Consumed with the name Devon Wayne was how Silas lived for many many years. It had been over 30 years since she died in Tanquir; and Silas had still not recovered. Devon had been such a spirited young girl and did not deserve to die so young. The responsibility of her death rested squarely on the shoulders of Sean Ryan aka Quint McCord, as far as Silas was concerned. They were both graduate students at Oxford when that fateful day happened over 30 years ago in Tanquir. Silas and Devon had been seriously involved for over two years. He never felt happier than when he was with her. Her energy filled up a room. But then there was the semester, when at the last minute, she decided to stay home with her family in Ireland, and he barely heard from her. When she did come back the following semester, she was more distant than ever from Silas. Suddenly, she was taking a particular interest in Sean Ryan. Sean Ryan had been Silas’ nemesis at Oxford from the very beginning. If he would earn a B+, then Sean would earn at least an A-. Sean would make it first string, and he would make it as an alternate. All the girls loved the fair-haired gentle Sean, and now he was even going to take away his Devon. Devon had been the one thing that Silas could say he had better than Sean. Silas would never believe Quint's lies, that the relationship between him and Devon was strictly professional and platonic.

It wasn't until years later, when Silas found out why Devon had not shown up that semester. After being helped by a few shady officials in Tanquir to recover and escape from the country, he went into hiding and then resurfaced with a fictitious name, Ryan Wayne. He had to stay strictly undercover for many years once it was proven that he, in fact, had been directly responsible for the death of Professor Renfield. However, as Ryan Wayne he was able to pose as a long lost distant cousin of Devon's family, so that they would confide in him. It turned out that Devon had a baby boy during that semester off. He was Silas' son. He had been put up for adoption, and all they knew about him was that he would now be 32 years old and lived in the London area. Silas wanted to find his son, but without his true identity that would prove very difficult. He damned Quinton McCord for forcing him to change his identity and for losing his son and his dear Devon.

Silas Crocker was officially dead, but he never would forgive Quint McCord, and the only way to truly get at him was to go after his beloved and precious Nola. His plans seemed to go a bit off track when he heard that Nola had moved to Springfield without Quint, but upon further investigation he found out that both were still deeply in love and pining for each other. And actually, Nola being alone would make her a much easier mark. Silas also thought that their daughter Anastasia would be an interesting target. He knew that Anastasia was a graduate student at Oxford.

Anastasia Chamberlain was an attractive 23 year old girl with silky auburn hair, just as her mother had in her younger days. She always downplayed her good looks, since she was more concerned with her studies. Her style of dress tended toward being conservative as did her reserved demeanor, more modeling her father than her mother. Stacey knew that Quinton was not her natural father, but she found him to be such a perfect father that she had very little interest to learn more about her biological father, other than out of a bit of curiosity. She had asked very few questions about him once she knew of his existence, as she always sensed that questions made her mom, especially, a bit uneasy. Stacey had started asking probing questions when she was six years old. She loved to look at the pictures of her parents' wedding. As a child, she especially loved the pictures of them with the big hot air balloon and her mom on the fire truck. She also saw the pictures of herself, as a baby, at the wedding. It wasn't until she was about seven years old, though, that she wanted to know why she was at their wedding when most of her friends did not go to their parents' wedding. Within time, she realized that it was not the usual expected and proper order of things to have a child before marriage. This troubled her, as she always considered her father to be the most proper person she knew.

1989/1990

"Daddy, how come you and mommy had me before you were married?" a young Stacey inquired.

Quint was stunned and not quite sure how to answer this very difficult question that both he and Nola knew would come up eventually. "Well honey, sometimes people have children before they are married. Uh . .like your friend Lexie who lives with her mommy."

Stacey considered his response, and then asked, "Was I a mistake? My friend Bobby, who’s in 3rd grade, said that when parents have babies before they’re married, it’s a mistake."

"Oh no sweetheart, you were never ever a mistake. Your mommy and I love you more than anything in the world. You were never a mistake and we always wanted you so badly."

"OK," Stacey lightly remarked and ran off to go play with AJ in her room.

