EPISODE 199 - A Time To Mourn

Bobby, Ann, Lucas, Heather, Michael, Lucy, and Alex are seated at the dining room table having breakfast when John Ross and Krystina walk into the room.   "Mornin',"  John Ross says.

 

"Well, good morning,"  says Bobby.  

 

"Krystina, you wanna ride with me to the hospital a little later to see Jacob?"  Ann asks.

 

"Sure, I'd love to.  How about you, Heather?"

 

"Ann already asked, but I have a doctor's appointment  at 10, so I'm gonna swing by the hospital after it's over,"  Heather says.

 

"A doctor's appointment?"  Lucy asks.  "Is everything okay?"

 

"Oh, yeah, just a checkup.  I haven't had one in a couple of years."

 

"Sure you don't want me to come with you, sweetheart?"  Lucas asks.

 

"No.  Like I said, it's just a checkup.  Besides, I know you have a lot to do here on the ranch."

 

"Well, you're right about that,but I could spare a couple hours for my beautiful wife,"  Lucas says.

 

"When can I go to the hospital and see Jacob?"  Michael asks.

 

"Well, honey, probably not for another few days,"  Heather replies.  "Jacob has a lot of healing to do before he can have too many visitors.  But you'll see him soon."

 

"John Ross, I probably won't be coming in to the office again today, if you and Sue Ellen can handle things there for another day or so,"  Bobby says.  "I wanna go to the hospital and see Christopher and Courtney, and then I'm heading to the courthouse later this morning.  Today is the day that Michelle Stevens is being sentenced, and I wanna be there.  Then I thought I'd help Lucas out here at the ranch."

 

"No problem, Uncle Bobby,"  John Ross says with a sly smile.  "Everything at the office is under control."

 

Krystina looks at her husband, knowing that John Ross was hoping Bobby and Christopher would be away from the office for as long as possible so they wouldn't discover his secret deal with ColbyCo.

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital....

 Shawn steps off the elevator at the hospital that morning.  He approaches the nurse's desk.  "Excuse me,"  he says.

 

"Yes, may I help you?"  The nurse on duty asks.

 

"I'm looking for......"

 

"Shawn?"  Christopher asks,walking up behind him.

 

Shawn turns to face him.  "Oh, Christopher, hi."

 

"What are you doing here?"

"I heard about Jacob's surgery, and I wanted to come by and check on him,"  Shawn says.  "I also heard on the news about your wife's brother, and I also wanted to offer my condolences."

 

"Well, thank you, I really appreciate that, and I'm sure Courtney will, too."

 

"So how's Jacob doing?"

 

"Well, he's still kind of out of it.  It's only been a day since the surgery, so he's still heavily sedated.  But, the doctors don't expect any complications."

 

"That's good, I'm glad to hear it,"  Shawn says.  "Look, I know that things have been pretty strained between me and your family ever since I took over at Westar, but, I just wanted you and Courtney to know that I'm thinking about you guys, and about Jacob.  And I hope he continues to recover."

 

"Thank you, Shawn, I really appreciate that,"  Christopher says as Courtney comes down the hall and joins them.

 

"Hi, Shawn,"  Courtney says, surprised to see him.

 

"Hi."

 

"Honey, Shawn just came by to see how Jacob's doing,"  Christopher.

 

"Oh, really?  Thank you, Shawn, that's really nice of you."

 

"Hey, no problem.  Courtney, I'm also very sorry to hear about your brother.  I know that's gotta be tough with everything else going on with Jacob."

"It really has been,"  Courtney says.  "Thank you, Shawn, for your concern."

 

"You're welcome.  And if there's anything I can do, just let me know."

 

"We will, and thank you again."

 

Meanwhile, down the hall, Andrew steps off the elevator.  As he starts to head down the hall, he sees Courtney and Christopher talking to Shawn.  Surprised to see Shawn at the hospital, Andrew watches them for a few seconds as they talk.  After a moment, Shawn turns and heads down the hall toward Andrew and the elevator.  Andrew quickly turns his back to him as Shawn approaches.  Reaching the elevator, Shawn presses the 'down' button, then waits for the doors to open.  Shawn looks at his watch, impatient that the elevator is taking so long.  As he takes a few steps back, he accidentally bumps into Andrew.  

 

"Oh, hey, sorry,"  Shawn says to the man  He and Andrew look at each other, Andrew staring directly into the eyes of his own son, a look of shock on his face.  "Hey, man, are you alright?"  Shawn asks.

 

"Yeah, I'm fine,"  Andrew replies as the elevator doors open.  "Just......fine."

 

"Well, again, I'm sorry,"  Shawn says.  He steps onto the elevator.  Andrew continues to watch him as the doors close.  

 

Andrew continues to stand in front of the elevator for a moment, feeling deeply affected by his face to face encounter with the young man who has no idea that Andrew is his father.  

 

"Andrew?"  Christopher's voice from behind him startles Andrew out of his shock.  Christopher walks up to him.

 

"Christopher, that young man who just left........"

 

"Yeah, that's Shawn Smith.  That's Ann's nephew.  I understand that you were close friends with Shawn's father, Mark."

 

"Oh, yes,"  Andrew says.  "I knew the boy's father very well."

 Bobby walks into the courtroom at the George Allen Courthouse in Dallas later that morning, shortly before the beginning of Michelle Stevens's sentencing hearing is to begin.  The judge, a heavyset man in his fifties, is already seated on the bench and is talking to two men in suits, obviously lawyers.  Spotting Clay sitting alone on the front row, Bobby walks over to the young man and takes a seat behind him.  "Clay," he says.

 

Clay turns his head and looks at him.  "Bobby, I didn't expect to see you or anyone from the Ewing family here.  Come to gloat and celebrate that my mother is going to prison?"

 

"No, son, I didn't come to celebrate. I'm here for two reasons.......to see that Michelle pays for all the harm she's done to my family.  And, I also wanted to be here for you."

 

"For me?  Why?"

 

"Because you ARE a part of my family, and you've been hurt more than just about anybody by what your mother did,"  Bobby says.

 

At that moment, Ashley walks into the crowded courtroom.  Looking around, she sees Clay, and walks over to take a seat beside him.  "Hi,"  she says to Clay.  "Hi, Uncle Bobby."

 

"Morning, Ashley,"  Bobby says.

 

"Wasn't sure you were gonna be here,"  Clay says.

 

"Of course I'm gonna be here.  I'm not gonna let you go through this alone."

 

Clay looks at his half-sister and smiles.  Meanwhile, Cliff walks into the courtroom with Afton and takes a seat in the back, just as Michelle is brought into the crowded courtroom in handcuffs, escorted by two female deputies.  Michelle looks at her son on the front row and nods, then she sees Bobby sitting behind him, and then Cliff in the back of the courtroom looking at her with a triumphant smile, as if he is gloating.  She returns his gaze with a look of anger and disgust.  

 

"Court will come to order,"  the judge says, banging his gavel.  The voices of the spectators begin to die down.  "This is case number 03-0957, the People Vs.  Michelle Stevens.  Ms. Stevens is present, and Mr. Jackson, you are acting as Ms. Stevens's counsel?"

 

"Yes, Your Honor,"  Michelle's attorney replies.  

 

"The defendant will rise."

 

Michelle and her attorney stand to their feet.  Michelle nervously looks straight ahead at the judge.

 "Michelle Stevens, you have pled guilty to the crime of the murder of Tripp McKay, which occurred last June 9, 2018,"  the Judge says.  "Ms. Stevens, is there anything you would like to say to the court before I pass sentence?"

 

"No, Your Honor,"  Michelle replies, her voice shaky.

 

"Then I will now pass sentence.  Ms. Stevens, I find the crime with which you have been charge, the deliberate taking of another human life, to be a particularly heinous crime.  And in this case, even more so.  You have pled guilty to brutally bludgeoning a man to death.  You showed no mercy to your victim, and you even carried your crime a step further by framing an innocent man for the heinous crime you had committed.  An innocent man went to prison.  You have also been charged with the kidnapping of Ashley Beaumont, and the attempted murder of Dylan Baxter.  These are indeed separate cases, but to which you have also pled guilty.  Ms. Stevens, you pled guilty in exchange for the District Attorney's office not seeking the death penalty.  Therefore, since it is not within my power now to sentence you to death for this most heinous crime, I am gonna give you the only sentence that I feel is appropriate in this case.  Taking into account that this is not the first time that you have taken the life of another person.  In 1991, you shot and killed Mrs. Hillary Taylor.  That, along with your other crimes, I feel, makes you indeed a danger to society, and I am sentencing you to life in prison, without the possibility of parole."  The judge 

again bangs his gavel as audible gasps can be heard from the courtroom.  Clay looks on, a stunned expression on his face as he attempts to process what has just happened......his mother has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.  Ashley reaches over and takes his hand as the judge continues:  "Ms. Stevens, you are to be remanded to the William P. Hobby State Prison, where you will remain for the rest of your natural life."

