remembered everything Mason did to him, and decided to revenge. In addition since Mary was absolutely depended on him in their marriage. In that moment she was an ideal choice. Who could have known, that she will not necessary...
The door opened.
"Mr. and Mrs. McCormick, go in."
Mason woke up and wanted to get in after Mary, but she suddenly stopped him. "There’s no need, Mason, I can handle it."
"Are you sure?" Mason looked at her with a mixture of feelings, mistrust and pleasure. Mary was returning to herself (the way she was before the accident) more and more with every moment that passed.
"Yes. Stay here, please."
"OK," Mason followed her with his sight and sat again. After a couple of minutes when he stared stupidly at the door as if he could see what was taking place behind it, he took out his cell phone and dialed the number.
"Joe? Do you have everything ready?"
"Yes. The documents are ready; you can come and take it away."
"Later, I am not in California now. Did you find out the fact that I’ve asked you?"
"I will tell you in private. Inform me when you will return. Everything has turned out much more difficult than we thought."
"OK," Mason disconnected and nervously looked at his watch. How much time can this process take??
After 15 minutes the door opened, and Mark and Mary were out.
"Mary? Are you OK?" Mason went towards her.
"Yes," she smiled tiredly. "It’s all over ... Everything."
Mason took her new papers from her hands and carefully read them.
"Yes," he nodded. "Now everything is over, almost everything anyway."
Mary looked at him with fear.
"Yet Dr. McCormick should sign this document here," Mason gave the double sheet to Mark. Mark took the papers, read it and looked at Mason somewhat surprised.
"Are you out of mind?"
"I am not. But you will not receive those papers, if you will not sign it."
Mark turned purple with rage, span the sheet, quickly put his signature and throw it to Mason. Mason pick up papers peacefully, then got convinced that Mark signed exactly where he should have and put it in his pocket.
"Mary, wait for me outside--" Mason told her with a firm tone. Mary wanted to tell him something, but then just kissed him and left.
Mark looked at his watch nervously and stretched his hand.
"Documents!"
Mason combined hands on his chest and shook his head smiling.
"WHAT the hell??? You vowed me!"
"I’m taking back my words. You will not receive any papers."
Chapter 22 — Dangerous Games

Mason’s choice of words affected a blast. Mark’s eyes became filled with blood, and he hardly restrained himself from rushing to Mason. It took Mark all his will power to suffice in muttering: "You do not understand whom you are dealing with."
"I do understand, too well."
Mason looked directly at him and continued. 
"I am not a fool, McCormick. Did you think, I turn over these documents and wouldn’t understand WHAT it is? It doesn’t take a genius to understand that you are connected to the illegal suppliers of bodies for transplantation and these papers proof this."
"It proves nothing. It doesn’t have my name of it."
"But it has your signature. Don’t cheat, McCormick. You lost."
"What do you want? Money?"
"Of course I don’t," Mason shook his head. "I don’t need money and I sure won’t be taking any from you. Actually I demand only one thing — you must keep yourself away as further away from Mary as possible."
"You are a blackmailer! You don’t have the rights to demand this!"
"Don’t speak about rights, Mark!" Mason made a step to him and stayed close. As he start talking his eyes became to radiate with hate. "Mary has the right to a peaceful life, which means a decent distance from you."
"Damn you! They will kill me, if I won’t bring the papers today until 6 o'clock."
Mason looked at his watch.
"Well it’s already ten minutes to six, so you are late in any case. It is time, Mark."
Mark waited a few seconds, and then put his hands deep in his pockets and went to the exit of the building.
"Don’t," Mason stopped him. "Don’t go through these doors. Through those," he waved his hand in the direction of distant doors of the building.
Mark exhaled noisily and emphatically passed past Mason to other exit.
"Mark..." Mark stopped, but did not turn towards Mason. "Go away from Santa Barbara as far as you can--"
Mason could tell him only these words. He understood that these dealers do not joke and that Mark is in real danger. However McCormick has tightened the loop on his neck by himself, Mason could not take a responsibility for it. He should care about Mary and children...

* * *

Mary sat in Mason’s car and nervously waited for Mark to leave. In fact seeing Mark made her less afraid of him, but not completely. She was still afraid of this person.
At last the door opened, and Mason left the building. He hurried to the car, opened the door and climbed inside.
"It’s all over, Mary!" He turned and kissed her. "Everything is finished, and we can go back! Home."
He started the car and drove with high speed to the airport.

* * *

Kelly was nervous. Someone has called Mason’s phone for 4 times already and a menacing voice demanded some papers. In the first time she was late to reach the phone and the answering machine took the message. After that she was afraid to pick up the receiver. She decided to let these people to think that no one is at home. She already scolded herself for the 100-th time for the fact that she didn’t accept Mason’s request and didn’t took away the children right away.
The day has soon turned into evening, and she became even more and more nervous. Suddenly her cell phone rang.
"Kelly, it is Mason. Are you OK?"
"Yes, we are Ok! It’s just--"
"What? Is something wrong?" Mason alarmed.
"No, everything is Ok. It’s just... Chip does not like the spinach that I fed him," Kelly was surprised from the lie she told. In her mind she was thinking with fear "What am I doing! I need to tell him about these calls. "
"Have you eaten this spinach yourself?" Mason laughed. "Actually it tastes awful! Don’t worry, we will be back soon!"
"When?" Kelly held on to his words. "When will you return?"
"Tomorrow in the afternoon. There are no tickets on the next flights, so we will spend the night in a hotel. Take care of my children, Kelly!"
"And you'll be careful too!" Kelly has just finished saying this as she heard short hooters. "What have I done?" She said desperately.
Chapter 23 — Things Which We Can To Do

After finishing conversation with Kelly, Mason turned back to Mary, who left from bathroom, wiping her wet hair.
"Are they OK?"
"Yes, they are. Chip and Sammi in CC's house, they are in safe."
"And if they would at your apartment... They would be in any danger?"
Mary concern looked on him. 
"Mason, what is wrong?" Mason was silent. "Mason! I want to know! Now!" The voice of Mary begun to sound so nervous, because pressure of the last hours had effect on her. 
Mason turned away and told: "I don't give back papers to Mark."
"What??" the word sounded as a cry, Mary turns his face to her. "What you did? You deceived him???"
"I could not differently act," Mason softly taken off her hands and came to the window. 
"Should deceive him?? Mason, what you done!"
"I could not give back papers to him. If you want to know why I did this?"
Mason turned and looked in Mary's pale face.
"These were documents on payment of large sums for illegal sale of bodies for transplantation."
Mary's mouth became as letter "O' and her eye as a glass... Mason hardly was in time to pick up her, when she lost consciousness.

* * *

Kelly sat and looked at the phone which doesn't call already long time. "If yet five minutes it don't call, I will take children in the dad's house," she decided, but just in this moment the phone is call again. Kelly was filled by despair. "What I must to do? What I must to do?" ringed in her head.
Passed still painful half-hour, and Kelly heard door's bell. She becomes clenched on the sofa. Now they will break open the lock and--
"Kelly? Kelly, you are there?" the familiar voice was suddenly called her outside.
"Cruz?" Kelly plow up the door and embraced him. "My God, I so glad see you!"
"Kelly, what are you doing," Cruz begin but in this moment in unison crying babies. "Are you really babysitting with Chip and Samantha?" he was amazed.
"Yes, all three of us are danger! Cruz, help me! Help me to rescue these children!"

* * *

Mary became regain her conscious. The pale face of scared Mason was first thing which she seen.
"Mary, I am sorry! I did not must so scare you. All is all right, sweetie!"
"Mason," Mary is hardly sat. "What is happened?"
"You has lost consciousness because my stupidity."
"Because of... My God, you told that--"
"Don't think about this, Mary. All will be all right--"
"Surely, nothing will all right," she shook her head. "Mason, you told me the truth? Mark really connected with--"
"Yes. Now you understand why I could not just give back him these papers? These people need to be stopped, and if I returned it's to Mark, they have continued all than were busy earlier."
"Wait, but you have these papers now?"
"Yes. And as soon as we will return in Santa Barbara, I will hand it to police."
"But Mark... If you understand that they demanding these papers from him? They will kill him." Mary takes away from Mason.
"You don't leave a chance for him, are you understand this?"
"Why you protect this bustard? He so much hurt you!"
Mary was silent. Mason taken her face in his hands.
"Mary... Mark have a chance, he can escape from them... And people, whose bodies they sale, they will have any chances, if this horror don't stop. Mary, say me that you forgive me. Please!"
Mary kept silent, but embraced him for his neck. Mason's throat tickle. All because you, McCormick!
Chapter 24 — The Trouble Night (1 Part)

Mason sitting, leaning against the back of a sofa. Mary was with her head on his laps and sleeping. She falls asleep only now — after several hours of nightmares: as soon as Mason left her alone, she began to shout in sleeping. Eventually Mason sits beside her and embraced her. Exhausted Mary just fallen asleep. Mason damned himself for the fact that he told to her the truth, but he still keep in mind that the unpleasant secret already once hardly destroy their, because he just could not keep silent.
Mary a little stir and Mason stroked her head. She smiled and moves her lips.
"Dad... Daddy, why you leave? I made something wrong?"
Smile leaving her face.
"Daddy, when you will return? Daddy? Daddy, where are you!?"
The last words were just the sadly cry and Mason pass by his hands on her face.
"Mary! Mary, wake up!"
"What?" Mary opened her eyes and absently looked at him as if she sees through Mason. However in a few seconds her sight becomes normal. "Mason? How long I slept?"
"A few hours."
Mason tries imperceptibly stretching his numb legs, but Mary notes his moving.
"Mason, sitting you here all time while I slept, is you?"
"Well... Yes I do. But you stopped her nightmares," he smiled.
Mary fast moved away and guiltily looks as he stretches himself.
"I am sorry."
"Its OK," he looks at his watch. "First hour after midnight. We are full night-birds both--"
"Mason--"
"What is it, Mary?" Mason instantly worried. If she wants to start talking about Mark again?
But Mary started talking about different things.
"Mason, what we will to do now?"
"What you mean? We will get married. Or you... Want you to think?" with some fear he assumed."
"Of course I don't," Mary smiled. "I do not want to think about. But if you understand, what we can not just get married, while I am considered dead? And what you will tell to your relatives?"
"With today day — that is with yesterday's day — you again are officially accepted in the world alive," Mason looked in her eyes. "Still in Santa Barbara I asked one person to do this, and today while we were in court, he informed me that everything is made. We can get married though now."
"Already? But unless for this purpose my presence, my signature at last is not necessary?"
"No. In our state it is not obligatory. Mary, if you are unpleasant that I made this?"
"Of course I am not. I have no any wish to pass this procedure."
"I am glad. And if we both unable to fall asleep now, let's go in a night cafe? And I got hungry," guilty smiled Mason.
"Let's go," Mary laughed, and they left.

* * *

"Kelly, I want to know, what this entire means?" CC almost shouted.
"Daddy, you will wake up the children," Kelly said almost automatically because she have been say this not in the first time for the evening.
"In this house," CC expressively led round by his hand the huge living room, "is hardly. But kitty, why you do not want to tell, where is now Mason and who is his enemy?"
"Because I vowed that I don't."
"To whom? To Mason?"
"No. But this is unimportant. The main here that I promised."
"Kelly, we want to help Mason," Cruz interrupted. "Or you do think otherwise?"
"Of course I don't."
"Then tell us. Without details, just the main core. Who is Mason's enemy?"
Kelly becomes unsteady.
"I think... I think that he is Mark," she surrendered at last.
"What is Mark?"
"Mark McCormick."
"McCormick? But why? He left from the city long time ago."
"I do not know. I know only that Mason gone in Las Vegas to be seeing him."
"Kelly, are you seriously?"
"Yes. And you know what I think? That the Mason's ex-car, which I taken and it later was blown up, was detonated by him too."
"But for what he can do this? Really he wants to revenge Mason after all passed time? I do not believe that Mason can to contact with this crazy man again."
At the moment phone-call was interrupted him. CC picks up the receiver.
"CC Capwell. Yes. Yes, he is my son. No, you cannot communicate him. He is out of the city. What?" he sharply turned back and shocked look at others. "Seriously? Yes, I understood. Not, there anybody was. Thanks.
He hanged up and spoken by complete silence of others:
"It was Mason's house owner. His apartment had the explosion. They wanted to know whether there was no anyone--"
"My God!" exclaim Kelly. "Cruz, Thank God that you came in time! I still was there together with the children if you don't!"
Chapter 24 — The Trouble Night (2 Part)

"... Mason, stop to look at me by the way. You make me uncomfortable," voice's Mary taken away Mason from his thoughts.
"I am sorry."
"You spoke that you are extreme hungry. And you ate almost nothing."
"Overwise you didn't the same," Mason's eyes flashed in seconds. "I never imagined that you can are so much hungry in far for midnight. Mary? What is wrong?"
"Just... I just thought--"
"About?" Mason was concerned.
"Never mind," Mary smiled. "It was unimportant. Mason, if you not seem that we need to have a rest today?"
"It seems to me. Let's go to sleep."
Mason put some cash on their table and they go out. Mary just goes back to the hotel, but Mason kept her by her hand.
"Lets caught some fresh air. You just look around. What is perfect night!"
"It is very quiet. Even too."
"The too quiet anything cannot be."
"Can be. Mason, I am worry," Mary suddenly said. "It seems that a bad thing comes to us."
"There are not any bad things. My God, I hugging you and still I do not believe that you are not my dream! You are too good for being the truth!"
"I don't sure that I am too good, but I am the truth," Mary giggling. "But if you do not believe in my being, I will try to prove you that I am real."
She bring her face to the Mason's face and become kiss him. Mason very passionately answered.
"Mason, we have around people!"
"Forget! Nobody around!"
"Mason!" Mary pushes out him."
"OK, OK. Look, we are just as two teens," he laughed.
"I would like to become be teenager again and to relive my past," Mary becomes sad. 
"But then we can never met each another, and I cannot image that I could don't meet you. Mary--"
"What?" Mason's face was so close that Mary feeling his breath.
"Mary, I wanted to ask--"
"Go on," Mary told when she seen that Mason stopped in hesitating. "About what you want to ask me? About Mark?" she assumed.
"Not. About your father," Mason finally said. "Who was he?"
"About my father?" Mary puzzled repeated. "But why you wonder about him?"
"Just think that I want to know absolutely all about you."
"But I can almost nothing to tell you about him. I do not almost remember him. I was just six years, when he died."
"I am sorry, I did not want--"
"Its OK, just I do not really know that I can to tell you."
"Well, and it is not necessary. Forget. OK, Mary, lets go to sleep."
"OK."

* * *

"Mason's sell phone does not answer," Kelly said already in the fourth time. "Probably, he switched off it."
"You are sure that he could not be at home when there was this explosion?"
"I am sure. Dad, I talked with hum for a pair of hours up to this. He was not going to come before next morning."
"But you something hiding, it is clear. Kelly, all are already too serious for play in games.
"To hold the promise is not the game. Daddy, Mason will arrive in the morning, and you will ask him about everything."
"Where he will arrive? Kelly, think, please, what is he will see when he will return?"
"But we all the same can not communicate him, am I correctly? Even if I would tell you who are person with him we're unable to warn him."
Cruz comes in the living room.
"The apartment had nobody," he informed Capwells and the sigh of relief pass on the room. "Kelly, I need to talk with you. Accompany me to my car, OK?"
"OK.
They left out.
"Kelly, it seems to me that I know for who you given the promise to speak nothing."
"And for whom?" Kelly did not trust Cruz yet.
"This person was Mary, correctly? Mary Duvall who thought is dead."
"How you can found out about?" Kelly's eyes become wide in surprising.
"You mean that I am right--" Cruz gone deeply in his thoughts. "OK, let's go as it is going. I saw documents where her name appeared. Mason submitted on restoration her in the civil rights," he answered on asking Kelly's sight. "I hope that he know that he doing--"
"You are against Mary?" Kelly choked with anger.
"I don't, just I meaning another idea. OK, I need to go. Tell me if there'll news from your brother, OK?"
Cruz disappeared in darkness of the night, and Kelly in silence returned to the house. The situation became more and more strange.
Chapter 25 — Home, Sweet Home...

Mason and Mary approached to Santa Barbara. Already coming midday, because Mason decides doesn't wake up Mary early in the morning and let her to sleep well.
"Mason, look!" Mary even rise in her car's place. "What is horror!"
Mason is sharply stopped after looking there, where she showed. Windows of his apartment were covered by soot, and all show signs that yet recently there was happened the large fire.
"Children!" escaped from Mason. Mary turned pale. "My GOD, how I can thank that I asked Kelly to take away them in the father's house! It is terribly to think what would be happened if..."
Mason cannot say until the end, because Mary becomes weak and almost lost consciousness.
"Mary, Mary! It is OK! They were not there. They were not."
Mary straightened, grip by her hand for his shoulder. Her face began to turn in normal colors.
"Stay in the car, please? I will back soon."
And Mason comes to the house in fast steps. After short conversation with the owner of the building, he returned to Mary.
"What was happened there?" Mary stood near the car and with fear looked at him.
"The explosion. In the last night."
"Is the people...? They did this. But how they can to found out where are we?"
"Mark," Mason compressed his lips. "There is only one explanation. They found him and he told them.
"And what are we can to do?" Mary almost cried.
"We have only one chance. To surrender for my father and ask him to give us the refuge in his house," Mason look past her. "I never thought that I will do like this but I need — for the sake of you and children nevertheless."
"Are you thinking that your father will agree?"
"Yes. He adore when someone go to begging him."
"Mason... I am sorry that I involved you in all this terrible things," Mary glanced in his face. He smiled.
"You need excuse me for my dammit adventurism. If I did handed Mark to police as I need to do, or even just give back him these papers, an anything like this there did not taken place."
"How you can know... Though may be there is something positive too."
"And what is it?" Mason with interest looked at Mary.
"May be at last you will reunite with your father?"
"Mary... Actually you still do not absolutely change!" Mason's eyes are flashed in a second. "OK, let's go. We will look, whether if so my father is noble, as you think about him."

* * *

"CC, stop to run on the house, you make me mad!" Sophia already some upset looked at CC. "Mason was not there so it is OK."
"What is OK?? Nothing can be OK, if my carelessly son's apartment was blown by someone, we have not an idea where he is, and his children is here and they is out of his care!" CC was in rage.
"If you remember that you by yourself offered him to take care about Chip and Samantha?"
"Of course, they are my grandsons. But I should know that Mason will show self as he can! How he could contacted with these criminals!"
"Why you think that he has any contact with criminals?"
"His apartment was blown. If you need more stuff?"
"Yes, of course. Kelly knows something about the person who accompanies Mason and if she protects this person, I think it meaning, we know this person. This was someone, who deserving of our protection."
"Kelly is very inexperienced in real life. She is yet absolutely child, and Mason just uses her in the purposes. Now I will call to Stalson. I need to secure the children. They are not guilty that they have Mason as their father!"
"CC," Sophia's up and stunned looked at him. "You are... Tell me that you don't going to do the thing about I think?"
"I do not know about what you think, but I want to start the trial trusteeship. Chip and Samantha should be in safety, which Mason cannot give them."
"CC, you don't dare! About you think! Want you to turn in orphans our grandsons?"
"They will not the orphans in my house. And if they will stay with Mason they will become the orphans exactly."
"CC!" Sophia helplessly looked him when he going to out. "My God, don't let him to make the thing which just ruin our family," escaped from her. "It would be just awfully!"
Chapter 26 — Home Is Where The Heart Is

Mason's car come approach to Capwell house and Mason became gloomier. Mary suppressed was silent. She still felt her fault for Mark's actions.
"Mason--"
"What?" he turned his anxious and sad face to her.
"Mason, what is you think about?
Mason sighed and answered the truth.
"I think about that my father will tell me when he will see me. Of course he already informed about the explosion."
"He will be glad to know that you do not injure!"
"And dam me because that I allow this, Mary. And what do my father will able now know only God."

In this moment they already can see Capwell's house and Mason broken off, driving out from the ocean avenue. He stopped his car, climbs out and helped Mary to out.
"Now we are here. The finish. The way back already is not for us. We must go in, Mary."
"Mason, wait!"
"What is wrong?"
"Lets we will stand here for a minute, please. I just need a minute before we come in."
Mason surprised move by his shoulders.
"OK."
He looks at the view of park around Capwells' estate. Then he looked at the belvedere and moves his eyes to Mary. And he smiled.
"Yes, I everything remember too. We spent so wonderful time together in that time!"
"While I was last stupid and damaged all. I have only one apology — I was not normal stupid, and I was the-stupid-in-love!"
Mary laughed.
"We will go," she told. "We must go to your father."
She taken Mason's hand and after few steps bravely pushed the heavy door.

* * *

The hall was empty. But in other side everything was as before. Mary examined well familiar walls and again wonders to how poorly change the world in past year. However something new she can see then. Eden's photo in the mourning framework on the table.
Mary approached to it.

"Mason, how she can die--"
"Eden was lost in air accident this winter."
"Mason, I am so sorry! She was your sister. Like Christie for me."
"I know," Mason sadly smiled. "I miss her now too, though a lot of time passed already."
Mary embraced him.
"A time will treat you."
"Mason! Thank God, you are OK!" Rosa hastened to him, but she suddenly stopped. She was shocked. "Mary?!"
"Yes," Mason answered before Mary can say something. "She is Mary. Don't afraid, Rosa."
"But how she--"
"I do not know how, but she is alive. To my improbable happiness!"
"I am very glad to see you again, Mary!" Rosa embraced her.
"Me too!" Mary smiled.
"Rosa, where is my father?" Mason interrupted them. "I need to talk with him."
"CC's in the study. But he is--"
"Mad," Mason finished for her. "I do not doubt. But thank you for warning. You always this did, right? The most time of my childhood."
"Your father is not evil after all," Rose stroked his shoulder. "Though he have the very difficult character."
"And when he completes will eat me, if you speak the same?" Mason dry smiled. "OK, I need go to him. Mary, I will back soon! I promise."

* * *

Mason with decisive step come in the study. CC talked by the phone, but when he sees Mason — quickly hanged down.
"Аha. You are at home at last," his voice was angry, but in the deep can to feel the relief too. "And what are excuses you save for me in this time?"
Mason had no time to answer. The door open before Mason's back, and clearly trembling Mary's voice say/
"Everything's taken place because of me."
"Here is my excuse," Mason firmly told and embracing Mary, looked directly in CC's eyes.
Chapter 27 — And The Heart Is Not The Stone

At first CC's face is short flashed, and then turned pale. He silently looks in sparkling Mason's eyes and frightened Mary's, moving his sight with one to other.
"I demand of explanations," he rather sharply told to Mason. However Mary enters in the conversation again.
"Mr. Capwell, I would like to talk with you."
CC's sight became softer.
"There was a time when you named me just CC," he noticed and sitting in his chair he show to Mary and Mason at two chairs, which stood opposite his one. "But you are right. We need talk. The three of us," he throws still annoyed sight on his son.
"Well," Mason broken up the silence, when they were settled in their chairs. "What is you tell me, father? I am separating from again my family, right?"
Mary took his hand.
"CC, don't angry with Mason. He did this because of me. I am the cause that he put under dangers himself and his children," her voice become tremble.
"Not you, but Mark," Mason corrected.
"Stop, so will not go," CC shook his head. "Mason lets go from the very beginning. And don't dare to lay me."
"It was your prerogative usually," replied Mason. "OK, I starting--"

* * *

"... And then I decided that I can not give back to Mark those documents. This clinic has just monsters as doctors. If you can see those sums! Well, I pretended that I going to give back papers to McCormick and got him in Las Vegas to he can have divorce from Mary. He did."
"And then Mark told about everything to the mafia, and now they hunt you because you have deadly papers about them," CC finished before Mason can do this by himself. "How you can get an idea to release this rapist?"
"Dad!" Mason noticed that Mary become pale.
"I am sorry, Mary. Just all told by Mason was the great shock for me."
"Its OK," Mary let off Mason's hand and straightened. "Mr. Capwell... CC. Can we have a talk? Alone."
CC nod. Mason concerned looked at her. Mary squeezed his hand.
"Don't worry, I am OK. Go. Let's go."
Mason unwillingly risen up. After some times looking back to her he left out. CC peering looked at Mary.
"If you want to talk about something then is not the last events? Not about Mark and his dirty businesses, right?"
"Yes," Mary shook her head. "Not about its. Though I am very sorry that Mason now in the center of all these.""
"He loves events like these. Well, what you want to tell? Though I can guess. About Mason's serious intentions?"
"Yes," Mary directly looked at CC. "He wants to marry me. I understand that you hardly can accept me as your daughter-in-law, but--"
"Mary," CC's risen up and after going around of the table, he came closely to her. "I many times spoke that I feel you as my own daughter. Why do you think what something changed now?"
"Excuse me CC, but you spoke many things. A lot of time passed."
"And there are nothing for can be changed. I think that you are the best woman for Mason. I thought this before the tragedy and I continue to thing this now."
"You told me the truth now?" Mary confusedly looked at him. "Are you really think that I can be good wife for Mason?"
"Yes," CC nodded. "Moreover if Mason will dare poorly with you, I am--"
"Sorry," Mary interrupted him. "But what were your thoughts about Mason's wife Victoria?"
"If you already knew about her? I was not fan of Victoria Lane, but there were many hard reasons for me."
"And what is about Julia?"
"Mary, why you asking me about? It seems to me that I must consider as the best wife for my son as Victoria or Julia? Why you doubt in my words?"
"I do not know," Mary poorly smiled. "Excuse, I need to go to Mason. He probably already becoming mad because his worrying about me. He is awfully afraid you."
"Mason?! He don't care even own devil... Mary! O My God!"
Last words were escape from CC, when he see that Mary who coming to the door. She's shudders and starts to fall. CC rushes to her and hardly was in time to pick up her. Mary was in the deep faint.
Chapter 28 — Surprise, Surprise!

CC hardly was in time to put Mary on a sofa as the door open and Mason rush in the study. Seeing Mary without consciousness he lost his control.

"What did you to her?!" it was even not a shout, but a roar of injured lion. "Get out her!"
"Mason, she needs a doctor!"
"Get Out! Mary, Mary! Wake up! I begging you, please" Mason bits his lower lip and stroked her hair. "Mary..."
Mary moving, her eyelids start to tremble.
"Thank God, she is wake up!"
"I called our doctor," CC came to Mason. "She is being need in--"
"She does need nothing from you! What did you with her!?"
"I did nothing wrong with Mary. Mason, come on! What for me to cause any pain to her?"
"And what for you cause any pain to me? Whole my life--"
"Mason," they heard Mary's weak voice. "Don't tell this."
"Mary," Mason instantly forgot about his father. "Mary, how are you? The doctor will arrive soon. Very soon."
"I am OK," Mary hardly sat. "Mason, why you so are frightened! Remember, I already be happened something like this."
"What?" CC angered interrupts their conversation. "Mason, if she already had faints and you did not called a doctor for her?! What about you thought! And yet you speak that you love her!"
Mason clench his teeth and risen, blocking by himself Mary. In this moment CC's private doctor came in the study.
"What was happened here?"
"My fiancée lost consciousness," Mason is up from the sofa, giving him to come to Mary.
"My God!" the doctor stopped in a stone's throw away and stares with shock. "Who is she?! Mary???"
"Yes, I am. Hello, doctor," Mary tried to up, but Mason jumped up to her and forced to sit her again. 
"Dr Lewis, what was happened with her?"
"Yet I don't know. I need to examine her and I cannot do this here. Mr. Capwell, can we occupy any room of this house?"
"Yes, of course. Let's go.
Carefully supporting Mary, Mason finished her up to his former room and put on the bed.
"Perfectly. But you, Mason, need to wait in the hall," Lewis added. "And do not worry so hard, Mason. She will be OK."
"I sure," Mason through teeth spoken after angry looking at his father, who stay in the hall near the door. But he left submitting the order of the doctor.

* * *

Passed about half-hour before the door of Mason's former room again opened. Mason already completely got over worry and consequently literally rushed to Dr Lewis.
"How she doing?"
"She is OK, don't worry."
"But what about her faints? Listen, she had ones earlier too--"
"Faints are not rarity in her situation."
"What?"
"You will be father, Mason. And even soon."
The doctor smiled, passed past him and quietly addressed to CC, who stood in the hall together with Sophia.
"Mr. Capwell, I would like to talk with you."
"Mary?" Mason unsurely said and peek in the deep of the room, where Mary sat on the bed and timidly smiled. "Mary?"
He come to her and sits beside.
"We will have a baby?" at this moment he was look alike a child, who was promised to show alive Santa Claus.
"Yes, we will have a baby," Mary smiled, seeing the blessed horror on Mason's face. "But you already have babies, why you so strange look at me?"
"I do not know. Just it is so UNEXPECTED Mary... And you already knew, are you? If you knew that you are pregnant?"
"Well, I was not sure but I guessed. You see, woman can feel such things."
"My God," fully childishly escaped out from Mason. "I just cannot believe in this."
As her answer Mary taken his palm and put it on her tummy. Mason lifted his head and looked at her face. He was quite happy.
"I love you," he whispered for some reason.
"I you love too," Mary whispered too and then passionate kiss him.
Chapter 29 — Home's Affairs

"I am glad that you agree with me," Dr Lewis shake CC's hand and left. Sophia steadfastly looked at CC.
"CC, what you are going to make?"
"Now I don't sure," he touched his chin as he was in deep of his thoughts.
"I meaning that now you already don't going to demand trusteeship for Chip and Samantha? I think that Mason was just a sort of a knight on a white horse," she smiled. "And you, CC, soon will get one more the grandson."
"Or the granddaughter," CC corrected her. "No recently I don't going to submit on a trusteeship. But what is the mess got involved Mason!"
"I doubt that you would act differently, if you were in his situation."
"If I thought that I lost you... Dammit, I think that I could be! But this does not justify Mason."
"I go to Mary," Sophia was up. "CC, I ask you to be more gently with Mason."
CC shrug by his shoulders.

* * *

"Mason, you already near 20 minutes staring at me and be silent. You make me to feel uncomfortable."
"I am sorry," Mason embraced Mary and nestled his chin on her shoulder. "I am sorry; I didn't think that you can feel like unpleasant by my acts." He moves away. "It seems to me that Dr Lewis said you that you need to have a rest."
"Yes, he did," Mary relaxed recline on pillows.
Mason smiled.
"Again you are in my former room, and again you are on my bed."
Mary chortle.
"I never forget the expression of your face, when you saw me then."
"You think that I could forget this? I thought that I am crazy when I saw you and Gina. Side by side."
Mary laughed, and Mason laughed too though be was some sad because his past memory about Gina.
"Lie down and sleep," Mason kiss Mary in her lips and left out the door.
He had no time to make even several steps as met with Sophia.
"Mary needs to have a rest," he informed her sternly. "This was told by Dr Lewis, and I will take care that his instructions were completed."
"OK, I will go to her later. Mason, what are happened with you? Why you are so angry?"
Mason does not answer. He went past his step-mother and step down on the first floor. He wanted to make clear things with CC for all.

* * *

The Patriarch of family Capwell was in the study and talked on the phone.
"Yes, Cruz. You correct. How you think how much time it will take? Yes. Well, keep me informed."
CC hanged down and looked Mason who just comes in. Mason squeezed himself up under father's sight.
"We need to talk."
"We need," CC nod and with gesture shown him to sit. Mason shake by his head and leant against a jamb.
"Tell if you have what to tell," CC reclined on back of his armchair.
"I have," Mason looked past his father. "I want to clear the situation. Mary, my children and I arrived to your house temporarily. I could not allow that they were exposed to danger. But as soon as everything will be finished, we again return at home.
"Well," CC linked fingers and looked at Mason. "And if you think that hunt on yours can continue for many years? Mafia, who think that you passed his way, hardly just release you for free live.
Mason turned pale, but answered.
"Yes, I thought about this. But I cannot change anything. And even if I could return in past, I could hardly act differently. But this question is hypothetic. Now here we have another problem. If you want to tell that you give us a shelter on strictly limited term?"
"No. But is very probable that you need to live in this house for enough many time. If you are ready for this?"
Mason moved his sight to CC.
"I love this house," he told bitterly. "And I always loved it. And you always used it, when you wanted hit me more painfully."
"You behaved is inexcusable!" CC jerked up. "And in the last time I did not turn out you! You left by your own wish."
"Yes, I left not waiting while you will point me out."
Mason broken off. He was silent as far as long that CC already wanted something to tell. However Mason nevertheless started talking first.
"Dad, I very love Mary. I can not live without her. And I do not want that the life in your house become for us so insufferable that we need to leave."
"It will not become insufferable, if you will not do it such," CC inclined toward his head. "Mason, what you want?"
"Guarantees," he directly told. "Guarantees that you will not point to us out. On what term you permit to us be here?"
"Mason!"
"What Mason?"
"Mason and what you will to do, if I don't give you any guarantees?"
Mason compressed his teeth.
"We should need to search other safe place for us."
"If you meaning that you are ready to put in a risk Mary's and children's lives?"
"Some of risk here will be in both cases. So you speak "No"?"
"I don't tell this. Mason, why you seem that between us surely will be a conflict?"
"By my experience," he gloomy answered. "Well what is your last word?"
"Yes, live how many as yours want. Mason, do not make a mountain out of a molehill!"
"Don't avoid my question."
"I do not avoid. OK, if you so want... You can live in this house so much as how you will be need. You and rest of your family. You are pleased?"
"No. You guarantee that you will not out us if you find something unpleasantly in me in the next time?"
"Well, all depends from what is you do. If you again will have an affair with Gina--"
"Dad!"
"Or if you do anything like this any my guarantees will not help to you. Or if you will offend Mary, don't wait a kind of mercy from me."
"OK, I agreed."
Mason deeply sighed and lead out the door. But just at the door he stopped.
"Father, what Cruz told to you?"
"He said that tomorrow in the morning they will be ready to take away your papers. Probably, tomorrow everything will be finished."
"Probable," Mason repeated and left the study.
Chapter 30 — When Candles Are Out All Cats Are Grey

The night comes in Santa Barbara. The Capwell's house seems stunned as if it strained waiting any dangerous event.
In Mason's bedroom was stuffy. Mary carefully got out under Mason's hand and go to the bathroom. After washing her face with cold water she felt better and returned to the bed. She lies down and Mason put his hand on her again. Mary turned to him and looked at him. Mason's face was quiet, but he did not smile. Mary sighed and after turn over to her side, she become slowly falls asleep.
She wakes up because so loud crash and flares that she even thought that began thunder-storm. Mary sitting on the bed. Mason was not beside her, and the door in the hall was open. Mary heard shouts and shots somewhere below floor. Where is Mason? What was happened with him??
Mary runs out in the hall. It was empty, but all so frightening her sounds at once become louder. A shot sounded again as it seemed to her absolutely under her nose, then was followed illegible shouts and team among she recognized Mason's angered voice.
The first her thought was "He is alive! He is OK" but then Mary was captured with the panic. Hardly understanding where she run, Mary rushed to the ladder and going up to the attic as in darkness touching by her hands hand-rail of ladder. The attic has the smell of a dust, and its air was frowzy, but at least here was quiet and twilight.
Mary was terribly afraid; she squirms before the pile of any dusty floor-coverings and even was afraid to lift her head. Passed five minutes then yet as much. Mary's fear beginning gradually to leave her. Mary cautiously is up. Everything was quiet and she feel self a stupid. Why she was frightened? What for her hiding here? She going a few steps, intending to be lowered downwards, but touched by her leg any heap of things and its fallen on the floor. Mary bending to lift falling things. A few books, papers...
Suddenly her eyes become wider — Mason looked at her from the old photo. Mary taken the photo and approached to the window for get lighter. Mason-boy was look-alike only with a small part at Mason-adult, but his eyes don't changed by 20 years. The shot was non-professional. It was made by anybody from Mason's relatives and because was very realistic. The head was some turned, lips which sometimes stretched to just charming smile was compressed in the thin line and hardly seen, and his eyes were huge with beginning and worried look. She wonders who photographed him.
Mary already wanted to put things on its place as suddenly she paid attention to one of them. The knitted light-blue baby-shoe. She feeling that inside her set out warming, and then involuntary put her hand on her yet completely flat stomach.
"Mary!" Mason's voice stunned her so that she in fact hardly falling. "Mary, Thank God!"
He run in and embraced her. Mary felt that his hands are trembling.
"Mason, what is happened?"
He moved away.
"These idiots tried to take over this house. They did not obviously represent how guarded is such house as the house of CC Capwell."
"You are too frightened that I could consider that the anything not taken place."
"I was frightened when I realized that you are not here. Though certainly to battle with gangsters in the middle of the night do not was pleasures for me." 
"You battled with gangsters???
Mason smiled.
"I am not. But I could."
"Don't dare. I want that our baby live with both parents. And if you will display your heroism, he will know his father only by photos," Mary's voice grown dull. "Not risk without reasons, OK?"
"I was not going!" Mason embraced her again. "Don't worry, I will much have time for until make to sick our son because my advices that he can go in Harvard only."
Mary chuckle. And then yielding any internal impulse she showed him light-blue baby-shoe.
"Whose was it?"
"Where you found it?" Mason surprised take by his two fingers the cute thing.
"Here," she showed on the heap of things. "Well whose it is "footwear"?"
"My one," squeezed out Mason confusing.
"Is it???"
"Mary!"
"Well, forget it. But look here, I found more one," she put on his photo, which she looked earlier. "How many years you have here?"
"I do not know 9-10 probably. I don't look-alike myself," he informed her look at the dusty shot.
"On the contrary I think that you look-alike just very much here. I wonder who shoot you then."
"My father," Mason at once replied. "Then he was busy with shooting of whole family. It was his hobby and he forbade others to shoot for not have the competitors."
"Actually forbade?"
"Almost. Well, we need go down. I want to have many night-sleeps instead of running on dusty attics."
"OK. Though I can care about myself by with my own powers."
Mason surprised turned to her and a few minutes steadfastly look to her face. Then he smiled and lead downwards as embracing her shoulders.
Through a few minutes they both already laid in bed. Mary cozy arranged her head on Mason's chest.
"Mason?"
"What?" he drowsily responded.
"Mason, I need to call my mother and inform her that I am alive."
"Tomorrow," he sleepy mumbled. "Everything will tomorrow."
Mary nestled her lips on his shoulder and fell asleep too.

The daybreak starting in Santa Barbara.
Chapter 31 — The Morning Of Surprises

"Mason, I do not want to be here as in prison!" Mary angry looked at Mason and got with her legs back on the uncovered bed.
There was of the half-eighth morning. She and Mason wake up almost simultaneously and already a quarter of hour has been not too productive discussion.
"I do not ask you to be here all day. I only want that today until 10 am you were in safe for these mobsters. I don't guess that I asking about so many."
"These mobsters will reach me if they will want," Mary bites her lip. "Look, I not going to go for a walk around. I just don't want to be in this room as in prison. Or you want that I start to hate it?"
"I do not want," Mason shook his head. "But for the safe, wait even more, OK? Busy yourself with something, read if you want. Can I bring books for you?" Mary awarded with her furious sight. "To the point, yesterday you seem wanted to call to your relatives?"
"I thought that you already were fall sleep."
"I did. But I remember all that was spoken at me, even when I am sleeping. Unless you did not know?" Mason's eyes flashed hardly appreciable.
Mary sat pout next half-minute and then burst out laughing.
"OK, I will do as you asking. But if you will come again with something like this--"
"I will not! Mary, you are wonderful!" Mason kiss' her in her lips. "To be here, I soon will come back!
With these words he is quickly run out, because he reasonably being afraid that she will think better of it, and locked the door.

Of course as soon as Mason locked her door, Mary at once regretted that she agreed to be jailer of this bedroom. She desperately wanted to bang in the door with her legs and hands and require that let out her.
For distracting Mary decide to call to her family and become slowly to dial the number her mother's home in Ventura Country. Slowly, because first she not so is good remembering it, and secondly because she did not know what she want to tell. Well this was Christy. She feels herself better for talking with her sister then with her mother.

However Theda answered: "Hello? Hello??"
"Mom?"
"What? Who is it? Tina if you are not, sweetie? You are poorly audible."
"No mom, it is Mary. Your daughter."
"My beloved daughter died more then full year ago. Your joke is very evil. Don't call here more."
"But mom..."

But in receiver begun to sound short hooters — Theda hung down. Mary overcome her trembling and dialed the number again. One hooter, two, and three... She already wanted to hang up as suddenly in the receiver something clicked and Mary heard a voice of her younger sister:

"Hello? Who is it?"
"Christy, it is me, Mary. Don't hang down please."
"I will not," she heard Christy's voice after the pause. "Mary! Say an anything. Please!"
"I will tell," Mary felt that tears run down over her cheeks. "I say many more. My little sister..."

The receiver dropped out of her hand, and Mary sobbing, nestled on the pillow. She did not understand, what is happened with her. The mother's voice and then sister's force her to feel herself a little girl again. The grief about her home never hurt her before, but now she just longing to return at home to her family. The tears run and run over her face. It seems that they will be never finished. However the ice hoop hurting her heart gradually becomes to melt down as well doing her ears. Mary falls asleep.
"Mary, what was happened?" Mason's worried voice wake up her. "Mary!" He embraced her.
"Got you bad news?" he pick up the phone's receiver on the floor.
"No," Mary gently moved away. "Just I fall through when I heard familiar voices."
"Did you cry?" he led with his hand over dried traces of tears on her cheek.
"A little," Mary rubbed her cheeks. "And how are you?" she worried looked at Mason. "If you were at the meeting with FBI's officers?"
"Yes I did," Mason deeply exhaled. "I handed documents to these guys. They know what is need to do with its. I think that now we can feel that we are free people."
"Actually? And what about gangsters? They... how they can find out that I have not these papers anymore?"
"And they already know."
"How?" Mary mistrustfully looked at Mason.
"They did As soon as I handed documents in hands of the agents, in the all California begun arrests. Probably we need for a pair of days to wait for a guarantee, but I think that they have more important business then we are now."
"A few days--"
"It seems to me that the couple of days alone with each other are in fact that most need for us. If you disagree?"
"I agree--" Mary began but at the point they heard a knock at the door.
"Come in," Mason called after throwing a fluent sight at Mary.
The door opened and Rose comes in.
"I am sorry, Mary. I did not meaning disturb you, but you have the visitor. 
"Me?!" Mary even risen up on the bed. "It probably is a mistake. Anybody does not know that I am here--"
"Mary?
Mary turned her head and seen for Rose's shoulder the small head of Christie.
"Mary???" eyes of younger sister widely opened, she looked at Mary with almost sacred horror.
"Yes, I am," Mary felt that her voice start to tremble again. "I am here." 
"Mary, you are alive! I knew that you do! I felt!"
Mary embraced Christie.
Chapter 32 — The Ghost From Past Or Just A Sort Of Mistake???