Perhaps Stacey could happily go off and be satisfied with these answers for now, but he knew that he had to speak with Nola and figure out how and what they were going to tell Stacey. Her questions were already getting way too close, and he did not want to start lying to her. He and Nola always agreed that they would never lie to Stacey, and she was such a smart little girl that she was bound to figure it out sooner rather than later. They did not want to devastate her with the news that there was another man who was her biological father, and he was in prison.

Then when Stacey was eight years old, she approached Nola one day while they were out shopping for school clothes. "Mommy, you said you met Daddy at the house on Thornway Road . . .the house with the tusks and the white gazebo?"

"Yes, we met in the gazebo. It was love at first sight."

"What year was that, Mommy?"

"What year?? Well . . it was 1981"

"I was born on January 15, 1982. I read in one of the encyclopedias that it takes babies 9 months to be born."

"Yes, that's all true. But you were born a little premature."

"So you and Daddy met in 1981 and then I was born on January 15, 1982 and that is almost still 1981. Oh Mommy, can I get an ice cream cone? Please?"

Nola thanked God that day for passing the Haagen Daz ice cream shop at the moment that they did. She knew the time was drawing very near, when Stacey would figure out that the whole thing did not add up. She would have to tell Stacey about Floyd. She so did not want to disrupt her life with this tawdry news. Floyd had willingly given up custody of Stacey, and allowed Quint to adopt her shortly after he went to prison while Quint and Nola were living in Tanquir. It was quite a shock for Nola to learn that Floyd had murdered someone and was in jail, but on the other hand, for Quint to adopt Stacey and legally be her father was what she had wanted for quite some time. She never wanted to be unfair to Floyd or to Stacey for her own selfish reasons. However, under the circumstances, it was definitely in the best interest of Stacey and herself to remove ties from Floyd and move on with their life. Floyd had to agree that Quint would be a far better role model and father to Stacey. Stacey was too young to remember Floyd, so Nola knew that the issue would not come up until she started understanding all the things about which she was currently inquiring. Nola had a serious talk that night with Quint as she knew the next questions were coming soon.

A few evenings later, they were all sitting at the dinner table at their rented home in Arizona. AJ had already left the table, as a friend of his was visiting for the evening, and they wanted to play.

"Daddy, when did you say that Grandma Stephanie died?"

"In 1981."

"What month was that?"

"It was in July." Quint nervously looked toward Nola

"Then you moved to Springfield and met Mommy?"

Quint hesitated, "Uh, yes."

"That is . . she started counting . .July, August, September, October, November, December, January . . six months before I was born. Mommy, was I born after six months?"

"No honey, it was seven months," Nola admitted.

"Then that does not make any sense, because I learned in school that the mommy and daddy have to be together to make the baby. So that does not make sense at all."

Nola reluctantly began to tell Stacey the planned response. Quint took Nola’s hand and sweetly squeezed it for support. "Stacey, you were coming before I met your Daddy. Sometimes little girls and boys can have more than one daddy. There are daddies that you love and give you hugs and take you to school and go to your school conferences. Just like your Daddy." She indicated toward Quint, with tears welling up her eyes and shaking hands.

Quint squeezed her hand extra tight and continued on for Nola as he knew that she couldn’t. Stacey watched them both closely, very interested, but very confused. “And then sometimes, those daddies are not there from the very very beginning. I was there with you and your Mommy from the first day you were born, and you lived with me, but I was not there when your Mommy first found out that you were coming.”

Stacey started to tremble as Quint finished, "So you are not my real daddy?" Nola became more and upset and fought to hold back her tears, "And now why is Mommy crying?" Stacey whimpered.

"Honey, I’m your real daddy, but there was this other man who was there when you first were going to come. But he thought it was best, since your Mommy and I loved each other so much, and we loved you so much, that I just be your daddy."

"Where is he?"

"He’s back in Springfield," Nola strained to hold back her tears.

"So is it all right, if I still call you Daddy?" Stacey quietly asked.

Quint got up from the table and moved over to give Stacey a big long hug, like he often did for his best girl. "Honey, you should never call me anything else. I will always be your daddy. I have been here for you since the day you were born, and I will be here always for you."