 

The two female deputies approach Michelle, who is handcuffed.  As she is led out of the courtroom, she looks back at Clay, tears streaming down her face.  For the first time, Michelle feels remorse for what she has done......not for herself, but for Clay, upon seeing the stricken look on her son's face as she is led away to prison.  

 

Sitting in back of the courtroom, Cliff lets out a low, jubilant laugh.  "Well, it's about time I got some good news,"  he says to Afton.  "Michelle Stevens is going to spend the rest of her miserable lfe behind bars, where she should've been years ago."

 

"I'm glad,"  says Afton. "But I do feel terrible for her son.  I can't imagine how devastated he must be feeling right now."

 

"Yeah, I feel bad for the kid, too.  But, he's a hell of a lot better off with Michelle OUT of his life for good.  We all are.  Come on.  Let's get out of here."

 

As Michelle's case comes to a close, Clay, Ashley, and Bobby stand.  "Clay, are you alright?"  Ashley asks.

 

"Yeah, I, uh.........I knew this was coming.  But, knowing it, doesn't soften the blow.  I guess I just wasn't prepared to hear that judge's words."

 

 

"Clay, I'm sorry,"  Bobby says.

 

"Sorry?  Why?  You got what you wanted.  What you came here to see.  My mother is going to prison for the rest of her life."'

 

"I'm sorry that things turned out for you the way that they have.  And I just want you to know that you're always welcome at Southfork, whenever you wanna come visit."

 

Clay looks at him for a couple of seconds.  "Thanks."

 

"You take care.  Ashley, I'll see you later."

 

 

"Bye, Uncle Bobby,"  Ashley says as Bobby leaves.  She turns to Clay.  "Do you wanna go grab a coffee or something? Or have you had breakfast yet?"

 

"Thanks, but, right now, I think I'm gonna go and see if they'll let me see my mother before they take her away."

 

"Okay, well, give me a call later.  And if you're free for lunch, we can meet."

 

Clay nods.  "I'd like that.  Thank you for being here."

 

"You're welcome,"  Ashley says.  She kisses him on the cheek.  "Text me when you get done seeing your Mom."

 

"Okay, I will." 

 

Ashley smiles at him, then turns and leaves.

 A medical building in Dallas....

 Heather is waiting anxiously in an exam room at a doctor's office in Dallas late that morning when a female doctor walks in.  "Hello, Heather,"  the doctor says.  

 

"Dr. Webber,"  Heather says.  

 

"How are you feeling?"

 

"Just fine.  Only, anxious to find out the results of my tests."

 

"Please, sit down,"  the doctor says.  

 

Reluctantly, Heather takes a seat in a chair.  "You have the results?"

 

 

"Yes, I do,"  Dr. Webber replies.  "Heather, you're definitely pregnant."

 

Heather smiles.  "I.......I'm pregnant?  Oh my God, I knew it.  How far along am I?"

 

"About six weeks.  But Heather, I'm afraid we have a problem."

 

"A problem?  What kind of problem?"  Asks a worried Heather.

 

"I'm very sorry to have to tell you this, Heather,"  Dr. Webber says.  "But our tests show that it would be very dangerous for you to try and carry this baby.". 

 

"Dangerous?  Why?"

 

"Because of the tumor you had on your ovary back in 2012, you've developed a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome.  Pregnancy would be extremely risky to your health, and the chances of you being able to carry the child to full term are very low."  

 

"Then, I won't be able to carry this baby full term?  Are you telling me that I'll miscarry this baby?"  Heather asks.  

 

"I'm sorry, but the chances are very high that you would miscarry by your third trimester.  But even if you didn't miscarry, the pregnancy could pose some very serious risks to your health.  Possibly even your life." 

 

"Oh my God,"  Heather says in tears.  "Lucas and I SO wanted to have another child.  We've been talking about it for months, and trying to conceive.  I should've known there had to be a reason we weren't being successful.  Isn't there anything that can be done?  Something I can do?  Medication?  Maybe if I stayed in bed the whole nine months?"

 

"I'm afraid not.  Bed rest and removing all stress from your life would help, but it certainly wouldn't completely eliminate the chances of a miscarriage or a very high risk pregnancy."

 

"Then what do you suggest?"  Heather asks.  

 

"I hate to even bring this up, but, Heather, my suggestion would be to terminate this pregnancy,"  Dr. Webber replies.

 

"Abortion?  You're suggesting that I have an abortion?"

 

"Yes.  Why don't you talk to your husband about this, and call me in a couple of days.  We could schedule it soon.  Heather, the earlier you do it, the easier it'll be.  But I know you'd like some time to think about it."

 

"I don't need to think about it.  I can't........I WON'T kill my baby?" 

 

"But, Heather....."

 

"I won't,"  Heather says.  "I'll do whatever I have to do to carry this baby, even if it means staying in bed for the whole pregnancy.  And if I miscarry.......Lucas and I will deal with that, and the thought that we will never be able to have another child together.  Lucas missed out on Michael's early years.  I wanted so much to give him another child.  A chance to be a father from the beginning of our child's life.  How am I gonna tell Lucas this news?  We wanted to have another child so badly."

 

"Heather, I hope you'll reconsider my suggestion and think of your own health.  And if you do decide to terminate this pregnancy, well, there ARE other options,"  Dr, Webber says.  "There's always adoption, and you also have the option of using a surrogate."

 

Heather lowers her head and nods.  "Maybe,"  she says sadly.

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital....

 Courtney is sitting at Jacob's bedside, watching her son as he sleeps, when Christopher walks into the room carrying two cups of coffee.  He hands one of the cups to his wife.

 

"Thanks,"  she says.

 

"Honey, you've gotta be exhausted,"  Christopher says.  "Why don't you let me take you home for a few hours to get some sleep?"

 

"No.  Christopher, I don't wanna be that far from the hospital in case Jacob wakes  up."

 

"Courtney, listen to me.  Jacob is doing fine.  Mitch is here, and Lucy's working right here in the hospital, too.  If anything changes, they'll call us.  But both of us have been here for days.  Between us, I don't think we've gotten more than 3 or 4 hours of sleep in the past week."

 

Courtney looks at her husband, but before she is able to say anything, Joseph walks into the room.  "Hey,"  he says.  "How's Jacob?"

 

"He's been trying to wake up,"  Courtney replies.  "But he's still pretty out of it."

 

"You guys both look REALLY exhausted."

 

"Yeah, I've been trying to convince Courtney to let me take her home for a few hours to get some sleep,"  Christopher says.

 

"Courtney, why don't you both go on home and get some rest?"  Joseph asks.  "I'll stay here with Jacob."

 

"But, I......"

 

"No buts,"  Christopher says.  "Courtney,  I'm taking you home, and I'm gonna make sure you get some rest before you collapse from exhaustion.  Now let's go."

 

Realizing she was fighting a losing battle, Courtney looks at Christopher, then at Joseph.  "Alright, alright.  You guys win.  I'll go.  But only for four or five hours, then I wanna come right back here."

 

"That's all I ask,"  says Christopher.  

 

Courtney stands from her seat.  "Joseph, you won't leave him?"

 

"I promise."

 

Courtney looks at her son, then leans down and gently kisses Jacob on the forehead.  "We'll be back in a few hours."

 

"Take all the time you need,"  Joseph says.  "Just get some rest.  Both of you."

 

"Thanks," Christopher says as he and Courtney leave the room.  After they're gone, Joseph takes a seat at Jacob's bedside and watches the boy as he sleeps.

Dallas Police Department....

 Bobby is waiting in a visitation room at the Dallas Police Department when Michelle Stevens is brought in.  Michelle stops in the doorway and looks at him for a few seconds, then she walks over to the table and takes  a seat.  After a brief pause, Bobby takes a seat across from her at the table as the female guard stands nearby.  

 

"Hello, Michelle,"  Bobby says.

 

"What are you doing here, Bobby?  You come to gloat?"

 

"No, Michelle, I didn't come here to gloat.  Just the opposite, in fact.  I don't expect you and I will ever see one another again after this, so I just wanted to have one last word with you.  I just wanted to ask you why, Michelle?  Why did you wait all these years to get your revenge on my family?  You hurt a lot of innocent people over a wrong you claim J.R. did to you almost three decades ago."