Seeing that Mary is busy with her sister, Mason quickly make off together with Rosa. He absolutely don't want to argue with Mary because her "capturing" in his room.

Mary noticed his going away, but now she would like to talk with Christie and don't stop him. The sister already did not look at Mary as if she was a ghost, but she cannot decide to start talking.
"I so happy you to see!" Mary takes her hands and settled near her sister on the sofa. "Tell me, how are you?"
"I am OK," Christie found her voice. "But you... how you can stay alive? We were told that you were dead."
"I do not know. I just was bring to any hospital, and then Mason found me," Mary don't want to tell about Mark and she, some palter, missed his role in these events.
"And all? So it is simple?" Christie mistrustfully looked at her.
"Not absolutely. But the rest it is unimportant. The lead is that I again see you," Mary smiled. "Tell me how you are living! What you doing?"
"Your guesses?" Christie suddenly snapped. "I am sorry," she fright stared wide-eyes at Mary. "Sorry, just this case is so unexpectedly for me."
"Not only for you," Mary sighed. "I mean the mom still is...?"
"Aha. Drinking and drinking, it is horridly. And her buddies... I do not want to remember," Christie shook her head.
"And what about you?"
"I work in the cafe as waitress. My payment is a little, but now I have some money for living. Mary!"
"What?" Mary worried looked at the sister because her voice.
"Listen me, OK? I need to tell you one deadly important thing!"

* * *

Having on his hands Chip Mason's downstairs in the hall room. There was CC who was talking to anybody by the phone.
"And when you will return? No, it is impossible, a new week more. Yes, but now I am the person who paying your accounts," CC finished and hung down.
"Who is it?"
"Ted. He comes back home tomorrow."
"Ted?"
"Yes, he is." CC suspiciously looked at Mason. "What is wrong?"
"Nothing. Just Mary's sister's visit."
"Her sister? Oh yes, Christie. And what's about?"
"I told you: nothing wrong".
CC shrug by his shoulders. Chip who sitting on Mason's hands now start to fudged. Seeing his cute face CC become smoother.
"And where is Sammi?"
"And before you tried to holding around the set of twins in the same time?" Mason answered by the question to the question. "Rosa's babysitting with her."

* * *

"I listen you," Mary worried look at Christie. "Something was happened?"
"Yes!" her sister mysteriously lowered her voice. "Mary, I saw our father about week ago!"
"What?" Mary even did not apprehend the question as Christie's words just shocked her.
"About week ago I SAW OUR FATHER," Christie separately repeated, for more gravity emphasizing each word.
"But dad... is dead for a long time," Mary shocked looked at her own sister. "Do you visit his grave?"
"Surely I don't. I saw him in our cafe!"
"Chris, you probably mistaken. He could not be our dad," Mary shook her head.
"But he was there," Christie biting her lower lip. "This person was look alike exactly as photos in our albums."
"But you are still mistaking. When dad is died you was so small for remember him but I was 6 and I remember his funeral. He is not alive, I sure."
"So you remember incorrectly. This person is our dad; he just cannot be anybody other. He is dad's copy," Christie persisted.
"Who is whose copy?" Mason come in and questionably looked at Mary.
"Christie believes that she saw our father," Mary said. She stands up and hugs him.
"I'm not believes!" Christie aggressively snapped. "If you do not believe me so I have the proof!"
Chapter 33 — Yes or Not?

"Do you have any proofs?" Mary interested looking at the sister. "And for that? You think that you can prove that our father is alive, right?"
"I can prove that this person is our dad," Christie replied. "I have his photo. Well, that man whom I saw in our cafe."
"Who gave it to you?" Surprised Mary even let off Mason's hand.
"Jimmy, he is the waiter," Christie slightly flushed and there become clear that Jimmy like to her. "He wants to become the photographer and shooting everything. He said that he makes better his ability. So he just shooting around when this man who's look alike our dad come in. He made these pictures for me. Look here."
Christie pulls out from her pocket the paper package for photos, and opens it. Three heads were declined above pictures.
The silence was broken by Mary.
"Yes, I can see that there is a similarity," she said thoughtfully.
"A similarity? Yes, he is similar at our dad as two drops of water! Look!" Christie put up her pictures closer to Mary's face.
"But if he is your father, why he does not contacted to you?" Mason asked. He's kept his silence till now.
"He cannot be our father! It is completely impossible," Mary shook her head. "I already spoke you, I attended at his funeral."
"But who is he then?" Mason taken the photo from Christie. "If you agree that this person is similar to your father?"
"I do not know, who he is, but he is not my father," Mary obstinately repeated.
"OK and if we come in from the other side? If you saw your father in the coffin, Mary? If you saw his face?
"I did, but only from a far place. And his face almost absolutely was not visible. But you cannot think that so much people could pretend playing funeral, cannot you?" Mary reflected.
"To pretend — hardly. But may be they were fooled? Look and why you do not want to ask your mother?"
Mary exchanged understanding sights with Christie.
"I don't," Mary shortly answered. "It is useless."
"But why? She must to know better then yours both do."
At this point they heard that the door is knocked.
"Come in," Mason turned his head.
On the threshold they saw Rosa.
"Mary, Mason, CC asks yours to downstairs to have dinner."
Mason looked back at Mary, and then nod.
"Yes, now we will come down."
"I need to go," Christie jumped up. "M-r Capwell don't like me ever,"   she ingenuously explained. "And to the point, where is Ted now?"
"He is out of city," Mason strictly answered. "I was glad to see you, Christie."
"It is good because it seems to me that soon we will become one family," she's spiteful and goes out after kissing her sister in the cheek.
Mary flushed after the last words of Christie. Mason noticed it, laughed and then hugs her.
"Your sister is very smart," he said with a wide smile.
"Really? And you don't notice this until now?"
"I noticed now," Mason smiled. "Our baby has all chances to become the genius! He or she have so much intelligence from own parents."
The last words have sounded so proud that Mary cannot help but chuckled. And then she seriously told: "Mason if you do not think what your words is not too good? I mean if you will to love our baby more than Chip or Samantha. It would be wrong."
He shook his head.
"I will love them equally. I will have not favorites as my father had!"
The last words were told with such passion and tension that Mary regretted that she start this subject.
"Well, we need to downstairs," she told and embraced him but as he continued to stand in the same place, she added: "I believe you. Our children will have happy life."
"I am glad that you so think," Mason's voice obviously show his large relieving. "You are right; we need go down to my father. I don't want to upset him from the very beginning of our stay in this house," he winks at her and by taking her hand Mason led Mary on the first floor of Capwell's house.
Chapter 34 — The Presentiment

"Mason--"
"What?" he was turned back, holding in hands his jacket.
Today was first quiet evening for them.
"I have some strange feeling," Mary said. She sat on the bed and embraced herself her shoulders by her hands.
"But why?" Mason surprised. "I guess that we are absolutely in the contrary case — now we already have not occasions for worry. Everything is well," he smiled and approached to her. He sat beside her and taken her hand.
But Mary keep be serious. She softly taken away her hand, and then was raised and come away to the window.
"Mary?" Mason becomes worried. "What is wrong?"
"I do not know," Mary stood, turning away from Mason, and examined brilliant backs of the books on shelves. "I do not know," she repeated and turned to Mason. Her eyes have been flashed in evening twilight.
Mason turn on the soft lamp on the table.
"Are you still afraid of these people?" he asked.
"I don't," Mary shook her head. "No, I was afraid, but about them. I am worried the case that Christie told me..."
Mason with facilitation smiled and again come to her.
"Mary, well... What is terrible thing even if this person was really your father? See, he surely is not a monster. He is not even CC Capwell."
"Your father is not a monster, Mason, but you already aware that. Look I am not afraid that my daddy will return back," her soft "daddy" for some reason make Mason to wince. "Just he is a strange part of the situation."
"What is it?" Mason embraced Mary and felt that she was wince. "If I made something wrong?"
"You don't," Mary embraced him as well and nestled her face on his shoulder. "You don't, I am sorry. I am nervous and I do not know it's a reason. However, all pregnant women become a somewhat nervous--"
"Do you feel bad yourself?" Mason scared. Mary silently shook her head. "Well... Tell me, what is wrong? What is matter? You frighten me!"
"Sorry. But it the picture which brought Christie. It is wake strange sensations in my soul," Mary said as if she slugged through a jungle when she trying to explain that she feels. "It reminded me of something that was forgotten for a long time. And this something is not too good," she sighed.
"You feel sad that you remember about your father?" Mason specified.
"No. He is not in my feeling now. It is connected to anybody others."
"Who is it?"
"I do not know, Mason, I can not explain it!" Mary's takes away from him and stands up; she embraced self for her shoulders. "Don't ask me more! I do not know that I feel!"
"I am sorry. Sorry," Mason repentance inclined his head. "I did not want that you become upset. If you forgive me?"
There was a silent minute.
"I forgive you," Mary relaxed and recline at back of bed. With her guilty she looked at him. "You forgive me too. I should not to shout at you."
Mason is sat near her again and delighted when she do not take away. He nestled his face on her hairs.
"I am so afraid that I can lose you," he admitted. "It is just make me a kind of crazy."
"Me too," his lip found her lips. "Me too."
The last words were dissolved in their long kissing of two madly loving persons.
Chapter 35 — Dead and Alive

One should think that the sunrise and bright solar day should make to disappear all fears and worries, but Mary doesn't feel like this. Almost. Because despite all troubles she have Mason, who care about her even over a measure.

"Mason, I want to visit my father's grave," Mary informed Mason at once after breakfast.
"It is good to wait a few more days," Mason inclined his head. "A danger is--"
"Mason, you too preserve me. So it is impossible more," Mary gave a quick kiss in his cheek and touch it with her hand. "I need to return to my normal life."
"I do not argue that you need it. But--" Mason already want to bring his arguments for the benefit of staying at home, however instead he unexpected for himself said: " But you even not cannot image how is difficulty for me to let out you even for five minutes. I have got used to be afraid for you."
"You need to wean too. You see I am alive; I can not be constantly beside you. Mason--"
"You are right, Mary. You are completely right. And now we going to visit Ventura Cemetery as you want. I need only leave a note for my father and to see at the children."
"We going together to them," Mary took his hand. "Let's go and she pulled out him to upstairs.

* * *

Near one hour later they already approached to Ventura's old cemetery. Mary climbs out of the car and slowly starts to walk on one of lanes. Mason walked some behind her, not letting out her hand. He don't like cemeteries, he have a crow to pick with its.
They had walking already about half-hour as suddenly Mary sharply turned and come to one of graves. Mason comes closer.

"Beloved husband, father and Brother Kenneth Duvall. Have a peaceful rest"

Mason caught self that he whispers these words which was written on the grave. He sharply looked back. Mary was not here!

* * *

"It cannot be! Cannot be! It is just a nightmare!"  At first minute these words running in Mason's head. "I am dreaming with the nightmare, and I wake up now!" he compressed his teeth until its pain and pinch own hand. He feels the pain! That means that he does not sleeping. And Mary really disappeared! God, what you doing with me?! Or all happened lately was just one large dream? He just dreamed that Mary is alive, and actually she is died? She comes in to his dreaming and he leaded her until... the cemetery? Surely it cannot be happened! Mary!
"Mary!!!"
"Mason, what is the matter?" worried Mary grabs his shoulder. "What? What is wrong? Something bad???"
Mason suddenly feeling as if a bright light appears outside after an impenetrable darkness. The horror was falling from him as if it was like ice crusts. His lips start to trembling, and he silently embraced Mary."
"Mason..."
Her voice a little bit returned him to the reality.
"M-Mary--" Mason even some stammering. "W-where y-you were?" he finally coped with trembling. "Where you were gone?"
He looks closely at her face.
"Mason, we need to talk! Not here, let's go to the car."
Mason suddenly realized that Mary is exited by something.
They returned to the car, but for some reason Mary do not wanted to climb inside. Mary leans on the car and look at Mason.
"What was happened? Where you were gone?" he repeated his question.
"I saw him!"
"Who? You meaning--" Mason hardly told "The Lord", but quickly in time come to the sense.
"The father! The person who Christie saw earlier!"
"Really?" Mason with great relief come back to the real life.
"Yes! And now I am not surprised that Christie thought that he is our father. He is really very similar."
"So you consider what your sister is right and your father is alive?"
"I do not know," Mary honestly said. "Until today's day I was sure that Christie just make mistake. I remember dad's funeral... I do not know whether he is our father or is not, but Mason, he came to my dad! Or, in any case, to any of nearer graves."
"If you seen him at your father's grave?"
"Not exactly."
Mary told him while Mason read the inscription on the grave Mary saw that the similarly looked person is going to their side. But just before she realized that he looked directly alike her father, this man noticed her and sharply turned in the opposite party. Mary walk to him, who changing his walking to running and quickly disappeared around the cemetery.
"Well, then I returned to you. I cannot follow him on the whole cemetery! And why you were so afraid?"
"I decided that the fact that you are alive was just my dream, and hardly gone mad in a few minutes!"
"I am sorry," Mary embraced him. "I am sorry; it was just so quickly happened. I had no time to think what it is."
"I am OK. It is my guilty that I am dismissed my nerves. You are here, you are alive!" he led with his hand on her hairs. Mary smiled.
"Alive, not doubts. Mason--"
"What?"
"Mason, I need to put on flowers--"
"I am sorry, surely you need! Let's go!" he guiltily looked at her and then smiled. "But no running out, OK?"
"Sure!" Mary with pleasure taken his hand which he stretched to her, and she walking side-by-side with Mason to her father's grave.

Chapter 36 — They Leave

"Mason, stop the car, please," asked Mary when they reach a halfway to Capwells house.
"What is matter? Something wrong?" Mason has stopped at a side of road. 
"No, exactly... I am OK. Just..."
Mason silently waits.
"I would not like to come back in your father's house," she said after a short pause.
"Why?" Mason inclined his head.
"There are many people. And everyone look at me as if I was a kind of a ghost. And I want be with you. Together and alone," Mary guiltily smiled.
"I want the same," Mason sincerely answered and smiled too. "Well, if you do not want going back in my father's house, where is you want?"
"No matter, if only I will with you and without any strangers."
"Well--" Mason hesitated. "Well, probably, we need be better to go to Tahoe. My father has the small bungalow in the very beautiful place here. Besides there we will can able to live be rather lonely and without risk of boring visits of neighbors as there are no inhabited quarters, but is of a little bit tourist centers. And the service can be ordered. What you feel about?"
"It is wonderful!" Mary happy smiling and hugged him. "Thank you so much!" she gave a kiss him in his cheek.
Mason smiled and embraced her too. He feel himself so good as never felt before.

* * *
"CC, the call for you."
"Thank you, Rosa. Hello! CC Capwell. Who is it?"
"Father, it's me."
"Mason? What is matter?"
"I and Mary decided have some time together. I calling because I don't want to you will search for me in all states, and also I need to ask to collect children's stuff. I will pick up for Chip and Samantha--"
"No, you don't!" CC jumped up. "You'll take away my grandsons nowhere! They are absolutely babies yet, and you will not have even the maid there!"
"If you want to tell what you can will take care about them? Oh I am sorry, surely not you. Tell Rosa that Chip need be first one for napping because in the case Sammi falls asleep quicker."

* * *

Mason hangs down, leave the father be in a rage alone with his dead phone, and he was turned to Mary. His face expressed the highest degree of pleasure.
Mary condemnation looked at him.
"What is wrong? Even of you can have normal relations with him, I can not," Mason still smiled. "And what is wrong with my asking?"
"Mason, Mason--"
"Yes, I am Mason. I am one, who makes so many nonsense and just crazy love you. You and our soon-be-baby. Mary, what is wrong?"
"I... I do not know. Suddenly it seems to me that we aren't alone."
"Surely we are alone!"
"I know, but your words make up in me some memories--" Mary frown vainly trying to understand, what it was.
"It has connecting with your father?" Mason finally risked bringing up the question.
Mary surprised look at him and then nod.
"Yes. How you can guess something like this?"
"It seems to me long time ago that you think about him more than you speak," Mason admitted. "And there was this meeting with the person on the cemetery. I know that it was excited for you."
"You know me so good that it is starting to look as almost scared thing;" Mary's words sounded so as if they were not the full joke.
"It not scared thing, it is a good thing," Mason smiled again. "And when he will start to move?" he sharply replaced the subject of their talking.
"May be not he, but she," Mary reminded. "Not it will happened is not soon yet. After few months."
"Too long," Mason disappoint looked at her. "Well, now we need to arrange our stuff here and then we will sitting at the fireplace and enjoy. Do you agree?"
"Sure!" Mary's up, approached to him, and gave a quick kiss in his cheek and go to unpacking their bags.
Chapter 37 — Finally Alone And Together

There was the late evening. Mary was reclining against the wall nearly the working fireplace, she was putting her head on Mason's laps. Mason was sitting, lean against the wall and stretching forward his leg. They both were silent. But the silent was not burdensome; it was just because they were need words.
Mary absently looks at the fire. Jumping of flames always was charmed her, but now it's was a thing which must to reminded her about something. This something was forgotten for a long time, but still was a very important thing. At the point one of firewood was cracked and falls in the deep of the fireplace. Mary gives a start. The magic of flaming of memoirs was interrupted. Mason reach up his hand to poker and use it for moving of fire woods. Mary turned to him and gives a look at his face. Mason smiling with his charming smile and move his lips. "I love you"?
"I you love to," escapes out from Mary.
"Mary--"
"What?"
"Nothing," he guiltily smiled. "Just M-a-r-y. I like to say your name. It is such--"
"What?"
"Very similar to you.
"Very similar to you..." Mason's words gave back in the deep of Mary's soul. She sharply sat and huddle her shoulders. From the deep of her memory starting to show words, which were told more then twenty years ago--
"If you want that your daughter becomes very similar to you?"
"And what is bad if the daughter is similar at her father?"
"I do not think that you would like if she will received your lacks."
"If you accept as a lack the fact that I am a kind of monogamy? Because I am not a kind of womanizer as you are?"
"My life is much easier than your one. I sometimes even cannot recall names of my girls. And you are so connected to this skinny herring with drunken musty smell--" 
"Mary?" Mason with worried look was glanced at her face. Mary seems did not hear him. Gleams of a flame make a dance on her pale cheeks. Mason feel a melancholy feeling that now Mary was somewhere out, but not there with him...
However, it was not absolutely this. Despite grasping by her memoirs of childhood Mary was remembered that Mason is beside her. She at once felt change in his mood and turned to him.
"I am sorry," she smiled. "If you going to ask me something?"
"I am... Yes. Mary, if my imagination just overreacting or you are recalling something now?"
"I am recalling," Mary almost no-visible take away from him. Mason put her head on his lap with his owner's moving. Mary doesn't resist and with enjoying did as he wants.
"And what was it?"
"I don't sure," she hardly tries collect her thoughts together. "I think it was happened in my early childhood. It seems I overheard the conversation of my father and the other person. They did talking about my mom and me."
"If he told a something important?"
"I don't sure," Mary shook her head, and the lock of her hair was fallen over her eyes. "But I cannot forget the other person... Who had the talking with my dad. I think that his word were some strange."
"If it was the man's voice? Or female's?"
"Man's."
"Then, probably, he was your father's friend?"
"It is possible," Mary sighed. "Mason, here it is possible everything. I remember too little to make any conclusions."
"Well, so all right. Why you so hard to remember about this conversation? Or you are missing about your father?
The last words were escaped from Mason against his will, and after a few seconds he already desperately regretted about its.
"I don't," Mary weakly smiled. "I do not miss about him. I almost do not remember him."
"We need to have more of firewood here inside," Mason was up to hiding his shy. "If you are hungry?"
"Mason, if you taken offence are you?"
"Me?" Mason surprised look back at her. "Surely I don't. Why you think like this?" he returned and again sitting near Mary. And he looked in her worried eyes.
"Well, may be it is my imagination only," her voice sounded with hidden relieving. "You are strange reacting when I mentioning my father."
"It is your imagination," Mason lied and was up. "I going to bring more firewood, these already absolutely burnt through."
Mason was left, and Mary with an unintelligible alarm was looked in the window. She again had feeling that they are watched by anybody...
Chapter 38 — Troubles

Mary wake up and at once realized that she is alone in the bed. She feel some worrying though have been understand that most likely Mason left to the lake, because he wake up early morning and don't want to wake her. Mary climb out of the bed, put on her dressing gown and just after she see a white note on the table. She come and takes it.
"Mary, I left for the food shopping.
Don't worry, I will be back soon.
I love you very much,
Mason ".
Mary imagining as he putting this note on the table, constantly turn back for be sure that she is sleeping, and smile. By putting the in her pocket, she begin to cook the breakfast.

* * *

"Dad, I need Mason's phone number," Kelly came in at CC's study. "The postman brings the urgent package for him."
"Put it here, I hand him it, when he will return."
"Mason will become angry."
"If he will, it'll his own problem. He did not ask to take any packages for him."
Kelly shrugging her shoulders.
"OK, then take it."
Without looking close at the package CC take him and out on the heap of papers on the table. However Kelly seems don't going to leave and he surprised look at her.
"Do you want something ask?"
"Ted--"
"Take him here!" CC staked papers, which looked through and put it on the table.
Kelly looked at her father and silently left out. Be through the hall she saw her younger brother, who was talked with Rose.
"What you did not if dad is so mad to you? Or you want to get Mason's reputation?"
"Not your business," Ted was more frightened than is malicious.
"In any case, good luck to you, Teddy! Surely you need some of it."

* * *

By finishing with not numerous home affairs, Mary goes out the cabin and walk down to lake. But Tahoe's beauty gradually becomes smaller conceding its place to an alarm. There was already almost the midday, and Mason did not come back yet. And after all Mary cannot help but she has the feeling that someone hidden watches her. Constantly, but from some distance. She tries to convince self that it's just her imagination and usually she can make it. But not now.
Mary heard the sound of breaking twig, and sharply looks back. Nobody. She turn her head in left side, then in right side trying to find any cause of the sound, but she can see nothing suitable. The other sound was heard again, and at the point she clearly realized what its cause was. Steps. Mary get up, feeling that the fear fills in her.
"Mason?" she shouted.
Silence. Suddenly her fear did disappear, and she distinctly understood that beside someone is. And this is not Mason. She slowly goes to the house, trying peek out to examine vicinities. Nobody and nothing suspicious Mary did not found out and with approaching at home she getting back the feeling of saving. By entering inwards she already was ready scold herself an alarmist, but suddenly she was heard a sigh of the person. The transition from save feeling to the panic was so sharp that she cried and lost consciousness. The man's hands picked up her near at the floor...

* * *

Mary begins to regain consciousness, feeling that a water pouring on her neck. Water was pouring by a man's hand and Mary opened eyes. Beside her sitting the unknown young man. The fear returned to Mary, but before she had time anything to tell, the guy worried ask her:
"Ma'am, you are OK? I did not want you to frighten--"
"Who are you?" Mary takes away in the corner of the bed."
"I was hired by your husband."
"What?"  Because her horror Mary's voice was gone and she could only whisper this word.
"I was hired by your husband," the guy repeated. He does not understand why his words forced this woman to become whiter then sheets. "Your husband. Mason Capwell. He told that he wants that you should be in complete safety...:
At least Mary began to understand something. So Mason hired guards for them! My God, why he nothing said me!
"Davis, what the hell you doing..? Mary?" Mason stopped in doors. "Davis, what is happened here?"
"Nothing is happened," scared guy's jump up. "Just your wife spotted me in the house and was frightened. She even had a faint."
"Mary, are you OK?" Mason quickly comes closer to her. "I even asked you not to be shown to her on eyes!" he angry turned back to Davis.
"And I even answer you that it is impossible well to protect your wife and to do as you asking. She went down to the lake. I kept her as much as possible allowable distance."
"Mason, I am OK," Mary interrupted them. "Really! Mr. Davis, you will not leave us alone, please?"
"Sure," the guard was glad to get rid from Mason's angry and quickly run out.
"Why you doing it with me, Mason?" Mary does take away from Mason. "I nearly died of fear!
Chapter 39 — The Turn Around

"I am still afraid that with you will be in danger," Mason just told. He was disturbed. "In my father's house we were in safe, but here... I am sorry; I just could not behave differently."
Mary was silent. She wants to discuss nothing with Mason.
"Mary--"
"I want to have a rest."
"Sure. I am sorry."
Mary lay down, turned away from Mason and put hands under her cheek. Lost Mason left out quietly.

* * *

"Dad, looks here" Kelly rush in Capwell's living room, upset swinging by documents.
"What is it?"
"It is the paper from Mason's package! Look it!"
"And what?" CC takes the one from documents and become to read. Then he lifted his head. "I correctly can see that--"
"Yes!"
"But then it means that Mason and Mary can be in danger," CC jump up rather quick for his years. "I need to call them."
He was dialed the number, but nobody pick up the phone.
"It is strange. Where are they?"
"Dad, I will go visit to them... I just--"
"You don't! Nowhere will you go!"
"But Mason need to know!"
At the point Rosa comes in.
"Excuse me that I interrupt you, Mr. Capwell, but Mary's sister Christie comes... She speaks that she should urgently talk with you."
"Let's her in," CC turned to Kelly. "I agrees that Mason need to find out this," he tapped his finger on papers which was spread out on the table. "But you don't to go there--"
"Mr. Capwell, listen me!" Christie rushed into in living room as a whirlwind. "It is very important! You should me listen!"
"I'm hearing you," CC sat down again and looked at her. "What is wrong?"
"Mary is in a danger!"
"Why you so think?" Kelly asked.
"Just now the person breaking in my house! He looked though Mary's album!"
"What?"
"I will tell everything now!

* * *

"Mary, Mary!" Mason run in and embraced Mary who was tossing on the bed. "All right you just have a nightmare!"
Mary hugged him, be unable to keep her sobbing. Mason strokes her over hair, and then he turned to her tearful face to him.
"Mary, I am sorry, I just was so stupid man! I know that I am guilty! I am sorry!"
"I am OK," Mary's voice still trembling. "I am guilty myself, I am so much nervous now."
Mary wiped her wet cheeks and tried to smile.
"I am OK. Really!"
"I will bring the cup of hot milk for you! You will feel better, I promise!"
"Better be if you will bring the bottle of champagne for us!"
"What?" shocked Mason looks at her.
"Let's to drink the champagne," Mary playfully looked at him. "We need to drink for our first fight!"
"You keeping surprising me," Mason sincerely told. "I'll be soon back."
Mary smiled and goes in bathroom to be freshening.

* * *

"I understood it correct?" CC linked fingers and mistrustfully looked at Christie. "The man who is look-alike to your and Mary's father watched you early and then breaking in your house for having a chance to look at Mary' photos?"
"Well, I can not tell that the man was my father — the grabber was in the black mask. I did not see the man. But show me any grabber who searching for money in a family album! And if he was our father--"
"OK. But why you think what Mary is in danger?"
"Because the man was broken in our house and he broken the locked door. He is the dangerous man!" Christie confidently replied. She kept silent for a minute and continued: "Look, I understand that Mary and I are not your relatives, but I only ask Mary's address from you. I need to warn her, OK?"
"I see," CC look at Kelly and she look back at him. "OK, I will show Mary and Mason's recent address. But the service for the service. I need a sort of any courier. For Mason."
"OK," Christie nods. "What I need to make?

* * *

Mason come in the room with the champagne bottle in his hands and stiffened in the threshold, amazed by the sight.
Mary sat on bed almost in the same pose, which she had when he left out, but looked absolutely differently. Her dress was light-blue flimsy, her hair was scattered over shoulders and fasten with a golden pin... The twilight give the much strengthened impression and Mason become to seems that she is not Mary, but someone from out of the world.
Mary is up and with hardly audible dress's rustle, come to him. Mason start to feel that he become crazy. Mary comes closely to him. Firing candles give the golden pattern to her hair and shined her right cheek.
"Mary--"
"I love you, Mason--"
"I love you too...
Mason easily picked up her and kissing with long and passionate kisses.
Chapter 40 — Something Becomes Clear, Something Becomes Dark...

The night was so quiet that was audible even the lapping water of nearby lake. Mary and Mason sitting opposite each other at the table with many dishes. The room was shined only by the soft lamp in the corner and by candles on the table. Mason's face was serious, but sometimes his eyes flashed as if someone throws up sparks in them. Mary smiling with very happy smile. Her fear which was found out as just Mason's precaution worked as a paradox thing — it forced her to believe in their safety and make her to relaxing.
Mason takes out the champagne bottle from an ice and poured the sparkle drink for Mary and him.
"For you!" he said with significant look and approached his wineglass to Mary's wineglass. "And for our soon-be baby!"
"For our love!" Mary cheers and sighed after take a sip," Too sorry that it is just non-alcohol--"
"No matter what is it," Mason truthfully told. "If only you were not as ghost."
"Do you still not believe in my existence?" Mary giggles.
"I do believe. Overwise I still can not believe that I lived the whole year without you. But sometimes... Sometimes I am still afraid to wake up. Dreams can be are very alive."
"Me too," Mary nod. "I am afraid to wake up too. And wake up not near you but with... other people. Sometimes it seems that all being between us was just a beautiful dream."
"I do not want to speak about dreams. They are illusions, and we are real-life people. I love you very much, Mary. Earlier it seemed to me that it is just impossible to love you more than I already love you but I was wrong!"
"I love you too! Most of all world."
"Lets to dance," Mason is up and turns on the music recorder, which was settled on the table at the wall. Then he stretched his hand to her and Mary accepted it. And they have begun to spin in slow dance under ancient love music, which was music of people in love for many centuries...

* * *

The coming morning was very hot.
"Probably today here will be the storm," Mary stood in doors of house in her dressing gown. "It is just 8 AM, and already so hot."
"The storm is not too terrible thing. Our roof is good and we need not more," Mason came to her and kisses her in lips. "I spoke you today, how much I love you?"
"Yes," Mary turned to him and, smiling, undertaken by her hand his shirt. "But I never get tired to listen it."
Suddenly she heard a suspicious noise.
"What is it?"
"Seems that we have visitors... Go upstairs, please," Mason looked back, searching the guard. "Go up!" he saw that Mary is hesitating.
At the point the car stopped at the cabin and spit out the girl.
"Mary! I am glad to see you!"
"Christie!
Sisters were embraced each other.
"How you found out where we are?" Mason asked rather angry. "Nobody knows where we are."
"I got the address from Mr. Capwell. Mary, don't be angry that I arrived here. I was so worry for you! For you both!" she looked back at frowning Mason. "I have news..."

* * *

"... Do you think that our dad... What the person searched for my photos? But probably he just dropped down the album or searched for any other thing?"
"He doesn't," Christie shook her head. "I saw him."
"You saw him??"
"Aha. I returned at home earlier than I thought. I came in and realized that mom doesn't sleep. I did not want that she should read me notations and decide that I don't go in the living room. But the light in the living room suddenly become flashing. I was frightened because it seemed that in the room is fire. I run in and saw HIM. He stood near the bookcase and had in his hand the opened album. He saw me, thrown the album and — jump out in the window. It was open."
"If you saw his face?" Mason's sitting on the sofa near Mary. Christie restlessly becomes moving in her chair.
"Yes, I saw. His face supposed be covered by the mask, but at the moment he removed it up as if it was glasses. He probably thought that nobody is at home."
"All are strange," Mason thoughtfully rubs his chin. "But," he continued. "Now I perhaps become agree with your sister." He looked at Mary. "Hardly this person could be just a grabber."
"Because he did searched for something in my album?"
"Because he removed his mask. The grabber should not remove it while your mother was at home. He could not be completely sure that nobody are at home. And I don't like the situation. Absolutely don't like--"
"O my God I absolutely forgotten!" Christie hit herself to forehead. "Mr. Capwell said me to hand you the package."
Mason taken the package and, after looking on the label quickly unwrapped it. In the package were any papers and Mason become read its.
Mary takes Christie to the side.
"What were photos which he looked?"
"Yours."
"I understood, but which are from all my ones?"
"I don't sure. But open pages had your collage photos. Probably he wanted to know how you look now.

"It is impossible!" Mason's cry interrupted the sister's conversation. Mary comes to him.
"What is matter? What is wrong?"
"It is my PI's reports. I hired the guy to look after Mark's last actions before I found out you."
"And...?" Mary moving her shoulders as if she become cold.
"And the fact that he could not arrange my car's explosion! At the time he was in clinic, relaxing in general anesthesia after removal of the tooth! But if he was not the supposed criminal so who did it?!
Chapter 41 — Where Are Leading Conclusions

Mason suddenly realized that he should not to speak it aloud. Mary grabs his sleeve.
"About what the explosion you are speaking? Whose car did?"
"No matter," Mason tried escape from the real answer but to his surprise and upsetting Christie come into their talking.
"His sister Kelly's car — I heard about it in the newspapers. Mason, you are meaning this explosion?"
"Christie, could you leave us alone, please?" Mason was too angry to the crafty girl for be overnice with her.
"You don't leave!" Mary asked her sister and again she turned to Mason. "So she said the truth, was she? The Kelly's car was blown up?"
"No, mine," Mason sighed understanding that nevertheless he need to tell her whole story. "Mary, I just did not want to upset you--"
"So bad!"
"Christie, if you want to take a walk down to the lake? There is the wonderful view."
"OK. But I want to you will tell me about this then! Mary is my sister; I am take care about her."
"I will tell you," Mason nod. "Just later."
Christie leave out and Mason sitting down beside Mary.
"Mary, I really did not want to upset you. I thought that the explosion was made by Mark and did not want to remind to you about him and his crimes."
"What was happened?"
"Kelly taken my old car and it was blown up in time her stopping. Kelly accidentally leaves out and survived without any harm."
"But why you thought that it was made by Mark?"
"Mary... It was my OLD car. I did not use her the completely past year."
"And did you solve that Mark did not aware that you didn't using the cat?"
"Yes, I did."
"But why now you is changed your opinion? He could hire anybody--"
"He could not. No way. Reports of my PI saying that in that day he did no calls. And at the end of the following day he was getting in the clinic. The explosion taken place just before it."
"He could use the cell phone."
"Mark had not it, my PI checked this way. And Mark did not leave his home. Beside he taken so long time at the dentist that clearly before he hardly can think about other things but toothache. Look that he needs to collect all his bravery to finally go here."
"But if Mark did not this, who want to blown up this your car?" Mary's eyes extended from fear. Involuntary she taken Mason's sleeve.
"I do not know. But I can hardly think that supposed victim was Kelly."
"Are you meaning that you were...?"
"Look alike. And this idea narrowing the circle almost up to zero. Who could be aware about my old car and not be aware about new one?"
Mary and Mason puzzled looked each to other.
"Can be still Mark--"
"I do not understand why you ignore one important thing?" The resonant voice of Christie cut the silence.
"What?" Mason without large enthusiasm looked at her.
"This person does not know Mason's face, only his car."
Mason's gauging and then with interest looks at Mary's sister.
"Look, she is right!" he said. "Mark can hire anybody to kill me, but Kelly in my car. Yes, she taken it unexpectedly, but I didn't use it long ago. Mark could make something spontaneously, by seeing that it is empty, but now we know that he had not chances. And it meaning the person who put the bomb in my car knows about me nothing. He didn't know my look — surely I am Kelly's brother, but we cannot to confuse anybody by our similar looks, and my real car or my location. Yes, it is. But this way lead us in impasse."
"There are all ways lead to impasses," Christie disappointed sighed. "And in our dad's case and with this explosion--"
"Look may be these two cases are connected?" Mary suddenly lifted her head. Mason puzzled looked at her and Christie is stunned. She is never though about this...
Somewhere far coming nearer thunder-storm.
Chapter 42 — All Troubles Have The One Answer. Or Two.

"What are you mean?" Mason frown. "How these cases can be connected among themselves?"
"Well, first," Mary began to bend fingers. "Da... the person, similar at my father appeared at once after our returning to Santa Barbara. And nobody from your family had his life in the danger — neither before nor after, right?"
"Right."
"Second, the attempt to kill you hadn't repeat, it taken place only once and when yet NOBODY know, where we are. All rest time you and me were not separated--"
"Wait... If you want to tell that this person... Mr. X wanted to kill me but without you?"
"Otherwise I can not explain the fact that they did not more attempts."
"But you see, if you think that he can be... your... your father? Mary?"
"Mason, how you dare!" Christie was upset up to depth of her soul.
"Calm down," Mary unexpectedly imperiously told to her sister and again looked at Mason. "Of course I do not think this. Moreover I do not think that this person is our father. I do not believe."
"But who is this? You see, if he not Jesus," Christie upraise her hands.
Mary's fingers find by feeling her cross.
"Don't be stupid," she said to her sister. "But I feel that this man is not our father. And his appearance has a very strange shade."
"Here all events and appearances are strange — from first until the last," Mason grinned. At the point the storm roared directly above their heads and lamps are blinking.
"Damm!" Mason is straightening. "I hope that the electric wiring will stand--"
"Will stand," Mary confidently told and after hesitating adds. "I am not directly it meant. Just it seems to me that the solution of this mystery is very simple. As if we are passing past it and not pay attention."
"May be but, Lord sees that I can not image as this situation can be solved by a simple way."
"Me too, but my intuition speaks other--" end of Mary's sentence was aborted by the passionate kiss, which, however, soon was interrupted my sarcastic voice of her little sister.
"I am sorry, but it seems that I should remain with yours for this night. Look, how is storming outside!"
"Sweetie, you never was spoke what is impolite to interrupt the people who doing such important business, did you?" Mason's eyes flashed with sparks.
"Did not yet," Christie daring answered.
Mason wanted yet to tell something, but Mary does not give him a chance.
"Surely you will stay here. You will spend the night in downstairs, right, Mason?"
"I should spend the night downstairs?" Mason offended.
"Of course not you!" Mary looked on him as on feeble-minded. "Christie will spend the night downstairs."
"Hum--" Mason said with a clever look and unexpectedly chuckle.
The strict look kept by Mary not more than 10 seconds and then she laughed. Christie kept longest but then also surrendered and joined to their laughter.

* * *

At the point in Capwells house everybody was worried and waited for news from Cruz, who makes his best for searching Eden after she was taken away by the unknown bearded man just before Cruz and CC.
"Daddy, I need to call Mason!" Kelly suddenly remembered. "He nothing knows about Eden!"
"Not present," CC seized her hand. "Don't take our phone line! Cruz can call here... And Mason will wait."
"But it will take pair of minutes only."
Kelly dialed the number. And she bewildered listened to long hooters.
"It is strange that nobody answer... May be there are something wrong happened?" she worried looked at her father.
"Hardly. Just probably they don't pick up the receiver. Hang down, later you call again!"
Reluctantly Kelly hangs down and at the moment the phone was blown up. CC seized the receiver.
"Yes! Yes, Cruz. Do you have news? What? Do you found her? Did you? Whence? We'll go there! What? Cruz! Well, OK, OK, we will wait for your calling."
"What was happened? What he speaks?" Ted, Sophia and Kelly surrounded CC. They all are simple die with worries.
"They tracked whence were did that mysterious call! Cruz considers that it was done by Eden, and I think that he is right! The call was made from Obernati's stables!"
CC rubs his cheek and with again firing hope looks around.
"Cruz will rescue her! I sure. It'll all be alright..."
Chapter 43 — Return Of Prodigal Relatives

The storm came for all night. When it cause especially strong burst or lighting cut too brightly a sky, Mary did embrace Mason more strong. His close presence gave her such calmly that she even smiled in her dream. Mason sleep deeply and without dreams. He completely controlling a situation, and it was all that he wants. Christie sleep nervously occasionally gives a start when her dreams become too strongly to look alike with reality.
For many miles from them CC Capwell sleep deeply in his huge house, now sure that his loving daughter in safety after all. And the happily found daughter drugged sleep in Santa Barbara Hospital. She did not see dreams, but the reality was not too attractive for her.

* * *

The morning met habitants of the cabin near Tahoe with bright Californian sun. Thus, this dries up all around for a few hours and up to evening to warm up to a usual hot condition.
Mason going downstairs tying his tie. Mary already cooked coffee and placed cups on the table. Christie sat with cross legs on the sofa and thumbing through any old magazine. Mason come to Mary and kisses her in her lips. The kiss becomes some too longer and Christie demonstrate noisy is up from the sofa. Mason stopped to kiss Mary and reproachfully looked at Christie.
"Um, well. I am OK. You both can kiss as long as you want!"
Mary chuckled and then embraces her sister.
"Sitting at the table," she said. "Fried eggs with become already is ready, and toasts is close too. Now I get its."
"Not hurry," Mason pulls her and forced to sit. "You need have a cup of coffee. I do not absolutely want that you became a fat housewife."
"Not worry, I don't going to become one of theirs," Mary smiles. "So, any plans for today?"
"It seems we need to return at home," Mason guilty looked at her. "Its pity to leave this cabin where we can be together and alone, but now Santa Barbara is the place where we need be. Beside the children surely miss about us."
"It's OK," Mary takes his hand. "In any case we would be return then. I don't like the situation with Christie."
"Nobody in this house like not it," Christie said and takes a sip of coffee.
Already after hour all three sat in the car and drive in the direction of Santa Barbara. And in the empty cabin ringing the phone — the family desperately called to Mason for informs him that his sister Eden is alive.