"I wanted to pick the very best daddy ever for you. So you are very lucky that way," Nola felt a lump in her throat, but she knew this was all true, and that Quint was the best father she ever could have hoped to have for Stacey. He loved Stacey as much as she did and had always taken such good care of them and provided them with a life of which she could only have dreamed. As Stacey got older she understood the situation even more, but she never again questioned whether or not Quint was her "real" father or not. She understood that she had a biological father in Springfield that was having some problems in his life, so he was unable to be a proper father. She really did not want to know much more. Stacey so idolized Quint that she almost considered it disloyal to ask about her biological father once she fully understood the situation. They eventually also had to tell AJ who was almost more upset than Stacey about the whole thing, as he adored his big sister.

Stacey suffered when she heard that her mother moved to Springfield to be with Grandma Bea. She did not understand why her mother had to be so difficult at times. She knew how hard it was on her when she lost the baby, but that had been almost 10 years before. It made her uncomfortable how emotional her mother could be, and she thought she overreacted at times. She had been so busy with school and finishing up her PhD that she only had been able to make one trip to the states in the past year since the split occurred, and that time she went to see Quint in California. AJ was also there for the summer, so it was the perfect time to go. Nola had arranged to come for a weekend to see her children. That visit, however, did not go well at all when Stacey had an argument with her mother, and Nola left in tears. Stacey was insisting that Nola see Quint and patch things up, but Nola refused giving no logical explanation whatsoever. Stacey thought her mother, in addition to being over emotional, was extremely stubborn to an exasperating degree. She could not understand how her mother, when asked if she loved Daddy, answered with a wholehearted yes, but yet she would not see him. It made no sense at all to Stacey. That was the only time she had seen her mom all year, and it was just for an hour or so. She did, on the other hand, have a wonderful visit with Quint, and even told him all about her boyfriend back in Oxford.

Stacey had started dating Seamus over a year earlier. He was also taking courses at Oxford. Stacey thought he had the most adorable Irish accent and the bluest eyes, with thick chestnut brown hair. He was a little older than most of the other students, but he was so elegant and well spoken and drew Stacey in right away. He called her Anastasia, and she liked the formal way that sounded with his accent. She wanted to start using her full name as she thought Stacey sounded too childish. They also bonded further when they realized that both of them had complicated parentage. Seamus had been adopted, but unlike Anastasia, he had a great interest in finding out more about his natural parents, but seemed to come upon dead end after dead end.

The one family member that Anastasia did often visit with was Mrs. Renfield in Scotland. She loved the old country house near the seashore that Rennie shared with her sister Victoria. Rennie was getting up in years, but she always held a special place in Anastasia's heart. She loved her stories about the house on Thornway Road, her mother's youthful antics, and about her father's upbringing in Mexico, England and Scotland. She loved the tales she would tell about her father and the professor and their search for the Temple of Gold and the Lost City of Tanquir, and how that later involved her mother. The last time she had visited with Rennie, they spent a lot of time discussing the rift between her parents and what they could do. Rennie seemed to have some insight into what her mom was going through and helped Anastasia not to be so angry and frustrated with her.

Winter 2004, Scotland

"My dear Anastasia, you have to understand that this must be a very difficult time for your mother. Both you and your brother are grown, and I have spoken to her at great length about how upset she was about losing little Beatrice. She so wanted to have another child. And now, it is probably too late. She blamed herself for waiting so long which made trying again difficult. She also felt badly that she was bringing you children all around the world, when maybe it would have been better to settle in one place so you could have a more normal life." Anastasia kneeled before Rennie as she rocked in her chair on the porch of her charming country cottage. The house was done up in country chic long before country was chic. The white washed picket fence and furniture and the beautiful worn fabrics combined to create the most picturesque and homey feel.

"A normal life? Everything with Mom and Dad was the most normal and happy when we were out and about traveling. It was when we settled in California that everything got mixed up."

"Your mother always thrived on adventure, so that does not particularly come as a surprise to me."

"Rennie, do you know that part of this is about Helena Manzini?"

"Helena Manzini? My goodness, I have not thought of her in quite some time. Isn't she living in Milan?"

