1000 Beautiful Things by Annie Lennox.

As the song plays, several scenes fade in and out...

It is late night at LaBoulaie and Dorian is dressed in her silk off-white lingerie. She is holding a glass of Chablis and glances through the glass panel at the brilliant stars in the sky and then gives a worried look at the phone. She paces the room and then returns to the glass patio doors as she sips her wine.

Every day I write the list
Of reasons why I still believe they do exist
(a thousand beautiful things)
And even though it's hard to see
The glass is full and not half empty
(a thousand beautiful things)

At the Buchanan Mansion, Nash is in bed and he has a huge smile as Jessica pounces on the bed and snuggles up beside him.

So... light me up like the sun
To cool down with your rain
I never want to close my eyes again
Never close my eyes
Never close my eyes

Jessica and Nash look into each other's eyes and kiss. The next scene is of Kelly and Kevin at the Carriage House. They are on the sofa. They look at each other and slowly move closer and then kiss. Next, she places his hand on her belly and looks at him with a smile. He glances at her and his eyes begin to tear up with an expression of joy.

I thank you for the air to breathe
The heart to beat
The eyes to see again
(a thousand beautiful things)

At the Angel Square Hotel and in the lobby, Roxy and Thomas have bags packed. Thomas carries the bags to the front door and they are about to leave when Roxy spots her stuffed rodent on the registration desk. She rushes back to kiss it's whiskered nose before she sighs and joins Thomas and they exit.

The next scene is of Todd answering the door at the Penthouse. It is a special delivery mail. He tips the carrier, who leaves. Todd opens the envelop to read the contents of a letter. Blair comes down the stairs and asks, "What is it?" Todd answers, "My son."

And all the things that's been and done
The battle's won
The good and bad in everyone
(this is mine to remember)

Viki is in the kitchen when Natalie comes through the door. She sees the disturbed look on her mother's face and she walks to her and hugs her. Viki begins to cry. Natalie holds her tightly.

So ...
Here I go again
Singin' by your window
Pickin' up the pieces of what's left to find

Along the Waterfont, Duke enters Jakes. He looks around, chuckles when he spots a man that appears familiar to him, though his back is turned to him. Duke approaches, taps the man on the shoulder. The man turns, they smile at each other and then gently kiss each other on the lips.

The world was meant for you and me
To figure out our destiny
(a thousand beautiful things)

At Llanview Hospital, members of a medical team rush into the neo-natal care in response to an emergency. They are attempting to resuscitate an infant. It is James Clinton.

To live
To die
To breathe
To sleep
To try to make your life complete
(yes yes)

Back at LaBoulaie, Dorian turns as she hears the front door open. She smiles at Clint and he smiles at her. They walk slowly toward each other as if to savor the anticipation. Clint pulls Dorian into his arms and he holds her for a long while.

So ...
Light me up like the sun
To cool down with your rain
I never want to close my eyes again
Never close my eyes
never close my eyes ...
That is everything I have to say
(that's all I have to say)

:o NOOOOO!!! You can't kill, James Clinton! Not before Dorian gets to meet him for the first time as her grandson... no, even you can't be that cruel :P

Meags you know how to appeal to me. I'll give you that. All I can say is that I have the next chapter written and I am committed to not changing it.

Uh oh... is that a good or bad thing? By the way, I re-read it because once I read that part about James-Clinton everyting else just flew from my head, but Duke is gay now? Can't say as I saw that comming.

So it looks like Dorian will tell Clint sooner rather than later... right? When is everyone going to find out about this hopefully just near-death experience?

I just posted the next chapter.

Yup. LOL I figured you had overlooked it. :P I dropped little hints that I'll go back to later. It's been my inclination to write him as gay for some time.

Don't know about the first question. Things have been going too smoothly don't you think? ;)