* * *

"They are in troubles surely!" Kelly dialed the phone number of cabin again. "I called them yesterday and today too, but nobody picking up the receiver. Christie drove there and now she disappearance too!"
"Who is Christie?" Ted comes in. He arrived yesterday and was aware about a half of all news only.
"Duvall. Christie Duvall, Mary's sister."
"Mary's sister??? But why she did?"
"If you really do not know?" Kelly suspiciously looked at him.
"Surely I don't! What is happened?"
"I will explain, but not here and not now. Dad called from hospital: Eden release out from the hospital today. Do you do not knew about this?"
"I knew. But I did not think that here is more news--"
"Here are more. You do not know even a half of its. Lately there was happened so many!"
"Kelly!"
"What?"
"You always are up to me scoffed! Always!"
"Little poor Teddy! Go away! Don't touch me!"
"Be quiet, children," Rose come to them. These words, already enough times were heard by them in childhood, worked as a bucket of cold water. Ted pulled his fingers from Kelly's hair and she jump away for decent distance. She touched her tousled hair and upset said: "You destroyed my hairstyle!"
"You deserved it!"
At the point there is ringing door's bell.
"It is Eden!" Kelly and Ted rushed to the door. Yesterday they had only short meeting with their sister in hospital, and now they cannot wait to see her again.
Kelly was first and opened a door. But instead Eden she got Mason, Mary and Christie who was looking out from Mary's back.
Chapter 44 — Too Much Shocking Things

The silence keeping for a few minutes while both sides collecting self's after the shock.
"Mason, you already arrived!" Kelly says it because she cannot think cleverer words then these.
"As you can see," Mason smiled and embracing Mary for her shoulders leads her into the house. "Hello, Teddy! I am glad that you finally deign to honor us with your presence."
"What is this?!" Ted uttered at last continuing eating Mary with his eyes.
"Not what, but who," Mason offended. "Brother, really don't you know who is she?"
"I do know i.e. I did know--"
"I just didn't die then; I was in the hospital and remember nothing about my past. Later Mason found me," Mary becomes boring this exchange and she decided to explain all in the one sentence.
"My God!" Ted exhaled.
"Mason, where you were? Since yesterday I am trying to reach you!" Kelly interfered inconsiderately.
"So you knew about???" Ted opened his mouth from a surprise for the second time for five minutes.
"We did stay in the cabin around Tahoe," Mason ignored his younger brother. "And what is happened?"
"Don't you know?"
"I do not know what?" Mason stopped to smile and worried looked at Kelly. "Eden--"
"I am alive, Mason," sounded from the open entrance door.
Mason stunned. After a few seconds of shock he slowly turned and with widely opened eyes looked to Capwell's entrance door. Eden in her wheelchair looked at him and smiled.
"I died and now in paradise?" Mason finally said. He walking, squeal near his sister's wheelchair and take her hand. The hand felt not ghostly — it was completed alive and warm.
"You are alive!" he pulled out. Eden laughed.
Mason embraced her for her shoulders and then taken away.
"I do not believe to my eyes!"
"I am too!" Eden suddenly told. She looked at Mary and is unable to take away the sight.
"We both are in the same boat, Eden," Mary smiling from ear to ear. "You and me seems are ghosts in some way. But I am very glad to see you!"
"Mary, I go away," Christie come to her sister and looked at it from below upwards. "Be happy!"
"You don't yet, wait!" Ted doesn't let her to leave out and force to stop at the door. "I want to talk you. I need to know, what is happened here!"
"I will call you later," Christie slip out and disappeared out of the door.
"What you doing here?" everybody suddenly heard CC's angry voice. "Eden is not yet healthy, she don't let be worried!
The Capwell children and Mary afraid look at Eden and against each other and then start to chuckle.
"What is funny?" CC upset said.

* * *

In the evening has been the celebrating of returning Eden. It made some sad only two things: that she did not want to see Cruz and was suppressed by the fact that according everybody doctors she is unable to walk forever.
When celebrating reaching to its second half, Mason and Mary, unknown for the rest family, slip out and upstairs to Mason's room.
"I feel myself uncomfortable for leaving from Eden's celebrating, but I just drop from tiredness," Mary complained, leaning back of pillows.
"Surely she doesn't take offence," Mason lied down beside her and crosses his fingers with her. "I saw how she was suspicious for the fact that you don't drink. Probably she already thinking that we are not two, but almost three."
"It is bad?" Mary looked into his eyes. "Do you not want that even your family to know about my pregnancy?"
"No, of course. I am just overprotecting and am afraid for you. I want the baby very much. Your baby!"
"And how are doing Chip and Sammy?" Mary asked. 
"They become missed me," Mason guilty said. "And I am too. But it's OK, we quickly make up all missed time."
"Yes, I sure," Mary drowsily answered. "You are the good father, Mason."
"I am," he agreed without over-modesty. "And I will become a good father for our baby boy. Or baby girl."
After no answer from Mary, he looked at her and seen that she is deep sleeping. Mason smiles and closed his eyes too. It's feeling good, even despite all possible dangers for Mary and their soon-be baby.
Chapter 45 — Just A Good Time Together. But The Big Storm Already Too Close

There are passed more than two weeks. Mary began to getting in and in times it seemed her that she even did not leave Capwell's house. All are the same as earlier...
However as earlier now was not everything. The Capwell family is changed after this year, she can see it now. Even Mason is changed. He becomes more serious, and his fears about her seemed never leave his mind. Mary gradually ceased to be afraid but she wanted that Mason do the same, and he cannot.
However, his terrible fear for her safety become much smaller, but still remained rather significant. Even if she leave out to Capwell's garden for a half of an hour as he become to search her. Sometimes Mary is bothering his so full-time presence, but she did not show large disliking, understanding that he had an awful time, when he thought that she is dead.
But as soon as the problem of their safety departed on background, there were different ones — about which Mary even did not suspect.
One of them was her attitude to Chip and Sammy. The fact is that she ever more became attached to them and spent with them ever more of time. But she felt no enough sure as all time she remembered that they are not her own children, and Mason's strange looks which sometimes she caught when she did play with the children bring her to the idea that he... is jealous.
Mary has the only hope that he is getting over his feeling but she cannot to refuse herself to be with his babies. They were such amusing! Especially Chip who was older and communicated more than Sammy. Looking at them when they are both playing in the Pack-n-Play Mary often thought about her soon-be baby. Who will be similar with the baby? She or Mason? And just who is become from he or she? She cannot wait when the baby will begin moving inside her...
Mason knows nothing about Mary's ideas and doubts. He was worried about thing which Mary, it seems, absolutely forgot. About the mysterious person, who wanted to kill him and lets Mary to be alive. He try his best to find even one answer to fringe this person, but without success. He even droved again to Christie and tried gets more info from her about the robber who she was seen while he and Mary were on Tahoe. But Christie remembers nothing more. Nothing was leave to Mason except to let all be down, but in his mind he constantly held the memory about all happened thing and remember that there are danger even now.

* * *

"Mary takes the phone," Rose comes in children's room, where Mary enjoys playing with babies on the floor.
"Is it Christie?" Mary stands up, feeling discomfort with Rose and babies in the same time. She found be rather strange to live in Capwell's house not as CC's nurse but Mason's fiancée.
"No, it is not your sister," Rose shook her head. "The man."
Mary comes to the phone. She wait a few seconds go away her fear that it is Mark, and then she lifted up the receiver.
"Hello?"
"Mary?" the voice seems to her be strange familiar, but Mary could not understand who is talking.
"Yes. Who is it?" the question was not a kind of polite, but lately Mary already almost forgot times when she do not need to look at a each person as if he can be their enemy killer.
"It is unimportant," his answer sounded strange and scares.
"What are you wanted?" Mary does not let him to continue. "Leave me alone! Listen?! Let me alone Mason and me too!"
She throws down the receiver on the phone and embraced herself for her shoulders by her arms. No matter who is the person but after a few minutes of talking he relives all her fears which she becomes get rid of.

* * *

Mary told nothing Mason about the call. She did not want to worry him for nothing — clearly she was called by the lunatic! In any case she convinced herself that he is just a lunatic — who have enough nerves to call to her directly in Capwell house! But there was one more reason. This voice in the phone receiver... She listen it a few seconds only, but it bring her strange memoirs. It was no voice of her father, about who she thought first. But nevertheless this voice sounded as something strange familiar to her. As if she already heard it earlier but long time ago...
However in next morning the whole Capwell house was terrified with news that Mason just had one more attempt of attack.
Chapter 46 — Many Details And The Light Of A Hope

Probably Mary even would not find out the truth — all of Capwells seem were agreed do not open to her facts that can upset her. However by the accident she listens how downstairs worried Sophia is asking Mason about the event.
"You were born with a silver spoon in your mouth! How it can happen? Who was behind it?"
"I do not know, otherwise this guy already would gone in jail. Bullets passed by an absolutely beside me--"
"Bullets???" Mary run downstairs and grab in Mason. "Mason, are you OK?"
"Mary!" Mason embraced her. "Yes, I am OK. Not worry, everything was finished."
"Are you not wounded?" she worried looks up his face.
"I am not. I am OK."
"What was happened?"
"Just the accident shooting, the crazy man chose the time and the place for his shooting in his enemies when I was in one of little shops in western part of city. It was just the accident!"
At the point Ted come out of CC's study.
"Mom, there was the attempt of killing of Mason! The man shot him, but missed!"
Then he has seen Mason and beams with joy.
"Thank God, you are OK!"
"What?" Mary abruptly turned Mason. "The attempt of killing? You told me that it was the accident! You laid me!"
"Faster given out desirable for valid," Mason sighed. "I am sorry; I just did not want to upset you."
"Don't want to upset me! Mason, I am not glass and do not break to thousand peaces if you say me that you are in the danger!"
"I already said that I am sorry! I am..."
Mary come closer and silent embraced him. Mason put his arms around her, damning all killers and mafioso, who force them to pass through every recent happening.
"Mary," he said after a minute. "I purchased something for you--"
"What?" she takes away her face from his jacket.
"Just a little stuff... Do not want to go to look its?"
At the point they heard the belling in the door. Mary turned to look who it is. The maid opened the entrance door and it was Cruz.
"Mason is home? OK, you are here. I need to ask you for a few questions."
Mary sighed, looked at Mason and, after taking packages with his purchases, she gone upstairs.
In their room she saw that Mason purchased a few dresses for pregnant woman and heap of children's toys. Mary estimated dresses per herself — it should be fit for her — and postponed it's, and take toys. It was very enjoying — as well as idea about their soon-be baby. By taking in palms the small shady stuffed dog, whose black nose was only seeing in his hair, Mary downstairs to tell Mason that she like his purchases.
In the first floor she see Mason in the living room, but only just after coming closer, she realized that he is not alone one. And casually she grasped a part of his conversation with Cruz.
"If it means this incident was not precede by an anything? Any letters? Following cars? Suspicious calls?"
"Nothing. Though I was not at home in every minute, but I do not think that there was something like this."
"It was," Mary told with guilt.
"Mary? Are you for long time here?" Mason frightened asked. Their talking was rather nervous.
"I am not, I just now come down."
"Mary, you are told that recently there was taken place something suspicious. What it was?" Cruz questioningly looked at her.
"There was one phone call. Yesterday. I pick up the receiver and asked who it is. The man's voice answered that it is unimportant. Well, and I... I was frightened. I am solved that it was the same man who want to see dead me and Mason. I told him that he must leave us alone and hanged up."
"Mary," Mason looked at her with shock. "Why you not told me about this call?"
"I have to tell you but I was frightened. And I don't want to frighten you too."
"Mary, you listen this voice as familiar?" Cruz marked something in his notebook.
"No," she answered after the pause.
"OK," Cruz stands up. "We need to check up all yesterday's calls from here. Probably this unknown man really connected to the killing's attempt to you."
"I hope that you can find out something about," Mason followed Cruz with his sight and then turned to Mary.
"He is the good cop; he will can to find who it is."
"I hope--"
"Mary," Mason turned his face to her. "Mary, all be all right! I love you--"
"I love you too..."
Chapter 47 — The Last Chance Or First One?

The remained day passed wholly peacefully unless consider that Mary once again caught on herself Mason's strange glance, when she was played with Chip and Sammi. Became angry on her and on Mason too, she came to the decision to have the good talking with Mason tonight. She felt that is necessary to make clear this question for the sake of them themselves and for the sake of all their children.
However Cruz called to Capwells before she had a chance to talk with Mason. By several Mason's words she cannot understand something valuable and as soon as Mason hang up Mary asked him:
"Any news from Cruz?"
"Yes and no," Mason muses her. "This call was noted and tracked, but investigation brought enough strange results."
"What?"
"The call was made from DA office."
"What?"
"Yes. Because I named these results as strange ones."
"Well," Mary surprised look at Mason. "Really, are our hunters from DA office?"
"Unlikely, but it was not excluded," Mason rubbed his chin. "On the other hand, this has explained excessive assurance and awareness of these personalities. By the way, why you think that a few persons hunted us, he or she can be the alone person."
"May be," Mary agreed. "No, it is impossible... We never to get free from this siege!"
She bit her lip to don't burst into tears.
"It is OK! Surely, we will get out!" Mason embraced her. "Of course, we will."
He wanted to say something else, but at the point, the phone is calling. The Mary slipped out from his hands and takes the receiver.
"Mary, it is me," she heard unnerved Christie's voice. "Listen, ma heard news that you are alive. I did not want her to speak, but she--"
"It is OK, Chris. I am even did not ask you to keeps in secret this."
"Do you not get angry?"
"I am not, silly!"
"A Mary... she wants to see you."
"Say her that I will visit at yours tomorrow. We will visit, me and Mason," Mary looked at him and Mason rolled over his eyes.
"I will say her. Until tomorrow, Mary!"
"Until tomorrow, little sister!" Mary hangs up.
"Not to get angry, just I cannot meet my mother."
"I do not angry. By the way, may be now you allow me to ask her about your father? She is aware about him more then you."
"Do you really want it?"
"What? Speak to your mother or hear about your father?"
"First."
"Not too want, but we will become the one big family soon. It is necessary somehow to make relative friendship... By the way, you do not think that we reach the good time to tie the knot?"
"I think," Mary mildly flame. "Nevertheless, you still want this?"
"You have doubts?" with the question on the question answer Mason and got up.
Passing on the room, he come to the table, the something was pulled out from the drawer and, after approaching to Mary who was still sitting on beds, he seriously looked at her.
Afterwards he softly lowered on one knee and gives her the small black box.
"Mary, do you agree to take in legal husband of this person?"
Mary smiled.
"You remember..."
Mason smiling nod.
"Yes. I agree!"
Mason beam with joy. He is down beside her and their lips were connected in the passionate kiss, forcing out all problems.
Chapter 48 — The Family Meeting (1 Part)

The morning brought the bright Californian sun and next riddles.
During his breakfast Mason left from room to speak on telephone for a long time, and after he returned he seriously looked at Mary.
"Cruz said that he found out from whose exactly phone number was this mysterious call," he said, not wait her question. "It was the phone number of our DA."
"Keith Timmons?" Mary shocked asks.
"Yes he is. I was surprised too, but, probably, lesser then you since for passed year this rascal was glorified so much unseemly action that their too long enumerate! But here he obviously outdid oneself--" But do you not think that he was actually caller?"
"No, of course. A deal like this is too difficult for him. No, I think that he just has a contact with our caller--"
"Any news from Cruz?"
"Only that he continues to dig. Possible he will use their own contacts in police and FBI, I do not know. But for the first time I felt that he goes on hot trace. May be soon whole this history reach the ends. And we will find who does not give us peacefully to live."
"I would be like to believe," Mary has her coffee and interrogative looked at Mason. "Well, do you ready to go out?"
"Where?"
"Really! Do you forgotten that I must go in my mother's place? Or do you don't to go with me?"
"No, I go with you, but I completed forgotten about this. Well, let's go. Hope that she will not use me as her breakfast," in Mason's voice was a tip-off on question, and Mary smiles.
"She will not eat you. I'll not allow!

* * *

Mason's car approached to house, where Theda and Christie were lived. The Mary peered into car window and thought about that presently she will see the house. Passed the year... only or already? The great deal from that she remembered changed so extremely that occasionally she seemed that passed not year, but all ten.
They arrived at place, and not had time to Mary to come out of car as from the house run out Christie and embraced her.
"Mary! I so glad to see you!"
"I am glad too!"
"Mary, my little girl!" Theda minced. "What is happiness! Poor my girl! I was so worried, so worried!"
Mason stood beside the car and looked at her family embraces. He was aware about Mary's hurt childhood and adolescence, he remembered about horrible things what was caused to Christie and Mary by their half-brother Steve... But don't care in his throat he felt the lump, when Theda embraced and kissed Mary. Why all is going is so wrongly?!
Mary gets out from her mother's hands and led her to Mason.
"Ma, I want to say you something," she said. Mary's eyes was smiled, her cheeks were blush. "I and Mason are engaged and after several months you will become the grandmother."
Theda's power of the endurance was envied even an elephant.
"Mason — I think that I can call you Mason, after all you'll soon be my son-in-law? — I very glad to see you! I know that you did rescue my daughter from this horrible man, Mark, and I was just overwhelmed by your courage. No doubt that my grandson will have just remarkable father, I am so glad for you! But when you going have the wedding?"
"We not choose the day yet."
"I think it will have the placer after weeks 5 or 6, Mary?" Mason finally got a chance to insert his word.
"Yes, I think something like this," Mary answered with surprise and joy.
"It will so happy event! So pity that CC Capwell will want to be present, but I can deal with him!"
Mary afraid looked at Mason and relieved after she see that he hardly keep his laughter. Yes, her mother can become the big trouble...
Chapter 48 — The Family Meeting (2 Part)

"Although everything is changed not too much," Mary thought, looking at Mason who talking with her mother and Christie. She already stopped to dread that between Mason and her relatives will be some conflict. Mason obviously getting big pleasure from vast speeches of Theda, who completely glowed with pride that her soon-be son-in-law is Mason Capwell. Christie just drinks her coffee and watched at the one then at the other. When her own and sister's eyes met, she moved her eyes as if she was afraid.
"Lets go outside, Chris?" Mary asks and got up. Mason alarmed looked at her and motioning as if he wanted to go with them too. But at once he realized that he would have extremely foolishly look, and remained to sitting.
"OK," Christie immediately answered without any pleasure.
Mary comforting touch Mason's shoulder. Outside she and Christie slowly walking from the house. Sometime they are walking silently, then Mary broken the silence.
"Chris what is happening? You are so sad today--"
"Nothing is happening," sister's answer sounded too quickly."
"Look at me," Mary raised her sister's face by the chin. Near minute Christie watched in her eyes, but then moved away her glance. It seems she wanted something say, but only moved her lips.
"Don't be afraid," Mary helpless said. But that she else could do? Her sister was frightened by something... Or someone?
"Did you talk with this man?" she asked. "Who looks alike our father."
Christie's eyes was enlarged, lips is trembling. She once again moved her lips which were turned white, and Mary heard "no". She does not believe Christie and already wanted to say her about as Mason calls her.
"Our talking is not finished yet," Mary said to Christie. Christie nod and run to house onward Mary.
"Mary, I have more business in the city," Mason guilty looked at her. "If you want, you can remain here, later I will pick up you."
Mary halfhearted looked at Christie, but after seeing her tormented face, shakes by her head.
"No, I am going with you. Mom, I will call you later. And to you, Chris too. Take care both, OK?"
After the last Mary's words Christie up her head and look at sister's eyes. Mary waved her and got in Mason's car.

* * *

Mason picks up Mary to Capwell's house, but himself drive to his own office for a business. There he got the message to return call Cruz Castillo, and he, instead of call, himself arrived to Cruz's.
"Have news?" he asked from threshold.
"Yes, someone."
"What is it?"
"About the past — nothing. But then I knew something important about the present. Today your home was sent the bomb by someone."
"What?" Mason turned pale.
"Doesn't worry, we already have it — after disposal. But this was very unwary step of your enemy since we caught the person who bring it and now have the bomb. While we heard from him enough little information, but there are already appeared several lines to the lead person."
"I want to speak with him."
"No you cannot. But I think there was quite well make the confrontation with Mary's sister Christie. I searched you for this case. I don't want to send her summons; could you bring her in police unofficially?"
"Why you want to see Christie? Do you think she can recognize him?"
"I do not know," Cruz blinked the question. "So do you will bring her here?"
"Well, I will. The question are lives and deaths of my soon-be relatives. For the sake of all of us I will bring even evil, rather then only Christie Duvall."

* * *

Mason decide to postpone the talk with Christie before the following day, because whole day organized with her and with Theda rather was worn him. He say nothing Mary he understood that it is not be easy for her.
He and Mary sitting on the bed in his room. Mary absently pulled his hairs, not daring to begin the talk about Chip and Samantha. Finally she said: "Mason?"
"What?" he got free from his own muddled and worrisome thoughts about bomb and talk with Cruz.
"Mason, why someday you have so strange looks at me, when I pick up Chip or Sammi?"
Mason from surprise looked at Mary. Her face was seriously.
"Am I? Have strange looks?"
"Yes... As if you... don't like it.
Mary did not dare to say "as if you are jealous". Mason is thinking.
"I see that you are meaning--"
"Mason, why you doing it?"
"Because you," he forced smiled.
"Because me? Do you consider that I will not be able to love YOUR children?" Mary taken away from him, the coolness passed on her chest.
"No!" Mason moved toward to her. "I mean the completed different thing!"
"Well, what is it?"
"Mary... do you must not doing this--"
"But why?"
"They are not yours... nobody can not force you... no need--"
"Mason!"
Mary sits down and shocked look in his eyes.
"Mason, do you think, I playing with children only for the sake of you?!"
"If you doing actually?" he raised his head.
"No," Mary gave the wide smile. "No! They are just amusing children! I love them so much! How you can think that I force myself! It is so foolish!"
"Yes, I am foolish," Mason move close his face to her. An ice in his heart was melted and melted his foolish mistrusts. "But do you love me even after?"
"How you dare asks!" Mary embraced him for the neck. "Nothing in this world forces me to stop to love you..."
At the point there was called the phone.
Mason with moan got up and pick up the receiver.
"Hello? Who is it?"
After a minute of listing, the blessed expression of his face was changed to alarm.
"What?" Mary got up and come close to him.
"It is your mother. Christie did not return at home yet."
Mary involuntarily looked at clocks. Nearly 12 AM. What is happened to Christie?
Chapter 49 — The Kidnapping

"Mason, give me the receiver," Mary asked. "Hello, mum? It's me, Mary. What is happened?"
She has been listened her mother, and then turn away from Mason. Her cheeks flushed.
"Mum, listen me, OK? Christie will be OK. No, I did not get any calls from her. But she probably with Jimmy, who works in the same cafe as she doing. He is her buddy, may be, she stay with him now. No, I do not know his phone number. Mum, go to bed, OK? Christie will return tomorrow, and when she comes back at home we both will speak to her. Yes. Yes, well, I'll beginning to search her tomorrow. OK." She hangs down the receiver; still do not look at Mason.
"What is happened?" he asked, alarmed with her behavior.
"Nothing," she still did not look at him.
"Mary?" he turned her face to himself. She looked at him for a second and then moves away her eyes. "She is drunk," whispered she then.
"And what? Do you worry because she is drunk?"
In Mason's voice was something that forced Mary to overpower shame and look at him. Mason watched seriously and in surprise. She nods.
Mason wanted something say, but then changed his mind and asked Mary: "But what about Christie?"
"She probably stays with her boyfriend."
"But you do not know where she is?"
"No... But I do not think that she is getting in any troubles."
"She is daughter of your father too," Mason slowly said. "And if she will disappear... However, you are right. We need to wait before morning," he finished seeing that Mary turned pale.
"Do you think so?"
"Yes," Mason was not too sure that it's the right decision, but the other side he was not sure that it's wrong one. Searching for Christie now tonight, he did not want. Additionally they have no proofs that she was kidnapped. Christie Duvall never was goody-goody, who comes back at home in 9 o'clock exactly.
"Hope that you are right," Mary with worried look peered into the side of the window as if she could see Christie outside. "Well, we need to wait until morning."

* * *

However the morning brought not good news overwise Mason thought. After the call to the house of Mary's mother early in the morning, Mary found out that Theda had not sleep for the whole night and played on nerves of all Christie's friends and buddies, whose phone numbers she only was able to find. Christie nowhere was. She did reach even Jimmy. The guy was surprised and said that he already for two days did not see Christie since duties of each other did not match. Christie was disappeared.
After retold scaring information to Mason, Mary lowly become silent. She did not know where she must search for her younger sister after so wide investigation which was used by Theda.
Mason revolved the news. Now they already have not doubts that Christie's disappearance is connected with the last events his and Mary's lives. But how they will find this stupid girl?
"I am so guilty!" escaped from Mary. "I saw that she is not comforted that she just is afraid! Well why she was not trusted to me!"
"Why you said that Christie was afraid?" it's something new for Mason.
"It seems to me yesterday. I know her enough well, she was behaved with the way as if someone make her powerfully frightened."
"Do you try to talk with her?"
"I tried, but she denied."
"OK, then its possible tries to track the person with whom she met in recently. May be someone saw her with the person, who make her so frightened. But first I need to call to Cruz," Mason draws a sigh. "Supposed I will take Christie to Cruz today--"
"Why?" Mary alarmed. "Why Cruz was wanted to ask her?"
"For several questions."
"You know, all things become so... bounded between it. Christie is frightened by someone, then she disappears, and just in that moment, when you are going to deliver her to Cruz. What is information he wanted to get from her? Possible, someone was wanted that they were stopped before police reached to something? And Christie can be..."
Mary is stopped not wanting to finish her words. She did not want even to think about possibility the worst thing. About that may be Christie already is dead.
"I don't sure," Mason lies. In the light of these events he did not want to tell Mary about the bomb as a new present. "Now I need to go to Cruz (I want to see him against to call him), but you don't go away, OK? If Christie will call to someone, I am sure that she will choose you."
Mary already wanted to object, but then change her mind. She has been understood that she is the single person, who could be trusted by Christie. If she wanted.
Chapter 50 — More One Case

Christie sitting on the large sofa in the room without any windows bites her own knuckle finger and stares around. Events were turned around too quickly and not understandable for her. She did not know what she supposes to do and had no possibility to talk with someone. Unexpectedly she become being cut from the rest world, she feel she lost her orientation. If she have a chance to make only phone call!
But the phone, as well all other contacts was inaccessible for her. Christie got up, putting her hands in pockets her new jeans and with sadness look around their holdings. "All things just for your," said her just a few several hours back... never mind who. In that moment she had no doubt that it meaning exactly this, but now her guts have said her that she fell into the trap. Now she felt sorry that she said nothing to Mary...

* * *

"So Christie is missing," Cruz looked with strange glance at Mason.
"Yes," Mason confirmed. "She is missing just as she was not born after all."
"Too wondering--" Cruz absently said.
"But what is you wanted to hear from her?" Mason asked. "You think that she have any connecting with that bomb, right?"
Cruz paused, but then finally answered: "I wanted to ask her if she pay an attention to the one person who can be around her."
"What is the person?"
"One suspicious person. The former agent, who suddenly came up here several weeks back."
"Do you suspect him?"
"No... But I am sure that his appearance not accidentally. Can not be accidentally with his biography."
"But what is special in his biography?"
"I cannot say now."
"Cruz, the case is about the life of the very young girl!"
"My information nothing gives to you. But besides no data that Christie was hurt."
"Do you want first get her dead body? Or badly damaged corpse?"
"No. But at least the call for a ransom."
"I don't think that the call for a ransom will appear," Mason shook his head. "Not for the case."
"May be. But I cannot to say more."
"I don't go to inside. My bride and me was attacked, her sister has stolen. Really do you think that you can able to discharge me from the investigation?"
"I do not think this," Cruz smiled. "And therefore check up please two names, OK? Francis Parker and Josie Worth. I am interesting any information about them, all stuff that you will be able to dig."
"Parker and Worth... sounding familiar. Did they connect with Timmons?"
"No," Cruz raised his head from papers and with interest looked at Mason. "But why you asked?"
"Well, I have some associations."
"This is interesting thought," eyes' Cruz flashed, and Mason noticed it. He wanted to ask Cruz about than exactly interesting his thought, but Cruz overtaken him. "Find all that you will be able, and give me to know. I will keep you be informed."
Mason understood the tip-off and came out of Cruz's office.

* * *

Mary sitting and look at telephone. The last hour and a half she tried to concern with different deals, but don't care returned meaningless and devastated thoughts. Christie, please, call me! Give me to know that you are okay! Give any sign that you are alive!
She did not know that at the other end of the city, in one of rich mansions, Christie prayed about the same thing. She wanted to call her sister and to tell her everything, but she has no possibility to do. She was locked in "the golden hutch" by the person, who was trusted by her as far as lesser.
Chapter 51 — The Shock

After leaving of Cruz's office, Mason trying to think where is the better place for getting the information about the persons, whose names Cruz said. Suddenly he came to the decision and run to nearest phone cabin. He turned round and bumped face to face to the man. The man mumbled his apology and walk away while Mason run in the phone cabin threw in cash and after a few minutes of talking he just come back to his car on the parking lot. His sixth sense or but just suspicious deserted around place make force him, who already opened door of the car, suddenly run away. His life was saved by a few seconds only. The car was burst, when he was in the parking lot yet.

* * *

At moment of the blast Mary sitting in the room with children. She peacefully played with them, all of them are going well, but at some moment she felt that beside her eyes is falling dark. She sneaked and looks at the clock. Mason was not at home too long time!
At the point the phone called. Mary — who was already all day for this — grasped the receiver.
"Who is it? Christie, is you?"
"No, it's not Christie."
The male voice. The same who called in past. Mary suppressed her strong wanting to cry in the receiver to leave alone all of them.
"What you want from us?" she finally asked.
"I want you be well."
"By destroyed the person who I love more then my life? The pretty good way if you want me is well."
"There are many things about you don't aware."
"I aware all about Mason. Who are you? Why do you hide yourself from me?"
"You will know all in the time."
The dialing tone. The line becomes dead. Mary wiped the sweat on her forehead by her palm and confusing look at Samantha and Chip who was creeping around. What psycho can want that she's good and to kill Mason in the same time?
The phone calls again. Mary takes the receiver on autopilot.
"Hi!"
"Mary! THANK GOD, it's you! I have much little time only!"
"Christie!" Mary cried. "Where are you? Are you OK?"
"Yes, I am fine. But I do not know where I am now. I was brought to the house and they do not let's go out me."
"Who did bring you to the place? Do you know who the person is?"
"I know. It's our..." At the point talk was broken up.
"Christie! Christie!" Mary repeated in despair, but line was dead again. Mary hung down the receiver, but in the same time phone burst called again.
"Christie?" Mary asked with hope.
"No, Mary. It's me, Cruz." On the other end line become silent. Mary becomes afraid.
"Cruz, what is happened?" She can not ask If there was happened something. It's was clear.
"Yes, it was... Mary, it's hard for me to talk it but Mason... his car was burst."
"O My God! Cruz, how is Mason? If he was hurt?"
"I am afraid... I am afraid that he is dead, Mary."
Mary looks just before with shocked eyes.
"What?" she whispered.
However at the point she sees the impossible thing. The person who was right now named as dead man; he stood in doorway of children room and pressed his finger to his lips.
Mary shakes by her head. Mason does not disappear. He just he was — in dirty clothing and with face smeared by smut — he come in and hugs her. Mary with sob snuggled to his shirt and drop down the phone receiver.
"Mary? Hey? Mary, are you OK?" Cruz yelled the receiver with frightened voice but nobody was picking up it from the carpet. In the room were only two loving persons who hardly lost each other and children who don't know how to speak.
Chapter 52 — The Happening Is Going

It is long time until Mary was able to let out Mason's shirt and look at his face.
"I was so afraid!" she rubbed her cheeks with loomed traces of her tears.
Mason pick up the receiver what already was taken by Chip and Samantha, but it have only short beeps.
"Who it was?" Mason asked already guessing who it was.
"Cruz. He said that you... that you--"
"That my car burst and I was killed," Mason helped. "Understandable."
"But why Cruz said this? What was happened after all?" Mary take away from him, not wanting remember her horror feeling by her for these several minutes.
"He does not know that I am alive. Nobody knows yet."
"What? But why?"
"Mary it seems it is the only way to badger this guy from his sanctum. He wants to see me as a dead man — and his desire will "performed".
"Do not you want to trust even to Cruz?"
"Now yes, I don't want. Afterwards we will think about. Presently our main problem to find your younger sister."
"Mason?" they heard full amazing Cruz's voice and looked over. He stood in doors and stare at Mason.
Mary picks up from the carpet sleeping Chip and takes him to the bed, and then she takes care about Sammi also, having given Mason working out the situation with Cruz.
Men, however, have just talking, but about businesslike than-that deliberated. After tucking Samantha Mary wanted to say men to be out of children room for talking, but Cruz already stood on threshold.
"OK, as we set on." Cruz gesture Mason, nod Mary and quickly left out.
Mary dragged Mason to his bedroom.
"Mason, I need to tell you something!"
"What?" Mason alarmed looked at her.
"Just before Cruz's call here were two more. First came by Christie."
"THANK GOD, she is alive!" escapes from Mason.
"Yes," Mary turned pale and nod. "She is alive, but she is captured in the one house. And she thinks that it did by our father."
"Said she this?" Mason shocked.
"In fact, yes. The truth, she held back until the end but was clear that she want to say."
"Well--" Mason slips in deep thoughts, but then raised his head. "But the second call?"
"It was HIM."
"You are meaning--"
"Yes, our guy."
"The same voice?"
"The same."
"And what he said?"
"He wants me be good," Mary give a shivers. "He said that I don't know full truth, but will hear about in due..."
Mason estimates something.
"But when he called?"
"Just before Christie's call, I talked with her around pair of the minutes, not more, but as soon as I placed the receiver, Cruz's call came."
"OK, think if between Cruz's call and HIS one was around five minutes?" Mason counted. 
"Yes, approximately." 
"It is interesting... He call right after the blast, but before police's coming. In several minutes, when I am run away. But then he knew that I am alive. On the other hand, he calls and reported that soon you will hear something, right?"
"Yes, it was possible that he meaning this."
"So, he really needs my death... And he wants you be good," Mason make face.
"Do you think that it was my father?" Mary asked. "Yes? Do you think that my father want to kill you?" 
Mason avoided looking at her.
"Mason! Look at me!"
He did not move.
Mary got up, come to him and turned his face person to her. "Mason, my father is dead. No matter who is this man, he just pretending to be my father."
Mason's silence was his answer.
Mary returned to her arm chair and sit down. After several depressing minutes she said: "We need to end this whole mess. We need to find Christie and this person."
She got up and goes out to door.
"Where are you?" Mason jumped after her.
"To Theda. I feel that answer must be in our house. Just it cannot be anywhere."
"I do not let you out alone!"
"But you are considered as dead! And if this guy will hear that you are alive the whole your play with Cruz turn dust in ashes."
"I will quietly rest on back sitting and if it is necessary, put on nun's dress, you are not going out alone."
In spite of the whole gravity of the situation, Mary chortle — she visualized Mason nun's dress. This can be better that his looks in priest's dress!
"OK," she finally agreed. "But just no one word from the back sitting!"
Chapter 53 — The Old House

However after hour and half they get a chance to go out from the house. News about Mason's "death" diffusing around with a light's speed and condolences poured as an unceasing flow. Then Capwell's Residence was occupied by journalists, and Mason and Mary can do nothing but wait until Capwell's guards will turn out these newsmakers.
Finally they managed to go out and drive out from Capwell's garage one of the old CC's cars. Mason wanted to take limo, but shocked Mary look at him and asked if really he thinks that limos are absolutely an ordinary thing in Ventura where her mother living. So, the limo was rejected. However after climb in the car Mason realized that Mary didn't joke about back sitting. He had nothing to object her, so he takes a medicine. When they drive in to Theda's house, she absolutely surprised them as run out of the house as soon as she seen that Mary climb out of the car.
"My little girl! What disaster!" she cried, and Mary hardly fall down though a ground, but Mason praised himself that he prudent did not climb out earlier than there will clear around.
Mary hardly manage to force Theda reduce her sobs on two tones down and lead her in house. Already on threshold she gesture Mason by her hand that meant that he can come in after several minutes.
Mason waited even little more because he is afraid that wails of his future mother-in-law wake up everybody around. But Theda's neighbors clearly got over more worse so they absolutely paid no attention to new noises and cries.
When Mason come in the house there are Mary quietly talking with her mother and Theda have been nodded.
"Hi!" Mason awkwardly said.
Ted raised her eyes, and in throat something cheeped. Then she rolled over eyes and climb down with chair as she faint.
"My God!" frightened Mason manages to catch her. "Mary, I thought that you told her!"
"I have not time to," Mary afraid too but not so powerfully then Mason. Her mother's behavior was not unusual for her.

Two together they brought to life Theda, and Mary quickly explained her that Mason's "death" was only spoof. Ted very mistrustful taken this information, and else long time looked at Mason so as if his "resurrection" was a fool mistake. But Mary's explanation about that why they arrived, she attentively listened.
"But sweetie, I absolutely do not know how you can get any help by this house. Where you are going to search for? And what?"
"We else themselves do not know," Mason with curiosity looked over the house of Mary's childhood. "Mrs. Bassett--"
"Duvall," corrected Theda. "Now I have this last name again."
Surprised Mary looked at her.
"Bassett's name was too discredited," she justified. "And I decide... I loved your father with all my heart after all."
Mason decides that now the most suitable moment to question her about her first husband. He looked at Mary, and she caught his tip-off.
"I'll get coffee for us," she said and escaped to the kitchen.
Mason think how better to begin the talking when Theda herself continued the subject that was so interesting for him.
"Ah, Kennett!" she theatrical sighed. "How I sorry that you are already cannot be among us! You surely do the best for your little sweet girl!"
"Was Mary the fair-hared girl of her father?" Mason asked. Aside from desire to solve the secret he really was interesting in. He was interested all that was concerned Mary before their first meeting.
"Yes, she was! He played with her for days, when she was baby. But Mary looks at him as if he was God. She did not leave far then steps, when he was at home... Kenneth worked as traveling salesman," she answered to Mason's questioning look. "He often need be to leave, but adored our girls and tried to be with them each his free minute." Theda paused. "He had only one weakness," she said then with strange tone. "His love spread to his children, but also to the rest of relatives."
"About whom you talk?" Mary asked, coming in the room and putting on table tray with cups and the coffeepot. "Who is the relative about you speaking?"
"Yes, about his Larry, about whom else!" Theda sniffed. "Who did love nobody except his owns precious self!"
"But who is Larry?" Mary asked surprised. She cannot understand about who speaks her mother, but the pronounced name seem her as familiar.
"Sweetie, actually you do not remember him? Larry is your father's brother." Mary and Mason exchanged glances, but Theda continued: "Larry absolutely does not like late Kennett. Though he was the way by I first met Kennett. Can you see how my situation was?! I need be to choose my fiancée from the set of identical twins!"
Chapter 54 — The One Piece Of The Puzzle Was Found

The onerous silence fell in the room. Mason and Mary watch each to other, not knowing that they suppose to do with the news. However Theda noticed nothing and continued to go in the deep of her youth.
"I was charmed by them both," she dreamy rolled her eyes. "So stylish well-mannered young men! At least once I thought then. Larry was so jolly guy and was so addicted to parties that I almost chosen him. But later I met with Kenny..."
Mary already opened her mouth to ask her mother why she never told her about her father's twin, but then she saw that Mason gesture her to keep quiet and change her mind. Mason was right because if her mother will tell yourself, it will much better than if they would press her.
"Sweetie, seems I never tell you how I first met with your father? No? Wow, it was just the amusing story! We were in the high school. His family just moved in Ventura, and they even had not friends still. Larry and Kennett came in my school and I getting know Larry by one of many our parties. Then sometime I stop by Larry's place to go out in cinema as we agreed early, but the door was opened by Kenny. He looked over me with my legs to my head and grin. I understood nothing and asked him if he is ready for cinema? He asked: "Do you invite me?" I got upset since it was Larry's idea to call me for movie that I suppose that the movie is enough stupid. I already start to say him all that I thinking about him and at the point Larry appeared! You can see it! I stood with open mouth and moved my eyes with one twin to other twin. Finally Larry realized that I do not know who is who, and said Kenny that I am his girlfriend. Larry answered that we already got meet and left out..."
"And what was then?" Mary asks.
"Then... Sweetie I fell in love at first sight! And later we were getting married."
"With Kennett?" Mason asks.
"Sure, with Kennett," upset Theda replied. "As I already said! He was such unusual, such intellectual, such well-read... Unlike his brother, who had the only thing to think: the party, more party and even more parties. No wonder that later he did off the track!"
"Off the track?" Mary asked just before Mason's question.
"Well, I don't sure--" Theda stop herself is not sure if she should spill the beans. "Just I heard rumors that Larry was in jail sometimes. Actually Larry denied it, but really how I can believe to his saying? I did get married with Kennett in the same year of our first meeting, and Larry leave out the town. Practically the last day that I saw him was thy day of our wedding. But later he appeared just before Kennett's death. And after his memorial service he disappeared again."
"Have you any idea where he is now?" Mary slowly asked.
"No, after memorial of my poor Kennett I even heard nothing about him! I even thought that he may be is dead; he did not appear here even after death of their parents."
"It is likely that," Mason stands up. "Mary, it seems this is directly that we were interested."
"Do you interested in Larry?" amazed Theda asks. "But why you don't ask me earlier? I could tell the entire story about him long ago! Mary?"
"Before now I did not remember about Uncle Larry--"
"No wonder," Mason caught. "You actually did not know him."
"I didn't... but I remember his voice," Mary said. "He often came to dad when dad was ill, right?"
"Yes, sure. As I already said that he came just then. And he even asks to move in us! When we were in the so difficult situation!"
"May be we have pictures of dad and uncles Larry, mum?" Mary asked and stands up.
"Seems we have, probably it's in the garage, sweetie. Or no! Christie takes the album out to her room. Look in her room."
Their searching takes not too long time because the big album lay under Christie's pillow. Mary opened the first page, and she got free the deep breath. Two young men looked at her. Two identical faces. One belonged to her father, but the second — his twin brother Larry, who, no doubt, was the source of all her present troubles.
However, Mason doesn't accept her surety that became clear after his first words.
"It's interesting whom of them trying to destroy our lives?" he absently said looking at Mary who slowly turns pages of the album. "Actually the twin Kennett is good twin? According your mother he was just a saint husband. But his twin Larry sounds alike a typical evil twin from soap operas.
"What you know about twins in soap operas?" Mary suspicious asked. "And in any case: my father is dead that mean that our bad guy is my uncle Larry. Just cannot believe!"
Chapter 55 — The Second Peace Seems Was Found Too

"If your father actually dead--" Mason sighs.
"Sure he is dead. How he cannot be?
Mason was silent.
"Or... or do you think that my dad is alive, but his twin brother is dead?!"
"We can not exclude this."
"It's cannot be! How you are imaging this?!" Mary threw out the album and passing around the room. Mason sitting on the chair and watch her. "Well, yes, they were identical twins, but they cannot be completing non- differentiating. Even my mom clearly did not mix up them with her adolescence. Do you think that she could to mix up her sick husband with his well twin brother if other twin would suddenly substituted his brother, are you?"
"No, it's absolutely impossible!" Mary said and stopped just before Mason. "But we must find my uncle Larry, and as soon as possible. Christie clearly stays with him."
"Do you agree that Christie is in the danger even though you think that she is with your uncle? He is her uncle too."
"But I am his niece, but he easy put me in the danger. And my soon-be husband," she looked at Mason with sudden tenderness. "Really soon we will have three of us?" she almost whispered.
Mason got up and embraced her.
"Sure we will," he quietly said in the same manner. And after several minutes of the silence he added: "Mary, let's I take you in my father's house. You need be in safe."
"But you are going to the den of my crazy uncle Larry, are you? No, I don't let you out alone. I almost lost you today, remember?"
"Today? Yes, exactly. Just so many things were happened after and I already lost the count of time. It seems that there was assed already nearly month. Or year."
"But there was passed just a half-day from the moment when Cruz called me and reported that you were killed. I almost believe him."
"I am OK."
"And it's the most lead thing.
They were silent. Suddenly Mary snapped by her fingers.
"I understood!"
"What?"
"I understood that what was happened with Christie! All of her recently behavior... yes, it's that! Mason, just before than Christie disappeared she obviously wanted to say me something. I thought that she got news about that robber or just she saw something more than said, but indeed now I think that uncle Larry introduced himself as our father."
"But why she didn't say you?"
"Because I have been speaking that our father is dead. That I am sure about his death. She solved that I do not believe her. And Uncle Larry most possible asked her tell nobody about his arrival. But she wanted to tell me. I saw in her eyes that she did! She wanted to say me that our dad is alive!"
"But why your uncle can be needed to bluff Christie? Why he cannot say "I am your uncle" instead "I am your dad"?"
"Christie can spill the beans. And for have her under his control. To use her... What for? What for he could use his younger niece? But why he chases us also? You and me... It's strange. And foolish."
"For me is well," Mary's words were nearly not audible; Mason's better guessed than heard. In Mary's voice was so much despair that Mason afraid and walk close to her. "What are you talking?"
He saw that her eyes were wide with horror.
"Mason," whisper she. "After all... he--"
"What?
Mary bites her lower lip and shakes her head. Her emotions did not give her to speak. Mason waited and asked again: "About what do you speak?"
"Mason, he did all these awful things for the sake of me! It's my fault! It's my fault that you almost were killed!"
Chapter 56 — The Payoff Already Is Enough Close

"Are you crazy?" Mason jumps up. "It cannot be your fault!"
"Mason, Uncle Larry... he take care about me with the way."
"It's impossible foolishness!"
"Mason, I am serious! By the phone, that person said that he wants I am being well. The most sure he was my uncle Larry! He considers that for me become well if you will dead!"
"Mary, how you dare even think this! You are not charge of fantasies of crazy people."
"But if he takes care about me--"
"No matters. For his own action answers only he himself," Mason embraced her. "Do not worry, it'll be all right." He kissed Mary, and she answered him. "I love you," she whispered.
At the moment, they heard Theda's voice: "Mary, my girl, where are you?"
"Let's go," Mary sighed. "Already getting late, but we else must find the lair of my crazy uncle."
They are going downstairs, say good-bye to disappointing Theda, who was longing fill in them her memories about her adolescence, and come in the car after some with precautions. Having driving off little from Theda's house, Mary stopped the car and turned her head to the back sitting.
"Lets up, here nobody able to identify you."
Mason sat up.
"Where you are going to search for Larry? May be let's go to my father's house and postpone the action?"
"If you want I can drop in you," Mary replied. "However, I cannot stay in Capwell's house now. I need to find my younger sister."
"I do not leave you," Mason upset looked. "Who am I do you think? However, I am worry about you and our baby."
"We will be OK, but I don't sure about Christie... Well, we must to stop to waste our time. Let's act."
"Nevertheless, what you going to do? How you want to find your uncle?"
"I think I know the one way."
Mason interrogative looked at her. "Keith Timmons."
For a few moments, Mason stunned, but then grins.
"Hardly you'll able get something."
"You see," Mary replies and drive on.