"Yes, she is. Which is why this is so crazy. Mom is jealous about her, and she lives over 7000 miles away. Daddy was in Italy on this one business trip, and apparently he ran into Helena, and mom went crazy. I even think Daddy told me that Helena married some rich importer in Italy. Mom thrives on the over dramatic. It makes me crazy. I don't know how Daddy puts up with it sometimes."

"This is actually one of the things that your father loves so much about your mother. I think your father needs Nola to help balance him out. He needs her energy and her exuberance and gregariousness, and sometimes these very positive qualities have their downside, including you thinking she over reacts and dramatizes things. Her life is changing a lot right now, and I’m sure that’s overwhelming to her. She probably can't even verbalize what’s bothering her."

"No, she can't. I tried to get her to tell me what was wrong when I saw her in California last summer, and she wouldn't tell me anything."

"You know, she had you and your brother Anthony when she was still quite young, so she has essentially spent her entire adult life mothering the two of you. When she was not doing that, she was out traveling the world with your father. So once both you children were independent and did not need her as much, and your father was committed to his teaching position, she probably felt unneeded and lost. I think your father is going to have to sweep her off her feet again like he did the first time, my dear. I think she needs the reassurance. He’s not going to be able to sit back and hope things get better. He’s going to have to go out there and make them better; go get her. I plan on telling him this when I see him next, which will be soon. I love your father like my own son, but he does need to wake up and go after her, or he will never be truly happy again."

"Oh Rennie, I wish I could remember more about the house on Thornway Road. Most of what I remember is only from pictures. I bet they always would have been happy there." Stacey sighed at what could have been.

"You were such a little baby back then. Your mother and you were such a breath of fresh air in that old house. You both brought your father back to life. He had been through such difficult times, and he had just lost his mother, and he was very lost until he met your mother."

“Mom and Daddy always say it was love at first sight.”

"I think it mostly was. But there were so many obstacles to overcome. But the love was always there. And it still is. Trust in that. I know that in my heart. I saw them fall in love, and that kind of love does not ever go away. But how your mother and I used to clash at first. She was so curious and at first, I have to admit, I did not trust her. But once I realized how much she loved your father and loved you, I learned that there was no one more loyal and good hearted. Your mother needs you very much, Anastasia. You have grown into such a wonderful young woman of which both your parents are so proud, and a big part of that is the result of everything your mother did for you. You need to try and understand."

And with that Anastasia got up and gave Rennie a kiss on the forehead. Rennie always had a way of setting things straight, and Stacey thrived on the sense of history and permanence that she provided. "I love you, Rennie."

"I love you too my dear, my only granddaughter of my heart. I just couldn't be prouder to know that you are following in your father and the professor's footsteps. I should have known all those years ago when you did those experiments with your father up in the lab on Thornway Road."

The lab on Thornway Road was now a sparsely decorated additional study. Nola had filled some of the bookshelves up with the anthropology and archaeology books she had acquired over the years. She had managed to take enough courses over the years to receive her bachelor’s degree which was quite a boost to her self esteem. Nola looked around remembering how the lab used to be, and how she used to work there with Quinton in those early years. Those memories brought back such fond memories, and then how sweetly Quinton used to do basic experiments with Stacey. She was so proud of her baby girl, and how she was making so much of her life. She felt terribly that the last time she saw Stacey that they had argued. Stacey just didn't understand, and sometimes she didn't know if she understood either. Suddenly, the lights and power went out in the house.

Silas watched the old house fall dark as he sneered to himself. "Old Quint can't help you now, Nola. Must be pretty scary in that big old house all by yourself. But this is just the beginning, Nola. Just the beginning. And I'll be back. Mark my words." Silas disappeared into the cold windy night.