 

"You really think the passage of time lessened the hurt that J.R. caused me?"  Michelle asks.  "That man destroyed my life.  I had everything I'd ever wanted.  I was married to the man that I loved.  James and I were running Ewing Oil together.  If it hadn't been for J.R.'s meddling and turning James against me, he and I could've had a wonderful life together.  We could've raised our son together.  But J.R. took all that away from me and I was left with nothing."

 

"Then why the hell didn't you come back and get your revenge on him?"  Bobby asks.  "Why wait five years after J.R. died and then come back and try and destroy his sons?"

 

"I waited until the right opportunity came along.  Sure, I would have LOVED to have been able to pay J.R. back for what he did to me, but, unfortunately, I never had the means to do so while he was alive.  So, I did the next best thing.  I went after his sons.  Initially, my intention was to frame John Ross for Tripp McKay's murder because John Ross was the apple of his Daddy's eye.  But Justin was easier to get to."

 

"So you just decided to destroy that young man's life...........a young man that you had never even met.......just because he was J.R.'s son,"  Bobby says.

 

"Yes,"  Michelle replies, very matter of factly.  "The sins of the father........"

 

"Shall be visited on his sons."

 

"Damn right."

 

"You really are sick, Michelle,"  Bobby says.  Y'know, as I look at you, it's hard for me to believe that you and April were sisters.  She was so good and kind.  So gentle and loving, and you.........you're the complete opposite."

 

"Yeah, well, what can I say?  It wasn't always that way.  There was a time when my sister was every bit as ambitious and ruthless as me.  But April was lucky enough to find a good man to love her and give her a reason to change.  I thought I'd found that in James, but J.R. wouldn't leave us alone.  He just couldn't let me be happy with his son."

 

"The big difference in you and April is that April had redeeming qualities,"  Bobby says.  "She may have been ambitious when she first arrived in Dallas, but she ALWAYS had a good heart.  She was always capable of loving.  I can't say the same for you.  I don't think you've ever loved anyone but yourself."

 

"I loved James!"  Michelle says.

 

"Did you, Michelle?  If you loved him so much then why did you punish him by keeping the fact that he had a son from him all those years?  Knowing James, even if the two of you weren't together, he would've wanted to be a part of Clay's life, but you deprived him of that, and deprived that boy from knowing his father and his family.  That isn't love, Michelle.  It's really a good thing April and your mother aren't here to see you now.  To see what you've become."

 

"Don't you DARE bring up my mother and my sister to me!"  Michelle angrily says.  "They were both weak.  My mother was always weak.  She never had it in her to fight for what she wanted or deserved.  And April........she started out as a strong, independent woman, but she became weak.  YOU made her weak."

 

"April was FAR from weak, Michelle.  If anybody's weak, it's you, because you weren't even able to contain your insatiable desire for revenge.  A desire you held on to for almost three decades, now what does that say about you?  I'm reminded of a line in one of my favorite movies, Murder In Coweta County, in which Johnny Cash's character said to Andy Griffith, 'how powerful is a man who can't control himself'.  I think that question applies here, Michelle."  Bobby stands from his seat and looks at her.  "You remind me so much of Katherine Wentworth right now.  Two beautiful, smart women who could've become anything in life that you wanted to become.  But instead of becoming successful in business or otherwise, you both decided to become vicious, vindictive killers whose only purpose in life was to destroy anyone who ever displeased you.  When I first came in here you asked me if I came to gloat.  No, I didn't come to gloat.  But I do take satisfaction in knowing that the two women who caused my family so much pain will never be able to hurt anyone else ever again."  Bobby turns to leave.  He pauses for a moment, then looks at her.  "Goodbye, Michelle,"  he says,then walks out of the room.  

 

Michelle breaks down and begins to cry after he leaves.  Then the female guard walks over to her. 

 

"Alright, Stevens, let's go,"  the guard says.  "The van should be here soon to transport you to state prison."

 

Michelle looks at the woman, then gets up from her seat at the table.  Reluctantly, Michelle leaves the visitation room with the guard, prepared to be transported off to state prison later that day, and to what would become her new normal for the rest of her natural life.

Clay's apartment....that night....

 Clay is standing on the balcony of  his apartment that night, taking in the brisk night air, and looking out over the city of Dallas.  Meanwhile, the elevator opens into the small room separating the elevator from Clay's apartment, and Shawn steps off.  Walking up to the door leading into the apartment, Shawn opens the door and walks in.  He looks around the apartment.  "Hey, Clay?"  He calls.

 

"Yeah, I'm out here, man,"  Clay replies to him from the balcony outside. 

 

Shawn walks onto the balcony.  "Hey.  Cold night."

 

"I like the cold,"  Clay says.  "So what are you doing here?"

 

"Just paying a neighborly visit to check on you.  You aren't answering your phone, and you weren't in your office today, and since we live in the same building, I just thought I'd stop by.  I also wanted to ask you if you'd made a decision yet about the proposition I made to you."

"Hey,"  Ashley says.  "Since you didn't get back to me today, I thought I'd give you a call and see if you were okay."

 

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that, Ash.  After I got done seeing my mother, I just wanted to be by myself, so I went to the park and took a long walk, and then just came home."

 

"Seeing your Mom must have been rough."

 

"Oh yeah, it was,"  Clay says.  "Especially knowing that this was probably the last time I'll see her for a long time.  She told me she doesn't want me visiting her in prison for a while.  And she's probably right because it would be too hard for both of us."

 

"Listen, do you wanna have lunch tomorrow with me and Dylan?"  Ashley asks.  "I'd like the two of you to get to know one another.  Plus, it might take your mind off things."

Clay's apartment....

"Yeah,"  Clay replies.  "I think I'd like that.  I think I've had enough time alone.  I need to be with people."

Justin's apartment....

Ashley smiles.  "Great.  How does 1 o'clock at Perry's sound?"

 

"Sounds great to me."

 

"Okay, I'll see you then.  Night, Clay,"  Ashley says as Jimmy walks into the living room.  She ends the call and puts her phone down.  

 

"That was Clay?"  Jimmy asks.

 

"Yes, that was Clay."

 

Jimmy sighs deeply.  "I wish you'd keep your distance from that guy."

 

Ashley turns to him.  "That GUY happens to be our brother, Jimmy."

 

"Our HALF-brother."

 

"Same thing.  Dad was his father, too, Jimmy.  Why is it so hard for you to accept that you weren't Dad's only son?"

 

"I can't forget what Clay did when he first showed up in Dallas.  Posing as Clay Jamison, taking a job at Ewing Oil.  Keeping his identity a secret from everyone, and then, revealing who he really was at Dad's funeral."

 

"And Clay has apologized for that a hundred times,"  Ashley says.  "And what about what YOU did?  Switching that DNA test to show that Clay wasn't Dad's son?  My God, that was SICK."

 

"Okay, yes. It was wrong, and I',m sorry for doing that.  Look, I don't wanna argue, okay.  So, I'm just gonna go on up to bed, it's been a long day."

 

"Have you had dinner?"

 

"Yeah, I ate in town,"  Jimmy says.  He walks over to the stairs, and pauses, then looks at her for a moment.  "Ash, I'm only trying to look out for you.  That's what big brothers do for their little sisters.  I don't trust Clay Beaumont, and I'm not terribly impressed by your choices these days.  Especially with the guys you choose to date."

 

"If you mean Dylan, then don't even go there."

 

"Yeah, I mean Dylan.  Ash, the guy is a complete mess.  He's mentally unstable.  He tried to kill John Ross, and he almost killed Alex and his girlfriend just last year."

 

"Dylan is getting his life together, Jimmy, and he's doing a damned good job of it.  He's going to therapy and AA, and he's working to be a better person.  Can you say the same?"

 

"What?  What is THAT supposed to mean?"  Jimmy asks.

 

"You're so judgemental toward everyone who isn't perfect.  But when did YOU get to be so perfect?  Seems to me that you've made a few bad choices yourself, big brother.  Remember Katelyn Spencer?  The psychotic bitch who killed our father."

 

Jimmy looks at his sister, her words cutting through him like a knife.  Ashley immediately feels bad for her harsh words.

 

"Yeah, thanks,"  Jimmy says, fighting back tears.

 

"Jimmy, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that."

 

"Yeah, well, you did.  And there's no need to be sorry for telling the truth.  I just don't need to be reminded that I'm the reason our father is dead.  I remind myself of that every single day."  Jimmy walks to the front door and starts to leave.

 

"Jimmy, where are you going?"  Ashley asks.

 

He stops, his hand on the doorknob.  "I'm gonna spend the night in town."

 

"Jimmy, please, don't go.  Let's talk."

 

"There's nothing to talk about,"  he says, then walks out of the house.

 

Ashley begins to cry.  "Damn it,"  she says, lightly hitting herself on the head with her palm.  "How stupid can I be?  Why did I have to say that?"