* * *

Surely, Keith Timmons want to tell nothing. Moreover, he is going to tell nothing. He even is going to let in Mary for talking. However, as soon as she mentions the name of Lawrence Duvall, his eyes become running and lips become compressing.
"He is my uncle," Mary states and closely looks at D.A. "He sent me messages for long time ago because he wants to see me, but I learned this just now."
"Miss Duvall, but I have no idea--"
"His last message indicated that you should report me his address."
"He did not ask me about."
"But do you know his address?"
"I did not tell that."
"But you do know.
Timmons was silent, but then threw in: "My secretary will give it to you. And now good-bye."
I hope we never again see each other, he silently added when for Mary was come out. Though I am lucky that she remembered about his address' missing. If Larry heard... 

* * *

15 minutes later Mary comes back in the car with the address in her hand. She heard the breath of the relief from the back sitting.
"Well, finally! I already thought that I need to go and rescue you from Timmons' hands."
"I got the address!"
"Really?! Show me!" Mason reaches out from his sitting, but Mary takes away him back.
"Not here. Mason, everyone can recognize you! It will ruin all our plans."
Mason moans.
"Dammit why I decide to pretend be dead now!"
Finally, they drive off from high traffic's part of the city, and Mary allows Mason to sit up. He switches out her hand the paper with the address and then surprised say: "One of richest districts as Montecito."
"It makes our case even simpler," Mary drives in.
Mason looks at rear-view and meets with Mary's eyes. Her tensed face shortly is relaxed, and she is smiling. Mason leans on the back of the sitting and closed eyes. Very soon they will see the person, who so longing to destroy their family. Can they be able to cope with?
He had not the answer. He only hoped and prayed since he knew that he could not able to live without Mary. He cannot lose her in the second time. He does not allow this.
Chapter 57 — The Trap Is Slammed

Mason's car drive up to the locked gate of the manor. There was getting dark, but though its bars can be seeing the tall mansion at the heart of the garden. Mary climbs out of the car and dither. Mason climbs out also and looks around.
"May be we'll back home now?" His whisper was sacredly loud.
"No! We are too close to our point."
"Moreover, how you think to go to enter inside? It is private property that meaning the powerful alarm system and trained dogs."
"You think about this better than gabbing here!" Mary desperately tried to find the way. Suddenly she got the idea. She listens for around and afterwards makes a few quick steps aside. Bingo! They were stay not so far from the shore.
"Let's go!" Mary pulls Mason who understands nothing and tried stop her. "Lets go, we can walk around by the water."
"Wait, we had better take the car."
"For driving by the water?"
"For the driving to the shore! Its may be useful for us if we need be to hurry to out from there."
The shore turned out to be not so close as Mary thought, and she doesn't sorry that agree with Mason.
They left the car nearly the sea gate, Mason and Mary removed their shoes and walk around of the bars by the water.
"We take the powerfully risk," Mason noticed firmly keeping Mary's hand. "If they have watchdogs here, we can be hurt. I already do not meaning about breaking the borders of the private property--"
"Shut up!" Mary sharply sat down, and Mason did the same. The bright ray of the searchlight passed over their heads. They are well under way in the garden of the manor.

* * *

Christie cannot be able to sleep. She already was captured of the rich manor belonging to the person, who named himself her father for two day. However, as more Christie can hear him, as more she seemed that he is not her father. She did not remember her father, but the person scared her. He even does not allowed her to call at home! However, his promises make his best for her became as far as getting fade... She can only convince him to give her the normal room. If she would be continued, be stay in that room without windows she already would be crazy girl. Christie stands up from the easy chair and come close to the open window, what was guarded by bars. For the last a few hours she often did the same way though she understood that nobody her see since around is just property of the person. Suddenly it seems to her that she have seen some shade on the right on the house. However, after she wink the shade was disappeared. Christie stared for several minutes in the darkness of the garden, but can see nothing. It's just my imagination, she disappointed thought, and hardly jumped because the loud whisper, which seemed was heard straight near her window.
"And what now?"
"We need to get into house!"
"By air?"
"I do not know, by what but we need to get into! I must find Christie..."
The last words almost make Christie to cry. She finally realized to whom belongs this whisper, and was ready to hug her sister for coming for help. However, fortunately her fear of her jailer does not allow her to make this foolishness. However she must signal them where is she.
The first her idea was to throw in Mary by anything. Her hands convulsive are moving around and finally get the sweet's wrapper. Having rolled down it to the ball, Christie put out the hand and, by orientating on voices, thrown in that side, where on her opinion, stays Mary and Mason. The whisper was immediately stopped.
"What is it?" she hardly heard Mary's words. Mary lifts up her head, but sees nothing. "Let's go!" Mason pulled her by the hand. "We need to run away!
Mary unwillingly goes for him, but suddenly stopped because she heard Christie's voice. "Mary, I am here!"
"Mason!" Mary's voice sounded louder than they can allow and at the same point they was blinded the bright light from both sides. 
Mason rush aside leading away Mary, but the male voice, escalated megaphone said something that makes them forced to stop: "Don't move! You are surrounded! You are broken the borders the private property, and after any efforts to run away you will hunt by dogs!"
"I am idiot!" flashed in Mason's mind while he goes forward shielding Mary by his body. "I am completed fool! How I can agree to go here? I was need to call the police and do not have in troubles. Mary, I am sorry! I let you down again".
Chapter 58 — Captured? (1 Part)

For a few seconds everyone stay in destroying silence. Mary stay near Mason, closing her eyes by her elbow because the blinding light of searchlight. Suddenly lights become lesser bright, and became possible to see guards with weapon who is surrounding them.
"You see--" began Mason, but he was crudely stopped: "Keep quiet!"
"But--"
"How you were!" they heard someone's voice. Mary and Mason saw the male figure of the person in tens foots aside.
"I am owner of the residence," the man evilly said. "I already did call police--"
"Drop it," Mason interrupted him. He looks directly at his face. "We all know that you did not call police."
"You'll see," the man just turned to go away.
"Yes. We'll see, Lawrence Duvall."
The dark figure was stopped.
"How you named me?" the man hollowly asked.
"It's your name."
"Lead them in the crypt," he ordered to guards.
Mary freezing with terror, she wanted to cry. Are they leaded to be buried as alive? Mason's hand calmly presses her hand. Oh, Mason, what is the hell that I am pulls in you!?
Pushing in their backs by weapon, guards leaded Mason and Mary in the house. It's a little becalmed Mary because the house was not the graveyard. They were left alone in the large room. The room likes not any crypt; it's been just the studio of the rich businessman. Mary embraced Mason and feel how is powerfully beating his heart.
"Mary!" the shade rushes to her from the door.
"Christie!" Mary embraced her sister and cried. "My God, how are you? Are you OK?"
"Yes, I am fine!" Christie move close to her. "I am sorry that I did not tell you! I am so sorry!"
"All be all right, do not worry! My little sister ... I was so afraid that you already are not alive!"
"And actually it's vainly," they heard the man's calm voice from the door. "Christie was in full safety here."
All three were turned to the man. Now he was well seen and they saw that this man in his forties, high and lean. With dark thinning out hair and fine lips. In the beige suit and standing in careless pose of a longing tourist.
"Really?" Mary upset said. "My sister was like a prisoner in the prison here!"
"It's been for her safety."
"Yes?" Mary said. "In the same way as Mason need to die for my well being?"
Her whisper produced the effect of the blown bomb. The men's head is moved.
"I am not--"
"Let's speak peacefully," Mason interfered. "Without threats and accusations. In our both sides' favors to do not let that anybody gets hurt, right?" He looks at Larry's eyes. Their eyes met.
"You are right," he reply and with inviting gesture show to the sofa. "Make yourself at home."
In spite of clearly sounded irony, Mason calmly sit down and move close Mary. Christie sits down too, nearly on the small piece of the sofa.
"So?" Mason moves his head. "May be, we meet other each for beginning?"
"Mason, why?" Mary presses his hand.
"Calm down, Mary. Its necessary--" Mason quietly answered and said louder: "My name is Mason Capwell. She is my soon-be wife Mary Duvall."
"As I can see, you already know my name. My name is--" Larry paused. "My full name Lawrence Garland Duvall. I am your uncle, Mary."
"I know," Mary answered.
"Uncle?" Christie stands up. "But you did say--"
"I lied," he calmly said. And then looked at Mary. "I'll explain you soon. But only privately," he expressively nod to the side of door. "No way!" Mary jumps up. "I never leave Mason!"
"You are in full my power," he objected. "If I'll want that nobody go outside as alive — nobody." He becomes silent and then apologized. "I am sorry; I did not want to threaten you. But you damaged all my plans, when appeared here."
"Moreover, what are your plans?" Mason asked. "Since we already broken up its so may be you would tell about them?"
Chapter 58 — Captured? (2 Part)

"I am not a criminal," Mary's uncle hard said. "My plans did not including to take hostages or kill anyone." He paused and added: "All that I wanted is just to meet with my own nieces."
"Really?" Mary's voice is dangerously trembling. Mason calmly pressed her palm and then looks at Mr. Duvall.
"Drop it, Lawrence; we know that you were the person who was behind the hunt for Mary and me for months. It's not the big secret now. Keith Timmons is afraid you, but his own head is meaning for him more then your orders. In fact he gave Mary your address by his own hands. Your game is over."
"See, at the point in the script I must begin to cry and repent, but then begin preparations to murder and at the last moment gallant Santa Barbara police taken me red-handed? No need to dramatize, attorney. Here not gangster's lair."
"Fine. I pleased that we came to understanding. And since it's very possible that you agree to answer our questions?" Mason bent his head.
"It's possible, I agree. Assign your own questions."
"Well. Why you kept Christie as the hostage and said her lies about yours ID? Why you did call Mary from D.A.'s office and try to scare her? Why you did your best to attack me?"
Lawrence Duvall gravely takes breath and lowered himself in easy chair opposite them.
"About Christie it's just the accident. I did not know that she saw me earlier and thought that I am Kennett. And when she called me "dad", I just did not make clear that she did the mistake. I did guess that with her mistake would simpler for me to make her trust me. Christie flashed up and turns back to him."
"But my call," he continued, "must not to scare Mary, I just wanted to contact with her. D.A.'s office was my mistake, it seems to me that you cannot able to track be from it earlier than I want. And finally about your least statement (by the way, absolutely proof less one) I can say only that I have been always wanted that Mary was happy--"
"You said this before," Mary interrupted him. "But I cannot understand as you can think about my happiness and trying to kill my soon-be husband in the same time."
"Mason Capwell is not best man for you, my dear," sounded the answer.
Mason turned white and slowly got up.
"So here is it that," he said. Suddenly all bit of the puzzle got up on their own places in his mind. "So you were the person who rescued Mary and placed her in the hospital. Did you?"
Mary shocked look at Larry, but he just nodded.
"Yes, it's been me."
"But you rescued her not for bestial Mason Capwell. Her husband Mark McCormick was much better then he. It's OK that he raped her, it's OK that later he getting involved with illegal sale organ. Don't care; he was better than Mason Capwell."
"Raped?" Lawrence's face changed. "What are you talking?"
"Ah, what sincere perplexity! I don't believe that such prudent person as you as did not read the newspapers. This story was in details illuminated for one and half year away."
Lawrence sharply stretched his hand to some button and pressed it. Sounded the call, and was immediately open door and the service person come in.
"Get the Santa Barbara Times of--"
"Of May," Mason complaisant prompted.
"... Of May of past year. Now."
"On my way," the personal secretary (who was obviously) leaves out.
The room was kept the silence.
"If it's truth--" began Lawrence, but at the point he was brought newspapers, and he became quickly to turn its pages.
Mary would recognize these issues anywhere. She convulsive swallows and Mason embraced her for her shoulder. 
"Soon all is ended," he whispered. Mary nodded and tried to relax. This nightmare must be having the end. Someday.
Lawrence makes the sound look like exclamation and goes to the next page. Having looked her and more one, he finally threw newspapers on the table. His face seemed was shocked.
"I had no an idea about what was happened," he said with cawing voice. "I must to say that these facts become some like a shock for me."
"But your trying to kill Mason become some like a shock for us," Mary showed her voice.
"So Mr. Duvall? Really you did change your opinion about Mark and me for the last 15 minutes?"
"About McCormick I really changed. But I cannot say the same about you. I aware about all scandals with you, about your reputations, about your family, finally. Mary cannot be amongst Capwells."
"I myself decide where I want be," Mary upset said. "My God, how little you are different with dad. Outwardly, may be yes. But inwardly... inwardly just rot only. You do not know what the love is. Even dad said this once.
Oddly to say but Mary's words gave the effect to Lawrence even more than all of rest. He turned pale, then reddened and got up.
"You knew nothing about him or me or about my and his lives. My brother--"
"Not dare even speak about him! He was really the good person, not like you. He cannot even think to kill my loved man because of his reputations or reputations to his family," Mary's eyes hurled to lightings, voice trembled from fury. "I remember that the talk. I am just a child but dad told that loves my mom no matter. This was shortly before his death. Then you said that to love nobody much more simply, much more burdensome! See, I guess that you think this now too? Am I right?"
"You was a child, you did misunderstand the talking--"
"I did fine understand. But now I want to say you something," Mary pulled out her hand from Mason's hands and come close to Lawrence. "I hate you, Uncle Larry. I hate you for all that you did. For trying to kill Mason, for your interruption in my life, for kidnapping my sister, for the lies that you put up around itself, for your attitude to dad... I do not want to know you, do not want that you come to my husband and soon-be baby. And me. Listen?! Never!"
Lawrence Duvall silently looks at Mary. She did the step to door.
"And now we will leave out, and nobody stop us. And will not stopping further while we not go away enough far."
Lawrence shakes his head.
"I cannot allow you leave out. You are too aggressive against me and..."
At the point the door sharply open and the bulky guard appeared on the threshold.
"Mr. Duvall, there are police... With search warrant."
"What?" he jumps up.
"Cruz," Mason smiled in first time for all time. "Cruz Castillo, my friend and best police detective of all who I know. Do not advise to hold us, Lawrence. Later this can be too expensive for you."
Lawrence halfhearted look at Mary then at the guard and finally at Mason again.
"You are right," he agreed and addressed to the guard. "Let in the officer, we hide nothing."
The guard runs downstairs but Mary grins at the last Larry's words.
"Mary, I am really sorry--"
"I don't care. Let's go, Mason. Christie..."
They had time to pass only a few steps and got in Cruz's hands. He released the breath of the relief.
"THANK GOD, you're OK! I even thought that I need to search all manors for yours."
"No, we are OK. Thank you, Cruz. You even cannot image how much I thank you," Mary embraced him and Mason shakes his hand.
In minutes Mason, Mary and Christie came out of mansion of Lawrence Duvall and moved to police cars, which stood on the opposite side of the entrance gate. They feel that they were extraordinarily lucky that they make it.
Lawrence Duvall watched after all of three from window of his cabinet which got the nickname "the crypt" because it's good deafening. He kept quiet and tried to understand what was happened here. All went by the way that was not the same with way that he wants, but he did not know how he can correct the situation. "But I'll do anything," he promised himself. "I can not reject that I want to make".
Chapter 59 — On The Finish Line

After saw the whole line of police cars around the gate of the manor, Mason gave the long whistle.
"My God! Cruz, you brought every Santa Barbara's policemen here, are you?"
"No, but I did wake up more one chiefs. I need to do."
"How you can find us?" Mary asked. She is beginning to feel chills and trembling after the stressing situation was down.
"Mason, I think that you did say her," Cruz looks at Mason.
"No, he did not," Mary gave the alarmed look at Cruz. And then she looks at Mason. "What is it that you didn't say me? I want to know! Now!"
"No need be so worry," Mason soothingly lifts up his hand. "Just while you tortured our D.A. I did warn Cruz about the place where we are going."
"What you did?" Mary was shocked. "You could not know where is lives my uncle. I will go to Keith Timmons for his address."
"Mason said me to follow your car," Cruz broadly smiled. "As I did. But when I saw the place, where you arrived, I immediately left out for reinforcement. This address was well known."
"About than you?" Mason frowned. "Mr. Duvall has a bad reputation, has he?"
"May be. This person is dangerous, Mason. He has many things behind but he was not caught by his hand. Yet."
"Is he like a mafia's part?" Mary's teeth are chattering because her overwhelming emotions.
"No. He wasn't enough stupid. But he did different machinations for a few times, nosing loopholes in law. He did many deals by hands of someone else, but himself remaining in shades. There are not facts that he has anybody's blood on his hands--"
"What is my relative! Mason, I am very sorry!"
"He is your relative?" Cruz repeated and looked at Mason.
"He is my uncle. My father's brother."
"I see. I thought that he's just your namesake," Cruz eats Mason by his eyes.
"What is wrong?" Mason discontented asked.
"I just thought that now you will put us spokes in the wheel."
"Why?"
"Because me," Mary pulled his sleeve. "Cruz thinks that you will do your best to clear my relative, right Cruz?"
"A sort of something likes," Cruz watchful answered.
"Presently it's not the time to speak about," Mason said and move closer Mary to himself. "Later we'll have the discussion. But now we'll better to leave at home and celebrate our won liberty. We are free now, after all! I cannot believe yet."
"You have the good reason. But I think that now when my "crazy uncle's incognito was revealed, he will not dangerous for us. And we seems can take some time to get in the common life--"
"It'll incomparably more simply than to get in to be captured in siege," Mason kissed Mary in lips. "You know my apartment soon be complete cleared. Probably in the other day we'll be able to move in. What you say?"
"Again move in?" Mary pretender frowned. "Well, OK. Though if I can be with you I ready go even on the edge of the world."
"Be careful what you wish for." 
The most unbosoming moment of kissing was broken by Cruz's cough. When the pair turned, he said: "We are leaving. You go out too, are you?"
"But your car?" Mary asked when Mason led her to the police's car.
"Later I'll take it," he wave off. "Now I want to go out of the building together with you as soon as we can!"
"Well if you want..."
Mason beginning to walk out, but soon realized that Mary still stay beside the gate of the manor.
"Mary!" he called. "Cruz, wait us, please!"
"I am on the way," Mary called back and throws the last look at house of the brother of her father. He sees be attracted her as if it called her. By flashed because moon's light gates, by the darkness of the park.
"No!" Mary pulls herself together, breaking fetter that linking her with the house. "He is nobody to me! He almost killed Mason!"
And she quickly goes to police cars trying not to hear invisible calls of Lawrence Duvall's dark house. Uncle Larry never again will get up between her and Mason. Never!
Chapter 60 — The Full Freedom!

On the way to Capwells house Mary almost fall to sleep. She felt so good with Mason, and just the surviving from the hell seems to her very distant as if it was in the other life. Though her napping Mary heard the squeak of the opening gate of estate and thought that they already soon are at home.
"Oh!" she suddenly heard Mason's voice and wake up.
"What is happened?"
"Seems, my relatives did not like how I informed them about our last adventure."
Mary peered out of the car and sees the running woman who was Eden with such angry face that if her eyes can kill Mason, he would be already dead.
"My God!
Car's brakes are squeak; it powerfully carried away, run in on flowerbed before the house.
"Eden, are you crazy!?" Cruz climbs out of the car. "I--"
"I'll kill you!" screamed Eden beating his chest with her hands. "I mean it, do you hear me? How you couldn't say us that Mason is alive?! Do you know that he is, don't you! How you dare!"
"Eden, wait--"
"And I'll kill you too! What you thought when you did play your game with death, huh? Do you thought about us? About the fact that we are kept think that you is dead? The Nonentity! You are a mean dirty coward!"
"Eden, calm down, please!" Mason climb out of the car and firmly take her for hands above her wrists. "Please, calm down, listen, we could not open the truth. We were not in time for, you understand? We did afraid for Christie's life."
"How you dare to think that someone from us can spill the beans? Do you really think that!? Mason, if you saw the father! He got old for 10 years for these several hours. While we have not heard in TV news the disclaimer of your death... And Mary was disappeared. Mary! But you? Why you did nothing?!"
"Forgive me, Eden. But we really were not time. Beside Mason afraid that you will discourage him from our investigation."
"And his fears were corrected. We have not released him to investigate anything," Eden firmly said. "Let's me go!" she said to Mason. "Let's me go, I'll not going to scratch your eyes out. Even if I would want."
"But what about me?" Cruz carefully asked. "I have been under threatening to remain without eyes?"
"I'll think later!" Eden moves her look at Mason, and her eyes streamed tears. "My God I still cannot believe that you are alive."
Mason embraced his sister.
"I am all right. But if you want to me be lasted and further, please be beaten off from the rest of relatives, who thirst my blood too."
"And as can as soon. Since some of them already run on the road of the war," Mary shows at Kelly who running to them with the wail "Mason, I'll kill you!"
"What poor variety in thoughts!" said Mason and, hugging Mary, prepared to reflect the attack.

* * *

Analysis of Mason in Troubles and celebration of Mason's return to his alive status can be going until the next morning if there are not obvious tiredness of the heroes of the day and Eden, who really have protected Mason from attacks and take care of health Mary for whole evening. At three o'clock everybody finally leave Mason and Mary alone.
"I'm knackered," Mary declared, flopping on the bed. "I already thought that the day never ends."
"Me too, but quite by the other reason," Mason sit down on the edge of the bed and became put down his shirt.
"You were brave as a lion," Mary moves behind his back and became to massage his shoulders.
"Yes--" Mason enjoying as his body is relaxing under her hands. "Everyone was totally crazy. Only Eden was really nice to me."
"Yes, Eden helped us today very much. Do you think if she supposes that soon she'll have the nephew?"
"Sure. In my opinion, she has no doubt otherwise I did not be awarded such favors from her today."
"Do you think that she helped you only because we'll have a baby? Mason, Eden loves you!"
"I know," he turned to her and gave the tired smile. "But it's not simple to change the relations particularly if they were very bad for many years."
"In my opinion, you have really the big progress."
"I hope so," Mason widely yawns. "But it's not too an important deal. The most important that we are free finally! Nobody us threaten, and nothing cannot break up us even if we'll marry tomorrow."
"No, tomorrow I don't want. I want to have the really good sleep time and relax rather to run around in search of wedding dress as a mad squirrel."
"Then may be we can to settle the day of our wedding? For have time for preparation without agonizing?"
"Now?"
"Do you think that it's the longtime case? What is about Christmas?"
"But we have one month until Christmas!" Mary gave the shocked look at him. "It's very soon!"
"Four weeks is very soon? It's really enough for everything! And our wedding will become the next Xmas miracle! Well? Do you agree?"
"Well, OK. But now let's go to bed. The sun will rise soon--"
"Not enough soon. And we have our time before for something doing."
"Mason!"
"Do you want to say that you aren't in mind?"
"No, but--"
"Without any buts! Do you love me?"
"Very! Though you are the unique fox and always find the way to get all that you want!"
"Ok, I am. But now we have the same wish."
"Yes!"
Chapter 61 — In Grief And Joy...

Four weeks have been passed as if it's four minutes.
But first Mason decides that Capwells need to be told about their plans. He asked Rose report all of them about the important meeting in the living room, and then he's go for Mary. She stand opposite the big mirror and slowly turning around herself — right and left as she examines herself closely in mirror her already little shown tummy. Mason stunned. Be afraid to break down the tender moment, he did not dare even to budge. He felt the incredible tide of tenderness and desires to protect her and their baby.
Suddenly Mary felt his glance and turned. They both were embarrassed momentarily. Mason done several steps and embraced her.
"Mary--"
"What?" she asked, not coming off his shirt.
"I called the family meeting."
"Why? What is happened?" Mason felt how her body tightened and in his mind cursed himself for unhandy phrase.
"Nothing," he taken away her from himself and take her face in hands. "Just I decide that it's time to report my father and rest about our soon-be wedding."
"Do you want--" Mary frowned, trying understanding what's hidden before his words. "Do you want to hear their opinions?"
"Nothing like," Mason shakes his head. "I want to notify them that I am going to marry after three with half of the week. Much distrust that someone will be against, but tie up word will not create us problems with you. I promise."
"Well, OK," sigh Mary. "Don't care; we must say them any day--"
"Don't worry, OK? My relatives are not a gift as you already aware."
The smile flashed on Mary's face.
"They are better than you think that they are."
"It's even better," Mason embraced her with relief and then kissed in lips. "Let's go. All are already, probably."
"Wait, but we're going to..."
At the moment Rose come in the room. "Mason, all of them already wait downstairs."
"Thank you, Rose. We're going now."
Mary tried saying something, but Mason led her downstairs.
"Let's go! First we'll finish our case with my relatives."
In the fall Capwells already waited them. CC, Sophia, Eden, Kelly and Ted puzzled look at Mary and Mason, when they came up for the living room of the Capwells House.
There has been the silence. All looked at others and kept quiet. Ted broke the silence.
"Mason, why you called us?"
"I have for one message," Mason said. "Mary and I are going to marry. At Christmas's Eve."
He was going to say more, but don't got enough time.
"I knew!" Kelly ardently cries. "Twenty bucks is mine, I won!"
"OK," Eden put her hand in the pocket.
"Hey what is happening here?" wondered Mason.
"They bet if you are going to you say that you're marry or that Mary is pregnant?" Ted reported and embraced Mary: "My congratulations! I so glad that you finally decide make it! This is just a miracle!"
"Yes!" CC comes close to Mary. "I am glad that all of your problems finally are gone. And may be now Mason will finally getting better, when you'll marry him. He even doesn't know how lucky he is!"
"No, it's me who is lucky," Mary replied. "You will attend at our wedding?" she asked.
CC smiled.
"It's would be an honor for me. If Mason will not mind."
"He'll not," smiled Mary too. "I promise you."
CC embraced her. "I cannot even dream about having the daughter-in-law better then you." 
"Me too!" Sophia embraced Mary as soon as she was released by CC. "Your life was so many times disturbed, and you had so many troubles that your wedding will be a good sign. The good sign for all of us.

"Eden, how you could bet about so important thing!" Mason upset said. "And how do you can know about?"
"Any understandable by your look when you watch at her! And about Mary's pregnancy I knew from Rose's words for long ago."
"And I am," Ted said. "All of us knew already long ago."
"In next time I'll ask Rose to keep my private life as top secret," Mason reported. And after pause he added: "But I absolutely pleased that you are already knew! So I forgive you, I am a nice man today."
"But I am not a nice lady!" Eden said. "How you could be such lightheaded! Really impossible to prepare the wedding for three weeks!"
"Nearly four rather then three. And I'm sure that we have enough time."
"How it's like men!" Eden expressive shown to Mason, and Kelly according nod. "They nothing understands in preparation of weddings!"
"Exactly!" Kelly agreed. "But we are nice ladies today," she chortled," and so we promise to help Mary with your wedding. Overwise our stupid brother can hash it."
"It's impossible!" Mason shocked.
"Keep cool, Mason," Ted pat his shoulder. "Your younger brother always with you. Together we exactly hash nothing."
"Well-well," said in unison Eden and Kelly and go away to congratulate Mary.

Mason wiped a sweat on his brow. It's just the beginning! He suddenly wanted to elope with Mary to Caribbean Island and marry her without any preparations and relatives. However at the moment he sees exercise and shining Mary's face, who take the congratulations from his sisters, and change his mind. Finally it's just a ceremony. He and Mary in fact did married for long tome ago. Their marriage has a high power, and even the death not been able to broken up them.
"Mason, do you already thought who will be your best man?" Ted asked. He still stood beside.
"My God, really I need the best man!"
"I could become him for you," Ted seriously said," But it seems to me that would be better if our father become your the best man."
"He will not want," Mason surely said.
"Then it's safer to ask him. Without your best man you'll not, don't worry," Ted give a wink and go to rest of Capwells.
Mason deeply sighs. He was not sure that he wants to ask this question CC, but now he see that CC have been comes to him, he decide that he need to do this. For the sake of Mary.
"What do you said Mary?" Mason asked his father. By the question he delayed the unpleasant moment for it.
CC raised the brow. "I said her that I'll please to take her in our family. I know that you are not her man of worth, but she have been on you really good affect. Think there is a hope that with her help in you can change to better. In the best side."
CC's words "you are not her man of worth" did hurt Mason. But it was not too hurt as he thought. Mary's presence has changed him.
"I would want that you were my best man at my wedding," he simply said. And thought: "It's my small revenge".
CC shocked looked at him.
"Do you want that I became your best man?" he slowly repeated. Then hr smiled and seriously pronounces: "I'll find for honor."
"Do you agree?" Mason surprised.
"Yes, sure. You are my son, and the woman is the best of entire there was happened in your life."
CC patted his shoulder, sigh and go to rest of Capwells.
"I'll go for champagne!" Kelly finally remembered. "We really need to celebrate Mason and Mary's engagement!"
Mason has feel on himself somebody's hands and turned. Mary looked at him and smiled. Her eyes glowed with such happiness that it was instinctively sent to Mason. He immediately forgotten all troubles and worries, but their place was filled soon-be lucky event — the wedding and soon birth of their baby.
Chapter 62 — And Until Death Separates Us...

It has been the morning of the most important day. Alone Mary sitting on windowsill in her and Mason's room and look out to the Capwell's garden. At last night Eden and Kelly separated her and Mason to two rooms, directly said that they cannot see other each until the wedding. Mary smiled when she remember how was funny frowned Mason and how he tried to confront his sisters. It's seems to her that if there are not Mason's fear of her loss, he would step over all manners and the night they would sleep together as did early. However, she was only pleased that they did go by the traditional way. She was needed this alone night and this early morning. She wanted to have a little time for thoughts. Exactly, the thoughts push out her from the bed so early. She was confessing to herself that she is afraid. No, it is not her and Mason's soon-be weddings — the event was promised to be as much emotional as pleased. It's not the birth of her baby — it's willed just a miracle. No, she was afraid of her uncle. She was afraid that he will want to broke up her and Mason and again interferes in her life. She hated even one thought about that he can appear at their wedding. However, it's enough real situations considering under how many attention journalists have been give to Capwells. And what she supposes to do if he'll declared who is he? She feels sick at thoughts that she supposed to speak the phrases of the type "Meet to my uncle Lawrence". But it's just my fantasy, said she herself. Her uncle Larry will not dare to come up to Capwells. He just will not dare. And she needs to stop to imaging any miseries, but prepare to the luckiest day of her life. Today she'll marry!

Meanwhile Mason is sitting on his bed in the guest room and gloomy looked at the locked door. And how he could allow to sisters to handle with him! They are complete crazy gone because pre-wedding traditions! They not give him to spend the night with Mary — in his room, by the way! — and then even put him in the guest room and locked! They said that he does not entrust by them! Stupid girls, he smiled. If he wanted, there cannot be any borders between him and Mary. Surely he did not want even one night be in the empty bed, but he could her outlive. Just the one fact of bossing of his sisters was as a bone in his throat. Finally, he is their older brother and he wiped their noses when they were babies!
Mason got up and walking around, thinking about soon-be makes cases and events. Look alike everything must be ideal, nowhere malfunctions must be. Seems, he provided all... Or no? Mason absently looked at the phone, then removed the receiver and dials the number.
"Jim? Hi, it's Mason Capwell. Yes, thank you for congratulations. Look, your change will protect us at the ceremony and the party, right? No, I just want have it as the most detailed. Yes, fine. Listen to me. I want to have the one person is not got the possibility to enter to us. His name is Lawrence Duvall, high, skinny, dark fine hairs, years 45-50, white. May be using any false names. Yes, I said. Fine, I knew that you could make it." Mason hung up and satisfied smiled. Now, seems, he provided really all.

The sun flooded the Capwell's garden by golden sunlight. The rampage of the paints of the decorations, sea colors, which charming scent knock downed... Right before here back and forth plied back and forth the people, losing with legs in preparing the ceremonies. And here is, seemed, all freeze in expectation. After several minutes only here must take place the wedding of the age.
In the living room of the Capwell's house have active talking the women, but men waited in the hall.
Mason continually looked over at door, wanting finally be proceed. He was so tired by all these preparations, and he wanted to see Mary.
"Son, probably you do not like my words, but now you pretty look like me when I was going to marry with your mother," CC said. "I did pass and thrash around the house then exactly in the same way as you doing."
"You're right. I does not like your words," Mason called back meanwhile walking around. "I and Mary are not you and Pamela."
"I hope so," CC said. "But where are Chip and Sammi?"
"Rose put them in costumes and soon bring here."
"Be brave, son," CC said and patted Mason's shoulder. "It's already soon be finished," he sympathetically added.
Mason rewarded the father with his angry glance and looked at Cruz who kept silence.
"Do you're going to calm me too?"
"No. But you look alike as if you would faint soon."
"Thank you for good word, Cruz! You are my friend for years," Mason called back poisonously.
"Always to your service," Cruz replied unflappable.

Meanwhile Eden, Kelly and Sophia surrounded Mary.
"Well, here you soon become one of us, Capwells," Kelly slyly squinted.
"Sounds as if it's a conviction," Sophia denunciatory said.
"A conviction or not a conviction, but it's soon become the real deal," Mary confessed. "I feel myself mad and pleased simultaneously!"
"It's usually feeling," Sophia smiled. "Do you feel yourself as feeling every lucky bride. But now since we are following traditions, it's time for gifts."
"Yes, it's time," Kelly said and gives Mary the small box. "It's mine."
Mary opened the box and taken breath with surprise and enjoy. The perfectly beautiful bracelet was on the velvet lining.
"It's belonged to my great-grandmother, who died, when I was just a little girl, but I knew that she wanted that it's belonged to Mason's bride. I heard how she said this and embraced him. But he got free and yelled that does not be going to marry at nearest one hundred years," she giggled.
"Thank you, Kelly," Kelly's words touched Mary's soul. "Thank you for your faith in our happiness!"
"Now it's mine. Something new," Eden handed the envelope to Mary.
She takes it and open. It's content a few papers.
"Tickets for the tour on Seine? Paris?"
"Yes. This is the city of love, and I hope that you'll enjoy it in honeymoon."
"Thank you, Eden," Mary embraced her in the same way as before she embraced Kelly. "Thank you!"
"Well, and finally mine. Something blue would finish the tradition, right?" Sophia gives Mary the small photo album in blue velvet cover.
Mary opened the album; somehow can understanding what she will see. But it's shock for her even after. Mason look at her from pages of the album. Mason a baby with rattle, Mason a little boy in cowboy suit, Mason the teenager in school uniform. 30 years flashed by before her eyes for a couple of minutes.
"Here is," Sophia showed, "the space for your photo and yours baby. This is your album for your family."
"Thank you, Sophia! Thank you all!"
"Well, now it's time to take you to marry," Eden taken Mary's hand and lead her to the hall. "It's time. It's time for you and Mason!"

Under Mendelssohn's music Mary is going in the garden. Her mother and sister accompanied her. Mary was afraid that Theda can getting drunk just before the wedding ceremony, but Theda stays sober as a glass. She handed Mary to Mason and enough aloud warned his "have be in safe my girl" before she is walking to her place.
The priest clears his voice and began to read. After the changing rings there are coming the moment of the vows.
"I'm happy as I did never," Mason pronounced and looked at guests. He saw his own sisters and father, Sophia, Rose with Chip and Samantha and others. "I always knew that I do not deserve you and now I feel myself as if unexpected I got the priceless gift. I love you, Mary. And I'll love always. And even the death did not separate us. Never!"
"It seems to me that I always loved you," Mary happy looked at him, and Mason can see her shining eyes. "Even when I cannot confess it to myself, even when I cannot remember you. Nothing not been able to ruin our love, even the death. And I know that this will stay forever. It's not our dream or wish. It does remain with us for rest of our lives. Our real lives."
"I declare, in the name of God, that they are husband and wife," the priest finally states. "You may kiss the bride."
Smiling Mason take Mary's face in palms and kissed her in lips with very long kiss. When they spitted their faces, the air burst by applauses. Mary and Mason have getting be surrounded by crowd of congratulating people who complete hidden them. They cannot see how tall skinny man with dark hair tries to prove to guards that he presents the Santa Barbara Times. They flatly refused him because they had the order of Chief James Logan about the uninvited guest. After guard's words about calling police because breaking of borders of private property, Larry was forced to leave out. He did upset by rejecting and clearly foresee ability of his own action. Larry vow to find the different way to get close with his niece no matter what its cost.
Fortunately, Mason and Mary know nothing about. Happy and shinning they have the limousine to drive in airport where they were already waited by Capwell's private jet, which is going to take them in Paris, the city of love.
Chapter 63 — Paris, Paris...