Nola never did find out what made the power go out that night, but it did leave her with an uneasy feeling. She had assumed that a downed branch from the winds had taken down one of the power lines, but there was no evidence that had occurred. It was as if someone had deliberately turned the power off. Nola didn't even want to think of that possibility. She had spent the last couple of days shopping for the house and contacting contractors. She wanted to pick just the right contractor who would be respectful of the style and history of the house. This was going to be a big job, but she knew it would be worth it. However, that argument with Stacey kept nagging at her. She missed her girl so much, and since she was also feeling a little uncomfortable about the whole power outage situation, she decided it was time that she made a trip out to London and then Oxford to see Stacey. She called and made a reservation to leave the very next day. She arranged to meet with Stacey the day after she arrived in a little restaurant in Oxford.

The restaurant Stacey picked was very quiet, warm and a family favorite. Quint often took his two favorite girls to this friendly pub. Nola was surprised that she actually felt nervous about seeing Stacey. She arrived before her daughter, and asked the host for a nice, quiet and private table. She asked the waitress to bring her two orders of fish and chips and two pints of ale. While waiting for Stacey, her mind starting drifting back to the first time that she and Quint came to this pub with the family. They had brought the family to Oxford for an alumni reunion back in 1987. They were living in Tanquir at the time, and Quint and Nola were kept very busy cataloguing all the artifacts that they had found from the Lost City. Stacey had just started school, and AJ was talking up a storm; they were both definitely a handful.

1987, Oxford

"Mama, I want some crackers," AJ whined as Nola tried to settle her son in his booster seat and then shuffled through her purse looking for her usual stash of goodies for the baby.

"Quinton, could you please hand me the duffle bag. I can't find his crackers in here."

Quint quickly grabbed the bag and pulled out the packets of crackers knowing that if they delayed too long AJ would be off on a tantrum that would not be pleasant for anyone. He passed the crackers to Nola and AJ started munching happily.

"Daddy can I get fish and chips?" Stacey sweetly sang.

"Of course honey, do you know that Daddy went to school here, and someday maybe you will go here too."

It always amazed Nola what a good father Quinton was, especially since he had no role model growing up. He was so attentive to the children and never was a parent who simply wanted to distract them to make things easier. He listened carefully to them and answered all their questions, even with Stacey, who was now at the age of asking the why and how of everything.

"I want to go to school here now, Daddy, not someday."

"Well, honey I think you’re going to have to wait just a little bit," he laughed. “This is a college, and you are not going to be in college for many years. College is for older children that are almost grown ups."

"Why?"

Nola marveled at Quint as he came up with answer after answer to questions that, to most, would seem unanswerable.

"The students here don't live with their mommy and daddy anymore so they have to be old enough to drive cars and take trains alone, so that they can still see them whenever they want," Quint responded.

"I’m always going to live with you and Mommy and AJ," Stacey proudly proclaimed.

"Well my sweetheart, that is certainly part of the plan," Quint beamed.

"Mommy can I marry Daddy when I grow up?"

Quint and Nola both laughed playfully causing AJ to start laughing as well. "Stacey, little girls don't marry their daddies. Mommy is married to Daddy. You know that silly," Nola said as she tweaked her daughter's cheek.

Stacey grinned broadly because, indeed, she did know that, but she also liked it when everyone was laughing together including AJ who didn't even know what they were laughing about. Stacey got up off her chair and walking over to where her little brother was sitting. "Such a cute little baby boy," Stacey remarked and gave him a big bear hug and then planted a big kiss on his lips. "Now daddy . .you need to kiss mommy like I kissed AJ."

On command Quint moved over to give Nola a big kiss as Stacey and AJ applauded.

"Stace loves AJ, and Daddy loves Mama," squealed AJ. That day back in ‘87 had been a perfect day with the family. For the evening, Quint hired a babysitter recommended by a fellow alumnus to watch the children, so that he and Nola could go out for a romantic night of dinner and dancing. Nola remembered clearly how she and Quint made love that night. It was always fun for them to make love in a new place, a new hotel and a new country. It had become a game of sorts to see if they could cover the world map. Up to that point, their record was quite impressive. And over the years to follow, they did just about cover the world map.

She smiled thinking of their little game, and at that moment she spotted Stacey moving toward her table. Stacey looked so pretty with her hair up in a knot, dressed in a simple pair of jeans and a sweater. Nola got up from the table and rushed toward her daughter. She wrapped her arms tightly around her; taking every bit of her in as much as she could. Tears welled up in Nola's eye, "Stacey. I missed you so much. It’s so good to see you."