Southfork.....Lucas and Heather's bedroom....the next morning....

 Heather takes a seat on her and Lucas's bed the next morning.  She reaches over to the nightstand and picks up one of her earrings, which she puts into her left ear.  Then she picks up the other earring and puts it into her left.  Her eyes come to a stop on a framed photo of herself, Lucas, and Michael sitting atop the nightstand.  Reaching over, Heather picks it up and looks at it.  She begins to cry.  Just then, Lucas comes out of the bathroom after taking a shower, a towel wrapped around his waist.  

 

"Boy that shower felt SO good,"  Lucas says, drying his hair with another towel.  "You should've joined me."

 

"Maybe next time,"  Heather says, wiping a tear from her face and trying to refrain from crying.  

 

Lucas smiles and walks over to her.  "Well, ya know what?  I still feel kinda dirty.  I think I could use another shower this morning, so, if you wanna join me for this one.  I mean, we kinda do need to put in a little work if we're gonna have another baby."  He leans over the bed and begins kissing her.

 

"Lucas, don't, you're still wet,"  Heather says, quickly getting up from the bed and walking across the room to the dresser and mirror.  

 

Lucas is confused by his wife's behavior.  "Heather, what's wrong with you?"  He asks.

 

"Wrong?  Nothing's wrong."

 

"Well, something must be.  You didn't come down to dinner last night because you said you had a headache.  Then you barely said ten words after I came up to go to bed.  You still have a headache?"

 

"No, it's gone," Heather says.

 

"Okay, then what's wrong?"  Lucas asks, walking over to her.  "You never minded me touching you before when I was wet from a shower.  Come on, honey, what's going on?"

 

"Nothing, I just........I'm just not feeling well, that's all."

 

"Did everything go okay at the doctor's yesterday?  You never told me what the doctor said.  I mean, is now a good time for us to try and conceive?"

 

"Umm, no, not right now,"  Heather replies.  

 

"Oh, damn.  I was really hoping that we could be pregnant soon.  Be nice to give Michael a little brother or sister by the end of the year or first of next year."

 

Heather turns around to face him.  "Lucas," she says, then pauses for a few seconds as she looks him in the eye.  "Havin' another child is really important to you, itn't it?"

 

"Well, I do want another child.  One that the two of us can raise together.  We didn't get that chance with Michael, and now, with Logan, I'm missing out one of the most important times of his life.  If and when we have another baby, I wanna do it right this time.  Two parents who are there are our baby from the moment it's born.  Isn't that what you want, too?"

 

"Yes, of course it is."

 

Lucas smiles, then kisses her.  "Do you have any idea how much I love you?"

 

"I think I have a pretty good idea."

 

"I'll get dressed and then we can go down to breakfast."  

 

As Lucas walks over to the bed and picks up his pants to put them on, Heather turns to mirror and looks at herself.  She struggles to hold back her tears, wondering how she will be able to tell Lucas that it would be dangerous for her to get pregnant again, knowing how much he wants another child.

The Krebbs Ranch....

 Donna walks out of the Krebbs home that morning and finds Ray chopping wood near the barn.  She pauses for a moment and watches her husband as he pushes himself like a man half his age.  She shakes her head and lets out a deep sigh, then walks out to him.  "Ray, what are you doing?"  She asks.

 

"What's it look like I'm doin'?"  Ray replies with a question.  "I'm choppin' wood."

 

"Yes, I can see that.  But Conner said that he would do this for you."

 

"I know.  But I just wanted to do it myself."

 

"Ray......"

 

"Donna, look.  Contrary to what you and the boys think, I AM still capable of choppin' my own wood.  And don't worry, I'm takin' it easy."

 

"Sure didn't look like that to me,"  says Donna.  "It looked like you were pushing yourself to the limit.  Ray, you have GOT to take it easier than you have been.  You're not a young man anymore."

 

"Damn it, don't you think I know that?"  Ray angrily asks.  "I know how old I am, and I also know what my body's capable of, AND when to take a rest when I get tired.  I may be a little older, but I'm sure as hell not ready for a rockin' chair and a walker.  Not yet, anyway."

 

Donna sighs.  "This is about Ben, itn't it?  Ray, look, I know how upset you are about Ben.  We ALL are.  But this is not gonna help."

 

"Well it helps me,"  Ray snaps.  "Helps keep my mind busy so I don't think about things."

 

"Talk to me,"  Donna says.  "Ray, I know how close you felt to Ben.  And I know how deeply his death is affecting you."

 

"It's so damned unfair, Donna,"  Ray says.  "Ben was just a kid.  17-years-old.  He hadn't even had a chance to live yet and then this happens."

 

"I know, Ray.  It's terribly unfair.  Life often is unfair."

 

"It's just like it was with Mickey.  He had his whole life ahead of him.  I just don't understand."

 

"I don't understand it, either.  I don't think anybody does.  Ray, I don't have the answer to why this happened, anymore than I had the answer  when Mickey was laying in that hospital bed after that accident.  I wish I did.  There are just some things that, I suppose, we aren't meant to know.  But you have to look at it that something good DID come out of the tragedy of Ben's death.  Jacob has his heart, so a part of Ben will live on in him.  He didn't die in vain."

 

"I know.  Just makes me so damned mad. Makes me feel helpless."

 

"Just like when Mickey died,"  Donna says.

 

"Yeah.  Just like when Mickey died."

 

Donna puts her hand on his shoulder.  "Ray Krebbs, you are such a good man.  I may not know a lot, but there's one thing I do know, and that is that you make a difference in peoples' lives.  You made a big difference in Mickey's life.  You have made a difference in Conner and Dylan's lives, and........you made a difference in Ben Murray's life.  That young man was made a better person because of you, Ray.  And that's something that you need to realize, and something that you can be very proud of."

 

Ray looks at her.  "Thank you for sayin' that."

 

"It's true."

 

"Well, I'd better get back to this."

 

"Come on inside,"  Donna says.  "Let Conner finish this for you."

 

"No.  I'm fine.  I need to be doin' somethin'.  But don't worry.  I'll take it easy, and if I get tired I'll take a break.  I promise."

 

Donna looks at him and nods.  "Alright.  I'm gonna hold ya to that."  She kisses him, then turns and walks back to the house.  As Ray goes back to work chopping wood, Donna walks onto the front porch of the house.  She pauses on the porch and looks at Ray, watching him for a moment as he chops wood at the barn.  A look of worry comes over her face, as Donna is deeply concerned about her husband pushing himself so hard.  But she knows that Ray is stubborn and there's no use in trying to talk him out of pushing himself.  

Brantley Funeral Home in Braddock....

Allison Jones, her nephew Casey, and her ex-husband Mike enter Wilson Funeral Home in Braddock later that morning.  As they walk into one of the viewing rooms, the casket of Allison's sister, Casey's mother, Karen, is sitting at the front of the room draped in flowers.  The three pause in the doorway for a moment, then slowly, Casey walks  up to his mother's casket and looks at it.  

 

Allison and Mike watch as Casey approaches Karen's casket, their hearts breaking for the boy.  Allison turns and walks back into the funeral home's lobby, and Mike follows.  

 

"Allison," he says.

 

"I'm fine,"  Allison says.  "I'm fine."

 

"Now you know that's not true."'

 

"No, you're right,"  Allison says in tears.  "I'm not fine at all.  But I'm trying to hold it together, for Casey.  I have to hold myself together for him."

 

"You don't have to do this alone, Allison,"  Mike says.  "I'm here for you and for the boy.  Anything you need."

 

"I'm sure your girlfriend is just lovin' that, itn't she?  You helpin' your ex-wife get through her sister's death?"

 

"Rachel understands,"  Mike says.  "And she's very sympathetic."

 

"I have to go and see about Casey,"  Allison says.  She walks past Mike and goes back into the viewing room, where Casey is still standing at Karen's casket.  Allison walks over to the boy.  "Casey," she says.  "Sweetheart, are you alright?"

 

"I'm fine, Aunt Allison,"  the boy says in an emotionless tone.  

 

The funeral home's director walks into the room.  "Oh, Ms. Jones,"  the man says.  "Hello, how are you?"

 

"Hello, Mr. Snider,"  Allison says.  "This is my nephew, Casey, Karen's son."

 

"Hello, Casey.  I'm very deeply sorry about your mother."

 

"Thanks,"  the boy says.

 

"And my former husband, Mike Morgan."

 

"Mr. Sutton."

 

"Hello,"  Mike says to the man.

 

"Well, I trust that everything is in order and to your liking,"  Mr. Snider says.  

 

"Yes, everything looks fine,"  says Allison.  "The flowers are very beautiful."

