Episode Thirty Two

River House

"What?" Jamie asked, turning to look at Daniel.

"When you turn 25, whether I am still alive or not, River House becomes yours," Daniel repeated. "Until then I'll be glad to have the repairs done for you. If you decide you don't want it, you can sell it and keep the profits."

"Wait, okay," Jamie said, shaking his head. "You are giving me a house that's considered historic? It has to be worth a fortune!"

"By modern standards, it cost next to nothing to build. And except for a brief time after the stockmarket crash in 1927, it's been in either Grant or Bowen hands ever since. It seems appropiate that you get it, since you are both a Bowen and a Grant."

Jamie turned back to the picures, somewhat in shock. "I'm surprised these weren't thrown away the second the Grants took back the house," he commented, looking at 2 pictures.

"Which ones?" Daniel asked, not sure what to make of Jamie's reaction and sudden change of subject.

"These two," Jamie replied, his fingers touching first a portrait of a young woman sitting in a carriage, then one of a young man in the middle of a street.

"When I was younger I discovered quite a few pictures stored away in an old trunk. I put them up because I assumed they were part of Grant history. But I don't know who they were."

"Oh they tie in," Jamie said with a laugh.

"You know who they were?" Daniel asked.

Jamie smiled, his hand once more on the portrait of the lady. "Abbigail Lawson-Bowen," he moved his hand to the young man's photo, "and James Bowen. My great-great-great-great-great Grandparents on the Bowen side. The ones who were there when the fued started."

Daniel couldn't help laughing. "My father was convinced that the portrait of James was actually Peter Grant, Josiah's son."

"Well, he was wrong," Jamie said. "I've seen photos of them in my Grandpa Ian's old photo albums, that's definitely Abby and James."

"I believe there are other photos of them, and perhaps some of their belongings, still here in the house. They were forced out rather quickly. Those are of course yours as well."

"You're bribing me," Jamie said suddenly turning back to face Daniel. "First the offer to live at the mansion, then the truck, now this house and everything in it. What are you up to?"

"You don't trust me?"

"I may be part Grant, but I'm more Bowen. And Bowens don't trust grants further than we cna through them. And I probably couldn't through you a foot," Jamie said, crossing his arms. "So what do you want?"

Daniel sighed. "Jamie, you spent your entire life not having the advantages of being a Grant. I'm making up for it."

"By doing something that will definitely make Daniel Jr. and Miranda hate me more?" Jamie asked.

"By making sure you are taken care of."

"I can take of myself."

"I don't doubt that."

"And this isn't just about 'taking care of me', this stuff is obviously a bribe. What do you want?"

"I want my grandson to feel secure. You don't have to worry about anything."

"A truck and this old house doesn't do that," Jamie replied. "Now if you somehow could bring my parents both back to life, then I'd feel plenty secure. But you can't, so give it up."

Daniel shook his head sadly. "If I could I would. Even Mike, and I never liked him."

Jamie couldn't help laughing. "He didn't much like you either."

"Well, that was always quite obvious."

Montoya Bodega

Aaron walked into the Bodega, and instantly grimaced at the cold look he was getting from Theresa. "I guess you heard?"

"Not only do you dump my sister, but you dump her for my brother?" Theresa asked in disgust. "You're both jerks to poor Maria!"

Aaron whinced slightly. "Where's Diego?"

Before Theresa could answer, a string of spanish swears could be heard from the backroom. "Telling Mama," Theresa answered with a smile.

Diego and Pilar exited the backroom, Diego looking embarrassed and Pilar both horrified and furious. When Diego saw Aaron he smiled slightly. "I think I'm grounded," he said.

"No, go with your new..." Pilar had to swallow to say it. "Boyfriend. Right now I'm not sure I want to see you. Go!"

Diego didn't need to be told again, he headed for the door, pulling Aaron with him. "Man am I glad you showed up."

"How bad is it?"

"She's not happy her only son is gay, but she's more angry about me stealing Maria's boyfriend," Diego explained. "And Maria's hamming it up."

"So's Jamie. He started insulting me in Spanish, then Dad yelled at him..."