"Mom, I missed you too. I’m so glad you could come."

"Well sit down. Sit down." Nola coaxed.

Stacey noticed the ale already served by the waitress and smiled at her mother, appreciating this acknowledgment of her adult status. Nola took her daughter’s hands and looked her over beaming with pride. "You look so beautiful. I was just thinking about the first time we all came to this restaurant. You were such a little girl and now you are just so . . .so perfect and grown."

"How is Grandma?" Stacey inquired with interest.

"She’s well. She misses you too."

"Have you talked to Daddy?"

"Well, I guess we're going to jump right to the chase," Nola teased good naturedly.

"Nothing is more important than that, Mom."

"I know, baby. I'm really sorry about that disagreement we had." Nola’s expression turned somber.

"I'm sorry too, and I do think I better understand about how you are feeling. I had a talk with Rennie about it."

"You talked to Mrs. Renfield?" she queried with a loving and nostalgic tone in her voice.

Stacey nodded, " But I do think it would help if you would at least see Dad. He misses you so much, Mom."

"Nothing is stopping him from coming to see me, Stace."

"He thinks you don't want to see him, so he is trying to respect your wishes."

"I’m not so sure about that. If he really wanted . . .” Nola interrupted herself, “I'm sorry sweetie. Can't we talk about something else, just for a little tiny while? Tell me about school and about Seamus." Nola perked up with the prospect of her young daughter sharing the details of her young and promising life.

"Seamus is wonderful, Mom. He really is. I really think I love him. I want both you and Daddy to be able to meet him. And I want to take him to our house in California, so he can see how beautiful it is there."

"I guess we can take that one day at a time, sweetie."

"When AJ was out here with Sarah during his winter break, he got to meet Seamus."

"Yes, your brother was telling me that. Can I meet Seamus this weekend?"

"Actually, since your visit was so last minute, he’s not here. He had already planned to go visit his parents for a long weekend in Ireland."

"That's too bad. So are things pretty serious between the two of you?"

"I think so. He’s just so good to me and smart and handsome, and he just makes me feel so . . ."

"I understand, believe me. I just wish I could meet him finally after hearing so much about him."

"He's a little bit older you know, Mom? Not too much so . .so you needn't worry."

Nola shrugs, “I was your age when I met your father and he was a little older than me, but after some years the age difference doesn’t matter as much. Is Seamus an archaeologist as well?"

"No actually, he’s an English major. He’s getting his masters in comparative Renaissance literature."

"Then he and AJ must have had a lot to talk about?" Nola assumed.

"Oh yes, Seamus gave him some hints on American schools with good graduate programs, but I think when AJ graduates he’s going to have had enough of school for a little while," Stacey laughed.

"Yes, I think your brother is very anxious to get out there."

"So Mom, I wanted to tell you that Seamus and I are thinking of getting an apartment together within the next month or so. We spend so much time together already, and on student budgets it just seems a waste . ."

Nola interrupted, "You don't have to explain, Stacey. I trust your instincts. Now your father might be more uncomfortable with that, but he'll get over it. But I'm perfectly fine with it if that is what you think is the right thing for you."

"I do, Mom. But I’m a little afraid to tell Daddy. I think he really did want me to stay a little girl forever and live with you both forever . ." Stacey's voice faded off in a bit of sadness.

Nola squeezed her daughter's hand. "Everything is going to be fine, sweetie. I promise. I have a little secret, but you have to absolutely promise not to tell your father yet."

"What is it?"

"Well, I bought the house on Thornway Road in Springfield. Remember the house we lived in together when you were a baby before your brother was born?"

"I don't really remember it, but I certainly know all about it from you and Daddy and Rennie and the pictures. I think I remember the tusks and the gazebo," she giggled. "But I thought you were staying with Grandma?"

"I was for a short period of time, but it just did not feel right, and then I took a drive by the old house, and no one seemed to be living there, so I inquired and found out it was up for sale, so I put in an offer, and bought it."