 

"And the visitation will be tomorrow morning at 10, and the service will follow at 11, here at the chapel."

 

"Mr. Snider, thank you for all that you've done to make this time a little easier for me and for my family,"  Allison says.

 

"No need for thanks, Ms. Jones.  That's what we're here for.  To make this time a little less difficult for families."

 

"Aunt Allison, can we go now?"  Casey asks.

 

"Well, sweety, are you sure?"

 

"Yes.  I just wanna go home."

 

"Alright.  We'll go.  Mr. Snider, thank you again, for everything, and we'll see you tomorrow."

 

"Of course,"  Snider says, then leaves the room.  

 

"Mike, you and Casey go on out to the car,"  Allison says.  "I need just a moment."

 

"Are you gonna be okay?"  Mike asks.

 

"Yes.  I just need a minute alone with my sister."

 

"Alright, come on, Casey,"  Mike says.  He looks at Allison with concern, then he and Casey leave the room.  

 

Once Mike and Casey leave, Allison walks over to her sister's casket and places her hand on it.  She begins to cry.  "Karen,"  she says, almost in a whisper.  "My sweet little sister.  I'm so sorry.  I did this to you.  All I ever wanted was to help you.  To give you the life you always wanted.  The child you wanted and deserved.  Please forgive me.  Please forgive me, Karen.  I love you so much.  And I will miss you more than you could possibly know.  But I want you to know one thing.  You can rest easy knowing that I will always be here to take care of Casey.  I promise you that he will never want for anything, especially love. I'll take care of your boy, Karen."

 

As Allison is standing at her sister's casket, Kimberly Cryder walks into the funeral home and starts to go into the viewing room where Karen's body is, when she sees Allison.  Kimberly pauses in the doorway for a moment as she watches Allison.  Sensing that someone is watching her, Allison slowly turns around and sees Kimberly.  "Hello, Allison,"  Kimberly says.  "I'm so sorry for your loss."

 

"What the HELL are you doing here?"  An angry Allison asks.  

 

"Well, I....."

 

"Why are you here?"  Allison asks, walking over to the woman.

 

"I heard about Karen, and I wanted to express my condolences."

 

"Your condolences?  I don't need or want your shallow condolences, so just get out of here."

 

"Allison, I realize you're upset over the death of your sister, but......"

 

"Upset?"  Allison asks.  "UPSET?  My sister is DEAD because of what WE did."

 

"We?  You're trying to lay part of the blame for this tragedy at MY doorstep?  How?  Your sister died in a car accident, Allison."

 

"And do you know what caused that accident?  Karen found out the truth."

 

"She.......she found out the truth?"  Kimberly asks.

 

"Yes.  She found out that Casey isn't her biological child."

 

"And just how did she find out?"

 

"That's not important,"  says Allison.

 

"The hell it's not,"  Kimberly says.  "How did your sister find out the truth?  The only way I can think of is........is if YOU told her."

 

"Just get the hell out of here, Kimberly.  Leave me and my family alone.  This whole thing started with you."

 

"You were just as guilty in this as I am, sweetheart.  And if your sister is dead because you couldn't keep your mouth shut, well, then that's on you,"  Kimberly says as Allison's ex-husband Mike walks back into the funeral home. 

 

Mike pauses when he sees the two women facing each other, both with angrily looks on their faces.  "Allison, what's going on here?  Is anything wrong?"

 

"No, everything's fine, Mike.  Mrs. Cryder was JUST leaving."

 

"Yes, I was,"  says Kimberly.  "Allison, again, you have my deepest sympathy, and, if there's anything I can do for you and for Casey......."

 

"I don't need anything from you, and Casey especially doesn't need anything from you, so you just stay away from him."

 

Kimberly looks at her, and at Mike, then she turns and leaves without saying another word.  Once Kimberly is gone, a confused Mike turns and looks at Allison.  "Who was that woman?"  He asks. "She looked familiar but I can't quite place her."

 

"No one,"  Allison replies.  "No one important."

 

"Well, she must be of some importance to get you this upset."

 

"Mike, let's just get out of here."

 

Meanwhile, outside, as Kimberly exits the funeral home and heads to her car in the parking lot next to the building, she spots Casey sitting in the backseat of Allison's car.  Kimberly stops and looks at the boy for a moment, her grandson, and for just a split second, her bottom lip trembles as she watches the boy, Jillian's son.  Just then, she hears the door of the building open and closes as Allison and Mike come out of the funeral home.  Kimberly hurries on to her car and gets in. She watches Allison and Mike as they make their way to Allison's car and get into the vehicle, Mike on the driver's side.  Mike starts the car, and Allison sees Kimberly watching them.  The two women gaze at each other as Mike drives away with Allison and Casey.  Kimberly watches her grandson in the backsteat of Allison's car until the car pulls onto the street and disappears out of sight, then she begins to cry, for the first time regretting the decision she made almost 13 years ago.

Ewing Oil....afternoon....

  John Ross is standing at the window in his office looking out over the city of Dallas that afternoon when a knock sounds at his door.  "Yeah, come on in,"  he says.

 

Sue Ellen walks into the office.  "John Ross,"  she says.  "Have you finished looking over those Morrison contracts?"

 

"Yeah, they're on the desk there,"  John Ross replies.  

 

Sue Ellen walks over to her son's desk and picks up several papers on top.  "I need to look these over before I sign them myself.  Are you free for lunch?"

 

"Yeah, sure."

 

"Oh, wonderful," Sue Ellen says.  "Catlin has a business lunch, and Ann had some things she had to take care of, and I really didn't wanna have lunch alone.  I'll just put these in my office, and grab my purse, and then we can go.  How do you feel about Perry's?  Or would you rather have lunch at The Cattlemen's Club?"

 

"Either is fine with me."

 

Sue Ellen looks at her son.  "John Ross, are you alright?"

 

"Yeah, I'm fine."

 

"No, you're not.  Something's bothering you.  You care to talk about it?"

 "I was just thinkin' about Allison Jones's sister, Karen Myers,"  John Ross says.

 

"Karen Myers?  I don't believe I know her."

 

"No, you wouldn't."

 

"What does Allison Jones's sister have to do with anything?"  Sue Ellen asks.

 

John Ross sighs.  "Allison's sister, Karen Myers, was killed in a car accident a few nights ago.  She was the driver of the car that hit Courtney's brother, Ben Murray."

 

"Oh, good Lord.  I had no idea.  Now that you mention it, I do remember hearing that name, Karen Myers, on the news when they were talking about the accident, but I didn't make the connection between her and Allison Jones.  But John Ross, that doesn't explain why you seem to be so upset by this.  Did you know this Karen Myers?"

 

"No, I didn't know her."

 

"Well, I know you're not particularly fond of Allison Jones, so why does this seem to upset you so?"  Sue Ellen asks.

 

John Ross looks at his mother.  "No reason.  Look, I really don't wanna talk about this anymore.  Let's just go to lunch."

 

"John Ross, what's going on?  Obviously, there has to be a reason why this is bothering you."

 

John Ross sighs deeply.  "Alright, I guess I can tell you.  I had Bum do a little investigatin' into Allison Jones's background.  I was hopin' I could find somethin' to force her off that Oil Regulatory Commission."

 

"And?"  Sue Ellen asks.  "Did you find something?"

 

"Oh yeah.  I found somethin'.  Only thing is, I'm not real sure what that somethin' is, but, it's got to be somethin' real big.  Somethin' Allison Jones does NOT want to be made public."

 

"John Ross, I don't understand."

 

"Allison has been havin' secret meetings with none other than Kimberly Cryder,"  John Ross replies.

 

"Kimberly?"  Sue Ellen asks, surprised.  "And, do you have any idea what they were meeting about?"

 

"No, I don't.  I paid Kimberly a little visit and she fed me a bowl full of lies I don't buy for one second.  And then Allison stepped down off that commission and withdrew her support for Cliff Barnes because she was afraid I was gonna reveal her connection to Kimberly.  But then..........that accident happened the other night.  Allison and her sister were in the car that crashed head on into Courtney's brother, and he and Allison's sister were killed."

 

"Do you think that the accident had something to do with Allison's connection to Kimberly Cryder?"  

 

"I don't know.  But I'm damned sure gonna find out. The timin' just seems too strange to me to be a coincidence.  And whatever secret Allison Jones and Kimberly Cryder share........it's gotta be real damagin' to one or both of those women.  And, whatever it is, it's got somethin' to do with Karen Myers's husband, who committed suicide several years ago."

 

"Really, now?"  Sue Ellen asks.  "It all does have a suspicious ring to it."

 

"Suspicious is too mild a word."