"Uh-oh..."

"I think it's okay. They went for a drive awhile ago," Aaron said. "If one had killed the other they would have come back by now."

Diego couldn't help laughing at the sugestion.

Maria's Room

Maria stood by her window, looking down at Aaron and Diego. "I wish they weren't so convincing," she muttered.

Summer sighed from her place on the bed. "Maria, it'll be over and done and you back together with Aaron in no time."

Maria turned away, still with a sour look on her face. "I know," she said, walking over and sitting down next to Summer. "And I am so glad Jamie told you."

"Like he'd keep it from the girl who makes out with him," Summer said with a laugh.

"I am going to warn you, Summer, I like you. But if you hurt him..."

"I won't," Summer swore. "I love him."

"Good. Because I know he's had a crush on you since the day you guys met."

"Trust me, the feeling was mutual," Summer said.

"You know, I have never had a female friend.... well, I mean, I have, but..."

"Not a real good one?"

"Yeah."

"I've got one, Nicole. The one who visited in Febuary."

"I remember her. Kind of a blabbermouth."

"But she's fun," Summer insisted. "But I need a female friend here in town."

"You got one," Maria said. "So, what do girls who are friends do?"

Summer laughed. "Shopping! I mean, there isn't a Bloomingdale's of Saks, but we'll find somewhere to do some good shopping."

Med Center

Drew was just starting his afternoon rounds when he bumped into a candystriper, causing her to drop the stack of magazines she'd been carrying. "Sorry," Drew said, crouching down to help her. "Hey," he said when he saw her face.

"Well, hi there," Jenny replied, grinning.

"Since when are you a candystriper?"

"Since I asked this morning, and they were so desperate for help they asked me to start immediately."

"Well, congratulations, it'll look good on your college apps in a few years."

"Well, yeah, but I started more to spend time with a certain guy I met," Jenny whispered, leaning in close as she reached for a magazine.

Drew licked his lips. "Well, whoever he is I'm sure he'll be glad to see more of you," he replied

"You think so?"

"I know so."

"Drew!" Sarah called.

Drew and Jenny leapt apart, Jenny standing with the magazine sin her arms. "Nice to see you again, Dr. Sanchez," Jenny said.

"You too, Jenny," Drew said. As he watched her walk away out of the corner of his eye, he turned to Sarah. 'What's up?"

"MVA incoming, ETA 2 minutes," Sarah reported.

"Let's get moving," Drew said, hoping his embarassment over being caught flirting with Jenny didn't show.

New York City

Nicole wandered through her family's townhouse, bored out of her mind. It was sweltering outside, so she wasn't about to go anywhere, but there was nothing to do in the empty house. Her father was at work, her mother on a shopping trip in Milan, and her brother had gone to Florida for his summer vacation from College.

"God I'm bored," Nicole muttered, sitting down on the couch. No sooner did she reach for the remote, than the phone rang. he grabbed it. "Howards Penthouse, Nicole speaking."

"Nicole! This is Toria Edison of EdiSigns..."

"Oh my God," Nicole said.

Toria laughed. "You got it, Nicole! Once your parents sign and return the consent forms and the contract I'm faxing over, you'll be getting your plane ticket and on your way here."

"This is great!"

"I take it you're excited?"

"Thrilled!" Nicole said, jumping up and carrying the cordless phone to the fax machine, where the forms were arriving. "As soon as I see my father I'll have him look over the stuff and sign it."

"Good, fax the signature back to me, and when you fly in you can hand deliver the actually signed contract."

"Sure!"

"And try to keep this quiet. I want to have the modelling team be a surprise to the world."

"You got it, Miss Edison!"

"I'll let you go, Nicole, and I'll see you in a few weeks."

"Yeah, okay," Nicole said before hanging up the phone and jumping up. "Yes!" She gathered the contract and consent forms from the fax machine, grabbed her messenger bag from the coat closet and shoved them inside as she ran out the door. As she stepped outside, she slid on her sunglasses. "I'll brave the sun for this," she said efore hurrying down the steps to the street and hailing a cab.

End Of Episode Thirty Two