"Why don't you want Daddy to know? Won't he know that you bought a house?"

"No, I always kept my own account too, and when your Grandpa Henry died he left me some extra mad money."

"Not that you ever needed it, Mom. Remember all our shopping sprees? Dad gave you everything and with your wallet full of plastic, you hardly needed mad money."

"Every woman needs a little private mad money. And now I have that old house, but my goodness, it needs to be fixed up."

"Why don't you want Daddy to know?" Stacey curiously asked.

"Because if he knew I was living there, it would make things too easy on him. There is something very special in that house. That house brings back a lot of old feelings and is very sentimental and . ."

"Mom, that sounds like a very good thing to me. You thinking about Daddy, and how you fell in love, and how you still love him . . ." Stacey pushed further.

"You know, I will always always love your father. He was my dream come true. He made all my dreams come true. But he just needs to . ."

"I know, Mom. You know, AJ and I used to be a little embarrassed about how . .well . . . romantic you and Daddy were together. You were always touching and kissing, and lots of parents didn't do that. And then one of you would whisper in the other's ear and then disappear into your bedroom. Once we understood what was going on, I have to admit it almost grossed us out," laughed Stacey.

Nola covered her eyes a bit in embarrassment.

"But then, it was just the most wonderful thing ever to have two parents so much in love. It made us feel so safe. We both want to feel safe again, Mom." Nola looks at her only daughter with wide hopeful eyes.

Effie was living alone in a simple flat in London. Effie had been married many years earlier, but sadly lost her husband to illness. She had a young son who was attending university in London. Effie was working at the home of a diplomat as the household supervisor. She had given up her chamber maid status many years earlier when she became a mother. Nola would always visit Effie whenever she and Quint were in London, which, over the years, had been quite frequently. They also kept in regular contact via phone and letters and more recently via email. Effie struggled terribly with money, and Nola was always trying to help out her friend, having come from a similar background, but Effie always refused, insisting on making ends meet on her own. Effie was so excited for her old friend Nola to be visiting again, but she hated that she was coming alone this time. It had deeply saddened her when she got the email from Nola telling her of how she moved to Springfield alone. She did, however, understand the empty nest syndrome, but she couldn't really comprehend why Nola would leave Quinton when she was still clearly so in love with him. Maybe she would get some answers when Nola arrived. She was due any moment.

Effie checked herself in the mirror. She had changed so much in the last years. She was just a year or two older than Nola and her face looked so much more tired from all the years of hard work and struggles. She had gained a little weight, but still had quite a trim figure for a woman of her age. As she heard the buzzer sound, her eyes glistened with the thought of seeing her good friend. She happily buzzed in her friend and eagerly waited for her to make her way up to the room. Then there was a knock on the door, and she threw it open. But instead of her good friend Nola stood a man with thinning light brown hair and a not so friendly expression.

"Hello Sir, can I help you?" Effie politely asked in her cockney accent.

"You don't know who I am, Madam, do you?" the mystery man noted.

"Well, I don't think so sir, no," Effie nervously responded, trying to close the door just a little.

"I know who you are, Effie. And I am, shall we say, old "friends" with Nola Reardon."

"You know Nola?"

"I sure do, and you’re not to say one word about me coming here if you care about yourself and your young son."

"What do you mean?" she stammered.

"Well, Ms. Effie, I am Silas Crocker. Perhaps you have heard old Nola and that quack Quinton speak of me?"

With that, Effie became very nervous as she knew very well about Silas Crocker and like everyone else had thought he was dead, "Well I’m not sure, sir."

"Don't lie to me, Effie. I know how friendly you have been with little Nola over these years. You two old broads are thick as thieves since you come from the same trashy background. And while I know that Nola got her hooks into rich, boring Quinton McCord, it seems that you’re still scrounging around for your pennies. Maybe you should have Nola throw some of that big American money your way so you can get out of this dump?"

"Now sir, there’s no reason to be insulting."

"Well maybe, that is true. Tell your good friend that you have heard around town that Silas Crocker is back. But if you tell her or anyone else that I was here, you will be one very very sorry mother. It’s hard to lose a husband, but even harder to lose a son."