 

"Are you going to have Bum keep digging?"

 

"You bet I am.  Whatever secret Kimberly and Allison are hidin', I'll find out what it is.  One way or another."

 

Sue Ellen nods and smiles. "I'm sure you will.  Now, shall we go to lunch?  I'm famished."

 

"Let's go,"  John Ross says as he and Sue Ellen leave the office.

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital....late afternoon...

 Jacob is sitting up in his hospital bed in his room that afternoon when Courtney and Christopher walk into the room.  Courtney smiles when she sees her son awake and sitting up.  "Hi, sweetheart, how are you feeling?"  She asks.

 

"Real sore."

 

"That's to be expected for a while,"  Christopher says.  "Main thing is, you're gonna be okay."

 

Courtney takes a seat at her son's bedside.  "It's so good to see you awake."

 

"I'm hungry,"  says Jacob.  

 

"Well, that's a good sign,"  Christopher says with a smile.  

 

"How long am I gonna be here?"

 

Courtney smiles as she gently touches her son's face.  "For a few more days.  Maybe a week.  Dr. Eubanks said it depends on how you're recovery is going."

 

"Everybody at Southfork has been asking about you,"  says Christopher.  "Michael can hardly wait until he can come and see you."

 

Jacob looks at Courtney, a sad expression on his face, which Courtney immediately notices.  "Jacob, sweety, what's wrong?  Why do you look so sad?"

 

"I.........I'm sorry about Ben."

 

Courtney and Christopher look at the boy, surprised that he mentioned Ben. The two exchange puzzled looks  "Jacob, what do you know about Ben?"  Courtney asks.

 

"I know he's dead.  They put his heart in me, didn't they?"

 

Courtney and Christopher again exchange puzzled looks.  "Jacob, how did you know that?"  Christopher asks.  

 

"The lady told me,"  Jacob replies.  

 

"Lady?  What lady?"  Asks Courtney.  

 

"Her name was Maggie.  My great-grandmother."

 

"What?"  Courtney asks.  "Your great-grandmother?"

 

"Yes.  I saw her, and I saw Ben."

 

"Jacob, you must have been dreaming,"  says Christopher.

 

"No, I wasn't.  They gave me Ben's heart, didn't they?"

 

"Jacob, we can talk about this later,"  says a worried Courtney.

 

"Why can't we talk about it now?"  Jacob asks.  "I know they put Ben's heart in me because he died."

 

"Jacob, how could you possibly know that?"  Christopher asks.  "Did you hear someone talking about it?"

 

"No.  I already told you.  Maggie told me during my surgery."

 

"During your surgery?  I don't understand what you mean by that."

 

"I could see myself on the operating table,"  the boy says.  "The doctors, everything.  I could see you guys in the waiting room.  You looked so scared and worried.  Maggie showed me."

 

"Jacob, you said this........Maggie.......showed you these things?"  Courtney asks.  "And who was she, again?"

 

"My great-grandmother."

 

"Courtney, did you have a grandmother named Maggie?"  Christopher asks.

 

Courtney looks at her husband and shakes her head.  "No."

 

At that moment, Joseph knocks on the door and peaks his head into the room.  "Hey,"  he says.  "Can I come in?"

 

"Yes, of course,"  replies Courtney.

 

Joseph walks in and smiles when he sees Jacob.  "Hey, he's awake."

 

"Yes, he was awake when Christopher and I got here a couple minutes ago."

 

"How do you feel?"

 

"I feel okay, just sore and kinda tired."

 

"Well, I'm not surprised about that,"  Joseph says.  He notices the worried looks on the faces of Christopher and Courtney.  "Hey, what's going on?  Is everything okay?"

 

"We're not sure,"  replies Christopher.

 

"What does that mean?"

 

"Jacob was just telling some things,"  Courtney says.  "Things that make no sense."

 

"Joseph, you haven't been talking to anyone about Courtney's brother Ben and the heart transplant in this room, around Jacob while he was asleep, have you?"  Christopher asks.

 

"No, of course not.  Why?  What's going on?"

 

"Somehow, Jacob knows about Ben's death, and that he was given Ben's heart,"  Courtney says.  "And there's no way he could have known that unless he overheard someone talking about it."

 

"Well, it wasn't me,"  Joseph says.

 

 

Jacob lets out a deep sigh.  "I already told you.  Maggie told me about Ben and about my heart."

 

"Wait?  What's this?"  Joseph asks.  "Maggie?"

 

"Yes, Jacob says that this woman showed him things while he was under during his surgery,"  says Courtney.

 

"What kind of things?"

 

"He said that he could see all of us, and how worried we all were."

 

"I could,"  Jacob says.

 

"Jacob, you said this woman's name was Maggie?"  Joseph asks.  "Who was she?  What'd she look like?"

 

"She had blonde hair.  She was real pretty,"  replies Jacob.  "She said she was my great-grandmother."

 

"Oh my God,"  says a stunned Joseph.

 

Courtney looks at him.  "Joseph, what's wrong?  Do you know who this woman is?"

 

"Yes, I..........I think so, but.......no.  This........it's impossible."

 

"Maybe you'd better clue us in,"  says Christopher.

 

"Maggie Gioberti.......she was my........she was my grandmother."

 

"Your grandmother?"  Courtney asks.

 

"Yeah.  But, she died when I was just 7-years-old."

 

"She talked about you,"  Jacob says.

 

"She talked about ME?"  Joseph asks.  

 

"She talked about you and your Dad.  How proud she was of both of you."

 

"Alright, this is ridiculous,"  Christopher.  "Jacob, there's no way that you could've seen your great-grandmother who died......how long ago?"

 

"Almost thirty years,"  replies Joseph.

 

"Then there's no way Jacob could've seen her."

 

"But I DID,"  Jacob says.

 

"There's one way to find out,"  Joseph says, taking his cell phone from his pocket.  Opening up his photos app, he scrolls through several pictures, then walks over to Jacob's bedside.  "Jacob, take a look at these pictures," he says, handing the phone to the boy.  Scroll through them and tell me if you see anyone you recognize."

 

Jacob scrolls through Josephs photos, then he comes to a photo of someone he recognizes.  "That's her,"  he says, pointing at the photo as he shows it to Joseph.  "That's Maggie.  That's my great-grandmother."

 

Joseph takes the phone, stunned as he looks at the photo of his grandparents, Chase and Maggie Gioberti.  "My God,"  he says.

 

"Joseph, what is it?"  Courtney asks.

 

Joseph shows her the photo.  "These are my grandparents, Chase........and Maggie Gioberti."

 

"Maggie?"  Courtney asks. 

 

"Jacob, are you sure?  Are you ABSOLUTELY sure that THIS is the woman you saw?"

 

"Yes.  They put me to sleep, and then, I woke up in this really beautiful place.  It was all white.  Everything there was white.  And she was there, Maggie. And she showed me stuff."

 

Christopher, Courtney, and Joseph all exchange looks, none of them sure of what to make of what Jacob has just told them.

 

Southfork....

 Bobby and Lucas are working on some repairs to a fence at Southfork late in the afternoon.  For a while, the two men have worked in silence until finally, Bobby can take the quiet no longer.  He looks at his son.  "Boy, this silence is deafening,"  he says with a smile.

 

"What?"  

 

"Son, we've been out here for more than an hour and you haven't said three words.  I can tell somethin' heavy's on your mind.  You wanna tell me what it is?"

 

"I'm sorry I'm not very good company today,"  Lucas says.  "But you're right.  I do have somethin' on my mind."

 

"What's goin' on, son?"

 

"I'm worried about Heather."

 

"Heather?  What the matter with Heather?"

 

Lucas sighs.  "That's just it.  I don't know.  But she's got somethin' on her mind.  Somethin's bothering her."

"Have you asked her about it?"  Bobby asks.

 

"Of course, I have.  She says it's nothing.  Says she's just tired."

 

"And you don't believe her?"

 

"No, I don't.  What has me really worried is that she seemed fine before her doctor's appointment the other day,"  Lucas says.  "Ever since then, it's like she's got somethin' worryin' her."

 

"You don't think maybe she got some kinda bad news from the doctor, do you?"  Bobby asks.

 

"That's what's been worryin' me, Dad.  We haven't said anything to the family, but, Heather and I have tryin' to have another baby."

 

Bobby smiles.  "Really?  Well, son, that's wonderful."

 

"Yeah.  We've talked about it for a while now, and then we decided the time was right to start trying.  So the other day she went to the doctor for a checkup to make sure everything was.......okay for us to have a baby.  Ever since then. she's been quiet, moody, depressed."

 

"Son, I can understand why you'd be concerned.  But I'm sure if anything's wrong, Heather will tell you when she's ready."

