Chapter 54

Buchanan Mansion

Jessica is resting in Nash's arm when her eyes open in terror. She gasps. "NOOO!!!" she screams before tearing back the sheets and jumping out of bed. Nash reacts, "Jessica! JESSICA! What is it?"

Jessica (is busy getting dressed): I have to leave! I have to leave! (searches the room for her shoes. Nash looks concerned and with slow movement due to surgery is now sitting on the side of the bed.)

Nash: Why? Why are you getting dressed? You're panicking! You got me worried? Answer me!!

Jessica: It's our baby OK? (Jessica grabs the keys from the night stand and leaves).

"Jessica!" he yells, with an exasperated look. He attempts to get up from bed and winces in pain. He knocks over the lamp on the night table in a fit of rage.
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LaBoulaie, night time

Dorian is resting in Clint's arms. He is drinking a bourbon and she is having a second glass of Chablis in the dim room.

Clint: This has been one helluva day! (Dorian looks up at him and she rubs him on his chest in a special spot that makes him lose his thoughts. Clint closes his eyes and then his cell phone rings.) Dammit!

Dorian: Why didn't you turn it off, honey?

Clint: Too many things going on Dorian. Don't think I don't hate being interrupted, especially being here with you. (He sits up and reaches into his jacket for his phone.) Buchanan. (Looks upset) Nash calm down!

Dorian: Nash?

Clint covers the phone and to Dorian mutters, "Something to do with Jessica if I can make out what he's saying. (then to Nash) Son, take a deep breath and calm down. Did she say where she was going? The hospital?!" Your other line? Go ahead and answer it! It might be Jessica. Nash! Nash! Damn he hung up the phone! (Clint stands, puts on his jacket and is preparing to leave.)

Dorian is rubbing his arm. "Clint I don't understand? What's going on? You said the hospital. Is it the baby?"

Clint holds Dorian's hands and he caresses them. She takes a deep breath. It seems to calm her a bit. Clint looks into her eyes and asks, "Am I going to have to worry about you?" He strokes her cheek. She kisses his hand and replies, "No. But I am getting dressed to join you."

Clint: Dorian, darlin' please. I don't have that kind of time! (His phone rings again. He answers and to Dorian whispers, "Nash." Dorian is nearly at the stairs. She stops and returns to the living room.) What?! (Clint looks as upset as Dorian has ever seen him. She rubs his arm and quizzes, "Clint?") What about my grandson? (Dorian gasps; Clint notes her reaction and he rubs her shoulders and then he clings to her at the waist, as if to give him strength for whatever it was that he was to hear.) Nash! Nash! You just got out of the hospital, son! I'll be there in two minutes!

Dorian: Is it the baby?

Clint: I'm afraid so.

Dorian: Clint, you're upset. He's not? (Covers her mouth with an expression of shock) Oh God!

Clint: No! It was touch and go there for awhile. They had to revive him. He's alive.

Dorian: Oh dear God in Heaven. Thank God! Nash? Jessica? They must be beside themselves?

Clint: Jessica suspected something was wrong. A mother's intuition.

Dorian: A mother's love.

Clint: She left the house and went tearing over to the hospital. Nash was calling me about it when the hospital called with the news and Clinton.

Dorian: Clinton was delivered by Cesarean. Did the hospital say what the problem was?

Clint (looks annoyed): Dorian I didn't get into all that!

Adriana comes in to the room with a glass of milk. She sees Dorian and Clint in the room and is about to leave but stops when she sees the concerned look on both of their faces.

Clint kisses Dorian on the cheek and says, "I gotta pick up Nash and get over to the hospital before he tries to drive there on his own in his state."

Dorian: Of course--you leave. AND, I'll call Viki. (Clint stops and says, "Thanks," before he says good-bye to Adriana and leaves.)

Adriana: What's going on Mom?

Dorian: I'm surprised that you're here. (Is walking towards the phone.) You've been spending so much time with Rex.

Adriana: Don't start, OK?

Dorian: What happened with Rex?

Adriana: Why?

Dorian: You're drinking milk. You only drink milk when you're upset.

Adriana: Rex and I had a fight. I came in through the kitchen. Are you going to tell me what's going on?

Dorian: I don't know much but I'll tell you in the car on the way to the hospital. I'm going to call Viki. Clint and Nash are going to need me.

Adriana: It's Clinton?

Dorian says, "Yes." and then calls Viki.
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Llanview Hospital

Jessica is staring at her baby through glass enclosure on the outside of the room where Clinton is on a respirator and struggles to breathe. Jessica is crying. She thinks back to losing Megan and almost seems dazed. Soon, she feels a hand on her shoulder. She turns around and sees Clint. She looks on the other side of her and views Nash. She buries her face into his shoulder.

Clint looks at his grandson and turns to excuse himself to avoid his daughter and Nash taking note of his devastation at seeing the infant struggle to live.

Thank-god! Errr, Thank-Cheryl. lol At least you didn't kill him yet. And as for those hints you supposedly dropped, how did I not pick up on them, now you know I'm going to have to go re-read for Duke scenes!

Yet? Oh that just sounds bad, Meags! I'm just trying to write a story here. I do have an intended outcome.

The scenes are there, although maybe not as obvious because I knew my intent but you didn't. I will reference some of them as we go along and it may cause you to read what happened differently.

This is moving so fast I can barely even keep up! You're a rock star!

And I so DREAD Dorian telling Clint. I mean at least in my mind he'll freak. Child #3 he's been deprived...not that she wasn't deprived too but just the whole idea of Nash and Jessica will be awfully hard let alone Asa involved AGAIN and Dorian being abused that way. Ouch.

Poor baby JC. Awww and you know Duke read that way for me on the show. Is it Rex?

I hope it's not too fast. I have to write when I'm moved to do it and have the opportunity. This weekend was a combination of both and I cranked out quite a few chapters. I wanted to advance the story and get to this secret. Please ask questions if you are confused about something. I'll either answer or address it as I write the story.

And so comes the difficulty with all this. Will Dorian actually be the one who hits him with the truth first? A lot is happening right now. And several people know. The thing is when is a good time to drop a bombshell like this?

I thought the possibility existed, particulary with his relationship with Adriana. Rex? LOL Hmm. No. Maybe. NO.