Paris. The week after.
It's the morning. The sunrise shining over Parisian streets, caretakers are just beginning for workings and bakers hurried to put "open" on doors of their own places and greet first buyers by flavor of miraculous fresh breads.
Mason stand beside hotel's window and enjoying by Eiffel Tower like it was a photo shot print id showing itself by a sunrise from the semidarkness sky. Finally when the tower's top begins is shining with a sun; he turned in darkness of the room. Mary calmly asleep and from Mason's place he can see only her dark figure on the pillow. He turned to the window again, drawing in himself inimitable Parisian spirit that he can feel here in an every minor thing. Even in a vignette on a menu in restaurant, even in Monometer's flavor, even just in views of awaking city... He was happy that he can share all of it's with Mary. He saw how her eyes are shining when she feels the same that he feels. These were moments of absolute happiness for them both.
Santa Barbara and California are seemed so distant now. Mason felt the prick of shame when he's having recalled about his children, who stayed in his father's house. But they just could not take them with them, it's would be too many troubles for pregnant Mary. And finally he wanted that they can be alone. On liberty, without any fears, feel be lucky and in private.
"Well, you got this, Mason," he suddenly heard.
"What I got?" he watchful asked, surprised by so close coincidence of Mary's words and his own thoughts.
"We are together, we are lucky and we are alone," Mary said and come close to him and embraced for shoulders.
"Are actually read you in my thoughts?"
"Just your thoughts are close to mine," she smiled. "So where we are going today? May be we would take ice skates?"
"No!" Mason afraid. "It is impossible; you can fall down on ice!"
"Too sorry," Mary false upset and then giggled, "But I afraid that you will not want go to that shops that I noticed still yesterday. I saw so charming baby overalls!"
"Interesting how you could notice overalls from car's window?"
"How I doing usually, they were exposed on shop window."
Mason theatrical roll over eyes, but Mary push him in the side.
"Well I saw how much bellboy brought boxes with toys here after your yesterday's shopping!"
"OK, I give in! I really feel that I ready buy up the half of local shops."
"And in my opinion you practically do like this... So where we are going today?"
"Let's just stroll, OK?" Mason offered after the pause. "We are hurry then planning... Let's pretend that we are parisians."
"O Messieurs Capwell!" Mary stretched with french pronounce, but Mason twitched her nose.
"No, I am seriously. Let's stay for little time in our fairy-tale world where we are owners."
"Let's go," Mary called back unexpectedly seriously. "While we have this possibility--"
"I thought about the same. Quite soon we would need to return in real life with problems and troubles. We must steal from the fate just a little part of a calm peace."
"I agree. Let's go, mon ami!"

* * *

Santa Barbara. The same day.
"Did call Mary and Mason yet?" Eden asked CC. They have lunch in Capwell's house since Cruz was out of the town for an urgent case in Canada and Kelly and Ted earlier run away for somewhere and skipped their breakfast.
"After yesterday's bell, no, they didn't," GEO Capwell Enterprise called back and again turns to the business newspaper.
"I am not surprised," Eden said and dreamy rolled over her eyes. "In Paris you easy may to forget everything--"
"Though I do not understand what the thing that you find in Paris is," CC put away the newspaper and takes his cafe. "Just a beauty town, there is nothing special. London it's I can understand. And Dublin too, it's really special place."
Eden looked at him with a strange glance and said nothing.
"What is wrong?" CC finally asked.
"Nothing. Just I never knew that you have some passes to British Kingdom.
"If you heard the tales of London from Emmet, my father and your grandfather, you did not wonder. London was his native land, he recall it though his life recalled."
"Really? Did live my grandfather in London?"
"As a child. Your great-grandfather brings him in California when he was just a kid."
"I never heard that he did."
"Regrettably except my father nobody in our family miss on London. I prefer London to Paris, but it's not my town if you understand me," CC looked at his watch and get up. "It's time; I have the business meeting soon. Bye, sweetie!"
"Bye," Eden absently watched after her father. London? Dublin? Her great-grandfather and grandfather? How strange was hear all of that from her father!
Chapter 64 — The Happy Return

When she finally reaches the seat place in the plane, Mary flopped in it and blessed stretched.
"Whole mess is ending!"
"Don't dare to say that you did not like our honeymoon!" Mason took offence sitting in his own seat place near her.
"I mean whole this tumult with loading in plane, not me and you," Mary called back. "Our boarding I cannot name otherwise than the loading! I'm so much tired--"
"Do you feel bad?" Mason afraid.
"No, just I am exhausted. I am fine. Really!"
"Soon we'll on in the place," Mason put her head on his chest. "And soon we'll return to a normal life. No Parisian coloring, French language and chills. Only roast sun of California, English slang and Capwells!"
"What beautiful alternative!" Mary smiled and buried her face in his shirt. "Just think — to change Eiffel Tower to Capwell's house!"
"As my wish as I'll remained here for our completely remained life," Mason's voice was almost whisper.
"Are you?" Mary lifts her head and surprised looks up. "Do you really could change your father's house to Parisian's one?"
"I have bad presentiments," Mason confessed after pause. "It seems to me that our return will bring us in something bad."
"No! We'll not break apart that meaning that here no more enough bad things!"
"You're right," Mason unbent and smiles. "I need to clear off my mind these fantasies and enjoy by your being here. Additionally pretty soon I'll get a chance to embraces my own older son! I miss so much Chipper and Sammi!"
"Me too," Mary said. "While we went shopping every times I want to buy anything for them. Think that at least half of purchases will go on our toddlers."
"I just wonder why you buying so many cars because we do not know who we'll have — a boy or a girl."
"Yes, it's for Chip. And everyone animals are for Sammi, she adores these stuffed toys."
"You already well-known about their tastes," Mason kissed her in the forehead. Mary giggled. "Since I have spending so many times with them, I of course know them; beside now it's the too difficult choose! Later I'll have problems when Chip wills wants his Lego's and models. I'll hardly be able to find easy answer for a question of his passion."
"You just can readdress him to me."
"Gladly!"
"Mary, how much I love you! Just adore!"

* * *

The airport of Santa Barbara.
"Well, where they are!" Kelly hectic walked on departure lounge, almost running. "Their plane must be declared until now."
"It's OK, calm down, please," Ted tried to catch her hand, and Kelly angrily pushes away his hand. "Just now is too early for their landing."
"You are, you behave like children," Eden said. "I do not understand, why you so feel nervous! Well, Mason just had his honeymoon oversea, but he doesn't leave out forever!"
"But it seems to me that he is out for eternity," Kelly seriously said. She stopped and embraced herself for shoulders. "I can see that it's foolishly, but beside me there some sensation that Mason was disappeared forever that more he is not one of us, he is not my older brother, who he was always."
"You are jealous," Eden shocked said. "Mason does not disappear, do not worry! And he'll always be our brother," she embraced her younger sister. "And now our lucky brother finally found his happiness."
"Hey, their flight is declared!" Ted breaks their cheers. "Everyone watch out Mason!"
"And Mary with her pregnant tummy!" Eden laughs. "I think that we have not a chance to miss them if there are not too many pregnant women for the flight!"
For several minutes all of three tensed glance in the crowd that came out of Air France terminal.
"Too pity that the father is not arrived," Kelly quietly broken the silence.
"May be its better way," Ted called back.
"Look, they are here," Eden suddenly cried finally looses her coolness and calmness.
"Dad! Mom!" Kelly cried in the same time. "You're here!"
"How we could miss Mason's return!" Sophia non-approving said. Stony-faced CC is stand beside her. Kelly realized that Ted possible was right and parents' presence may only complicate the situation.
"Mason!" Eden hung on him as if she was a young girl. Surprised Mason embraced her. "Eden, what is happened with you? Really again there is passing the rumor that I am dead?"
"Just dare!" Eden facetious pushes in the side. "Just try!"
"To start rumors or to die?"
"Both! Mary, I am so glad to see you!"
"Mason!" Kelly runs in Mason too. Embracing her Mason was glad that he has only two sisters. He was sure that brother would not dash him in embraces.
He was right of course, and Ted accepts as an uncoiled to hang on Mason, but he just sorely wanted to do so as soon as his sisters.
"I pleased that you returned," he importantly said and shaken hands with Mason. Then Mason sees CC and Sophia.
"Hi, dad. Do you really miss me too?"
"No, just I want to join to meeting you by our family. I hope that Mary feels herself well?"
"Yes, I do. Thank you, CC. I am OK. And Mason is OK also," Mary significantly said. The pressure Mason's sisters was some flabbergasted for her, but she immediately felt that Mason have been tensed when he realized that his father is here. She feels that he is afraid and ready to slander. She did not want that they have a flight just at the first minutes of their presence on American land.
"Why we are here still!? Let's go!" Ted proclaimed, when silence became unbearably.
"We'll need to wait our baggage," Mason grateful looked at his younger brother.
"I just leave the note about delivering it to us," Eden quickly realized. "I and Cruz always did when baggage was too big."
"Thank you! Then I ready to go," Mason goes out of departure lounge with relief. If it was a trouble about he had premonition, he'll be survival!
Mary put her palm in his palm and goes beside.
"It'll be right," she whispered.
"I know," Mason noticeably smiled. "You are here. With me."
Chapter 65 — Attorneys And Judas

There was already late evening when Mary and Mason finally been able take breath after the final portion of the congratulations and solemn evening in honor of their return. Mason was not too complacent prospect else week to live in his father's house, but repair in his apartment was delayed and their moving in was too early yet.
"Mary, are you tired?" Mason careful asked. He saw that Mary feeble lean on back of the easy chair.
"I did!" she smiled and stretched. "But it's been a deal."
Then she stands up from her chair, sits down near him on the bed and easy pulled him by his half unlaced tie.
"Did make you be married, Mr. Capwell?"
"Don't say that," Mason agreed. "Mason Capwell is married?"
"What the loss for society!" Mary played and giggles.
"But may be and that loss is not completed--" Mason pulled and one eye has looked at wife.
"Completed. For them," Mary unexpectedly seriously said. "And the acquisition for me."
"Are you sure?" Mason asked seriously in the same way. However, it cannot stop him from beginning to kiss Mary in neck.
"Absolutely," Mary blessed curled. "The purchase with a mark of quality."
At the moment she felt how something pushed inside her. As if there is a riding fish.
"Mary?" she heard Mason's alarmed voice.
"Wait!" she pressed her palm to her tummy.
"What, Mary? It's baby?"
"Yes, wait! Here!" she smiled. "Touch it."
She put his hand on her tummy. Mason also feels the moving inside and halfhearted looked at Mary.
"Our baby," she tenderly said. "It's our baby."
"I love you," Mason cannot help but look at Mary. "You are a miracle. You both are two my miracles."
"I love you too..."

* * *

The following day, Mary remained at home to unpack out the belongings and gift, but Mason finally went to office to take his huge paperwork after so his long absence.
Analyzing papers, he thought for a moment that if there was other person, not from Capwells, he might be already fired for so long vacation. "Must be although some advantage for me from belonging to Capwell's family," he thought.
The patter is sounded at the moment.
"Come in."
The colleague attorney Robin Sanders peeks in Mason's Office.
"Hi Rob! What are you doing here?"
"I just heard that you finally appeared here and want to say hi."
Sanders was not only Mason's colleague on the law company, but also its co-owner. Mason feels tensed. May be I overvalued the influence of Capwells? Flashed in his mind.
"How's your honeymoon?" Sanders asked. "Hawaii?"
"No, Paris. We had a great time, thank you."
What the hell? Earlier Sanders never was interested by private lives people with whom he has worked!
"Any problems?" Mason said trying seeming carefree.
"Mine? No, just a kind of rat race... But here is... Mason."
"Yes?"
"As far I understand as you already make a peace with your father?"
"What?" shocked Mason almost let down the file that he had in his hand.
"Well, I just thought--"
"Wait, about what you talk?" Mason comes close to him.
"Mason, I am aware of the lawsuit which gave by your father," he finally said. "And I did not want that our company turned out to be mixed up the suit against one from our attorneys."
"What is the suit?" Mason turned pale. What the blow was prepared by his father?
"Don't you know? Sorry, seems to me, I interfered in the private family deal--"
"What is the suit?" Mason repeated. He was covered by the heavy presentiment. 
"About the guardianship."
The shock turned out to be so big that Mason even rocked.
"My father... filed the suit... to be the legal guardian over my children?" Mason said slowly how he is not believed in his own words. "Is it correct?"
"He did not file, but only hired lawyers who prepared the papers. But then reject his already completed package. It was the cause that I decide that you and he make a peace. Is it not right? Do you'll have the suit about the guardianship?"
"No, I'll not," Mason called back. "And there will not be any deal about guardianship. However when it's happened?"
"Seems in summer. No, in September. I had the case of Briker-Stone, and I decided--"
"There'll not the deal on guardianship," Mason firmly said. The anger flamed up in him with tripled power. "I'm needed to go; tomorrow I'll finish it. No matter, here I have the paper working for weeks," he nodded on the heap of unlooked papers. "You know where exit is," he nodded to the attorney and rush out the office.
No more even a minute he'll remain in father's house. No way!

* * *

Mary finalized to unpacking their family things, when Mason run in the room.
"Mary, packing up! We'll move in the hotel!" he breathes out. His face was drawn with pain and fury.
"Mason, what is happened?" Mary was afraid, she never saw Mason in such condition.
"We'll leave! And just now! I do not want even a minute more to breathe the same air with the person!"
"With who?" Mary asked, already guessing whom he is meaning.
"With the man who I have misfortune to consider as my father! He wanted to take my children, Mary! O Gosh, he wanted to take away Chip and Samantha from me!"
Shocked Mary wanted to question Mason, but then just come close and embraced him. From Mason feels waves of pains and horror from the betrayal his father...
Chapter 66 — The Moving Out

Mason was so nerved that already after a few minutes getting free from Mary's hands he start to passing around the room.
"Are you sure... in your own words?" Mary halfhearted asked. She cannot believe that CC may be so cruelly.
"I am sure," Mason stopped just before her. "He did the pack of documents for sue me." Mason clench his teethes and became to huddle the belongings back in bags.
"Mason, wait," Mary walks close him and pulled out from his hands her robe that Mason trying to dent in the open sport case. "Calm down, please!"
"Calm down?! Did you even hear me? My father--"
"I did. But you said this like it was happened in past time. Is it meaning CC is giving in?"
"Yes," he breathes out. "It's happened in September," He looks directly in her face.
"Do you want to say... when you found me?"
"Exactly. Now you are understood? He... he... offered me to go out for a vacation! But he became to prepare the suit about trusteeship on Chip and Samantha!"
"CC could not do this," Mary firmly said. "I don't believe it."
"Come to believe," Mason gravely sighs and turn away. "Since all were exactly like I said."
"No, wait... but it's September, but August after all."
"What?"
"Your vacation. I did reach you at August 26. I exactly remember it because Mark had the wall calendar."
"And?"
"But that we returned in Santa-Barbara at the beginning August. Why CC did not become to sue then? If he wanted, he already has a time to do this."
"What you want to say?"
"Just that your father did not came to blow you from the corner. Remember," Mary turned his face to her face. "As soon as we arrived in Santa Barbara, in your apartment occurred the blast. In the same day. Early we did leave and handed the children to Kelly. Probably, your father wrongly interpreted the events. He not knows that you need to do this because of me..."
Mason bitten his lower lip and looks at Mary's eyes. Then he silently takes the phone and dials the number.
"Robin? I am sorry for interrupting. Yes, It's OK. Do you can give more details of something for me? About the pack of papers of my father. For that sue. Yes, I understand. No, I am interesting in dates. When it's happened? Yes. Seventh? It's exactly? Well, I am waiting. Yes. Yes. Well, thank you. I understood. Yes, I am OK. Bye." Mason placed down the receiver.
"Well?"
"Seems you are right. My father order to pack the documents at September 7, at 10th they were already ready, but instead of information about the suing he declared that papers already does not need. It's been at 11th. But at 10th I with you arrived in Santa Barbara--"
"Mason, your father is not monster--" Mary embraced him again. "But you are right too; we'll better to leave away now. Otherwise you and CC may be too hurt to each other." She weakly smiled: "We'll better to live apart."
Mason stood a few minutes more, hugging his lovely wife, but then kissed her in lips, and they begun to packing the rest of the belongings. It's whole hour. However when Mason began to brings the belongings downstairs and to his car he was seen by alarmed Rose.
"Mason, what is happened? Do you leaving? What is wrong?"
"Just I decide that we'll better not remain to live here."
"It's strange, earlier you got ready to sell your soul for more one minute of staying here," they heard CC's voice.
Mason immediately tensed being ready to fight. Mary found his hand and calmly pressed it.
"Earlier I or Mary had not," Mason stated and take the handle of the next bag. "Your power over me now become weakened, father. It's time to you to get in this."
He dragged out the bag, but CC asked Mary "Why he is so upset? What is happened?"
"He heard that you gave on trusteeship on Chip and Samantha," Mary paused. "I'll not comment your decision, but we'll really better to leave out. Probably, we're already trying your patience for too long time."
"Mary, I can explain--"
"It's not necessary, CC. I believe that you did not want to hurt Mason."
"All of I wanted it's protected my own grandsons!"
"Mary, there are remained only one bag. The children already in the car," Mason went by them upstairs and after a minute came down back with bag in his hand. "Let's go," he takes Mary's hand.
"Thank you that you given us sanctum, CC," Mary said and follows Mason.
When they were slammed door, Sophia comes to CC. She's stood not far away for all time, but she did not interfering in the conflict.
"Do not start it!"
"Mason is changed, CC. I don't think that now he'll allow you to address with him as you did earlier."
CC does not find words to answer. He saw that rules of the game are changed. And it's changed not in his profit.
Chapter 67 — Morning Even After

The morning sun is brightly shining in the window of one of Hotel Capwell's room. Curtains have been closed leaky, and sun's beams easily reached Samantha's cot. The girl was wrinkled from light and turned away. Her brother was in the best position. In the hotel was not a second cot, and parents have compelled to take him in bed to themselves where now all of three were protected by bed curtains from the sun.
Mason turned over on his side of the bed and the movement makes Chip, which usually woke up early to wake up now. The boy murmured something and yawned. He opened his eyes, looked round around and quickly crawling on the bed. He was already on the very edge when Mary felt his movement. She sat down thinking where she is. Her sleepy sight suddenly stopped on the baby who already dangerously tended towards the floor.
"Chip!"
"What is happens?" Mason sat down on the bed. Samantha wake up and begin to cry.
"Mary, what is happens with Chip?" he anxiously asked, seeing that she hugs the baby. "What is wrong?"
"He almost fell from the bed! I have been said that it is dangerous to leave him to sleep with us," Mary deeply sighed and given the non-contented boy to his father and she go to calm down Samantha.
"Nothing happened," Mason a little confusedly responded. "And today we'll have already two beds, I will take care about."
"Yes, try it, please. Besides we need have the big arena, a go-cart and new auto sitting for the Chip--"
"You have really well requests!"
"It's not for at me, but for them," Mary looked at Samantha and smiled. The girl turned the smile. "The children too quickly grow."
At the point the there is the knock of at room's door. Mary and Mason looked each other. The knock has repeated. "It's your breakfast, Mr. and Mrs. Capwell!"
"I'll go," Mary told and goes to open the door with Samantha on her hands.
The hotel servant rolled little tables with the breakfast and quickly disappeared after having received tip.
"You actually taken care about all as I can see," Mary told. She put Samantha on the bed and now raised covers on dishes. "And when you only have a time?"
"If you mean the breakfast I did not order it."
"Not you? But who did then?"
"I think that there is only person who was able to do it if it's not mistake and the breakfast is not supposed to other room."
"Do you think that? It's done by... your father?"
"Sins pray for forgiveness."
Mason, who doesn't want to risk letting go his wonderful little son to walking, approached to the little table with him on hands.
"Look here is children's food including Sammie's favorite one."
"Well, it is good. Give to me Chip, please, I'll feed him. Do you must to go out?"
"Yes, unfortunately," Mason take his toasts and coffee. "Cases accumulated too many until now and I'll need for pair centuries for arrange its. But I remember about children's bed. God, I never forget your shout!"
"And also the good arena, a go-cart and auto sitting!"
"My God!" Mason rolled over eyes. Mary started giggling, and then she goes closer and gave a kiss to his cheek. Chip, who was on her hands, did the same and Mason's cheek is decorated with the big stain of porridge.
"Thanks!" Mason erased porridge and licked his finger. "It's very tasty," he expressively looked at the son who is wide smiling. Mary laughter.
Mason looked at both of them, and warm tenderness lapped inside him. Actually it's happens? His children, his wife. The family. In total several months ago he was just terribly unhappy, and now those events seem such far as if there were many years back. Suddenly Mason's consciousness reached that him ask something.
"What? Sorry, I reflected--"
"I did ask when repair will be finished in your apartment?"
"In our apartment. We now are the family, do you remember?"
"I do. Just I am not got used yet," Mary confusedly looked at him. "So when?"
"I think that until the end of this week. Especially if to pay to workers overtime," Mason winked. "Don't worry, it'll all be alright! But it's actually our house from anybody could adrift us... What is the time! I am late. I have a time for the shower only!
Mason left in the shower, and Mary began to feed Sammie, thinking that their house can be destroyed anywhere they did live. Uncle Larry... left he his attempts to separate her and Mason? Or he will persist until he will reach the end? How long time he'll keep away by a danger of exposure?
"Who is "he?" She heard Mason's voice. He left out shower and now put on.
"Uncle Larry. I am afraid that he will not leave us alone."
"Then he will be brought to justice," Mason firmly told. "Nobody allowed following people by only cause that someone is not pleasant by someone's relatives.
He fastened his tie before the mirror and embraced Mary, already in midway to the door.
"Don't be afraid, nobody can spoil to our life. I will not allow him."
Mary embraced him too and thoughtfully looked to after him. She believed that they can stop her uncle, but did not want that war has burst.
Chapter 68 — The Perfect Decision

When the door has knocked, Mary already hardly took breath. Without any parent's experience it's very difficult to cope with two creeping kids who both want more and more attention.
After finally having contrived to take Chip that he had no possibility to slip out, Mary went to open the door. Samantha begun to roar when she's seeing that the brother uses not deserved privilege to be on hands. Behind the door Mary sees Christie.
"I hardly found you!" she embraced sister. "I thought that you would live with Capwells."
"Unforeseen circumstances were showed," Mary vaguely responded and lead sister in the room. "But all of us equally were not going to remain there for a long time, now just Mason's apartment is in repair."
"OK," Christie pulled out Samantha from the arena and put on her knees. The roar has stopped. "Well, so you are babysitting with his children?"
"They are my children also now," Mary jarred on. "And your nephews."
"I already see," the sister thoughtfully spent her finger on cheeks of the girl who immediately seized it by her own finger. Also then Christie looked at Mary. "And one more already soon come in," she winked.
"How are you doing?" Mary asked, putting Chip in the high chair. "What about Jimmy?"
"I came because him," Christie replied, playing with the baby. "Mary, I am very need for the good job."
"From me?" Mary was shocked.
"I have nobody except you. Jimmy and me, you see... Well, we want to live together. He moved from cafe's job in the repair truck business for have more money. But if we will rent an apartment, we would have not money for the food and other things--"
"Do you have the serious relationships with him?" Mary asked some nerved. God know if Christie may again get into troubles!
"Yes, very much," after the pause she nodded. "We have some plans, but... if now we will not get out, hardly can we be together."
"Do you love him?" Mary seriously looked at her sister. It was unlike Christie make plans so many detailed. May be Jimmy affected on her?
"I do love," Christie just answered. "But without any good job for me there leaves nothing for us. Do you'll help me?" She asked directly.
"I am not sure that I could."
"But now Capwells are our relatives after all."
"I think that you know that even Mason is not getting along with his family."
"All right, I understood. I'm leaving," Christie jumped up, having put off Samantha on the bed, and go to the door.
"Wait!" Mary put Chip down on the floor (he immediately up on all fours and crawled to the door), and picks up on hands Sammi, she stopped her sister at the door. "Wait, do not take offence."
Christie looks down the floor.
"I have the idea," Mary said after the pause. "But first I should talk to Mason."
"All right," murmured Christie and askance looked at Mary.
"Well, OK" she was delighted. "And now may be you will stay for some time and help me have taking care about children? They are so nimble; especially Chip and I have a few problems with them."
"Sure," Christie willingly agreed and picked up Chip who already has half got out at the half-open door of the hotel room.

* * *

Mason came at home just soon after Christie's leaving. All of his babies were full and peacefully sleep and Mary read the magazine.
"Oh, I am glad that you already home," she's up from the chair.
"I drop in for a few minutes," Mason guilty told. "I need to take some documents--"
"Listen to me, OK? It'll not take a lot of time..."

"... Do you mean that Christie asked you to find the job for her?" Mason angrily asked.
"Yes, but listen more. Don't be angry. Her behavior is clear, I am her older sister. Listen, it seems to me that I found the good way."
"For Christie?"
"For all of us. I think that she should be offered the job as the babysitter for Chip and Sammi."
"The babysitter? Hmm."
"Mason, it's difficult to me to get along with two crawling kids already now, and after some months I'll have one more."
"I already thought about this problem," Mason admitted. "And even called to the babysitter who worked for me until your... returning. But she already has the work and she refused."
"Then that you are! Searches of the new babysitter can take the eternity, and we have not a lot of time! And Christie very well getting with them."
"All right!"
"Do you agree?"
"Yes," Mason smiled and embraced Mary. "You are right. The help with children is need for us, and the work is need for your sister. Call her, fine!"
"You are wonderful!" Mary kissed him on the cheek and buried her face in his shirt.
"I am just the perfect husband," Mason said without superfluous modesty and began to kiss her in lips.
"I thought you supposed to leave," Mary exhaled after some minutes.
"You are right," Mason regretfully released her. "It's a pity, but I need to leave."
"I'll wait you," Mary promised and giggled.
Mason walk to the door, and already on the threshold he sent her the air kiss.
"I love you so much," Mary said at the closed door and go to call to Christie.
Chapter 69 — The Attempt Number Two

Surely Christie was delighted with her sister's offer. And she expressed her full readiness to begin to working at the point that Mary gladly agreed. After having convinced (and even having envied her own for some reason) that Christie can cope with both children, Mary leave out to her regular check-up in the hospital.
Soon after her leaving out the hotel room's door was knocked.
"Don't worry, we'll OK," Christie said when she's opening the door, but it's not Mary. It's Lawrence Duvall.
"Get out!" Christie tried to slam the door, he quickly put his foot in the aperture and not allowed to it to be closed.
"I'll call to hotel security!" Christie rushed to the phone and pressed the button. "I'm calling from 3476 room, send here--" it's Uncle Larry who pressed the candle on the telephone, finished her speaking. "All of them will here any minute!"
"Calm down, please!"
"Get out! I hate you!"
"Christie, listen, I am not your enemy!"
"The enemy! You nearly killed Mason, and Mary cannot live without him."
"You are too young, you do not understand--"
"I perfectly understand. Also I hope that I never see you again!
The room's door is knocked.
"Mr. Capwell, its hotel security! Do you need any help?"
"Yes," Christie cried. "The man came in and he doesn't want to leave out!
The door swung open, and security guards run in the room.
"I ask you to leave the hotel," one of them sharply told, addressing to Uncle Larry.
"I'm her uncle--" he haughty begun, but the chief guards repeated the request and added: "Do not force us to call in police, sir.
Larry can do nothing how to obey. However on the threshold he turned back and impressively told: "I still will return."
Christie kept silent, but as soon as the door closed behind Uncle Larry, she begins to cry. How he dares to chase them like this! Finally having calmed down she resolutely takes the phone's receiver...

* * *

"CC, you need to go to Mason!"
"I am not going to apologize! I didn't any bad things to him; I just wished to protect the grandsons, Sophia!"
"I know. But your methods led to the opposite result. Are you really wants that Mason don't allow you to see his children?"
"Let's he just try!
In Capwell's living room comes the pause.
"May be your wars have been stopped in some day?" Sophia said and sad looking at CC. "Sometimes I start to think that Mason is right and you really hate him more than you love."
"You always took the side of my son, God knows why!" he sniffed, cooling down. "OK, I'll try to talk to him. Only I clearly know that it'll give nothing good. My son is hopeless!

* * *

Christie's call found Mason in the break between court sessions. The legal office where he worked is not wished that he finished his paperwork in the office and sent him on the front line — to the hall of judicial sessions. After having listened the all story of their new babysitter Mason scolded her that she opened the door without asking who is, and make to promise her don't let in any unexpected visitors. With the sigh he hung up the phone and deeply thought how they can calm down their new relative. After having dialed number of his apartment, he heard the report of a repair brigade that the apartment will be ready in two days as maximum and decides that they'll not be hurry. Christie get the good lesson, and now she will not allow him go in ... But later the problem is need be solved, opposite they again will appear in a siege that hardly not worse than that they're left recently. Lawrence Duvall was obviously stubborn and did not accept refusals.

* * *

Christie well-knowingly fed kids, alternating spoons with children's food for one to other of them when the door loudly knocked again.
"Who is here?" She asked, not coming off.
"CC Capwell!"
"I don't buy this, uncle!" Christie sprat because CC's voice seemed to her is very much like to Larry's voice.
"I am not your uncle! I'm owner of this hotel! Who am I talking? Where is my son?"
"I'm Christie, Mary's sister," Christie slightly scared when she realizing that CC stay actually outside the door. "Neither Mason, nor Mary is here, I babysitting with Chip and Sammi."
"Open the door now!"
"Mason told that I couldn't let in anybody without the preliminary arrangement."
"Mason can go hell! I told to open!"
"What is happens here?" ask Mary who is just back from the doctor's appointment.
"Your sister does not let in me to see my own grandsons!"
Mary's eyes are wide open, and then she shrugged shoulders and opened the door with her key. Christie had on hands Chip who was soiled by apple mashed. Having seen her sister she put down the boy in the one of just delivered children's beds, and then briefly told Mary and CC about the happened. CC attentively listened her story, holding on hands sleepy Samantha.
"... And then I called Mason, and he told, that I'd let in nobody. Here I just followed his instructions. Eventually he is the person who pays me!"
"I named myself!" CC upset said. "I can understand that you have been frightened, but I'm Mason's father!"
"I cannot see though the door," Christie replied. "And your voice seemed to me similar to Uncle Larry's voice. Firstly."
"All right, all is good that well comes to the end," Mary concluded and after taking Sammi away CC she put her in the one of children's beds. "CC, are you wished to talk to Mason? He'll in court until late evening." And having turned back to Christie she added: "Chris, your working is finished for today. Tomorrow come to 9 am, OK?"
"Sure," Christie agreed and after waved with Mary and CC she disappeared behind the door.
When the door is closed behind Christie, CC turned to Mary: "Yes, I wished to talk to Mason, but I do with you too."
"OK. Though I am not sure that we can understand each other."
"We will try," CC smiled for the first time for all conversation. "We are the one big family after all."
Chapter 70 — God Loves Three?

"Yes, we are the one family," Mary agreed and gestured CC to sit down. She was nervous, but felt that should behave as a woman. Now she was Mason's wife, and it is changed all.
"But we are still--" she started.
"Still not got in to see each other by this way," CC helped her. "Not be embarrassed, I can see. We really need more time here."
"Here too much events are happened," Mary responded. "You know, early it seemed to me that when we'll come back home, it's finally will return everything on their places. Because all of these awful events finally are ended."
"It was very hard time to you," CC agreed. "But you and Mason were very brave... Now I'll tell you the one secret," he conspiratorially bent to her. "There were moments when I was proud of Mason. My God, I don't believe that I said this!"
"I will not give out you," Mary smiled. "Though I am sure that I would like make it. Mason worries because of your attitude--"
"Mason will not believe me after all," CC sadly told. "I tried to talk to him many times, but... it's all were uselessly. Even making things worse."
"I know," Mary seriously told. "I know it as I know as that both of yours many times did attempts to reconcile. And I believe that you can sometime adjust relations... CC, what you want now?
He frowned, but answer was not in time, because the key turned in the lock and come in some fidget Mason.
"Father?" he first was shocked and then becomes angry. "What are you doing here?"
"I want to talk to you."
"About what?"
"Mason, what is happens? You should be in the court."
"After Christie's call to me I'm become worry, so I decided to return at home earlier. I'd done the most of cases."
In the children's room Chip begun to cry. By her sight Mary asked Mason doesn't fight with his father and disappeared in the children's room.
"About what?" CC repeated. "About you. And about your last vagary."
Mason let out air through his teeth and called to the help all of his self-control.
"If you're talking that I move out of your house, it was not "my vagary", but the most reasonable that I could make. Devil take it, father! How you dare to sue against me!" he breaks finally.
"I wanted to protect kids! And how you wanted that I looked how they are endangered? I'm accepting that I did not think that you had the so weighty reason to be got involved in dismantling of the mafioso. But for that moment I had not any choose. You are even wanted to explain me nothing!"
"Just don't tell me that if I first told you everything that you didn't decide to sue me! Even after all information you are too reluctantly authorized us to stay in your house!"
"You may trust be or not, Mason, but during that moment I just thought of how to keep you there instead of how to push away."
Mason's head moved. CC nodded.
"Yes. As soon as I saw that Mary is with you, I understood at once that just one my word could force you to go out for nowhere. You do not saw how you are looked from other's side, what was the impression of you. Jus from you sparks flied--"
"I could not lose her," Mason's voice has broken, and he angrily cleared the throat. That time now seemed as some very far, but the painfulness doesn't go anywhere.
"You told something like this then."
"Do you not believe me?"
"Why? Yes, I do. As far I know, as it was the unique reason by which you could ask me about the permission to staying in my house."
Mason kept silent and then again started talking. "Openness for openness, father. I am grateful to you for that you helped us then. If you would give up to us--"
"I would not do. You are my son after all.
Coming tears tickle Mason's throat and to hide it he was already ready to blurt out "Father, are you apologize?" but at the point from children's room coming out Mary.
"Mason, help me to feed Chip, he is kicking. He has better behaving with you. I am sorry, CC."
"It's OK. Mason, I am glad that the conversation is taken place."
"Changed nothing, father."
"And here you are not right, son," CC is going to the door. "Changed. And you first of all."
Mason shrugged shoulders, and CC turned back on the threshold.
"By the way, you also were very difficult to feed in Chip's age. And I had you from Pamela when she cannot to put in you enough of food."
When doors are closed behind CC, and Mary giggled.
"Why you laugh?" Mason was surprised.
"Nothing, just I like your father. From time to time," she smiled.
Chapter 71 — Too Much Relatives

Theda Duvall was nervous and constantly looked out in the window. Christie promised to come and was late already for half an hour. It has surely been Jimmy's fault. He is biasing Christie against her own mother. Before he's appeared on their horizon, Christie was lived at home after all... However, for the sake of justice, this guy is better than all that she had earlier. At least Jimmy is working too hard. Theda's thoughts were interrupted by the knock at the door. She rushed to open, but on the threshold was not her younger daughter."
"What do you want?" Theda unkindly asked Larry. She was well informed about last events and did not wish to have any cases with her not-too-favourite-brother-in-law.
"To talk," he shortly informed and entered into the house."
"We have nothing to talk after that you did with your nieces," Theda crossed her hands.
"I did nothing! I just wished to have relations--"
"Really you chosen a strange way for this," Theda sprats and unfriendly looked at Larry. "I'll give advice. When in the next time you will want to adjust with someone relations, try to do without lies, abductions and murders."
"I did not kill anybody!"
"Wished to kill, this almost the same. Listen, Larry. I knew you. I was surprised by that you done, but not like my girls."
"My God!" Larry moaned. "You say about me as if I am Don Carleone."
"Do you want that you're not deserved this? Well tell me, who prevented you from just find us and are acquainted?"
"Hardly would you welcome me with open arms."
"May be and may be not, but in due course, we probably would become closer."
"OK, it is not important now," Larry changed the subject. "I understand that I was fool when first I don't say Christie my real name. However, I do not understand how you can so easy accept that your senior daughter married with one of these awful Capwells."
Theda look at him with the wide-opened eyes.
"So it's the truth? You really hate Mason so hard."
"Moreover, do you really approve this marriage?"
"First, I also could not think that Mary can be married with Mason. However, later I realized that my daughter just like me. She is the one-man woman, and Kenny was unique love of all my life," Larry sarcastically smiled. "Yes, I know that you never understand. It spoke even Kenny. However, let us turn back to Mason. Despite his origin, he loves my daughter very much. And never hurt her. So yes, if it's possible to tell that I approve this marriage."
"It's remarkably," Larry rose from the chair and walked around the room. "What ardent speech in protection of pillars of a society!"
"Get out, Larry. Also, do not come back here. You are not member of my family anymore."
"You should help me to reunite with Mary and Christie!"
"No. Dear Lord! Leave out."
Larry going to the door and face nearly Christie who sacredly looks at him.
"Your uncle already leaves out, do not worry."
"I still return," he promised and left the house."
"Every time when I'm have heard him I am even afraid come here," Christie sadly told. "Why he doesn't wants to leave us alone!"

* * *

"What the day!" Mary said blissful stretching on the bed. Children were fed and slept on their beds. "First Uncle Larry broke through our defense, and then your father came... Mason, you didn't fight with him, did you?"
"No," Mason looked through papers behind the table. "We did not fight, and my father even almost apologized," he smiled for a moment and looked at Mary. "You did change not me only, Mary. You did change all of us, and even my father. It seemed me being impossible, but it was possible make by you."
"We together worked over it," Mary got up and embraced his shoulders. "And your father made today the huge step to reconciliation. Probably, even a more difficult step than all of us. Mason, you are so exhausted, put down your papers.
Mason opened his mouth to object, but then smiled and combined papers to the equal pile.
"You are right," smiling Mason rose up and stretched with pleasure. Mary embraced him.
"Thank you that you are being," Mason looked into her eyes. "Thank you that you're care of me."
"I love you too," Mary begun to smile and dragged him to the bed. "And I'll prove it right now!
Chapter 72 — The Moving In And More Troubles

The next day passed in uneasy expectations of new encroachments, but all was quiet. Moreover, repair of Mason's apartment finally ended, and efforts on moving there with two children have completely occupied Mason and Mary's attention.
First Mason did not wish to ask anybody about the help, but having seen a heap of things, two children and Mary with her tummy collected in one place, he realized that they cannot manage it alone. His siblings delight agreed to help, and later Christie with Jimmy joined them. Very soon, a heap of the people that scurried about there here with boxes and packages captivated Mason's apartment.
Behind all this vanity nobody noticed how the car driven by Larry Duvall stopped near the house. He found that Mary comes back to live in the Capwell's apartment from the detective whom he hired to watch his own nieces. Now he waited when this chaos will come to the end, and at last, he'll get a chance to talk with Mary. He should see her and explain everything!
Christie has Chip on her hands; the toddler with delight observed of turmoil and thirsted in it. She constantly lasted to all entering and had to find all new ways to distract him. At last, he draws out to the window and began to show on running cars. Suddenly Christie pay the attention to one of all parked and run out the room.
She found Mary on the kitchen with the empty jar of the children's food in one hand and bedaubed Samantha in another one.
"Mary, Uncle Larry here!"
"Where? My God when he will leave us alone?! Take her!" Mary gave the second baby to Christie and run to the door with the angry and resolute look.
Having appeared in the street, she approached to Larry's car and silently stopped behind him. Larry did not expect that he'll quickly find by the niece, but decided that may be it is better way. He left the car and already wished to begin explanations when Mary declared: "If you do not leave us alone, I'll sue you for you for stalking us!"
"I just want to talk you."
"Moreover, I do not want. However, it's no matter for you, right?"
"Mary, I understand that you are angry with me, but believe me; I did want nothing bad--"
"Devils take it! Do you really understand that that if something is bad for Mason it's bad for me too?"
"I come to talk not about the Capwell."
"My surname is Capwell too now."
"You understand that I meant. Give to me five minutes, OK? Only five minutes, and I'll leave," he lifted the hand, promising.
"All right," Mary exhaled. "Five minutes and you will leave us alone?"
"I'll," Larry mentally crossed fingers. He did not hope that he can convince her in a something significant for five minutes, but at least it would begin. "Sit down," he opened car's door.
Mary begun to hesitate, but then she shook her head.
"No. I'm not Christie, and can not trust you."
"Well, OK," he did not insist. "Then we'll go there," he gestured to the square nearby.
Mary nodded, and they walk to the square.

* * *

In the meantime Christie who constantly looking out in the window to make sure that Mary is OK, suddenly with horror found out that Larry's car is empty and neither him, nor Mary anywhere is not near. She could not leave children and asked Ted to find Mason urgently. He appeared in some minutes and silently listened to news.
"I will find her," Mason shortly told and quickly walked to the door. "In next time you will call me directly instead of it, OK?"
"OK," Christie was afraid and upset. If the something happens with Mary, it will be her guilty!