 

Lucas looks at his father.  "I hope so."

 

"In the meantime, try not to pressure her."

 

"Easier said than done,"  Lucas says as he and Bobby look up and see Ann riding toward them on her horse.  

 

"I know,"  Bobby says.

 

Ann trots her horse up to where Bobby and Lucas are working.  "Hey, you two,"  she says, climbing down from the horse.

 

"Hey, yourself,"  says Bobby.  "What brings you out?"

 

"I went for a little ride, and decided to come and see how much longer you'd be on this fence."

 

"We're almost done."

 

"Yeah, listen, if it's okay, I'm gonna head on to the house and see how Heather's feeling,"  Lucas says.  "Ann, have you seen much of her today?"

 

"No, I haven't seen her at all.  She's stayed close to her room all day."

 

Lucas looks at his father with a worried expression.

 

"Son, you go on ahead,"  Bobby says.  "I'll finish up here."

 

Lucas nods.  Bobby and Ann watch as Lucas walks over to his four wheeler and gets on.  Starting the vehicle, Lucas takes off toward the house.

 

"Is everything alright?"  Ann asks.

 Heather is laying on her and Lucas's bed crying when she hears Lucas coming down the hall.  She quickly sits up on bed and wipes her tears from her face as Lucas walks into the bedroom.  "Heather,"  he says.  

 

"Hey,"  she says.  "You and Bobby get that fence done?"

 

"Yeah, pretty much,"  Lucas replies, walking over to her.  "Honey, what's wrong?"

 

"Wrong?"

 

"Yeah, you look like you've been crying."

 

"Nothin's wrong."

 

Lucas takes a seat on the bed beside her.  "Heather, I know something is wrong.  Something has been bothering you since you went to the doctor.  Honey, what is it?  Did the doctor give you bad news?"

 

"No, nothing like that."

 

"Then what is it?  Heather, please, talk to me."

 

"It's just hormones, that's all,"  Heather says.

 

"And why should your hormones be causing you to be all sad and down in the dumps?  Unless........."  Lucas pauses a moment and looks at his wife.  "Unless....... Heather, are you pregnant?"  

 

Heather looks at him and, realizing she can't keep the news of the pregnancy from him, she nods.  "Yeah.  I am."

 

Lucas's mouth falls open in happy shock.  "Oh my God.  Heather......you're pregnant?  Oh my God, that's GREAT!"  Standing to his feet, Lucas grabs her by the hand and pulls her up to him.  "Honey, this is what we wanted.  Why aren't you happy about it?"

 

Heather manages a weak smile as she fights back tears.  "I am.  It just kinda took me by surprise, that's all.  And, crazy hormones.  I was like this when I was pregnant with Michael, too."

 

Lucas kisses her.  "Damn, I'm so happy,"  he says.  "We gotta tell the family tonight at dinner."

 

"Lucas, wait.  Maybe we should hold off on tellin' the fam'ly right now."

 

"But why?  Heather, after all that's happened recently, this family could use some good news."

 

"But.....just let's hold off for now.  It might not be the right time, with Ben's funeral tomorrow."

 

The smile disappears from Lucas's face.  "Yeah.  You're absolutely right.  I was so happy, I completely forgot about that.  But you're right, it's gonna be a hard couple days for Courtney and Christopher, so, we should wait until the funeral is all over and everything."

 

"Yeah.  I think that's another thing that's kinda got me down.  Courtney little brother Ben, he wasn't that much older than Michael.  Just a few years older.  I can't imagine what his father must be goin' through right now."

 

"Me neither,"  Lucas says.  "I know from all I've heard, Courtney's Dad is a real jerk, but I feel sorry for the guy right now.  Hey, I have an idea.  Why don't I go get showered and when Michael gets home, the three of us go into town?  We could have dinner, and maybe catch an early movie."

 

"That sounds nice,"  Heather says.

 

Lucas smiles..  "Great. I'll go get a shower."  He pulls off his jacket and tosses it onto a chair in the corner, then goes into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.  A second later, Heather hears the shower water start, and she begins to cry again.  

Jaynes Memorial Chapel Funeral Home....evening....

 

Andrew Murray is sitting alone in the viewing room in front of Ben's open casket at Jaynes Memorial Chapel Funeral Home that evening.  Andrew is looking at his son, a blank expression on his face as Courtney walks into the funeral home.  She pauses in the doorway and watches her father for a moment, then walks into the viewing room.  "Andrew,"  she says.

 

"Hello. Courtney."

 

"How long have you been here?"

 

"I dunno.  About an hour, I guess.  Feels like all day."

 

Courtney walks up to Ben's casket and looks at her brother.  A tear falls down her face as she lovingly touches Ben's cold hands.  

 

"How's my grandson?"  Andrew asks.

 

"He's.......doing as well as we can expect.  He's awake and alert and talking,"  Courtney replies as she turns to face her father.  "He knows about Ben.  And that he was given Ben's heart."

 

"He knows?  You and Christopher told him?"

 

"Not exactly.  It's a long story and hard to explain."  Courtney walks over and takes a seat beside Andrew.  "How are you doing?"

 

"I'm really not sure.  I feel.......numb.  I'm really dreading tomorrow.  Not sure how I'll get through it."

 

Courtney puts her hand on her father's shoulder.  "You will.  You have a lot of support."

 

"Support I don't deserve,"  Andrew says.  "Y'know, when Ben was a little kid, he had this little blanket he use to carry around with him everywhere.  You know, like that kid Linus in the Charlie Brown cartoon.  We couldn't get that blanket away from him."

 

Courtney smiles.  "Yeah, I remember that blanket."

 

"His mother couldn't even get it away from him to wash the damned thing.  She finally had to slip it out of his arms when he was asleep."

 

"Whatever happened to that blanket?"  Courtney asks.

 

"We finally had to throw it away.  One time, Ben, his mother and Gavin and I were going on vacation.  We were going to Disney World, and on the way there, Ben got car sick.  He threw up all over that blanket.  Of course we couldn't clean it out on the road, and by the time we got to Orlando, the blanket was stained and it smelled so bad there was no way to ever get it cleaned, so, we had to toss it in the trash.  Poor Ben was crushed by the loss of his blanket.  I wish I had that blanket now."

 

"That sounds like a great memory."

 

"I'm so sorry that you couldn't have been a part of those memories, Courtney.  It's my fault that you weren't."

 

"There's no need talking about that now,"  Courtney says.  

 

"Courtney, that kid I saw at the hospital the other morning.  Shawn Smith.  How well do you know him?"

 

"Not that well, but, I know him a little bit,"  Courtney replies.  "He's Ann's nephew.  Of course, I forgot, you knew that already.  You were friends with Shawn's father."

 

"Yes, I was.  What can you tell me about the kid?"  Andrew asks.

 

"Why do you wanna know about Shawn Smith?"

 

"Just curious.  What was he doing at the hospital?"

 

"He came by to see how Jacob was doing.  Shawn use to spend a lot of time at Southfork.  He was best friends with Christopher's cousin John Ross's son, Alex."

 

"WAS best friends with Alex?"  Andrew asks.  "They're not anymore?"

 

"I don't think so.  The boys had some sort of a fight."

 

"Shawn a nice kid?"

 

"Yeah, I guess so.  Andrew, why all these questions about Shawn?"

 

"Like I said, I'm just curious.  I was friends with the boy's father from the time Mark and I were just kids.  I'm just curious what his son is like, that's all."  Andrew stands from his seat.  "I'm gonna head on home.  Tomorrow is gonna be a long and hard day."

 

Courtney stands and faces him.  "Andrew, are you gonna be alright?  Do you need me to drive you home?"

 

"I'll be fine.  Thank you,"  Andrew says, then turns and walks out.  

 

Courtney watches her father as  he leaves, then she walks over to Ben's casket and looks down at him.  "Ben," she says as she begins to cry.  "I'm so sorry for all the time you and I lost together.  And sorry for the way I treated you for so long.  I love you so much, little brother.  And I thank you for my son's life."  Courtney leans down and gently kisses Ben's forehead.  She looks at him for a moment, then quietly walks out of the funeral home.  

Jaynes Chapel Funeral Home....the next day....

 The chapel of the funeral home is filled almost to capacity the next day, as mourners gather for Ben's funeral.  Courtney, Christopher, Andrew, Phyllis, and Gavin stand in the entrance hall greeting people as they enter.  Ray, Donna, Conner, and Dylan stand nearby as Bobby, Ann, Lucas, Heather, and Michael walk into the funeral home.  Bobby and Ann walk over to Ray and Donna.

 

"Hello, Ray,"  Bobby says, greeting his brother with a handshake.  