* * *

Larry sits down on the bench in the square, and Mary did the same. Having pressed her teeth, Mary waited when he'll start the talking. The fear and contempt filled her more strongly and more strongly.
"You probably guess, why I wish to adjust with you relations so hard," Larry begins. Mary was silent, and he continued: "I promised to your father that I would take care of you and Christie. It was shortly before his death. We were twins, I should keep my promise."
"The father never would begin to interfere with my life!" Mary was indignant.
"He would become, if he thought that you make the mistake. What you would do if Christie would contact with the villain?"
"Mason is not the villain!" Mary jumped up, intending to leave. "Do not dare to name Mason like this! Seems to me that I made the mistake when I agreed to talk you — you do not hear me in any way."
"Wait. All right, I will not speak about Mason. However, really you don't want to ask something after all?"
"OK, well. I really want," Mary stands up opposite to him. Larry does too. "Uncle Larry if you wished so nobly to comply with the request of his died twin brother why you appeared on our horizon just now? Where you were when we're — my mom, Christie and me — when all of us really needed in your help?"
Chapter 73 — Reunion

"I did not live in California," Larry sighed. "And I could not return... Until recently."
"Your dirty affairs, right? How many years behind bars you got? Five, ten?"
"Theda told you it? She's--"
"Just try to tell muck about my mother! No many times for resuming that that you were mixed up in crime."
"You hasten with conclusions. No, I was not imprisoned. I was not behind bars even a few months. However, I had the risk of it. And consequently, I would need to go away."
"It is means that for your crimes there are passed a limitation period," Mary nodded, realizing.
"I was substituted! I did not anything illegal," Larry rejected.
"All criminals speak like this," Mary replied.
"So, you're denying what may condemn the innocent? And Ted Capwell?
Mary shuddered.
"Ted was not condemned," she told.
"Thanks Christie, who was cleared him. In addition, you with Theda blamed him until the moment when the truths come out."
"I can see that you were fine educated lately. All of newspapers read by you yet? Yes, I did the mistake. And Christie did. However, its cause was not hasty decisions. In addition, on your place I would not remember this story. Because if then you helped us as you promised to my father, that probably nothing is happened. Nevertheless, what to sense to speak about it now?"
"I'm talk about the same thing! I want to compensate my absence all of yours!"
Mary sadly looked at him.
"The time cannot be turned back. That is done — that is done. It is impossible to return in many years and pretend that nothing happened. How it would be desirable. "Mary become silent and then with exasperation added: "Also, it's impossible to alter lives of other people how you would like! And furthermore to decide to whom to live and whom to die. You perfectly understood that only the death could separate Mason and me."
"I understood that you are simply afflicted with him," Larry grumbled, accepting that words of his niece have some sense.
"I want to know something," Mary told. "Why you informed nobody what I am live? Even mom and Christie? You ordered Mark to hold me in Mexico?"
"I did not order your husband. Your former husband," Larry recovered under Mary's menacing sight. "The only thing that I have made — I arranged that he be hired as doctor in the clinic. However, I also could not think that he is such geek. Your mother... I thought that Mark would inform them. And I'm even not suspecting that he did not this."
"And my funeral? For what was made all this representation?"
"At that moment it was not clear yet, whether your brain has suffered. You could stay in a coma forever--"
"And in this case, my body under devices eternally would be in the clinic--" Mary distorted. "Ok, it is already unimportant. Uncle Larry... You will achieve nothing if you'll pursue us. Time left. You cannot fulfill the promise, which you have given to your brother. Leave it. I want to live with a normal life. To give birth to my baby, to love Mason, to be happy... I do not wish to live in fear that you can destroy its entire. Please, leave your attempts to separate Mason and me."
"You suggest me to look how you ruining your life, and do nothing?"
"I suggest allowing to me to decide how I want to live. You lived all these years being afraid of prosecution. Do you really want the same destiny for me?"
Larry was silent so long that it seemed he would not answer after all.
"Fine," he said at last. "I'll not interfere. For some time. However, do not ask me to stop cares about you and try to protect you."
"From Mason?" Mary's voice again dangerously rung out, it has was so weird for her — that her uncle assurance that all harm goes from Mason.
"Mary?" Mason fast steps to her and embraced, thrown the angered sight aside Larry.
"I am all right. Come home," Mary took his hand and turned to leave. "Remember that you promised me," she told Larry, and go with Mason to their house.

As soon as they left square, Mason got mad.
"Why do you leave out with him? You know how it's dangerous!"
"I wanted to talk to him; I wanted that he finally understood that we should be left alone. And partially I did it," Mary reconciliatory told. "Besides, he can harm me never--"
"You want to tell that he promised to you not rearrange our life?" Mason was full of skepticism.
"No. He promised only don't interfere. But he told that he would observe of us..."
Mason moaned.
"Did he explain why he makes it?"
"He says that he promised to my father before his death to cares of Christie and me. And he disappeared from justice all this time... What are relatives I have!" Mary guilty looked at Mason.
"Mine it is not too better," Mason smiled and embraced her for shoulders. "Do you trust him?"
"I want to trust... And yes, probably, I believe that sometime he will not interfere. We have the pause and should take advantage of it, I guess?"
"You are right. Perhaps then he nevertheless will understand that I love you instead of I am threat."
"It is too good to be the truth. But you never can tell?
They entered into the house and risen on the floor. In the apartment, there were only Christie and Jimmy, who shown to owners the work done with shine, and run away as soon as possibility was presented.
"We are alone finally," Mason mistrustfully stretched. "I don't believe."
"Not absolutely," Mary crafty nodded towards the nursery altered from Mason's cabinet. "Christie told that he put Chip to sleep already for long time, so alone we will be not so for long time."
"He will not get out of the bed and not die with hunger," Mason objected. "And we have the refuge," he gestured to the door between apartments, both of two was his own now. "We'll go?"
"I just look how they are," Mary disappeared in the nursery, and Mason pulled out the nonalcoholic champagne from the refrigerator, put it in the bucket with ice that together with the box of chocolates he dragged in the second living room.
Mary came back after ten minutes but when she appeared, Mason any more did not regret that she is late. The world for both of them ceased to exist...
Chapter 74 — Nightmares

The following they have some peaceful days. Mason at last could plunge into the work, Mary rendered habitable apartment with pleasure and played with kids among with Christie... It seems that all finally came on its places. And even Uncle Larry did not disturb them with his visits. Mary already started to believe that all troubles come to the end...
The girl walks runs and again walks on quarters of the half-familiar city. She was scared and wished to come back home, but did not know how it does. Having stumbled once again about a heap of dust in a gateway, she hardly falls. Tears flew on her face, leaving dirty smudges. She looked as the beggar outwardly practically not differing from street children who lived those quarters through which she run.
Faster, faster, faster — her internal voice adjusted her, forcing her to add her steps, though she so hardly was tired. Only the fear now forced her to move.
The sharp scratch of tires forces the girl to fall asleep on a place. Partially for fear, partially from an ancient instinct of self-preservation "do not move and you will not noticed". The horror accrues; she hardly restrains to cry in aloud voice. Suddenly she was shined with a stream of light and...
"Mary, Mary! Wake up!" someone shook her, forcing terrible street to grow dim. Mary opens eyes. Twilight, her and Mason's apartment. And his face anxious and frightened.
"It is just nightmare," Mary mutters, embracing him. And again falls asleep, already without any nightmares and dreams.
In next day Mason tried to ask Mary about her nightmare, but she could not remember the dream's maintenance.
"All have nightmares someday," she shrugged shoulders and concentrated on Chip's dressing.
"However, something caused it after all. Do you hide something from me?"
Mary surprised straightens and looked at Mason.
"And what I could hide?"
"Well, for example, the call of your uncle. In addition, you did not answer my question."
"No! I do not hide anything!" Mary almost took offence for his mistrust. "And Uncle Larry did not call. That as I hope as will proceed longer as possible."
"I am sorry," Mason contritely inclined his head. "I am just not got used to a quiet life."
"Mason, it was just a dream!" Mary sat Chip on his knees and sat nearby. Samantha on the floor with concentration tormented the pink stuffed elephant. "Do not worry, I'll fine."
However, the next night the nightmare repeated. Also began to repeat every night.
Mason sometimes started talking to Mary about it, but each time received the answer that it's just dream.
At last, when he found Mary deeply sleeping in the afternoon, his bowl of its patience was overflowed.
"Mary, I cannot stand it more! You are suffering in every night; you just cannot image how heartbreaking you cry in your nightmare!"
"So, I am damaging your sleep? Perhaps then may be we needed to split on different bedrooms? Then you will not hear from any sounds from me!" Her sleepless nights and irritation at Mason who pressed her, merged in venomous irony.
"Mary," Mason took her hands and despite her protests, he forced her to sit down on the sofa. "Tell to me what you afraid?"
"I am afraid nothing!" Mary tried to be pulled out, but Mason kept her. "Then why you do not see obvious? Something happens with you."
"Nothing, except I have nightmares. Mason, its just bad dreams."
"When you have them for every nights, it already not just bad dreams. Tell to me what you dreams," Mason replaced his grips with embraces. Mary was not in debt and forced him to plunge into the long kiss."
"You would be trifled," he told regretfully coming off from her lips. "Your knacks can to fall down even a bull."
Mary giggled, but then again became serious.
"All right," she told. "I do not think that it will give something to you, but I will tell you what I dreamed. I see myself as a child. I am run though some dirty quarters of Santa Barbara as I guess. I know that some bad people chase me. Then the car approaches and find out where I am. And the end, I wake up."
Mason deeply thought.
"And earlier you had the nightmare?"
"No as far, I can remember. And why do you ask?"
"It cannot be your memoirs?"
"Do you think that I was such boyish girl? No, I had the quite respectable life. And the childhood also."
"And nevertheless?"
"I do not know. If it is my memoirs, I do not remember them."
Mason kept silent, and then says the thing that he had on the tip of his language for long time.
"Mary, may be you need to talk with to a specialist?"
"WHAT?" Mary takes away him, the offence overflowed her. "No, Mason. No psychiatrists."
"And psychoanalysts?"
"And their and all other who is beginning with "psych"."
"Are you sure?"
"Mason, what you want from me? Remember, what our life was some recently. Do you think that it is easy to get used that nobody tries to kill you?" On her last words Mary not sustained and giggled. "My God, the phrase as if it was from the romance book!"
"I do not think that is easy," Mason smiled. "But it is almost unbearable for me to see in your eyes a fear when I awake you at midnight."
"It is not forever, give me time, OK? I--" Mary's sight moved to the moment, and eyes were opened wide. "My God! Mason, look!"
Mason quickly turned back, ready to see behind his own back the mafioso with the gun, but there was nobody.
"What you want--" he begins, but then understood where Mary shows and said the same that she said earlier. "My God!"
Then his face blurred with the smile, and he looked at Mary who wide smiled also. And the little boy Chip stood near the sofa, having his finger in the mouth, and did not understand why adults stared him."
"Mason, he is stands up!" finally exhaled Mary.
"And what you thought?" Mason tried to pretend that happens nothing. "We Capwells cannot remain to creep for the rest of the life!"
He picked up the son and begun to whirl him around the room. Samantha indignantly looked at the father and stretched hands to Mary. Mary picks up her and comes to happy Mason.
"And do you still doubt what we are will be al right?"
"No, but I would prefer that the future already turned to the present."
Chapter 75 — The Healing By The Truth

There have passed some more days, but the situation varied too a little. Mary had her nightmares as well as Mason tried to avoid fighting with her, but keep insist that it is necessary to do something with her troubled sleep. The tension is escalating between them, which scared both. The last drop was the morning when Mason woken up in the empty bed and found out Mary sleeping in the next bedroom.
"Why you did it?" He asked in a low tone and cautiously touched her hand.
"And good morning for you too," Mary sat down. "I am sorry; I need to go in the bathroom."
Mason silently waited while she comes back and again started talking: "Mary, why did you leave me in the past night?"
"Unless you will need to hurry for your work?"
Mary sat down before the dressing table and began to comb her hair.
"I will go for second half of day. Mary, look at me. Mary..."
In Mason's last word Mary heard his genuine fear and turned with all her body to him. "Mason, I am just--"
"You avoid me," Mason's words were not a question, but the statement.
"Probably, yes... You are right," Mary forced smiling. "I did not want it. Really, I did not want."
"However, I am pressing on you--"
"You are pressing me. I cannot change the dreams as though I would like. To me enough my own sufferings from nightmares, I do not want that you suffered also."
"And I do not want that anyone from us suffered. We're needed to find a way out."
"Mason, your pressure do not making better. We only quarrel because of it. Give me time, OK?"
"I do not think that your nightmares are connect with our recent problems--"
"Do you train for a new profession from the lawyer to psychiatrists?"
"No. Just I had nightmares too long time ago."
"Did you?" Mary's eyes showing sympathy. "Tell me."
"It is nothing special. It appeared when I was still the child. Right after divorce of my father and departure of my mother. It was about how mum leaves from me, strongly closes the door behind herself, and I banging on it and begging my mum to return. Then it is gone. And when I become teen, it appeared again. When I came back home for school vacations. In the school, I did sleep well."
"And what is happened then?"
"Then... Sophia was lost and dead. Well, everybody thought that she did. Children sobbed for days and nights without having a break. It was look alike a hell, just continuous cemetery at our place."
"Awfully."
"Yes. Awfully. And here once in the evening... I found Channing in my room. I strictly forbade coming there him and other children."
"Do you beat him?" Mary smiled, wiping tears. Mason's story touched for her soul, and simultaneously makes to remember her own childhood with crafty girl Christie.
"No. However, I wanted. But then I saw the photo in his hand. It was Pamela's photo, my own mother."
"What?"
"Yes, I was surprised too. And he told that since his mother is died, he wishes to take my mother."
"My God--"
"I kicked out him from my room, I did my best to do not show how badly I feeling. All the evening I cried, hating myself for weakness and Channing for he caused me to cry. And at night... At night mum dreamt to me. It has looked alike with my long-term nightmare."
Mary nestled on his shoulder, trying to divide with him the weight of his memoirs. She already regretted that she asked him to tell.
"But at the time, I saw more then usually I did. Mom came in my room and told me that she need to leave and she does not know how much time she'll out. And then she told that she loves me very much..."
Mason forced himself to shake memoirs on the past, and embraced Mary, having pressed her to him. He is having felt how her heart strongly beating and then feel how the weight of an old grief gradually leaves him.
"And next day I realized that it was not just my dream. Mom really came to say goodbye to me. I even asked Rose about it, and she confirmed. You understand," he look directly in Mary's face. "I did not remember it. I considered long years that she did not come to me before disappearing from my life. For any reason, my memory blocked these memoirs... But when I can remember all parts — my nightmares was stopped. Forever."
"What do you try to tell my?"
"Mary, may be your memory about yourself is not completed? May be your nightmare actually is your memoirs instead of just your imagination?"
"Well and nobody mentioned what I was on the tramp on streets at ten years' age?" Mary indignantly sniffed. "I lived with younger sister and mother. Do you think that they would not tell to me about?"
"Rose was very much surprised by my question then," after having kept silent finally said Mason. "She was surprised and frightened. She cannot even imaging that I do not remember the night after I actually heartbreaking cried and called mother. Do you do not think that Christie and Theda just do not know what you did not remember some events in the life? Especially if it's were too terrible for you."
"Well, I can see your point. Yes, theoretically, it can have a place. But then there is one good way to check up it."
"Talk to your mother?" Mason knowingly asked.
"Yes. You know, probably, I understand you better now, why you so hard insist on finding out the truth. Only I do not understand, why for in that case your reference to the psychiatrist?"
"Well... I just thought that you might be making easier it with a specialist."
"Easier than with you? With unknown person to whom you will pay?"
"It is silly, I am recognizing it. However, you did not want tell with me, truly?"
"No," Mary smiled. "I just did not consider that we have a subject to discussing. But I can count all dirty cans and rotten stubs which I met in the dream for you if you so hard want to know that."
"What muck!"
"Aha, already changed the mind!"
"No," feeling relief Mason buried his face in her hair. "Surely I do not change the mind. I am sorry. It seemed to me, I'll lose you."
"You will not lose me," Mary confidently told. "You will not so lucky!"
"I am already lucky," Mason's mouth was stretched in a silly smile to ears. "And my luck is you. You are mine."
Chapter 76 — The Family Evening

"I am your wife," Mary significantly informed.
"I aware," Mason's eyes flashed with sparkles.
"It is point. And you are my husband. Are you aware about it?"
"In common way... yes," Mason clearly enjoyed by her alignment of forces.
"So it's means that tomorrow you will go with me to my mother. Together children."
"Oh no!" Mason theatrically pressed his heart by his hand. "Take pity on me, all but only not that!"
"That!" Mary stuck him with her finger.
"You are so hard-hearted!"
"You knew that I am when you did marry with me!"
"And for it I will pay off until the end of my days," Mason falsely closed his face with his hands.
"I think that I can carry off your sufferings," Mary kissed him in lips. And more time. And again.
"You told something about tomorrow's trip," Mason weakly said hardly coming off from her lips.
"Is it all of everything that you heard from my words?" Mary pushed away him. "OK, let's take seriously it. When you can drive us to Ventura?"
"Afternoon," Mason stopped to laugh, but sparkles in his eyes remained the same. "Until I should be in the court."
"I got it. Mason--"
"What?"
"Nothing. Just M-a-s-o-n," Mary smiled. "It is pleasant to me as your name sounds."
"Because you love me."
"What self-confidence!"
"I am Capwell, remember? Being self-confidence genetically is in our blood. Besides, never I believe that my name is pleasant to you just phonetically."
"You are right."
"I am always right. Mary," he pulled her closer and put his hand on her stomach. "Mary, you are needed have a rest. You hardly slept for too many nights. Let's I'll take away children to your mother's tonight. Do you want?"
"What?" Mary looked at him. "Do you want to take children to Theda's? What for?"
"Well, I guess that not only my father would take them, but she do also. And you are not OK with it?"
"No, I am OK. But... I am afraid--"
"Do not worry, I will cooperate with Theda. Is it frightens you?"
"In fact, yes. I do not know how mom will concern to--"
"My children," Mason finished instead of her. "You in vain worry, in my opinion. After all, I am father of our baby. It belongs to you and me. So why she'll not babysitting with Chip and Sammy if they are my children too?"
"I do not know... Mason, do you really want it?"
"I want that you have a rest," he seriously reminded. "Also, I want that our parents got used that we are the same family."
"All right, I'll call to my mother," Mary stands up from the sofa, but Mason pushes her back.
"I'll call her, not you. And you lie down and have a rest. When you had last visit to the doctor?"
"Past week. You just a kind of dictator, really," Mary reproved replied, but obeyed.
"As you correctly noticed earlier — I am your husband," Mason laughed. "Also, I'll care about you even if for this I'll need to battle with my father."
"Or my mother?"
"I am much more easer with her then with CC Capwell," Mason kissed her and go to call Theda.
He returned after some minutes.
"I have agreed all and now I will take away children. By the way, unlike that you thought, your mother with delight accepted my idea."
"With delight? Mason, do you assure that you called under correct number?"
"It is absolutely assured. Have a rest!" the last word was told by menacing tone as Mary is up to pack children's things."
"Mason, I am pregnant instead of being sick. Besides if you'll pack children's things, my mother will babysitting with children in first and last time that I want not to be happened."
Mason wanted more something to tell, but kept silent and began to look how she packing clothes for Chip. When all things have been packed and transferred by Mason to the car, and children are carefully arranged on children's seats, Mary finally could relaxing and return to the apartment that looked as an empty one. Though she was not so trusted to her mother in good care about her stepchildren, but Mason was right — they really became the one family. Also, she was hurt to think that Theda will lisp with their soon-be baby only, and Mason's children remain without her attention. They are not guilty that their birth mothers are dead. She'll be only mother whom they will remember.
Feeling herself, tired Mary lay down on the bed and began to wait Mason's returning. He should not be late after Ventura. However then she remember how he said that he else should go to the court and realized that he'll back at home yet not soon. Gradually she dozed off, and when Mason returned she already deeply slept.
He smiled, having seen how correctly she follows his instructions. Firstly, he wanted to cover her with the plaid, but then he grinned, picking up her and take to the distant bedroom. Mary just sleepy murmured something and then nestled her head on his shoulder. Mason put her on bed and covered the blanket. Mary relaxed turned on her back, and he gently run his palm on her tummy and stop it on the top. And he felt the weak push under his palm. His heart hardly stopped. He holds his breath, not removing his hand from Mary's tummy. Also again, he felt how someone pushed his hand from within. Mason smiled, kissed Mary in her cheek (she not moved at all, only her lips hardly moved in a weak smile) and left the bedroom. Going to the court, he felt an unusual elation. All inside have sing after feeling of sensation that his and Mary's baby lets him to know that it is. Very soon he can take it in hands! Very soon, something virtual thing becomes the real little boy!
Chapter 77 — Memories

In the next morning Mary wake up late when Mason already left out to the court. Without children who constantly demanded to them her attention, the apartment seems be an empty. Beside Mary was some nervous. Her anxiety only is up when she thought how her mother actually concerned Mason's offer about his children. Hardly was she delighted as if he told her yesterday... She perfectly knew how Theda concerns about the world of upper classes.
She gets up and suddenly saw the object in the gift wrapper with the short note pinned on the top. Mary takes the note and read words outlined by Mason's hasty handwriting.
"It's for you, don't miss me, I'll back soon!"
Mary feels that the warm is spreading inside her, and someone is softly pushed in her tummy.
"Yes, it from the daddy," she said, stroking her tummy. "Now we'll look for that he left for us."
In the box was the toy monkey with the smacking dummy in her mouth. Mary loudly burst out laughing. Oh, Mason! I never become bored with you!
A few hours later she already sitting in the car and look at Mason's profile. "My husband," thought she. "How many time still passed before I will get used to it? So strange to think that nobody want to separate us--"
"I shaved badly today, did I?" she heard the voice of her man about who she thought. "Your looking makes me feeling like if I am under a microscope."
"No," she smiled. "Just I think how you manage to guess what I need. Your gift was the point today."
"I am very lucky. Until now I still cannot believe that I was so lucky that you came back to me."
Mary shuddered. Really he thinks about it too? And Mason continued his thought: "I hardly can forget that I was on the edge to losing you forever."
Mary kept silent, and Mason quickly looked at her. "Oh, I am sorry. I did not want to go deeper into the past."
"It's OK. But I... I do not want to remember it. Then there were happened so much all awful events... I so strongly want that it's never done!"
The silence fallen in the car, and then Mason cautiously said: "We almost arrived."

They were met by Theda with Samantha on her hands. Mary's mother informed them that Christie could not come because Jimmy.
"He is going to become the great photographer, and they are making his resume," she sniffed and led them to the house.
To the lunch they found out that "children were just angels and make no troubles at all". Mary accepts this information mistrustfully by her own experience knowing that Chip obviously cannot apply for a rank of an angel, except for his sleep time. However, Theda obviously was cheerful. And Mason had so blessed look while she talks dithyrambs about his kids that Mary finally became giggle.
However it proceeded only until Theda remember the scampish twin brother of her husband and begins to loudly resent how he makes it with his own nieces. Mary decided that it is time to interfere.
"Yes, Uncle Larry's acting was awfully," she agreed with her mother. "But daddy fortunately was not like him. Uncle Larry could not rescue me when I was lost as daddy did."
Mary looked forward Theda's answer, but she was strangely silent. Mary lifted her head from the plate.
"Is something wrong?" she asked when the pause becomes too long.
"Sweetie... I just do not understand about what you are speaking. How far I remember that you were never lost with Kenneth was finding you. It's never happened."
Mason worried looked at Mary, feeling that she tries to find out about what they spoke the day before.
"Are you sure? Just I recently have the same dream for every night. The dream that I'm walking on shantytown, and then someone rescues me. And I know that it was daddy. And I thought that may be it's was actually in reality?"
Theda was silent so long that Mary already decides that she any more will not answer. But then she said: "So you are speaking about--"
"It means that it's in reality?" Mary's heart alertly pulsed. If Mason was right?
"It was. But in the different way against that you think."
"What you mean?"
"You were not lost. And Kenneth did not find you. You were kidnapped, and Larry was the person who brought you back home. It was already much later after Kenneth's death, may he rest in peace."
Chapter 78 — Illusions

Mary laughs. "Well, mom! It could not be happened. I clearly remember how daddy takes me in his hands. I sure that he was daddy."
"And nevertheless he was Larry."
"It's just ridiculous!" Mary stands up and folds her arms.
"Sweetie thinks better. Do you remember how a little you were when Kenneth died? The event was happened much more lately--"
"No!" Mary shakes her head so powerly that her hair comes apart. "Of course, he was daddy--" her voice broken. "He was daddy!"
Theda is going to her, but Mary quickly comes away to the window. Somewhere into her heart she already realized that words her mother is the truth, but she did not wish to believe. She did not wish to let in her mind the evil reality. The person who caused so many bad things to her and Mason! He could not be the person who was known to her as her rescuer. He was not Larry, he was her father... But the recent reality suddenly become so far for Mary, all sounds became silent and illegible. She again felt herself as a 10yrs girl who walking on dark streets and with afraid looks back. And with each her step she begging that her daddy come and rescued her. "Daddy, help me! Daddy, find me! Take me away, I'm so scared!"
Memoirs over flooded, she almost did not hear how her scared mother called her.
Streets, streets, dirt, a stink, a fear... Her teeth beats a tattoo from a cold, her knees give way because her weariness. Daddy, daddy, help me! I am cold, I am cold! Still one step, and more one. I want back home!
The car's brakes creak, the blinding headlights. People with guns surround her. "Here, a little rotter!" "Now you'll punish, you'll know how to escape us!" "Go here, our chicken".
Daddy, rescue me! Daddy! The fear blinds her, clouds her consciousness like a fog. I want back home! I am cold! Daddy!
Mary feels on herself someone's hands, but her still in the power of her memoirs. Hands embrace her, trying to warm. Daddy! Da... The sound of one more approached the car, bad people are parting, and she hears the home, so familiar voice. Daddy! The father takes her on hands, speaks something to bad people, but Mary does not hear him she nestles on the shirt of her father and shudders from tears. Her nightmare is ended...
Ice cold starts to melt, Mary feels that warm hands embracing her. But she clearly hears the voice from the past: "I'll not leave it. You'll pay for you did with my niece". The voice is similar to the voice of her father, but one some different after all. She knows that her daddy is died, but she so badly want that he was him. To her own father being the person who came to help and rescued her!
Memoirs die away, she hears wails of her mother and Mason's whisper: "Mary, return to me, I'm begging you!" She turns to him and nestles faced to his shirt. Her tears rolling, she cannot stop them. So good feels to stay here and embrace Mason...
However he's feeling that she finally begin to come back and tears off her face from himself.
"Mary?"
"Yes... Forgive me, I frightened you--" her own voice seems to Mary like a stranger's.
"You did! I never thought that you can turn to an ice statue. Mary, what was wrong? You--" he afraid to ask, but he should hear her answer. "You are remembered, are you? Do you remember what was happened then?"
Mary shuddered — memoirs were still somewhere nearby, but already subdued — and she stronger nestled on him.
"Yes, I remember now," she murmured. "He was... he was--" she cannot bring herself to utter the name, but Mason understood.
"Your uncle."
"Yes. I run away from those... kidnappers, I wanted to come back home, but lost the way. And then they found me," Mary felt that she speak with some strange way like it's not her but the little girl from the past.
"Did they any bad things to you?" Mason feels the fury inside him begins to boil. "Tell to me what they did?"
"Nothing," Mary poorly smiled. "At the point there is appeared da... the uncle. And take me away. He brought me back home. That's all."
Mason deeply sighed; the fear tormenting him began to dissipate. And Mary continued, feeling that now she must tell up to the very end: "When I walked, searching for the way back to home... I so badly wanted that daddy rescue me. And when Uncle Larry came... I thought up that he was daddy. And then I just convinced myself that I was rescued by daddy."
"Larry did not appear in Santa Barbara for many years, probably, the meeting with him became the catalyst for you--" Mason said.
"Probably, yes. And the truth about the event began to break outside... through nightmares. You were right, Mason. I cannot still believe in it, but you were right."
Mason did not say his usual "I'm always right". Instead he bent down and pick up Chip who slipped from Theda's knees when she putting Samantha to the bed and already a few minutes pulled down Mason's trousers. Sitting on Mason's arms the boy reach Mary and touches with his little palms her tear-stained face."
"Mom sa-ad--" singing him. "Don't be za-ad," and he stretched his hands with obvious intention to make Mary take him on her hands. Mary accepted him and embraced. The tenderness filled her, the past taken away under the impact of the present time.
"Daddy, kiss," Chip kingly show on his own cheek, and then on Mary's cheek.
Mason laughed and covered with kisses his wife and his son. One more day ended with their victory! One more day they pulled out from millstones of this world! One more page of the past shown the teeth and closed forever.
Chapter 79 — Parents And Children

"I wonder where my son did learn how ask to kissing," Mason thoughtfully uttered while they are driving back home. Children got very tired and slept in their car seats as Mary was relaxing beside at back."
"I think it's my mom leant him," Mary said and looked at Chip. He smacking with his comforter and frowned.
"Why do you think?" Mason lifted his eyebrow.
"I just remember how little Christie did the same," she giggled. "And you are displeased, are you?"
"Sure, I don't, just it's somehow--"
"How?"
"Unusually."
"Why is unusual?" puzzled Mary asked.
Conversation interrupted because they just reached at home. There passed a lot of time while they managed to calm children who was tired and again wake, but Mary cannot forgot about Mason's words. As he's become more and more glum."
"I worry about you," Mary said looking as he collecting papers for tomorrow's session in the court. "What is wrong with you?"
"I am just tired," Mason replied, avoid to looking at Mary. "Let's go to sleep, ok? I need be early up because the tomorrow's trial hearing."
"Mason--" Mary began but then she becomes silent. They both really need have a rest and she knew that Mason hardly manages with his family problems. "Our family's problems," she thought as if she in reality heard the voice of her own husband. And she just silently embraced his back.
Mason freezes. He was ready to resist to finding-out of relations, but not for a silent embracing like this. He felt without words that his wife could tell him. "I love you; I want that you be well". Mason turns to face her and strongly embraced her too. Even if the world around threatened to be scattered on slices, they were inseparable...

* * *

When in the next morning Mary wakes up, Mason already was not at home. The short note informed her that he will return late. She sighed and goes to wake up children. However, soon come in Christie who resolutely discharged her and taken away Chip and Sammie on the walk. After five minutes since their leaving out there are knocked to the door. Mary thought that Christie forgot some of children stuff, and even had time to regret sister who was forced to drag in the twin carriage back to the apartment, but in doors she saw C.C. Capwell.
"Mr. Capwell... CC," she remembered under his reproachful sight. "Come in. Mason is not at here, he is in the court."
"I aware. And I wished to know why he does not answer my calls. And on Eden's ones. She is very vulnerable now, in her condition," CC walks into the apartment.
"I did not know that you did call. Mason did not speak to me," Mary puzzled said, but then she realized how many events happened here in last weeks. Now these seemed be such far like they were in other life.
"But now do you know. Eden made so many things for your wedding, and Mason still does not realize that he needs to visit her after all."
"It's unfair!" Mary sharply stands up. "You even do not know that are happened with us. How you can judge Mason like this?"
"What are happened with yours?"
"It's not important now, all of them are resolved. But Mason is not guilty, he did care about me. I'll surely visit Eden. Very soon."
"Mary," CC come closer and took her hands. "What are happened? Your uncle is discomforting you again? We can protect you--"
"No. Thanks, but it's not my uncle. I should not be protected by yours, my protection is Mason. But who will protect him?"
CC laughed. "Too pity that you cannot see yourself now! Otherwise you easily would answer your own question."
Mary smiled, taking a hint, and some relaxing. At the point the door opened, and Mason comes into apartment with fast steps. He saw his father and halted.
"Mason! I thought that you will be in the court until late evening," Mary was surprised.
"I need take some papers," he replied keeping look at CC. Mary almost physically feels how a tension is growing. She wanted to walk to Mason, but he goes in the living room, seized some papers from his table and take off for the door without saying any word.
"What is wrong with him?" Mary heard some anxiety for the son into CC's rage. "He behaves absolutely unaccepted!"
"You don't need to interfere here, CC. We must make it by ourselves."
"I worry about you. I do not want that my son make you suffer."
"He'll not," Mary firmly said. "I very ask you do not interfere. You are too important for Mason that he could say you about."
"But he have you for this," CC said discontentedly. "It's his decision to keep silence, right?"
"Not, it's our common decision. Believe me, CC, it's better for all of us."
"I hope that you are right. Also I hope that you will ask me about the help when it is required to you. Mason hardly will go for some like this."
"Once he already did," Mary reminded. "We lived some months in your house. Remember?"
"I did not turn out him!"
"I know. But if we want that your house remained for us a saving anchor, we should not live there constantly."
"All right, I will agree with it."
CC is up and walks to the door. Before go out he turned back: "But there is one thing that I was completely right. Mason is very lucky that you agreed to become his wife."
"Really I am who was lucky," Mary thought looking at the door that was closed behind the oil tycoon. "You just cannot imagine how much lucky I was".
Chapter 80 — The Meeting With The Ghost

The casual meeting with his father in his own house actually upset Mason that he almost lost the case that he hardly worked out in the court. After making a big effort he managed to take himself in hands and lead the case to the victorious end. He does not understand what's wrong with him.
Walking out the court building, Mason stops and thinks where he's going. He did not wish to back home and could not take Mary's questions because he did not know answers. The decision comes gradually. Mason turns to the coast. To the place where he was still a boy at last time.
At the same time Mary thinks about Mason and CC's last meeting. She surely knew that CC and Mason are at swords points. However she never saw that Mason acted like that. No reasons did making worse their relationships. Or reasons were? Mary remember CC's words that Mason did not answer his calls. If recently some were happened between them? However, no. Mason begins strange acting even yesterday, after their visit in her mother's house in Ventura. Actually may be Theda said him something bad? Or he's just tired?
The bell at the door breaking up her thoughts. Mary accepted children from Christie and changing them together with her. That did not prevent her to glance at the clocks. Christie noticed her acting: "Do you wait for someone?"
"Mason."
"Is something going wrong between you and him?"
"No, it's Ok. And what about you and Jimmy?"
"While all is goes like clockwork," her sister smiled. "He's so nice!"
Mason parked his car on the roadside and walk out on the beach. The landscape a little changed for last 20 years, and this place is giving him some depressingly feeling. What for he came here? He's feels bad now even without its adding impression. But he cannot force himself out here. Something held him here, something as if a thing was lost.
"Mason!" he suddenly heard the familiar voice and unwillingly turned back. Nearly he saw Mary's mother.
"Do you spy me?" Mason blurts out almost not restraining his temper. "What you want from me?"
"I spied nobody," Theda press up her lips. "You are rude."
Mason kept silent, and Theda continued: "I'm often walking here so there is nothing surprising at my presence here. But what you doing here? Alone."
"I would want be alone here," Mason slipped out.
"But I thought that you said what Mary and babies are not with you? I did talk with Christie recently, and I know that yours did not go out anywhere."
"I'm did not speak about Mary. I mean those who--" he's not ended the sentence.
Theda puzzled looked at him, but then she nodded.
"Ghosts," she uttered. "You mean those who were here long time ago."
Mason freezes. She was right. He cautiously turned his head and like if it was in reality he saw a little boy who was sitting at water. The boy who was born with a silver spoon in a mouth, but not had most important in child's life — his own mom.
Theda still talking something about these place's legends which she subtracted in some newspaper, but Mason did not listen her.
"I'll go," he murmured finally. "Thanks you, Theda."
"You're welcome," she surprised replied and call at his back. "Send my love to my daughter!"

Mason comes back home and surprised to hear the silence in the apartment.
"Mary!" he called, but nobody answered. "Mary!"
In the apartment was so deep silence that he was frightened. He rushed to the bedroom, being afraid to see empty closets that would testify that Mary left him and will not return. But instead he saw so the idyllic picture that his mouth was involuntarily stretched to ears to the wide smile.
Mary slept in the hair, on both her sides there were bassinets with peacefully sleeping babies. All three slept so deeply that no one heard his arrival.
However Mary quickly felt Mason's presence in the room. She wake up and sat. "Mason?"
"Yes, it's me. Hug me."
Mary hugged her husband, feeling that some is changed inside him.
"What is wrong?" She whispered.
"All right," he answered. "All of us will be all right."
Chapter 81 — Capwell Fathers

"Let's go here," Mary pulled Mason from the bedroom to the living room. "Oh, you're shiver! And don't say that you are fine. Surely you're not!
Mason already beginning to feel how he shakes with a shiver. Mary forced him to sit down and put the blanket over his shoulders. Also she sat down opposite him.
"It's because of your father," she said after pausing.
"You're too smart," Mason sadly said. "No, my father was not the cause. Or in fact, it's was not him alone."
"And what it was?" Mary takes his cold palms into her own.
"It is difficult to explain... Your family, probably."
"Yes, I remember that with you begin to strangely acting after last our visiting to my mother's house. But I thought that it's connected with me. With my lost memory... Theda said something bad to you, did she?" Mary suddenly frightened.
"No, your mother was quite normally with me. Too hard to believe, but it's the fact," Mason smiled remembering their last meeting ashore. "It's about different case. Do you remember about a stunt that used by Chip, while we did drive back?"
"You mean how he asked to kiss?" Mary remembered. "It's made strong impression to you."
"Yes, it did. And still more the fact that Theda taught him it."
"I do not understand--"
"Just it's reminded me my own childhood."
Mary with astonishment looked at him.
"What you're meaning? Someone of your family did--"
"No. Just my childhood came to the end when the father divorced from mother. As you know, I never saw her after it. Since my five years' age."
"Yes, I remember," Mary sat down at his side embraced him. "And how it is connected with Chip's acting?"
"After mother's leaving, I grieved for long time. But the father married with Sophia soon... and got more children... In fact they demanded that I forgot about my father's previous "unsuccessful" marriage. And I tired out my early memoirs which have been connected with Pamela, in the most distant corner of my soul. Also tried not to remember."
"Because started to grieve again?
Mason nodded.
"It was too painfully at 25 ages as well as at 15 ages. And Chipper forced me to remember my early bad times."
"Yes, now I understand why you not wanted to see your father today."
"What he did want from you?" Mason frowned.
"He thinks that we have problems. And he wished to help."
"No way," Mason sharply risen up. 
"I said him that we already work out with it," Mary finished. "Mason why do you not told me about Eden's calls?"
"Aha, the point that caused him to come here. To complain that I'm ignoring my younger sister."
"Mason, doesn't say like this. Eden really is in the bad situation."
"I knew," Mason looked at her. "But my father is not correct the person who would be to blame me in being non-supportive to the family."
"You're hurt even now," she risen and embraced him again. He tried to be takes out, but Mary not allowed. "Don't take away from me. I tried to do the same for some time ago, but it brings nothing of good things.
Mason slowly turned to her.
"Yes, I got used to be protected myself for all time," he admitted.
"Don't need to protect from me," Mary pressed his fingers. "Please."
"How I can live without you," Mason said as if being surprised to myself. "I just cannot to understand."
Mary smiled. At the point they do heard Chip's upset voice: "Da-da! Da-da!"
Mason and Mary having exchanged glances and rushed in the children bedroom. The shocking picture appeared before their eyes.
Chip stands in his bed and continued to call Mason. And Samantha hung on the outside of her bed and puffing, tried to get back. Mason picked her up when she was already in air, during the moment when her fingers were already unclenched. Mary sighed and rushed to check Chip. She convinced that he's fine and looked back at the husband.
"You'll strangle her," she said and began to exams Chip as if he just not fallen out, not his sister.
"No, I'll not," Mason responded, but unstuck the child from his shirt. Samantha thoughtfully looked at the frightened father and begun to roar.
"And your son seems to be a sneak," Mary said and takes the baby girl from Mason. Sammi calmed down as by magic wand wave. Mason jealously tracked them to the bathroom and comes to Chip.
"He's not," he declared a minute later. "Just my son is very smart so he called the father to change his diaper!"
"I recognize my defeat," Mary appeared from the bathroom with changed clothes and sleepy Samantha. "Your son is very clever."
Mason flashed with wide smile.
"Much cleverer than your daughter," added Mary and giggled.
"She just curious," Mason taken offence, changing Chip. "Like me in my childhood."
Mary clicked by fingers.
"It's that! Next time I'll ask your father, if you got out of the bed at Chips age."
"I never forgive him if he'll answer," Mason put in the bed almost sleeping Chip and comes to Mary who stands at the opened door in the children's bedroom.
"OK, I'll not ask," Mary sighed, and she and Mason silently laughing are going to their own bedroom.
Chapter 82 — Eden

The morning brings so long-awaited ease of relations for Mason and Mary. Both of them got rid of many of their demons and now they could look ahead with highly keep head.
"What you think?" Mason asked, fastening his tie before the mirror and looking at her reflexion.
"That I would like to spend today's evening with you and children," Mary fairly replied.
"Well, it's not too difficult to arrange. But let's make it not today, I am superstitious. I do not wish to put the evil eye on today's session. It's the last after all. Let's make a reservation for tomorrow at the Orient Express. Or not, it's better at any coast restaurant."
"Why you do not want in the Orient Express?"
"Mary, doesn't talk to me about it, OK? It's the restaurant where my family will not allow us to be alone. I remembered it by inertia."
"Do you not wish to see your family?"
"I wish to spend day with you alone. Do you feel a difference?"
"I do feel. All right. Let's make it will tomorrow. And now I'll come to Eden."
"What for?" Mason turned to her.
"I want to support your sister. Eden made many good things for us. And now she's very hurt. Mason, she may be never walk again, do you understand it?"
"I understand. I'm sorry," Mason stretched his mouth in a repentance smile. "I... may be I just jealous you."
"To Eden?" Mary was amazed.
"Not only her. To all of my relatives. You concern them much better than they deserve it."
"Just I have an unbiased sight. I wonder... may be you are jealous me to Christie too?
Mason shocked stared at her, but having noticed sparkles in her eyes, he burst out laughing.
"Surely I don't. And to your mother I am not jealous, anticipating your question."
"Already something good," Mary smiled. "A minus two candidates."
"I can not believe that you so easy see it," Mason whispered, covering her face with kisses. "I just can not believe."
"And I cannot believe that you are not on the way to the court yet," Mary pushed away him with effort. "Look at the clock."
"You are right. I need to run now. Dammit, why I have not time now!"
"You always want it at a wrong time," Mary said at the closed door after Mason's leaving. "But hardly can I feel dissatisfied."

Soon Christie come in, and after reminding her to watch closely after children who already walking more then steady, Mary goes to Capwell's house. Fortunately, CC was not at home, and according to Rose's words Mary found Eden in the garden. Eden was delighted very much to see Mary and began to asking about her and Mason's lifetime.
"I can not believe that Samantha already gets out of the bed," Eden sadly smiled. "She was a little baby when I saw her at last time."
"I would prefer that she didn't like this, I was so frightened," Mary smiled too. "Fortunately, Mason came in time to catch up her."
"Mason, the life-saver of little babies! By the way, it's not only his hero case. Once he caught me who falling down from the cupboard and Ted who's falling down from a tree."
"Never heard about it!"
"Sometimes I think that I can tell you about!
Eden and Mary laughed. Then Mary said: "Eden, can I ask you--"
"About Cruz?" Eden finished instead her. "Everybody asking me about him. It's all over between us, Mary. And now it's already forever."
"Because of your paralysis?"
"I do not wish to be the wife-who-cannot-walk, you understand?"
"I understand. But do you think that Cruz can be soon healed, do you? And yourself. Your decision brought a grief to both of yours."
"I can to give nothing to him. Absolutely nothing. Including no children."
Mary kept silent and then said: I and Mason are gone through the separation by my death. You know, he cannot recover until now. Yes, now he does not search for me after 5 min of my absence, but I still see fear in his eyes. The fear to lose me." Eden wanted to tell something, but Mary lifted her hand. "Allow to me to finish, OK? It was difficult for me to bear it. All time it seemed to me that I am the cause of his fear, that because my acting he afraid and hurt so much. As if I am guilty. But later I realized that its cause is different. Listen, Mason so badly feels that he needs to have me closely himself that he even would be ready to sell his soul. Regardless of the fact that I doing and saying, he was needed to have me."
"I do not think that Cruz have the same feelings to me," Eden doubtfully said.
"I needed a few months that to understand it. And still more time to accept the fact that I am a vital thing just by my being for Mason."
Eden laughed. "Yes, it's could be said by you only. Thank you, Mary."
"Do you'll think about it?"
"I'll think. Perhaps, I admit that I never see it from such point of view."
She looks at Mary with interest.
"If my brother aware that he got the real treasure when he got married with you?"
"I think that he's aware," Mary burst out laughing, in her eyes flashed sparkles. "He still not stops to say me this."
"I would do the same if I was at his place," Eden embraced Mary. "You are our treasure, Mary. Our talisman for happiness."
Chapter 83 — The Court

The last session of court ended for Mason more or less favorably, but the sentence should be announced in some hours. Mason decided that he will not wait in the court building and uses this time to stay with Mary and children. But when he come back home, he found out there only Christie's note that she's takes children on walking to the park.
The house was unusually silent and empty without Mary and kids. Memory obligingly thrown Mason to memoirs about time when he thought that Mary is dead. He called himself being a paranoiac and a nervous young lady and already wanted to return to the court when he heard the phone call.
He picks up the receiver: "Mason Capwell."
The other end has been kept silent, and then he heard: "It's Lawrence, Mason."
"What do you want?" Mason becomes angry. "To stalking Mary again?"
"I would like to talk to you."
Mason let out air through teeth with whistle.
"Well, OK. Meet you in half an hour at a hall of judicial sessions, I'll have a few time. I'm underline — "a few time"."
"I will be there," Lawrence Duvall shortly responded and hung up.

* * *

After returned to the court, Mason found out that the sentence can be announced within an hour. Not giving himself any possibility to begin to doubt in issue of the case, he began to passing around the hall, glancing on the watch. Taken with thoughts about the case, he missed Larry's appearance. When Mason finally saw him, it seems Larry already observes Mason for some time.
"Here," Mason gestured to the free room for visiting.
They enter in, but nobody wants to sit down. Not on places of accused person and its lawyer.
"Well," Mason said in semi-questioningly tone after a long pause. "Why you want to see me?"
"Mary does not want to contact me." Mason lifted his eyebrow. "She does not answer my calls on last week. I left a heap of messages on your answering machine."
"What for?" Mason rigidly asked. "What you want from her?"
"She's my niece. The daughter of my twin."
"I aware. But you strongly spoilt the image of the careful uncle when you tried to destroy us."
"I rescued Mary's life," Larry reminded.
"You had the talk with Theda and decided to use Mary's memoirs as a trump," Mason realized.
"But it's truth after all."
"As well as her kidnapping was your fault. Lawrence, its event became a terrible shock for her. And I will not want that she was forced to go through those events again because you."
"I just want to be the uncle to my niece. I want to meet her, to attend at the christening of her baby--"
"You need to think earlier about it. Already too late for your careful care."
"It's means that you are not going to help to me to easing my relations with Mary? Do you think that her hating me is the blessing for her?"
"You really badly know Mary if you think that she's able to hate. Mary is not able. But if she does not want to contact with you that it is her right, and I will support her. Beside I agree with her. I do not want your presence at our life. You never know what you don't like in our lives. And you might want to interfere again. Besides I do not doubt that I never get kindly feelings from you."
"Well, why?"
Mason has laughed: "Enough to look at your face now. Don't lie more, Mr. Duvall. You never will accept me as Mary's husband. I advise you to look for her former husband and become the uncle to poor woman who may be married with him for relations."
"How you dare!" Larry lost his temper after Mason's last remark. "It seems that you do not aware that I can destroy you at any moment if I will want."
Someone quietly gasped at the doors.
"Uncle Larry, how you dare?!" shocked Mary press her palm to her mouth. Then the fright on her face is replaced by gloomy determination. "Leave us alone. I do not want to see and hear you anymore."
"Mary, do you not aware what Mason told me!"
"No words are capable to justify threat of Mason's life. Leave out."
"You'll pay it," Larry angered and goes to the exit. "Nobody dare call me like this!"
"Wait," Mary suddenly said.
Larry stopped in doors and turned to her. Mason's heart missed a beat. If Larry's threats is working out?
"Mary, don't need," begin he, but Mary lifted up her hand. "Mason, I am fine. Allow to me to say," and she turned to her uncle. "I cannot give you a false hope. I do not think that Mason and I will ever accept you in our family. But I ask you to understand what you are doing now. You want to force me to love you as my uncle, twin of my father. But it's impossible to force to love for anyone. You cannot get it by threats and promises. It is impossible. You only will generate even more hatred to yourself. I hope that you will understand it sometime."
"I cannot accept it," Larry answered.
"You have no choice. A love never comes from threats. You always stay for me as the person who caused many pain to me and Mason. Also wanted to kill Mason."
"He did hurt so much you too!" Larry said.
Mason shuddered.
"I fall in love him from our first meeting," Mary felt and found Mason's hand. "We caused pain to each other mutually, both of us are guilty. But our love passed very severe testing and it's only became stronger. Your acting, uncle, only destroyed all of good that I felt to you since my children hood."
Sometime Larry gloomy looked at Mary. Then he heaved a deep sigh and silently left out.
"It seems that you convinced him," surprised Mason said.
"Hardly," Mary sighed. "In our family all of us are so obstinate--" she looked at her husband with anxiety. "Are you OK?"
"Alive as you can see," Mason smiled.
"Sentence already announced?"
"No, but they should in any minute. Wait. But what you doing here?"
"I come to support you."
"Do you do not trust me? Do you are afraid what I'll drunk if I'll fail it?" Mason grown dark.
"No. I want to be with you when they declare your victory and get my part of it. Do you have some against?"
"Who could be against--" Mason hemmed. "Let's go. We'll look if there have some good that you can like to share with me!"
"You're won," Mary surely said. "I just know it."

* * *

In half an hour when Mason was congratulated with the winning of judicial suit that was lasted for the whole two years, and Mary happily smiling at him, did not let out Mason's hand, Lawrence Duvall gloomy watched them from safe distance. He spent much money for Mason's fail in the case and almost guaranteed it, but now he has the failure for all of aspects.
"You, Lawrence, are loser," he told addressing to himself. "You always were a looser and you'll always. Not like your twin brother. Sacred Kenny. You laugh over me, are you, bro? You left to me the most impossible task. How I can take care of your daughter if it she does not want me? How I can?"
But the silence was only answer to him. However as it was as always.

* * *

"Mary, doesn't say that you bribed all of jury, please. How you, devil take it, could know that I won?"
"Do not judge by yourself," she playfully frowned. "I just have a faith in you."
"And if I would fail?"
"But you won."
"And if I would fail."
"But you won. My God, Mason, do you want to wind off back all of them? You won, and this'd main thing."
"No. The main thing that you were with me. I am sorry that I overreacted to your presence here. Probably, I'd afraid of my own reaction to the possible fail. I'd afraid that I'll break down."
"You'll not break down," Mary firmly declared. "I just know it."
"I guess that I need to believe you now," Mason agreed and supported his words with the deep kiss.
Chapter 84 — Only Three Words

Mary and Mason are driving back home. Mary with pleasure relaxed on the back seating, absently stroking her already appreciable tummy, and Mason confidently driving and whistling."
"Mason," Mary suddenly remembered. "Who is Chris Rock?"
Surprised Mason even turned the wheel to a wrong side.
He confusedly asked: "How you did know about him?"
"I did not know. It's why I'm asking you."
"I mean where you heard this name?"
"You repeated it as you'd slept. It seems to me that he's very important person for you." Mason kept silent. 
"Mason."
The silence.
"Do you do not want to answer?"
"I probably have nothing to answer," Mason finally said. "He's never existed."
"But you have a dream about him."
"I have dreams about many things. Look, we already almost reached," he said and changed the subject.
Mary alarmed looks at her husband. It was a bad sign that he does not want to tell. It's means that the person Chris somehow deeply touched Mason. She decided to wait. Her experience has showed that if Mason was worried about something, later the truth is up, no matter of their wishes.
The evening is passed easy, children were almost angels, and Mason's winning of the trial supplemented their high spirits.
"I already made a reservation for tomorrow with a little table in the nice coast restaurant," Mason informed her, collecting the working papers in the case.
"Thanks, but my husband and me already have our own plans," Mary importantly answered. Mason reproachfully looked at her and flashed with sparkle in his eyes.
"I think that your husband will not be protesting, Mrs. Capwell," he told. "But I'll teach him a lesson if he'll. As a man to a man," Mason significantly bent his hand, showing his muscles.
"You are so brave, Mr. Capwell," Mary batting eyelids and then burst out laughing. "Mason, you're driving me crazy!"
"The first step was yours! Do you think that I was too pleasant to listen that my own wife goes with another's husband to restaurant?"
"OK, I am very sorry and regret! Do you'll forgive me?"
"If I will receive something from you."
"Is it?" Mary kissed him in lips.
"It seems. But I don't' sure about it. I can get more, please?"
"You can...
Soon enough kisses become embraces, and embraces in caressed touches. The magnificent night began...

* * *

The next day comes very soon.
The lunch in the restaurant was just perfect. Mary and Mason enjoyed by the company of each other, it seems to them that they are alone in the whole world. They did not notice the sights that directed to them and whisperings of other visitors. They did not see how people are smiling as they looking at Mason and Mary. They saw nobody, except each others.
"You know, now it seems me that there was nothing earlier--" Mary said drinking the nonalcoholic champagne."
"Nothing?" Mason could not take away eyes from Mary.
"Our past. Its have too many... many things, good and bad. I feel myself like a girl at first date," she some confusedly admitted.
"It enough often have happened with me when I feel myself near you as if I'm still a teenager," Mason grinned. "And now I do. It's some silly feeling, yes?"
"A little bit. But it's more enjoying. Being carefree."
"At dates girls are always carefree, but boys have full hands."
"Mason!" Mary turned pink.
"The date with my own wife," Mason gave a wide smile. "How I deeply fallen down!"
"Or how highly flied up!"
"You are right," Mason took her hand and kissed. "I flied up when I firstly saw you, and I can not go down on the earth in any way."
"Mason... Do you love me?"
"More than my life."
"Do you love?"
"I love so much...

* * *

When they came back home, they got a kind of shock when they entered in the apartment. The sea of flowers. They were everywhere; it seems that someone bought up the whole flower shop.
"Mason, what is it? Who sent them? It's cannot be--" she not finished speaking, but Mason realized that she tells about her uncle.
"I hope that it's not him," he gloomy responded. And he began to search for the card of the sender as Mary already starts to do the same thing. It appeared be hardly, considering quantity of flowers, but finally the card was up. Mason read it and lingeringly given a whistle.
"Who is it?" Mary tensely asked.
"The soon-be husband of my younger sister," Mason looked at her with shining eyes. "It's Cruz. My God, Mary, what you did with him?"
"Nothing," Mary could not hide her smile. "But Eden, probably, thought over my words, and made both of them happy."
"I'm becoming to be scared," Mason indeed looked at her with sacred horror. "You decide our destinies by one easy movement of your hand. Like you became the envoy of Gods--"
"No, Mason. Just I am very lucky girl and I want that everyone be happy--"
"I love you, Mary. I. Love. You."
Chapter 85 — Good News

Mary doesn't forget about Mason's unusually strong reaction to the name that he was said in dreaming. In the next night he murmured it again. It's not like a nightmare, but like if he disputes or talks with someone. Mary cannot help but wonder who the person for Mason was. It's strange that he told that such person never existed. He means it or he lie her? For a little reason? Or he covered some more serious?
Her reasoning was interrupted by Samantha who with sniper accuracy sends the handful of the peach sauce directly in Mary's mouth. Mary choked while Mason giggling. But he should not do like that because the next portion caught him. And at time the toddler was not too exact that caused the sauce landed to Mason's shoulder.
"Dammit!" he jumps up, wiping the paste on his suit.
"It's because you dared to giggle," Mary swallowed a part of the peach sauce. "Your daughter just revenged for me."
"Then why you become her first victim?"
"She just wished to give me some peach sauce, that's all."
Mason moves his sight with his wife to his daughter who excitedly listen their conversation. Then he looked at his son and hardly had time to stop his palm that was full of banana sauce.
"Don't even dare!" Mason pulled out the son from his highchair and put down in the arena. Chip gave thoughtfully look up and start to whimpering.
"Now you'll get a company," Mary said, wiping Sammi's face and pulling out her from her highchair. "Mason, I think that you really need a good shower."
"I'm late," he complained, removing his jacket as he's walking to the bath. "I really need have breakfast before all of yours if I want not to be smelling of fruits in the courtroom."
"I doubt that it'll help you to avoid the following peach attack," Mary said to the closing door of the bathroom. She decided that Chris Rock's subject will wait. They still have the whole life to learn each other.

* * *

Right after Mason's leaving, in the apartment came in cheerful Christie and informed that Jimmy become interested by one small magazine which promised to pay for a series of themed photos. Mary was glad about it and already going to go to walk together with her sister and children as the phone is ring. It's Rosa who was under Eden's request who asked Mary to visit her. Mary left children with disappointed Christie and drive to Capwell's. She was worried.
Coming in Capwell's house she bumps to CC.
"Mary, you are perfectly looking!" he smiled. "How feeling himself my soon-be grandson?"
"Fine, thank you. Though "he" still may be found out as your granddaughter."
"Mason thinks the same thing?"
"Unlucky, no. He firmly convinced that we'll have the boy like you do."
CC frowned, but his eyes flashed with laughter sparks.
"I wonder, who is right — you or we?" he said. "May be for the first time Mason and me will appear on one party."
"The time will show, CC."
CC left out, and Mary's going to Eden who was in her room and looked very nervous.
"Mary, I'm very glad that you got some time to visit me!"
"Eden, what is happens? Something serious?"
"Yes. No. Lock the door, please, and I'll tell you."
When Mary satisfied her request, Eden finally started talking: "Mary, it seems that I start to feel the feet."
Mary's heart skips a beat.
"Really?!"
"Yes. But I do not know that it means. And I am afraid to hope."
"But I'm not the doctor."
"I know. But you can find the good doctor who could give answers to my questions."
Mary shifted eyebrows.
"But why you do not wish to tell to your father or Cruz? As far I see as you said them nothing, right?"
"No one word. Also I ask you tell nobody. Even to Mason."
Mary hesitates, but then nodded. Mason would understand.
"All right. But why, Eden?"
"Because they will rise up unnecessary hopes to me. And if my condition becomes worse, not better? When all of them keep saying that I'll be fine while I know how a little hope that I have... Even without I'm afraid like a hell."
"Well, I guess that you know better. OK, I'll contact doctors whom I am known and later arrange the survey for you."
"Thank you!" Eden smiled for first time of the whole talking. "I knew that I can depend upon you. I'm very glad to have closely the person who doesn't try to over persuade you in your decision."
"I had Mason that to be trained," Mary laughed. "To over persuade him may be too expensive."
"No," Eden seriously told. "It's not Mason. It's you."
"Perhaps," Mary admitted, but her words sounded with obvious doubt. "Though Mason's character promoted it also."
"Perhaps," Eden told, and both of them laughed.
Chapter 86 — One Of Mason Capwell's Demons

Mary comes back home and found out Mason here, to her huge surprise.
"I thought that you have a busy day in the court today?" She came to him and kisses.
"Today's session was cancelled; the defendant had a heart attack."
"It's terrible!"
"No, it's not, actually he'll fine. But they cannot to continue today. And now we have a chance to stay alone for little time. While Christie is strolling with children."
Mason sat down on the sofa and drawing closely Mary. She embraced him, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Mason--"
"What?"
"Who was Chris for you?'
She felt how Mason shuddered and strained, and even more strong nestled on him.
"The friend," Mason finally said.
"Your friend? But why you told me that he never existed?"
"Because I never knew his name. He did not hide that Chris Rock was a superhero name that he made for himself."
"If he was your childhood friend?"
Mason moves away and looks at Mary's face.
"All right, I'll tell you about him. I never told anybody about--"
"Why?"
"Now you'll see. It happened in the year of supposed Sophia's death. At this summer. I felt myself absolutely lost down, first I was thrown away by my own mother, then by my stepmother too... I did not know what I must do and often spent time on a beach. There I got a chance don't think about all--"
"You do hurt when you remember it even now."
"Yes. Then it seemed me just covered by dark shadows. But then he comes in."
"Chris?"
"Yes. I had a lovely small cave where nobody ever came. And it connected with other cave as I found out later. And once I was alone here and suddenly did hear someone's voice. My God, how I was afraid!!" Mason dreamily smiled.
"I can image," Mary smiled.
"I found out that he hides himself too. We did start to talk, then gradually became friends... But I never saw him. I just heard his voice."
"And what happened then?"
"Then... Then suddenly all were finished. He just disappeared. I waited him until last day before my leaving in the boarding school. But he never returned. Probably, he just bored with our play."
"And it's more then children play for you," Mary said.
"Probably. It was like the pulling of a clear air... after suffocating Capwell's house. Yes, it's was one more blow for me."
Mary embraced him without words and then asked: "Why you did remember it now?"
"In fact, you did remember it today."
"No, I just heard him as you're dreamed and talked to him."
"Well, I do not remember. I slept."
"Do you think that it's strange way?"
"I do not know. No, I don't."
"If he came in your dream earlier?"
"I remember nothing like it."
"All right, a time will show if there is a contemporanety or not. But I am glad that you're told me about."
"Why?"
"I wish to know all about your life. Especially about the time when we still didn't met each others."
Mason's face strained.
"My life has many demons."
"Mine too, do you remember?"
"I remember," Mason deeply sighed. "Mary, I just beginning to afraid. How I did live without you? And how I'll?"
"You will not. I never leave you any more."
"Now it seems to me that while the past terrible year I did live in the waiting of you. Even if I did not realize it but I waited that you will return. Even I do not know if I felt it actually then--"
"May be you really did. We often wait for those persons who already gone even if in fact we're aware that they will not return back. Sometimes you just cannot resist."
"And sometimes such expectation appears not groundless," Mason buried his face in her hairs. "Even now sometimes I have dreams where you're dead. I wake up — and you are here, near me. And earlier it's happened on the contrary."
"When I was in the hospital, I dreamt about you too. I did not know who are you, I did not know what is your name; I did not remember even that I love you. But you dreamt me."
"We really need to compare our dreams. I wonder, may be we had the same dreams for both of us?"
"Who knows," Mary smiled. "Now I already would be surprised to nothing."
Chapter 87 — Relative Blood

A few days have passed as one and without special events, except that Chip and Samantha who finally learnt how walking, and now they're taken much more time of their parents then they did early.
"It seems that they should not be making it so simultaneously," Mason complained after the week. "They are like a typhoon."
"Yes, Sammy quickly overtaken for her brother," Mary agreed. "She's very smart, like her mother probably."
Mason caught that her last words sadly sounded and realized that Mary's meaning not herself, but Julia. He looked at his wife.
"Mason, do you did not think what we'll tell them when they'll grow up? They'll never learn their bio mothers, but they'll remember us both as their parents."
"What we can tell? The truth, I think. That their mothers were died in the accident."
"And also that I'm step-mother to them."
"Mary, doesn't say like this. What is a matter? They love you, they already do."
"They still little babies... And there is one more baby on the way," she stroked her prominent stomach, "who's blood related to both of us."
"And to both of them, by the way. Do you think that they will count how many relative blood have by every of them?"
"Well, you did count when you were a child."
Mason does not answer, and Mary suddenly realized.
"I'm sorry, I should not--"
"Its fine, I just try to see. No, I had the different situation. I knew who my mother is, I remembered her and I wanted to see her. I loved her, at last. But I and you will be always as a complete family. Nobody from our children will be outcast what I was. I will take care about."
"I do not doubt it," Mary embraced him. "I just nervous how children will see the truth."
"It does be all right," Mason firmly told. And he cannot help, but continued: "But there upon still something makes nervous me. Chip and Samantha have other relatives after all. Augusta is not interested in her niece yet, but later she can start to demand to get a meeting with her. Fortunately, Victoria's mother contented with calls about Chip's wellbeing and does not try to look for meetings."
"Do you think that it is good way? Perhaps it would be just better one if his grandmother and her aunt would visit children. Probably then it would be easier to them to accept that their mothers are dead."
"No way! You can make everything that you want but I don't going to search Augusta and set her to visit Sammy!"
"Hm. It is already interesting. Do you really mean that I can do with you everything that I'll want?
Mason's eyes flashed with sparkles.
"Well, I guess that you can. And what?"
"Just I got one idea. And you already were afraid? Like you even shake with fear."
"Well, you are not right. Not with fear."
Mary blushed, and Mason joyful smiled. And then he embraced her for shoulders.
"My God, how easily make you confused until now!"
"See I'm the same person as I was earlier."
"I cannot to agree."
"Actually?"
"Perhaps, yes. You are changed--"
"I hope that I did in a better way?" some worried asked Mary.
"Surely. It is difficult to me to pick up right words," Mary highly lifted her eyebrow, "but I can see that if you have added with something. As if something released you and helped to reveal more."
Mary becomes serious.
"Yes, you are right in some way," she accepted. "But it must be happened just recently. Half of year ago when you brought me on Capwell's yacht I was not like this."
"It was not happened then, but also recently was not too. I do not know when I realized that you did. On the yacht you were deadly afraid by... you know by whom."
"Do not be afraid to say his name. By Mark."
"Yes, by your ex-husband Mark," Mason quickly looked at her and lowered his face. "You'd frightened and me may be was stronger frightened than you. It seemed me that it's just dream that will fade out soon, and I make everything to keep it longer."
"Well, you not looked being frightened to me. On the contrary, you were such assured. Like you were ready move mountains if I'll need."
"And to drown Mark."
"Don't say it, Mason."
"But it's the truth. I wanted to kill him then."
"You could not. You already had the experience."
Mason shuddered at his memoirs. Not about possible murder, but about his own despair at that time.
"Then on the yacht and after I almost regretted that I could not."
"You can kill nobody."
"Whence you can know it?"
"Simply I feel. You are not capable of murder. Mason, leave it behind, please."
"I would leave if I could. But nobody from both of us can pretend that the past year never happened."
"To pretend that it's not happened? We really need to remember all of good and to sweep on a back shelf all of bad. By the way we have here some of "good," Mary nodded at children who played in the double arena. "Do not dare to regret that they were born! Do not dare to forget about that the year when it's happened!""
"I listen and obey, My Saint Mary!"
Mary laughed and embraced him, starting to kiss on his mouth. And then after she casually paid attention to the one thing around she was suddenly taken away. Mason lifted his head and see that they were tracked by four shining eyes from the arena.
"Yes, I guess that we should be more cautious now," Mason concluded. "With these rascals its need to be always on the alert."
"It's a heavy parental part, is it?"
"Yes, it's the hardest part!"
Chapter 88 — The Truth Can Be Hurt

In the next day Eden calls to Mary in Mason's apartment. She contacted with the doctor who was recommended by Mary, and he said that she needs to make the full set of tests in the clinic.
"What I suppose to do?" Eden sounded with panic tones. "I want that nobody be aware about my tests! Please, help me."
"I'll try," Mary promised, watching to Mason who looked through his papers before leaving in his office. She knew that she makes all right, but Mason's reaction could be unpredictable if a case concerned to his family. "I'll call you later, and we will discuss the case."
"Where are you going?" Mason asked as soon as she hung down."
"To Eden's," Mary replied after pausing. "Why do you ask?"
"Just I'm curious..."
The tension hung in the air between them, and nobody made attempts of them relieve it. Mason cursed himself for a silly suspiciousness.
"I am glad that you so care about my younger sister," he finally said.
"We are one family." Mary smiled. "Lets go, you can be late for a court session."
Mason nodded and walks to the door, but suddenly remembered something.
"Wait, it seemed me that you have the doctor's appointment today."
"I have," Mary expressively curved her back making her stomach became strongly convex. "After my visit to Eden. Mason, what's the matter? Why you show such interest to my doings today?"
"I don't sure," he responded. "But for some reason my guts prompts to me that something is going on here."
"Nothing. Mason, go, you will be late."
Still not convinced Mason gone out, and Mary deeply sighed. Yes, it can be more difficult than she guessed. How she suppose to hide something from Mason when he reacts even to the slightest changes in her mood. This opening a little upset her, but at the same time it's making warmth spread deeply inside her.

* * *

An hour after Mary already entered into Capwell's house where Eden will live because Cruz's house has been adapted for her wheelchair. Well, may be soon it's would not be required, thought Mary, passing on the familiar atrium. Kelly run downstairs and embraced her.
"Mary, how I am glad to see!"
"I am glad too," Mary embraced her."
"How is feeling my future niece?" Kelly asked, looking at her stomach. "How much time we have until the moment when I will get the show of Mason's crazy happiness?"
"Still month," Mary replied. "Mason already becomes crazy; he hung up the calendar and recalculates the remained days."
"I can see it!" Kelly giggling. "Well, I hate to say it but I need to go."
"O, I want to ask if you see Eden today, are you?"
"In the belvedere," Kelly answered, closing the door.
Actually Eden was in the belvedere.
"Thank God!" she excited, seeing Mary. "I am so nervous while waiting."
"Don't be nervous," Mary sat down on the bench near her. "What is the doctor said you? If he did the first testing?"
"Yes, he did," Eden deeply sighed, trying to calm down. "And then he told that my condition clearly has changes."
"What of sort?"
"Triggered of reflexes. Muscular activity."
"If he explained what it can mean?"
"Yes, he told that... He warned that I don't have big hopes — because such changes testify more often about a beginning of condition of spasticity than about a recovering. Though he did not exclude my recovering too."
"And he sends you out for additional tests."
"Yes, he does. Mary," Eden's eyes filled with tears. "What I suppose to do if my condition really becomes even worse? I just cannot bear it."
"Eden, Eden, wait. Don't think about the bad way. The doctor said that he does not know what the cause of your condition's changes is. Let's wait and see results of all of tests."
"If I can make its. How I'll make it without knowing the rest of my family?"
"Do you still do not want say about them and Cruz? Even now?"
"Especially now. And in any case, not earlier than all becomes to clear up for me. Please, Mary, help me."
"Well, I don't going to refuse," Mary smiled. Eden smiled too through her tears. "OK, let's think how we'll arrange all of it..."
Chapter 89 — Family Secrets

After one and a half hour Mary already was on her way to the doctor's appointment. She and Eden are made the simple and genius plan. They masked Eden's tests as medical procedures for her in the distant rehabilitation centre. Sophia did want to going with the daughter, but Eden convinced her that it's no necessity. Eden's new doctor doesn't seem enjoyed but agreed to support Eden and confirmed her words. "Procedures" should take only a few days, and Eden managed to convince Cruz that encouragement is not necessary to her now. As a matter of fact, Eden just was not aware that her family have the gathering just the day before because their concerning about her condition. They were upset that she becomes too nervous in last days because her paralysis and they accept as a good sign that she decided to be taking a sort of rehabilitation.
Mason prepares for judicial session as it just should begin. He caught himself on re-reading the half-paged document already in third time, and angrily slammed it on the top of pile. He found that it's difficult to concentrate on the case, and his thoughts all time came back to his last conversation with Mary. Something was wrong, but what? Mary did not look frightened, she seems quite assured. But for some reason it seems to Mason that she hides something. At the point the belief declared that Judge Mertison comes in, and Mason clear his head from not clear doubts. The good fight is coming!
After doctor's visit Mary comes back in high spirits. All tests showed fine state of health of her baby, and she have not any signs of morning illness. By her doctors' words her first and only faint was only exception and the result of stress. The apartment met her with cheerful fuss of children in the arena, and younger sister who was thrown in her arms with overfilling of emotions. Mary noticed again how much Christie changed. She became more serious and self-assured. And cheerful. Completely other with gloomy girl-teenager as she was before her death. Yes, Mary accepts it. She gone through death and came back from some like heaven.
"Why do you look at me like that?" Christie curiously asked. "If I have children's mashed fruits on my nose?"
"No, just... Just I am proud of you."
Christie puzzled shakes her head and grinned.
"May be I misheard?"
"No," Mary hearty embraced her sister. "I love you. Do you understand me?"
"No," Christie's smile became even wider."
"Really I should tell it in Chinese? Or in Russian?"
"No, I have enough in English! Just I not often heard some like this from you."
"Forgive me; I should more often remind you."
"And should not die.
Mary shuddered, and Christie continued: "After it happens, I many times talked to you. Fight with you," she flushed. "I was upset that you abandoned me... and mom. I did not know that you can return from the dead."
"The silly girl! Do you think that I love you lesser if we fight?"
"No, but... It is bad somehow."
"What exactly? That I dared to survive when you (assured what I cannot tweak your ears) can said me everything what you wanted?"
"Of course, not!"
"Then stop it. Our feelings never were ideal, remember?"
"Yes," Christie's face returned her cheerful grin. "You the best sister, of course, but sometimes its better does not come across to you in the heat of the moment."
"That's it," Mary made a strict face and then with all the heart burst out laughing. "My God, I never get enough of it! It seems that the eternity passed since we and you are normally chatting."
"I was a child then," Christie said. "And you were late teenager before monastery. I wonder--"
"What?"
"These children will fights in growing as well as we did in their ages?"
"I believe," Mary looked on Chip who was pore in turning off a head of Samantha's doll which Mason bought for her. Samantha, naturally, was still too small for such toys, but children used it just like a material for building of some tower. "It's possible that even more than we did. They are absolutely close on age. Virtual twins."
"And why? I guess that they will be better to understand each other when we did."
"It's seems to you. See how look alike their "understanding," with a snicker Mary points at Sammi who managed to pull out the stuffed elephant from under Chips' nose and whack it on his back. Chip deeply offended and seized elephant by its trunk, trying to take away it for him.
"I think that I'll to ask mom, if we fought because of toys," Christie uttered, observing for opposition which, however, was accompanied not by a roar, and strengthened panting.
"Ask," Mary absent-mindedly responded and pick up some note from the floor. It's was written by Mason's handwriting:
"The beach slave is sitting in the sand, he cannot become free, but his imprisonment can be his own unique way to avoid death".
Mary frowned. Why Mason wrote so strange note? She feels jim-jams. May be someone threatens him? But it's written by Mason. And not Mason's style was to write an unsigned letter. Besides, the text contents something that disturbed her. Something was vaguely familiar to her...
Chapter 90 — The One Who Can Be Trusted

Mary glared at the note too long time, and Christie repeats her name.
"What you read here?"
"Just nonsense," Mary automatically answered and put the note in the bureau box. She was captured by unpleasant sensation of coming troubles. To banish it, Mary forcedly smiled and returned to her sister.
"How is Jimmy?" Mary asked, wishing to change the subject.
"He's fine," Christie vaguely responded and quickly parried: "And how is Mason?"
"Thanks, he's fine too. Christy, you are in troubles, are you?"
"May be, a little. Do not worry, we'll work out."
"Really? Christie--"
"Yes. We'll OK as I already said. We some squabbled. Believe to me, please, it's nothing," Christie gave a begging look to Mary.
"I surely believe you. But I would like if you'll come to me if when you need any help. To me or our mother..."
At Mary's word "mother" Christie hemmed.
"You know better," Mary sighed. "Just there are a few people only who can survival without anyone's help. And the worst thing is when you are cornered, but still don't ask for help."
"If you seriously think that I'll not ask for help when I have Capwell family as my relatives-in-law?" Christie started giggling. Mary lifted her eyebrow, but then smiled also. Christie darted her glance at her watch." "By the way, I'm late. Just I'll go to take babies in beds."
Christie left in the sleeping room, and Mary again pulled out the ill-fated note and re-read it. Her inner feeling becomes stronger that Mason again got mixed up. In some dangerous story...

* * *

Just the door closed before Christie as Mason comes home. And he once felt that the tense of the air which in morning hanging between him and Mary, is even stronger now. It's means that it's real, he sadly thought.
"You're look tired," he heard Mary's voice and turned to her.
"I have the hard day in the court," he dryly answered. His tone even more convinced Mary that there is something bad. Feeling that the tense becomes unbearable, Mary pulled out the note and showing it Mason.
"What is it?" Mason do not moved, did not take the piece of the paper.
"I casually found it on the floor. Are you in troubles?"
Mason was surprised and took the note. Read. Bite his bottom lip.
"Mason--"
"What?"
"Some person threatens you?"
"If it's pointing to some like this?" He waved with the note in air. "It's look like a threat?"
"I do not know," Mary frankly told. "But the text frightened me."
"What silly girl," Mason suddenly wide smiled and drawing the stunned Mary to himself. "The piece of paper contents nothing because you can be worry."
"But what it means? Mason, what is it?"
"It is a part of my rough childhood."
"What?
Mason sighed, obeying necessity to tell her.
"Do you remember what I told you about Chris Rock early?"
Mary watchfully nodded.
"It's his words."
"His own?"
"Well, we're just chatted with him then. Chatted for long time. And he named me "beach slave". I really was a slave of beach and ocean."
Mary takes the note again and re-read it, trying to correlate with Mason's words. Then she shook her head.
"It's not clear for me even now."
"Just take it easy. Believe me; it isn't worth a brass farthing."
Mason embraced Mary; she nestled on his chest, trying to believe in his words. Finally she's got it but the presentiment of some troubles loomed somewhere nearby after all.

* * *

"Its means that we are agree on all," on the end of phone line the mysterious person resumed the deal. "The house will be mine for full month."
"Yes, it's prepared. I'll send keys with the courier."
"Perfectly," the mysterious person hanged up and mischievously grinned.
Just a few days, or the week as maximum separated him from long-time wished revenge to pompous Mason Capwell! Dammit him for ever and ever!
Chapter 91 — Bitter Joy

There are passed a few days, but Mary and Mason feel some tense in the air. Both tried to convince their self that changed nothing, but gradually they began to keep away from each other. In addition Mary still worried for Eden. She so much want that Eden became better!
At the end of fourth day she finally got so the long-awaited call. Its early morning and Mary runs to phone that don't cover from Mason who collected papers for the next judicial session. He cannot help, but began to listen her talking.
"Mary, its Eden."
"Well, how are you?"
"I'm fine, it's much better than I thought.
Mary sighed with relief. "I'm glad," she shot a look at Mason. He pretended that don't noticed it.
"Mary, I would like that you and Mason come tonight here. In my father's house, six o'clock," Eden pointed. "I want to make the announcement."
"Really?" Mary smiled. Mason was surprised to see her smile.
"Actually. So you will come?"
"Even if I should drag Mason for the neck."
Eden laughed and hanged up.
Mary turned to Mason. He pretended that cannot find one of all documents. 
"Mason, Eden asking us to come to Capwell's house." Mason lifted his eyebrow. "She wants to inform all family about some important stuff."
"Really? I hope that it not something bad," he said. "Or she wishes to declare her engagement with Cruz?"
"Probably."
"Do you aware what she wishes to say?"
"Mason, you are late. Look at watch."
"You do not answer my question."
"Mason, I do not know," Mary gagged said and thought "though I guess". "Now you are happy?"
"Yes," Mason answered, but his heart felt insult. He did not think that Mary lies. No. But he knew that something is up. And she hid something from him.

* * *

All way to Capwell's house Mason and Mary drive in full silence. Mary hoped that soon their unbearable innuendo will end. She wants that they could return to their normal relations which they had before. She wishes that Mason don't internally take away from her all of time and she can stop think about her possible let out.
In CC's house everybody very soon pay attention to Mason and Mary's tensed relations. All of them, except Eden who has been concentrated to her soon-be message to relatives. And finally there come the true moment.
"I asked to come all of yours because I have some news. Though I'll better show it." With these words Eden perched her hands to armrests of her wheelchair and... risen up on feet. She still kept herself on hands, but only for balance. Her feet strong stood on the wheelchair's step.
Capwells look at her in the shock. Being the closest person to Eden, Cruz cautiously walks around Eden, wishing to convince that here are no dodges. Then he smiled, finally believes in her healing, and embraced Eden.
"It's just a miracle!" Kelly excited and hastened to embrace her sister.
Relatives surrounded Eden covering her with congratulations and inquiries.
"Doctors say that I'll have full recovering," Eden informed shining with happiness. "They don't sure about its cause but say that my illness doesn't back any more."
"I just cannot believe it," Sophia exclaimed. "Sweetie, I am too happy to hear it!
Mason embraced sister also, thanking God for favor to his little sister. But when his sight falls to Mary's face, he felt a kind of shock. She smiled, but she did not look surprised. Did she know???
Mason let out Eden from his hands and comes to Mary.
"Did you know about?" he asked, do not paying attention that all sights turned in them. "Did you know that Eden becomes better?"
Mary, who becomes puzzled during the first moment, quickly collected herself.
"Yes, I did," she easy said. "Under Eden's request I found the doctor who could check up her suspicions and do tests."
Mason felt betrayed. Eden was his sister. He should know what is up.
"Mason, I asked Mary to say it nobody," Eden's voice was worried. "Do not be angry to her."
"I do not angry--" his own voice seemed to Mason as stranger's one. "I am just... I'll go," he said and almost run out the house of the father. He was hurt and appalled as if all of them rejected him. Everyone including Mary."
"I'll go for him. Excuse me," Mary quickly said and followed Mason. She did not regret that she helped Eden but she felt that this secret did hurt Mason. Also she realized that his pain is connected more with his past than with present and then even with Eden.
Chapter 92 — Separated Soulmates

Mary overtaken for Mason when he tried to open car's door with foully shaking hands.
"Mason, don't doing it," she begins, but at the point the car door finally given in and Mason jerked it to himself. He silently waited while Mary sat down on passenger seat and pressed the gas pedal into the floor."
"Mason, slow down or you'll kill us. Or better I'll drive myself," Mary asked. Mason silently shakes his head, but speed did slower. Mary decided to wait with conversations until home, she frightened by Mason's upsetting. She did not understand why he so overreacted. Yes, she thought that he can be dissatisfied, but his actual acting...
They reached the house; in silence come back the apartment. They were met by surprised Christie.
"Why you come back so early?" she asked, but under Mason's angry look, she quickly hidden her curiosity. After kissing sister and whispered her that children are fed and sleep, she run out to give a place for Mason and Mary can find out their relations. However, already leaving the house Christie begun to doubt if Mary really need her help, but then decided do not interfere between them. She did not doubt that Mason don't hurt Mary. Only not her. Even if Mason is belong to Capwell family. Without any words Mason start to loose his tie. Mary deeply sighed and exhausted sit down on the chair.
"Mason, what is wrong with you?" she finally asked. "You are not yourself."
"You too," he throws his tie on the sofa and with several sharp movements dumped his smoking. "I thought that we do not have secrets from each others."
"Eden asked me--"
"I heard."
"Well, and what you want? That I would rejected Eden only for nothing hide from you? Or against her decision I would told you things that she asked not to tell?"
"I want a trust. Do you think that I asking too much?"
"A trust... Or a total control?" Mary slowly said. "Do you want that my life began and ended only with you? That my life will have nothing except you?"
Mason, who pouring brandy for himself, stunned. He was not agreed with Mary, but her words have some truth too. Especially her last clause. His rage suddenly is down, leaving for feeling total exhausting. With the glass in the hand Mason sat down on the sofa. Mary instantly felt his changed mind and sit nearby. Tried to take out brandy from his hand, but Mason do not give in the glass and put it on the coffee table as if underlining that brandy means nothing.
"Mason--"
"What? Do you want that I become a different person?"
"No. Why do you think so?" Mary was surprised. "I only want that you did not force me to choose between your sister and you."
"Means that I am who must to choose?"
"Mason, but why? Why you bring the question with an angle like this? What for to choose anyone? We are the family."
"We are. And you try to divide us."
"I try to divide?" Mary offended. "I just agree to help Eden."
"... Who never missed a change to take the best place."
Mary felt that she becomes crazy. She hardly understood Mason. Or better say... Yes she understood but not for the situation. And now their conversation reminded her something. As if she already heard something like this earlier. But where and when? Their talks are not often concerned Eden... Anyway in the last year. And finally she does remember. Her and Mason's conversation when CC regained consciousness after coma and called for all of his children in the room by order. He invited everyone except Mason. Mason suffered because its uncertainty and they talked in the belvedere. Then also he almost did not hear her and only tried to reasoning why the father "passed forward" not only his brother and sisters, but also even then-being Eden's husband Kirk. She still remembers how Mason's face showed his heartache.
"You feels like you not a member of family Capwells," Mary realized, do not noticing that speaks aloud. "And you seem that I have supported them against you."
Mason raised his face and looked her. First time he looked into her eyes. Walls, which were built by him around himself, started to fall with a roar. Mary understood it without words and embraced him for the neck. Mason move her closer, he seemed that he just flied on heavens. He did not understand why began to push away Mary. Now he sharply felt that he could not live without her. Past two weeks that he lived with suspicions and the last hours that he felt thrown by everyone including her looks alike a hell now. His personal hell where he lived before met Mary, and the year when he thought that she died."
"I love you," he whispered, burying his head in her hair. "I cannot live without you."
His voice had so much despair that Mary almost physically felt his pain.
"You don't need to live without me. I'll not leave anywhere. We'll be together forever," she said, kissing him. She feels that her cheeks are wet but did not know it's her tears or Mason's. But it's unimportant. Mason's pain became their common. The pain that leaving now, she knew it.
Kisses became more and more passionate, however children whom they almost forgotten during that moment, reminded about their self with a roar of double force. Mary and Mason jerked away as if they received a cold shower. They looked to each other and laughed. Mary stands up.
"I'll go and look at them," she said and walks to the nursery after kissing Mason.
"If you do not return in five minutes, I'll come for you," Mason promised. He stands up and began to unbutton his shirt, but at the point there was the call at the door.
Mason frowned but walks to open, being assured that it's someone of Capwells. But behind the door was nobody. Mason made the step for the threshold to look out the corridor, and suddenly something like fall over him. The blow on the head knocked Mason down, and already falling down Mason felt that some rag with nasty smell of chloroform pressing to his face. "Mary!" Mason just managed to think and fall down in darkness...
Chapter 93 — The Secret Of Mason's Disappearance

After a few minutes Mary with Samantha on hands returned to the drawing room and was very surprised when she doesn't found out Mason on the sofa.
"Mason!" she called. "Mason, where are you?
But the silence was only answer to her. Mary put Sami down and together with her stepdaughter walks around the apartment, but Mason just dissolved in air. She's felt weakness and fear, and sits down on the sofa. Samantha climb on it and taken a nap near Mary, sucking her finger. Mary automatically hugged her, trying to understand what is happened.
Where Mason could disappear? May be he just leave? But why he said her nothing? Or the case was actually too important that he darted off and forgot inform her? May be something bad are happened in the Capwell's house? She moved asleep Sammi to the sleeping room. Then she returned to the drawing room and called Capwell's house. To her surprise CC hang up.
"No, Mary, Mason was not here," he replied. "In last time I saw him when he proved that he is a heartless idiot, refusing to be glad for his own sister. I'm sorry that you had to see this unpleasant scene."
"CC, doesn't be slander on Mason. He loves Eden and surely he was glad to her recovering. I call because there is something wrong."
"And what is?"
"Mason disappeared."
First she heard a silence only, and then CC carefully asked: "If I guess that you already searched him in bars of the city?"
"What?" Until the point Mary never though about the turn like this. For a second she begun to hesitate, but then she images Mason's face as she saw him in the last time, and firmly said: "No, I did not and don't going make it. Mason no needs to leave to drink."
"Are you sure? It is a usual way of the decision of problems for Mason."
"We have no problems! We did talk and work out everything"
"Mary, for all years that I can see Mason, his behavior always was self-destructive. He went all out to make worse everyone, including himself;" Mary sucks the air between her teeth and closed eyes, trying to keep tears. During this moment he fully felt that means to be Mason in family Capwells. "He doesn't need any reasons. He just can drive to tears all of the family, and then go in a bar and load up here. I never could understand what for he doing it. After all he already received all of he wanted, wreaking his anger on others. But he never gets enough of it; he wanted to drive himself to swinish condition--"
"Enough, CC," Mary could not bear it more. "I understood your idea, but you are wrong. I am sure that Mason is not loading up in a bar as you expressed. He was forced to disappear. And I just pray God that he could return in alive and well. Good night, CC. I am sorry that I called too late."
Mary banged the receiver on the phone and deeply thought. What she suppose to do? Capwells know nothings, it is clear. And Mason has not other reasons being off somewhere, without any word to her. If Mason actually was kidnapped as she just said to his father in the heat of the moment? Though he did not believe her after all. But even if it's that, what she can make now? Late night, she was alone in the apartment with two little children... Police even will not listen her; they'll just laugh if she tells that her husband is not at home less then one hour. She was feared for Mason, but has a little hope that that he will return yet... She searched all of drawing room for any Mason's note, and after found nothing, she exhausted climbed on the sofa. Covering up with a plaid, she began to wait for Mason, trying to convince her that he can return in any moment and wiping uninvited tears. Gradually she fell asleep. In her dream joyful and wet Mason called her to swim in ocean nearly to Capwell's yacht.