 

"Bob."

 

"I'm really sorry.  I know how close you were to Ben."

 

"I appreciate that,"  Ray says.  

 

"How are you both doin'?"  Ann asks.

 

"Well, it's been a difficult few days, but we're doing okay,"  replies Donna.  

 

 

Meanwhile, Shawn enters the funeral home.  Looking around, he spots Christopher and Courtney and walks over to them.  "Hi, Christopher,"  he says,  "Courtney, I'm very sorry for your loss."

 

"Thank you, Shawn."

 

 

"And thank you for coming,"  says Christopher.

 

"Of course."  As Shawn is about to turn and walk away, his and Andrew's eyes meet, as Andrew can't help but stare at the young man, his own son.  

 

"Shawn, this is my father, Andrew Murray,"  Courtney says. "He and your father were good friends."

 

"Mr. Murray, I'm very sorry for your loss,"  Shawn says, extending his hand to Andrew.

 

"Yes.....thank you,"  says Andrew as he nervously shakes hands with Shawn.  

 

Shawn nods, then walks away.  Andrew watches the young man as he makes his way through the crowd and approaches Alex and Bridget, who are standing near the chapel door with John Ross and Krystina.  "Well, hello, Alex,"  Shawn says.  

 

"Shawn,"  Alex says coldly.  

 

"Too bad you didn't accept my offer to come work with me at Westar.  I'm about to do great things with that company and take it to new heights."

 

"More like take it into the ground,"  John Ross says.

 

"I'm happy with the decision I made,"  Alex says.

 

"Fine, then.  Too bad, because we could've made a great team."

 

"Why didn't my sister come with you?"  Bridget asks.

 

"I asked her, but, she didn't even know Ben Murray or any of his family, so, she didn't wanna come.  Excuse me, I'm gonna go find my seat."  Shawn smiles,then walks into the chapel.  

 

As Jenna is talking to Andrew and the rest of his family, the funeral director walks over to the family.  "Excuse me, Mr. Murray,"  he says.  "It's time we start."

 

"Yes, thank you,"  Andrew says, his voice shaky.  

 

"I'll go and find my seat,"  Jenna says.

 

"Jenna, please,"  Andrew says.  "I'd really appreciate it if you would sit with me.  I really could use the support."

 

"Are you sure?"

 

"Yes."

 

"Alright,"  Jenna says.  

 

The crowd begins to make their way into the chapel and take their seats.  Bobby, Ann, John Ross, Krystina, Alex, Bridget, Lucy, Lucas, Heather, and Michael take seats on the fourth row.  Directly behind them sit Ray, Donna, Conner, Dylan, and several of the ranch hands who work at Ray's ranch.  Once the entire congregation is seated, Andrew, Jenna, Phyllis, Gavin, Courtney, and Christopher make their way to the front of the chapel and take their seats on the first row.  Two employees of the funeral home walk up to Ben's casket, remove the spray of flowers on top, and then Ben's casket is closed for the final time.  Once the two men are finished with their task and walk away, 

the minister steps to the podium.  "Thank you all for coming here today on behalf of the Murray family to say our final goodbyes to this young man, Benjamin Murray.  Death is never an easy thing, but, it is especially hard when the deceased is someone so young.  Ben Murray was only 17-years-old.  He had only begun to live.  In a moment, those who knew and loved Ben will be able to come up and speak of their memories of this young man and what he meant to them.  But first, I want to share with you a passage of scripture that I believe is very fitting for this sad occasion.  For the death of a young person is always very hard to understand.  But we can rest assured in the knowledge that God had a plan for Ben's life, just as He has a plan for Ben's death.  In the Book of Isaiah, chapter 55, we find these words in verses 8-9: 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'  And in the Book of John, chapter 11, verses 25 and 26 reads:  'Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life.  The one who believes in Me shall live, even though they die.  And whosoever lives by believing in Me, shall never die."

 

A couple of minutes later....

Gavin is the first to take the podium to deliver the first eulogy.  "First, I'd like to thank you all for coming on behalf of myself, my father, and my sister Courtney.  It means a lot to me as I look out and see so many people here.  That's a testament to my brother's life, and how many people he touched.  I'd like to say a few words about my little brother.  Ben was five years younger than me, and as many of you know, we were half-brothers.  Same father, but different mothers.  When I was a little kid, after my parents separated and my father married Ben's mother, I use to visit them regularly.  And one of the things I remember most about my childhood, and about my little brother is that when he was about 3 and 4-years-old, Ben had this really horrible habit of biting people, and I was the one he seemed to enjoy biting the most."  Gavin's words about Ben's biting habit brings laughter from the congregation.  "You have no idea how much the teeth of a 3-year-old child hurts until one has bitten you on the arm.  Well, my Dad and Ben's Mom did everything they could to try and stop Ben from biting, and nothing worked.  Until one day, my little brother bit me on the leg as hard as he could, hard enough, in fact, that he drew blood.  And that day, I finally got Ben to kick his biting habit.  What I did, was bite him back as hard as I could.  I swear, you've never heard a kid screaming as loud or crying as hard as Ben did that day, but, it worked.  He never again bit me or anyone else."

Later....

Dylan takes the podium to speak:  "I.......I didn't know Ben Murray for that long,"  the young man nervously begins.  "But in the year and four months that I did know, Ben and I had a very complicated relationship, to say the least.  When Ben first came to work at the Krebbs Ranch in the fall of 2017, he and I didn't like each other.  In fact, it's safe 

to say that we hated each other's guts.  Ben and I, we argued often, and we exchanged insults.  And believe me, Ben was an expert at hurling insults.  But in time, I saw a change in him.  A really big change.  And eventually, the Ben I came to know was a completely different person than the one I had known before.  And I really liked the person that he came to be.  We became friends.  And Ben became the kind of friend that I knew I could count on, and I'm gonna miss him.  A lot."

Ray is the next speaker:  "When Ben first came to my ranch askin' for a job, I was real hesitant to hire him at first,"  he begins.  "Ben was this real young, scrawny kid just turned 16.  I didn't think he'd be a good worker at all, not the way most young folks are today.  But my gut instinct told me to take a chance on Ben and hire him.  I was reminded of myself when I was just a scrawny kid of 15 and I came here to Texas all the way from Kansas and showed up at Southfork Ranch with a note to Jock Ewing from my Mama askin' him to take me in and give me a job.  Jock took a chance on me, and I decided I was gonna do the same for Ben.  And I was glad that I did.  Ben turned out to be not only one of the best workers I ever had, but, he turned out to be a good kid and a real asset around my place.  And I'm sure gonna miss him one hell of a lot."

 

Courtney takes the podium as the last speaker.  "At first I wasn't sure I was gonna be able to do this,"  she begins.  "To get up here in front of all of you and say goodbye to my baby brother.  But the more I thought about it, the more I realized I had to.  My brother Ben and I were not always close.  In fact, the painful truth is, that, we were never close until just the last few months, and that's something that I will regret for as long as I live.  It was my fault that Ben and I never had a relationship because I pushed that part of my family away.  I never got to see Ben grow up, or learn how to drive, or have his first date, or do all the things that boys do.  I never took the time to get to know my younger half-brother.  But then when I finally did, I discovered what a truly amazing human being he was.  I regret that Ben and I only had these last few months together.  But what little time we did have was wonderful.  Ben was more  to me than just my brother.  He became my friend.  And he became a good friend to my son, Jacob.  But not only that, in the end, Ben has become my guardian angel.  And Jacob's guardian angel."  Courtney pauses a moment as she tries to hold back her tears.  "As many of you know, my little boy, Jacob, was recently stricken with pediatric heart failure, and he was in desperate need of a transplant.  As his conditioned worsened, we were running out of time and out of hope.  But then, my brother died.  My family was devastated at the prospect of a double tragedy.  But Ben did not die in vain.  His death was not meaningless.  He turned out to be a perfect match for Jacob.  So now, my son has my brother's heart.  That part of Ben will live on in Jacob.  I don't know why this had to happen.  I can't tell you how many times I've asked God why.  Why did my brother have to die so that my son could live?  But sometimes, there are no answers.  As the minister said in the beginning, Ben's life had a purpose.  And so did his tragic death.  I will always remember my brother for the kind and loving boy that he was, and I will forever be grateful that part of him will live on in  Jacob.  Ben, I love you, and I thank you."  Courtney walks over to Ben's casket, kisses her hand, and lovingly touches the casket.  Then, in tears, she begins to walk back to her seat and as she passes by him, Andrew stands to face his daughter.  The two look at each other for a few seconds, both their eyes filled with tears.  Then, the father and daughter embrace as a teary-eyed congregation looks on.

END OF EPISODE 199....