Mason regained consciousness, when there was already early morning. He sat down and pulls a face from the headache which pierced his temples. Where I am?" flashed in his head. What is happened? If he is in a lock-up, or that? But the memory of yesterday suddenly sharply returned with all details to him. He was kidnapped and brought to the house, having locked in the cellar where he is now. He had no even a slightest idea who is his kidnappers. Most likely, they will ask a ransom for me," absently thought Mason and just realized who'll asked for a ransom. The thought that Mary can be in a danger make him to jump up and start banging on walls."
"Let me out! Hear me, let me out! Do not touch my wife! Do not dare to touch Mary!"
He shouted long enough until he become hoarse. Realizing that nobody is going to answer him, he decided to trying to get out. After observing the cellar, he understood that 1) its unreal to get out by his own powers and 2) someone taken care about his breakfast and left the package with chocolate bars and several Cola bottles in the corner. Eating the bar and drinking warm Cola, Mason tensely thinks that he suppose to do now. They don't going to kill him, it was obvious. Or even make him starve. Means, most likely, he was kidnapped for getting a ransom. And then he can to try to talk over kidnappers. He's well-known lawyer after all! Now, when his first plan was generated, Mason was disturbed by one only — nobody must hurt Mary. From one thought about she can be hurt his heart wrung with the sensation of his own helpless. Why someone separated them again! And why it's happened now!
Chapter 94 — Mary Capwell Investigates

Mary wakes up when children begin to call her. With the fallen heart she walks around all apartment, then did it again. Mason was not here as well as there was no note from him. Nothing. Mason disappeared. Just dissolved in air. Mary remembered how several months ago she thoughtlessly followed Uncle Larry on the cemetery and when she returned back, horrified Mason clutched her to bosom because he cannot find her. Now she can see what is directly he felt during that moment. Inexpressible horror. The same thing that she feels now. No, she should take herself in hands. Probably, now she's Mason's only hope.
After feeding children and putting them in the double arena, Mary called in Capwell's house Capwell again. Answered Rose who informed Mary that they know nothing about Mason since the last tonight. Hanging up Mary heard how the key turns in the lock. However her joy quickly was replaced by disappointment when Christie comes in the apartment.
"How are you? Is it OK?" her younger sister asked with carefully interest.
Mary shakes her head.
"Mason disappeared."
"What you mean?" Christie surprised.
"I mean that I think that he was kidnapped."
Christie's eyes rounded with horror.
"Do you have the demanding for ransom? Do you already called in police?" she asked and looking back as if she expecting to see FBI's agents.
"I did not yet," Mary sighed. "And police will do nothing until I'll have some facts about Mason's kidnapping. Mason is not at home only since the last tonight."
"Well, I'll be darned--" Christie hesitantly said, not knowing what to tell more. At the point, to her relieving, her coming was revealed by Chip. And Christie begins her work for what she actually getting her money. She was enjoying by her job as Mason's children's babysitter and she clearly don't enjoying thinking about abductions and other terrible things. She likes Mason, but she felt uncomfortably when he was at home.
Mary decided that she should calm down and try to find though something that would allow her to find Mason. Handed the care about toddlers to her sister, she attentively examined the apartment's door. But she noted nothing specifically over it. Mary leaves out the corridor of the floor and began to examine the door outside. Nothing. She already despaired to find any evidences when suddenly paid attention that something is glitter on the floor in a few foot down from their door. She approached closer, and realized that it's pen. Mary bent and pick up it. Oh no. It was Mason's engraved pen. Mary remembered that the pen stuck out Mason's shirt pocket just before he disappeared. Even she almost can feel how she's embracing Mason and the pen rests against her breast. My God, its means that Mason was really kidnapped! She joined her shivering hands and convulsively trying to think what she needs to do now. Any calls in police are still senselessly. If it's means she must to wait only?

* * *

After a few hours Capwells are wake up. When CC finally realized that Mason not returned home yet and becomes to be nervous too. He can see if Mason disappeared for one evening, but if he's not come back home almost whole day it's really different case. Mason did like this early, it's true, but it's very rare. Too rare was if you're considering the situation.
Eden asked Cruz for a non-formal investigation until they cannot officially come in police. Kelly decides questioning Mason and Mary's neighbors — may be one of them can see Mason yesterday. Slowly, but the investigation finally begun...
Feeling weak and helpless, Mary repeatedly scrolled in her mind events of the last day hoping to find something that would help them to find Mason. It was simple case — after tactful but accurate questioning by Cruz. She was not consoled even by the fact that many people actively search for Mason. She did not believe that they will manage to find him for some reasons.
Mary picks up Mason's jacket from the floor. Absently she stirred up it, and seen that the note dropped out of the pocket. With hope she takes it but it was the same note with words about the beach slave from Mason's friend Chris. Mary smoothed the note between fingers and re-read it. Something in the text triggered her. From the very first time it looked to her with some well-known... Mary sat down on the sofa, painfully trying to remember. Then she lifted up her head and called: "Christie!"
"I'm here," her sister comes out the bedroom. "What is wrong?"
"Have you even heard the expression "a beach slave"?"
"A beach slave?" she surprised. "I don't."
Mary disappointedly sighed.
"Well unless--" Christie hesitating stretched. "Mom's spoke it long time ago."
In Mary's head suddenly clicked. She realized from whom she heard such expression. Is it possible? But all fits together. Mary's face turned white because her anger.
"Mary, what is happens?" Christie becomes worried.
"Happens nothing. Yet," Mary through her teeth said. "Stay with children, I should see someone."
"It's about Mason?" sister asked her.
"May be," Mary nodded and going out the door. She very much hoped that it is. How she was stupid! She never will forgive her for being it. My God, let's Mason be alive and well! Please! Let's he will return to her!
Chapter 95 — The Evening's Conversation

Mason already begins to fall in despair waiting to hear from kidnappers. He had some impression that they absolutely forgotten about him. He stayed alone until the evening coming up that he realized when some poor light gradually becomes thaw and comes to full darkness.
But then he finally heard someone's steps over his head. The muffled mutter was sounded, then the hatch cover sharply swung open over Mason's head, and he hardly had time to start back from the package that fallen to the floor of basement. Mason waiting stood. Kidnapper's feeding him, and it's meaning that to keep him alive is important to them. There passed some minutes in full silence, and finally Mason's patience was rewarded.
"Hey, are you alive here?" the young boyish voice said. Mason in darkness lifted his brow. Is it the teen? What is hell? He don't going move. Let he'll begin to worry and make some mistakes." 
"Dammit!" Mason finally heard. "Are you alive? Say me something, sucking lawyer!"
Mason held the breath. It was his only chance.
The guy sworn again and left out. After a few minutes, he brings the rope ladder and thrown it down. Then he began to go down in the basement. Mason immediately rushed from darkness and pulled him off down. Struggle was fastened, the boy was span as the eel, but Mason was much stronger and, eventually, he pressed his kidnapper to the floor. In darkness his scared eyes flashed."
"Do not kill me, please," he hoarsely asked. Mason does not moving, understanding, that he can lose his upper position.
"Who are you?" severely asked Mason, even more strongly leaning against him. "And who ordered you to take me?"
"Nobody," guy managed.
"Liar!"
"Nobody, I swear."
"Do you mean that you did organize Mason Capwell's kidnapping all alone and just for ransom? I never believe it."
"I speak the truth," the guy tried to be pulled out again, but Mason strongly held him. "I did it alone. And I don't want any smelly ransom!"
"And what do you want?" Mason asked with some interest.
"To revenge," he sobbed. "I want to revenge for my brother!"
"If I take away your brother, when I was DA, it's means that he was the criminal."
"He was not the criminal! And your being DA no matter here. You killed him without helping any laws!"
"Without helping any laws?" Mason was surprised.
"Yes! Do you know who my brother was? Mark McCormick!

* * *

Mary stopped her car before the house that was already familiar to her. Naming herself to guards, she easy passed by well-trained butler for long corridors. Without any knocks Mary entered into the studio and fury looked at the man who surprised raised his face from some papers.
"Mary?"
"Yes, uncle. It's me."
"I'm glad to see you--"
"Let's leave formalities. I demand that you immediately released Mason out."
Larry frowned.
"I cannot."
"Surely you can! Also you will make it."
"I can not. I'm no idea where is he. I even didn't aware that he was kidnapped until your words."
"You lie. And now I even know why you hate Mason so much. It's not because me, right? You are Chris Rock!"
Larry's faces hardened.
"Where you did know about him? You cannot know."
"I knew," Mary exhaled, feeling that her knees become weak. Until the last moment she hoped that she's wrong. Until the latest moment she assured herself that it's her bluff. "And you knew too. And you will return Mason now, or I'll call the police!"
"Call," Larry wearily answered. "Though I cannot see why Capwell concerns here. And I never named myself as Chris."
"And no named anybody as a beach slave?" Mary made two steps and hand him worn Mason's note.
Larry took it. Read. With astonishment lifted his brow. "What is it?"
"Do not pretend be surprised! It's Chris Rock's words that my husband remembered and wrote here!"
"Did you tell you your husband about Chris?" Larry turned white from fury.
"Me? Told him?" Mary was surprised for the first time of all conversation. "What are you meaning? It's Mason who told me. Chris Rock was Mason's secret friend whom he never saw. And now I knew that it's you!"
Larry looked as if he received the swing to his head. His face became even no white, but grey. Mary pressed her lips.
"Do not pretend that it's news for you," she said. "You were aware it from the very beginning. And, probably, it caused you to hate Mason too much. I do not know why. Mason was a boy, and made to you nothing bad."
"You are wrong," Larry hardly told and literally fallen in the chair. He rubbed his forehead. "I'm not Chris Rock, and I knew nothing about Mason."
Mary involuntarily noticed that he named Mason by his first name for the first time.
"Anyway, now you knew. And you'll return Mason until tomorrow's morning; opposite I'll inform the police about you."
Larry kept silent. Mary left his office and walks out from the house. She was overflowed with bitterness and weariness. Leaving out, she stopped here. She should be comes back home, but she wants to see Mason as soon as possible. She did not doubt that Larry will return him. He should not to go in the prison. By accepted the conciliatory decision, she called Christie from the phone cabin to be sure that children are all right and the sister is ready to baby-sit longer then normal, and then she arranged in her car to wait. She was ready to wait though all night for be first who'll see Mason.
Chapter 96 — Night Watch

The last person's name that Mason waited to hear was McCormick's! His fingers were unclenched, and the guy tries to using his chance to escape. But he was not enough quick and Mason take over him again, roughly pushing on the floor.
"You lied! Mark McCormick had no brothers!"
"I speak the truth," the guy drooped and stopped to resist. "He did not know about my being, we were parental half-brothers."
"And do you decided to go on his steps?" asked Mason with sarcasm, thinking what he suppose to do now."
"I wanted to meet him. I arrived here — actually I'm living in Santa Rosa — and found out that he's dead."
"And what's about me here?" Mason lifted his brow.
"Neighbors told me a lot of the interesting stuff."
"About?"
"About all of them: about him, his wife and about you."
"And they told tell you that I am guilty in his death, were they?"
"He was need money. Much money. He tried to loan from his friends and has said that really you, Capwell, thrown him down to mafia. And later he was found dead in some ditch."
"Was it my fault also?"
"Do you accept that you handed him to Mafioso?" The guy rise up and approached more close to Mason. His face was hardly seen in a strip of poor light that falling from the hatch over their heads. Mason shakes his head.
"I have no relation to mafia. McCormick was connected with illegal sale of donor organs. I actually given him a chance to escape and did not take him in police. Probably, in vain."
The guy shortly sighed. Mason made the decision. He quickly turned around and got on the robe ladder upward, every second being afraid that his jailer will pull him off in the same way as Mason did for ten minutes ago. But happened nothing. Mason got out of the basement to the ground floor and waited until McCormick's brother will get out too. Then he slammed the hatch and nodded towards the drawing room.
"We are needed to drink. Both of us.

* * *

After Mary's leaving Larry keeps sitting at a table, clasping his hands his head. Mary's words turned over his soul. He did not know what he supposes to do now. However, there was the thing that he really needs to do. He picks up the receiver.
"Jacobs, are you on duty? If he did not leave the house yet?" Larry looked at his watch. Eleven o'clock. "Well, wait one hour. If he still does not leave out, come in and bring him here. Yes, I mean it.
He hung up and stared at the table. May be it's a chance that he wanted so badly? All is changed for him, but for them too. He may be not getting other right moment.
"Mr. Duvall, I'm sorry," the butler peers in. "Guards inform that your lady guest not left anywhere. She stays in her the car nearby the gate of the estate."
"Really?" Larry raised his head. "Well, and then invite her to come in the house. She will not refuse, I am sure."
When the security guard approached to Mary and kindly said the request of the owner to return to the house, her first impulse was to send her uncle to hell. But she was complete exhausted, and her baby, probably, feeling her condition, moving around so hardly that she was afraid that she'll give a birth on the place. Therefore she agreed, though with her obvious displeasure. But she just cannot back home and wait here for Mason.
One hour later Mason already sat in the car which drives him to Larry's house. When his private eye Jacobs interrupted Mason's talk with Cory — it's name of the unfortunate kidnapper, he did not hide who is he and what his job is. Mason did not begin to resist and walk out with him. He already knew that Mary's uncle no relation to his kidnapping. Cory was not too intellectual, but he was not a kind of criminal also. Just the maximalist teen with obvious problems in the family. Mason had no problems to convince him that he did not kill Mark who was killed by his own criminal doings. Cory asked Mason not declare on him in police, and after some hesitations Mason agreed. He written off data from the boy's driving license and said him that if he learns about his breaks of law he will put the statement in the nearest police station.

* * *

Mary sat in Larry's studio when he got the call by internal phone. For some reason she immediately realized that it's about Mason. She risen up and with nervous waiting looked at the door.
After a few moments Mason come in the room, and she thrown the arms round his neck with cry of relieving. 
"Mason, Thank God! You are alive! Are you all right?" She worried look in his eyes and tried to touch his body, being afraid that Mason can be wounded.
"I'm fine, don't worry. I just exhausted," Mason embraced her with inexpressible relieving. All time that he was captured he became crazy from anxiety for her and their baby. What's silly and malicious boy, Dammit him!
"What you doing here?" he suddenly realized. "And how Mr. Duvall found out where I was held?"
"Mason, but he was your kidnapper!
He had shaken his head.
"No, its no your uncle. Actually I know who did it now. I'll explain to you later. But why you got an idea that it's was your uncle?"
"Mason--" Mary bitten her lip, understanding that she'll hurt him now. "Mason, it's because Chris Rock."
"What?" Mason's face turned white. He's takes away. "Why you told about him to your uncle? It's no concern to him!"
"Mason--"
"What?" In Mason's voice sounded the pain and it make Mary become more determined.
"Mason, my uncle actually is Chris Rock."
Mason automatically looked up Duvall and then moved his sight at Mary's face.
"You are wrong," he sadly grinned. "This person never was Chris."
"Uncle--"
"Mary, Mason's is right. As I already spoke to you, I never named myself as Chris," Larry slightly hesitated and then added: "But my twin brother Kenneth did."
Chapter 97 — The Stunning Blow Of The Truth (1 Part)

"It's just ridiculous!" Mason sniffed and turned to Mary. "Lets go, I want to bring us home as soon as possible. You probably completed exhausted," he anxiously added when he's looking at her pale face.
"No," Larry slowly said. "I think that already it's time to clear all up to the end."
He saw that Mason automatically covered Mary by himself and unexpectedly tenderly said: "Sit down, Golden Boy. And listen to me."
Mary felt how Mason's body shuddered, and sacredly looked up at his face. It's pale, almost grey. Eyes became absolutely black. Mary grabbed him, being afraid that he will lose consciousness now.
"Mason! Mason, are you OK?! Mason, look at me!"
Larry probably noticed Mason's shock too and starts up to them. But Mason already came around.
"It's-s-s im-mpossible," Mason said hardly moving with his lips. "I can not to believe..."
He made two steps, feeling that his knees are weak and almost fallen on the sofa where Mary sat before his arrival. Mary sits down also. She embraced him and nestled, feeling beats of his heart. She was horrified. Everything that seemed being so clear and familiar suddenly scattered into smithereens. She knew that Mason feels the same and afraid of things that she can hear now. But even she hardly wanted to accept it, Larry was right — now they should speak all up to the end. She looked up at Larry. He sighed.
"I think that I should begin from the very beginning. Since that memorable summer when I lost my twin brother."
Mary shuddered. It's the same summer when her father died?
"I think that you, Mary, aware that your father had cancer."
Mary nodded, she knew about it.
"Lung cancer."
"Right. He had delayed his visit to the doctor for long time; your mother almost forced him for making some tests. He was diagnosed and become to get the chemotherapy. We hoped that he'll will survive--" Larry kept silent, but then continued. "And then Kenny began to going out. He's come back in evenings, but didn't say where he was. Under other circumstances I would decide that he had new girl..."
Mary's outraged.
"... But it's not for his condition. I was angry, shouted at him. But he was not saying a word. Finally I am giving up. As his condition became worse. And in one of his "bad" days he said be that he meets with the boy in caves near beaches. That he's talking with the teenager."
"What for?" Mason softly asked. He sat on the sofa, put his elbows on knees and hung down his head. "I never could understand, what for?"
"He hardly told about the reasons. He said that he likes to talk to someone who knows nothing about him. Even his actual age. You see, he could not tell that he's already adult. He did not want to be accused of sexual abuse."
"I see," Mary said and looked at Mason. He nodded, taken away by his own thoughts. "Did Daddy named Mason as "Golden boy"? But why?" she asked.
"Because the boy was with golden heart and in the golden cage."
Mason lifted his head.
"He knew who am I?"
"Probably he knew. I do not know, whence, and he never named me your surname. But I know that he even wanted to go to your father and talk with him about you."
Mason strained and then shook his head.
"He never made it."
"No. I think that he just not get enough time. He passed some cycles of chemo and has lived until the autumn. And then suddenly all come to the end. He already finished the fourth cycle, his condition even become a little improved... He felt badly just in the street, near our house. Ambulance taken him to the hospital where he died in the morning of next day. I wanted to be with him to the end. But he forced me to promise that I will go to this dammed cave and tell his Golden Boy that he cannot come to their meeting.
Mason looked up at him with defenseless sight.
"You did not come."
"Of course, I did. But, naturally, I was late. And when I did return to the hospital my twin brother already was without consciousness and did not come around until his death. And I began to hate "Golden boy" who not allowed me even to say goodbye to my twin."
Chapter 97 — The Stunning Blow Of The Truth (2 Part)

Mary afraid looked at Mason. But his face was calm though also pale. She felt that he inwardly takes away and embraced him, with all of her heart wishing that this torture finally was stopped. Mason stiffed under her hands. But Mary looked up her uncle, not releasing Mason.
"When you realized that the boy was Mason?"
"I suspected nothing until you did show me the note." The beach slave is sitting in the sand, he cannot become free, but his imprisonment can be his own unique way to avoid death," Larry quoted from memory."
"Whom did he mean?" escaped from Mary. "Mason?"
"Himself and Mason. Both of us were "beach slaves", our father named us with the way. Sometimes Kenny said that he cannot live without ocean and will die without it. And he guessed that beaches also are very important for his Golden Boy. That he could not survive if he had not deserted places like these. If he was right?" last words were addressed to Mason.
"I do not know," Mason replied, looking on his hands. "It's possible. But I don't sure."
"It's the reason that make you thought that it's me opened Chris Rock's story to Mason rather the reverse."
"Yes. I decided that the story you were told by your mother and you did the same to your husband. But then I realized that after so many years I finally found Golden Boy. Though he was kidnapped for that moment."
"How you found where I am?" Mason asked; his voice got stronger.
"I promised Mary not pursue you," Larry crookedly grinned. "But I considered as my duty as to follow both of you. I wished to be sure that Mason will not hurt you," he tried to clear his reasons when Mary hatefully glared him. "And as result as it given me the chance to find him. I just contacted with my private eye and told him to bring your husband to me."
"And your private eye was so dumb and cannot say that Mason was kidnapped from very beginning? He must see that someone takes Mason away as an unconsciousness body."
"I think that the detective had not instructions to protect me, Mary," Mason said and gloomy looking at her.
"What you mean...? If you want to say that--"
"I want to say that I think that Mr. Duvall wanted to receive some compromising evidence for me. And my protection against kidnappers was not included."
"Is it the truth?" Mary slowly stands up. But she felt as Mason painfully reacts to it and sat down again, not takes away angry sight from Larry's face. To her surprise, he wearily nodded.
"Yes, it's the truth. I wanted to have something to use against Mason."
"And as result as you rescued his life."
"Well, not absolutely," Mason responded. "I already taken over the guy when came up his PI. Though of course I cannot complain that he brought me directly to you."
With pleasure feeling that Mason finally comes around, Mary pressed his palm by her one until hurting. Larry stands up, going round his desk and stopped just before Mason. Mason stands up also and met Larry's sight. They looked directly in eyes of each other. Larry was first who taken away his sight. He looked somewhere aside and then at Mason again.
"Golden Boy, I should you tell that Chris Rock cannot come--" he begun, but his voice broken. Mary could swear that she sees tears in his eyes. After clearing the throat, Larry continued: "Unfortunately, he never will come in your cave."
Mason faced to him, standing stiffed straight.
"Thanks," he murmured. And then politely added: "I'm very appreciating that you spend your time to inform me. I'm too sorry that I could not receive your message earlier--"
"I'm sorry too," Larry replied, and in his sight appeared something like respect.
There're become death silence. All words were told.
"I think that it's time to go," Mary broken the silence. "Lets go, Mason. We really need to calm your family; they're very worried about you..."
Mason looked at her with a strange sight that she cannot understand and then nodded. "Yes, it's time to go. Good bye, Mr. Duvall."
"Farewell... Mason."
Larry looks how they going out, not breaking up their embraces and rubbed his cheeks. It's seems that the tense in the air almost perceived. Now he must to live even after. But who else would tell him, how he can?
Chapter 98 — Reunited

Mason and Mary leave out though the estate gate and stopped. Mary turns and looks up at Mason. He seems pale and exhausted, but enough calm. Unexpectedly for herself Mary starts to sob. Mason pulls her closer and embraces, feeling as she's trembling under his hands.
"All right, all right," he said after a few moments and torn her off his shirt. "It's over. We'll be fine."
"I just cannot believe--" she began to search for a handkerchief.
"That everything was ended?"
"That's it. And more. That we found out... Who are we--" You...
Mary had Mason's hand in her hand in and felt as strongly he shuddered. She looks up at Mason, but he moved away his sight. Mary flushed.
"I am sorry--" she murmured.
Mason sharply surprised turned his head to her and raised her face by the chin.
"For what?"
"I told my uncle about Chris Rock. I saw that you did hurt to found out it. I am so guilty--"
"Mary, Mary... It's nothing about you. If you did not tell it to your uncle, we'd never learn all of story until now."
"That's it! And you'd not pass through all. All of us."
Mason sighs. "I'm not saying that it comes easily to me. And my mind still is confused. But I firmly convinced that we'd really need to know the truth. It was necessary for all of us. Therefore you are nothing to blame... Unless--"
"What?"
"Unless that you have the last month of pregnancy and do not want to be at home, investigating in not the most safe places and not with the most safe people."
"I should not investigate if my husband was not kidnapped. I'd need to bring him back," Mary importantly replied. She finally becomes come around. "And I found you!"
"Not absolutely, but it's already unimportant," Mason hemmed.
"Quite right. The only important thing that we're really need to come back home."
Mason takes the handle door Mary's car but was stopped.
"I'll drive for good. You're too much passed for last days."
"You too. All right, then let's walk to the closest phone booth and call for taxi. I think that we really need for some fresh air. We'll take my car later.
Joining their palms they slowly started wandering along the street to the phone booth. Mason feels cool night air and tried to understand what's just happened. Everything seemed strange unreal, it's was difficult to him to accept that his Chris was Mary's father. How he could be adult... And he never returns. Its hit Mason so much that he even brought down his steps, suddenly completely realized it. Chris is gone. He's died. For long time ago. They never meet again. Mason shakes his head, forced his grief go in the deep when it's ready to overwhelm him. Not now. Sometimes later... And now actually he should combine his friend of childhood with the man who was told by Larry.
"Mason--" his thoughts were interrupted low Mary's voice.
"What?" Mason strongly pressed her fingers in his palm and stopped.
"Mason, how we'll live now?
Mason suddenly had his heart in his boots.
"What do you mean?" His own voice seemed be strange even himself.
"Mason, what is wrong? Do you feel hurt? You're deadly pale."
"What — you — mean?"
"Well... All that we just knew. I cannot get used to the way that we found out be so... connected."
"It's unpleasant for you?" Mason forced himself to look at her face.
"No, of course. Just it's a kind of strange. You... you became like almost my relative.
Mason feels that something inside spread warmly.
"Fortunately we are not relatives," informed he at last starting to find his balance. "Overwise we could not get married."
"You talk like a lawyer," blamed Mary.
"I'm actually the lawyer. All right, let's give the call. Or they'll search for both of us."
"May be they already did," Mary added, and they walk to the booth.
However they did a few steps and nearby the car stops. Mason automatically blocked Mary by himself. The driver opens the car window and made inviting gesture: "The master said me to drive you back home."
"Well, you'll be better to leave us alone--" Mason begins, but he was interrupted by Mary: "Mason, I saw this man in my uncle's mansion. Who sent you to follow us?" The question was naturally is addressed already to the driver."
"Mr. Duvall sent," the man willingly agreed. Mason searchingly looked at Mary. "May be we should take advantage of his help?"
"You are crazy!"
"No, just try be pragmatic. You are really need to get a rest and as soon as possible. And when we'll finally see a taxi, there already will come morning. Besides after our conversation it seems to me as improbable that your uncle wished to kidnap us." 
Mary should agree that Mason's words have some reasons.
"All right," she finally agreed. "Though firstly we really need to make the call home. Everyone certainly worried for us."
"It seems to me that no need to waste our time. Besides I do not think that you should listen by phone indignant cries of our relatives. We'll nave the full set of impressions when we will face them."
"Probably you are right," Mary reluctantly agreed and climbed in the back sitting of the car. Mason sat down nearby and closed the door. The car got off with speeding up and rushed away in nightly Santa Barbara.
Mary put her head down on Mason's shoulder and watches though her eyelashes at the night city. Mason cautiously pulled out his hand and embraced her upper body. Mary looks up and timidly smiled. He smiled back and promised to himself that they will not separate any more. Never.
Chapter 99 — The Beginning Of New Life

Mary almost falls asleep on the way at home. In Mason's hands she feels so good and cozy that even when the car stopped nearby their house, she's not wanted to get out at all. But it was necessary. The driver waved them and got off, quickly speeding up. Mason and Mary stay alone.
Mason walks to the building's door, but then stopped.
"Mary? Is something wrong?
She shook her head.
"I still some confused. And now we should beat off from relatives."
"They are not too terrible... If you want I can go in and make them leave out."
"No, Mason," Mary deeply sighed. "Let's go together."
"If you are afraid that they'll eat me?"
"No, just I wish to finish all as possible as quickly."
"Me too."
Mason lowers his head and covered her lips by his mouth. Mary starts to kiss him and forgot about all.
"I just cannot believe my eyes!" upset CC's voice interrupted them
Mason and Mary jumped up as teenagers who caught up by their parents.
"Dad--" Mason begins, but CC's not allowed him to continue. "Instead of informing us that you're fine and is not died somewhere, what you are doing?"
"Am I actually needed to explain?" Mason hemmed. "I'm kissing my own wife."
But CC already turned away and looks at Mary with his furious sight. "Well, I do not expect that you're so irresponsibility too!"
"CC, we had not any chance to call!"
"You disappeared even in the afternoon and explained nothing!"
"I had my reasons. Whether besides, you, CC, confidently declared me last tonight that Mason just drunken and come back in the morning."
Mason moved and sacredly looked at Mary. CC pursed his lips.
"I had reasons to think like that."
Mary shook her head. "No one. Except your bias against Mason," she looked back at her husband, then again moves her sight at CC. "I am sorry, but we're very tired. How are children?"
"They're fine," CC responded thoughtfully watching both of them. "They're with Sophia and Kelly now."
"Eden?"
"She's with Cruz at home. She was hurt by your hysteric, Mason, and then your mysterious disappearance. If Mary was right, you were kidnapped?"
"Mary always is right. Yes, it was the kidnapping."
"I guess that you informed the police."
"No. Actually I did not."
"What?"
"Father, do you think that now it's time to talk about it?"
"Yes. However, Mary really looks tired. She really need have a rest."
Three of them go up to Mason's apartment. Christie rushed to hug Mary, and Kelly rushed to hug Mason. Then comes Sophia's turn to hug and short phone call to Eden who was afraid that news about Mason just false one for makes her comfort. She really believes that it's truth when she heard her brother's voice. When all trouble settled, Mary exhausted collapsed on the bed.
"I even cannot move," she said, climbing under sheets. "It seems to me that I searched for you the whole year though it's was quicker that two days. Mason, if kidnappers wanted some ransom for you?"
"I'll tell you later. Sleep."
"Only if you'll embrace me. I cannot be without you--"
"No problems. Because I also cannot be without you."
Mason embraced Mary, inhaling scent of her hair. It was impossible to find words that he felt now. When he was with her — he was the single whole, without her — just a half of him. He tried to expel a grief from his memory which was still painfully felt. Now Mary was beside him, absolutely close — cannot be closer. Alive, naturally his Mary...

* * *

Mary wake up and found out that she is alone in the bed. She looks at clocks and surprises how late already were.
"Mason!" she put her feet down on the floor and suddenly felt a nagging pain in the small of her back. It's because her yesterday's adventures or...?
"Wake up, my sleeping beauty?" Smiling Mason showed in doors, he's completely dressed and had baby's bib in his hand. However, seeing that Mary's face screwing up and she rubs her stomach, he getting frightened."
"Mary, what is wrong? It's baby?"
Instead answering Mary stands up and bent, pressing her hand to her stomach.
"I'll call 911!" Mason rushed to the phone.
"No, don't! Mason, it's progressing--"
"Of course, I'll do! You feel bad! What's mean "it's progressing"?"
"Mason," Mary caught him by his sleeve. "Focus here, please. I have the progressing... labors," Mary manages through her teeth when she's squeezed by other contraction. Mason stunned, and Mary pulled him again. "Mason! Do you want to make me giving the birth just here?"
"What? No!" Mason finally comes around. "For God's sake, let's doing it in the hospital."
"I'm agreed but my baby will not wait if we do not hurry."
After fifteen minutes Mason already drives the car and Mary tried make the right breathe and do not scare Chip and Samantha who cannot understand what's mess around. All of way Mason constantly asked Mary how she feels, and when they finally reached, Mary was almost ready to knock him by something heavy. Fortunately it was not required and Mary's getting in skilled hands of doctors.
Mason remained to stay in the waiting room and did not understand what's supposed to do now. However, his confusion lasted not for long as Samantha and Chip already walking around the room. Mason caught Chip, put him armpit, then he takes Sammy's hand and walks to the phone booth. Closed in the booth, he's put his son on the floor, released daughter's palm and began to dial the number of Capwell's house. He's feels afraid and joyfully in the same time. Soon he'll have the son! His own son and Mary's.
Chapter 100 — Baby Makes Five

Mason just made the only call to get up all family Capwells to the hospital. Children started to fuss directly in the phone booth, he said goodbye already under their cries. He pulled them out the hospital hall and began to look out Mary's doctor.
"Mason Capwell. How is my wife?" Mason jumped up when finally saw Dr. Lewis.
"She's in labors," he replies and hastened in one of rooms.
"Doctor, waits!" Mason grabs his lapel. "When I can see her?"
"Later, now she's preparing." Doctor sighed, realizing that he cannot unhook too easy and looking at Mason's eyes he informs: "Mr. Capwell, don't worry. Your wife soon will be all right. You'll have the wonderful baby."
"When?"
"Soon," doctor repeated and leaves. Mason did not try to keep him more. But his tone makes Mason suppose something wrong. As if they hid something, if Mary is not OK...
Offended Samantha's cry forced him jump up and looks back. Chip pulling out from Samantha's hands something black and look alike to... Dammit! Mason rushed to them and takes away from little blackened fingers his favorite Parker! What really is too much! He inspected accident scales, estimating that he must to do with children who were bedaubed with ink. And they have been bedaubed densely enough... He gave the sigh and thrown out the ill-starred pen — it nearly loss during his kidnapping — and dragged both children in WC. But it appeared as the hard problem as Samantha wanted to return "the beautiful stick" and ready to get it even in the hospital bin, and Chip followed her.

Sophia and Kelly caught Mason with fussing and crying children when they come in the hospital as first of all.
"My God!" they said in unison when they saw bedaubed with violet Mason and crying out children who were also with strong violet outflow.
"Help me better then it," Mason snapped and handed Samantha to Kelly. She automatically picked up the girl. And nearly dropped her as Sam was not going to give up in the fight for the desired stick. "Hold her! And safer!"
Kelly sacredly grabs Samantha, and angered, frightened Mason dragged his son in men's WC to wash out the ink. Sophia with her skilled hand taken away Sami from Kelly and left out to woman's WC.
Kelly remained to stand in the middle of hospital hall with the tasty print of the children's hand on her cheek and the violet line on her neck. At the moment CC rushed in the hospital.
"Kelly, baby, what is happened with your face? Where is Mason?"
"He washes Chip, and mom does the same with Sam." Kelly pulled out her pocket mirror and focused to erase the ink stain. "It seems all of them were soiled in ink."
"Are you kidding?!"
"Nope. You would see that here was mess! It seems I sympathized Mason first for all of time..."
"Never," Mason declared, appearing from WC even more tousled than he was earlier. Chip still was in ink stains, but it's become much paler and was not spoilt more. "You never sympathize me."
"And I should?" She rolled her eyes. "You have the wonderful family, terrific children. Why you need have someone's sympathy?"
"Mason, how is Mary?" CC changed the subject. "Is she OK?"
"She's in labors," Mason declared, imitating the doctor to who just talked. "And we'll have the wonderful baby soon."
"When?"
"Soon," Mason vague declared and hands Chip to his own father, he walking to Dr Lewis. "Can I come in Mary's?"
"Yes, you already can. Only for a short time, your wife needs a rest."
"Is something wrong with her?" Mason finally exposed his fears.
"No, all goes as it suppose. Do not worry, your wife is well-handled."
"I would be like to be assured," Mason thought fast walking to Mary's room.

Searching a few minutes among rooms Mason finally found the one where was Mary. His heart's sunk at the sight her among medical devices, in the hospital robe. But then she raises her head, looks at him and her face's shining with the wide smile.
"Here you are. I already was tired of waiting."
"How you feel?" Mason comes closer and sat down on the bed's edge.
"Tolerably. And why you're so tousled? And what is happened with your shirt?"
"The pen leaked... Do not worry, everything all right."
"And where are children?"
"With my family. Dammit, I forgot to call your mother!"
"We still have time to make it," Mary calmed him. Mason pressed her palm to his cheek.
"I hate to wait!" he whispered.
"Don't be afraid, I'll fine."
"I cannot," he admitted. "If something'll happen with you--"
"Happens nothing, Mason! I promise," Mary smiled.
"Mr. Capwell, your visitor time is over. We'll call you in the delivery room when the time will approach."
"Thanks. Mary, I love you," he strongly embraced her and kissed.
"I love you too," Mary sent him the air kiss. "And always I'll. Send regards to your family!"

Returned to Capwells Mason found out that there is already all of the family. Ted played with Chip, and CC and Sophia talked with Cruz and Eden. Caught sight of him, his sister raised and, using her crutches, walks to him.
"How is Mary?"
"Like everything is right. So she speaks."
"And do you think that it not?"
Mason shook his head. "I should call Theda and Christie."
He's leave; Eden looked to his back and sighed.
"Do you think that he still is angry with me?" asked she her mother.
"No, just he worries about Mary."
"I hope."

There passed a few hours before Mason finally was called in the delivery room. He's already attended at Samantha's birth, but now its feels so terribly as never in his life. He ordered to himself do not to think about bad things and, by following instructions of the doctor, took Mary's hand, helping her to deal with contractions. But then something is gone wrong. He noticed that the doctor and the nurse frowning look at indications of devices."
"Mason, what's the matter?" He heard Mary's voice, and calmly smiled, in spite of the fact that inside he feels freeze.
"All right, my love."
"Mr. Capwell, go out, please."
"No! What's--"
"Do not argue, leave out!"
"Mary, I'll be here, absolutely nearby!"
The door of delivery room slammed before his nose.
"Mason, how is she? Whom we have?" Kelly and Ted rushed to him.
"Nobody yet."
"Mason, what is happened? Is something wrong?"
"I do not know," Mason almost fallen on the chair. "They told nothing, just asked me to leave out."
"Mason, Mary will be fine," Sophia tried to calm him. Mason answered nothing, only continued stare at the door of the delivery room.
Passing painful minutes. Each of Capwells tries to support Mason, but he could not think about except Mary's well doing. He's wanted to enter in the delivery room but feared that can see there.
Mason felt someone's hand on the shoulder and, raising the head, saw Eden. She stays near him, leaning against her crutch, and worried looks at him. Mason poorly smiled and covered her hand by his own. The spark of hope started to inflame.
After a few minutes, the door the delivery room opened and spat out Dr. Lewis. Mason stand up, battling with the rising wave of the panic.
"Doctor?"
"I congratulate, Mason, you have the son!"
"Mary?"
"She's fine, she have a rest," doctor smiling and patted Mason's shoulder. "After a few moments she'll moved in the room, and you can stay with her. Just remember that she is very tired. The labors are hard-working process."
At the point the door of the delivery room again opened, and the nurse taken out Mary on the gurney. Mason quickly comes to her.
"Mary, I'm here!"
"Everything is all right, Mason," she weakly smiled. "I hate to speak it, but you were right. We have the son."
"You just did want not to know the sex of baby when I suggested you to learn. But it's not important. The girl will be our following baby!"
"Do you promise?" Mary's eyes begun to sparkle laughter.
"I do!" Mason followed Mary to the room.
"I guess that you would look at your son," Lewis said and led Mason among others Capwells to the nursery room.
Looking through the glass wall at the small red baby laying in the crib, Mason feels some strange feeling. As if he found out himself somewhere in 3 or 4 dimension, and looks from the side. "I got to Paradise?" flashed in his mind. "We have the son!" he heard Mary's voice almost as it was in reality.
"Is it the truth?" said he aloud.
"Of course, it's the truth," Kelly embraced him. "Mason, come around, all of troubles are over!"
Nevertheless Mason do not left the sensation that he is in Paradise or in the fairy tale... But he was agreeing with it. Now.