"Nola is scheduled to be here any moment so you’d better leave."

Silas laughed out loud. "Do you think I would take such a risk to possibly run into that aging kook? Although, she still has a pretty sexy ass I wouldn't mind getting my hands on. Oh no, Ms Nola is going to be just a little late for her visit, Effie. She will be having a little car trouble on her way back from Oxford after visiting with her very attractive and very young daughter, Anastasia. Now, that young girl really turns me on -- even more so now that I know she is not spawned from the seed of Quinton McCord. So just send your friend a little warning will you? Ta ta as they say in merry old England."

Silas disappeared and Effie frantically locked, bolted and chained the door. At that moment, the phone rang. Just as Silas promised, Nola was having some problems with the car and would be about an hour late. By the time that Nola arrived an hour later, Effie had been able to calm herself down a bit. She had never actually laid eyes on Silas Crocker until that night, but she most certainly knew of his reputation and how he had twice abducted her good friend.

"Effie, I can’t tell you how good it is to see you." Nola sipped a glass of red wine as Effie worked at preparing dinner. Effie was preoccupied with how she was going to tell Nola about the news from Silas without scaring her too much, and at the same time forcing her to take the threat seriously.

"I feel the same. I’m also so glad to hear that things went so well with Anastasia."

"Effie, you would just not believe how great she is. She’s about the same age that you and I were when we first met. Can you believe my little girl is all grown up? She’s just so much like Quint. He really did turn out to be the best father I ever could have hoped for Stacey."

"Nola, why are you living back at Thornway Road all alone? Do you think that is safe?"

"Why would you say that, Effie? You know, you do not really seem yourself today."

"Oh, I’m fine. I just remember the stories you used to tell me about that house, and it seems so big just for you."

"My mom made me get security dogs, but I probably do need someone to help me out with the house. It’s very large."

"Nola, there is something I have to tell you that really makes me feel uncomfortable because I don't want to worry you."

"What is it, Effie?"

"I have a friend who works at a local pub as a waitress and well . . ."

"What Effie?" Nola anxiously inquired.

"Well, she said that she heard some people talking about Silas Crocker being alive."

"What kind of people? Silas Crocker? I was thinking about him earlier this week. But that’s impossible. He died in that cave in Tanquir when he tried to kill Quinton."

"I don't know, Nola, that’s just what everyone is saying. The pub is in a bad neighborhood, so who knows. You should know how resilient Silas is. If anyone could come back from the dead, it’s him."

"I was thinking of asking Quinton about him, but then I thought better of it. Quint goes crazy anytime his name comes up."

"Nola, I think you should tell Quint. Do Anthony James and Anastasia know about Silas?"

"Oh God no, we would never tell the children about him, and it never seemed like something we needed to do since he is dead."

"Maybe, they are old enough to know now. I mean, even if the rumors aren't true, it is something important from your and Quint's history."

"Maybe I will. You know Effie, I was thinking about something. I know you have your son Jacob and everything here in London, but I was wondering if you might be interested in coming out to Springfield to stay with me at Thornway Road? I love you so much, and the children love you so much, and I thought maybe you could oversee the household staff? I do need to hire staff for it."

"I have never even been to America before. I would have to think about it."

"You would have plenty of time to come back to London to visit Jacob, and there are plenty of rooms at Thornway Road, and we could set up a nice room for him to visit anytime he wanted. It would be just like old times except that we both have some extra lines on our face." Nola joked trying to lighten the mood from the Silas Crocker conversation.

"Oh Nola, you still look so good. Look how slim you are."

"Well, that’s just good genes, trust me."

"Let me think about it, Nola. That is a big change. I know Jacob would love to have this apartment for himself, and I would like to see you more often. It would certainly make me feel better to know that you have someone living in that house with you, although I feel fairly certain that soon Quint will be back in that house with you."

"Time will tell on that."

"You can't fool me, Nola. I know almost as much about you and Quinton as you know about each other. Actually, I’m quite sure Quint would turn red if he knew some of the things you have told me over the years. I know you’ll be back together. I saw it in your tarot cards."

"You did?" Nola responded with interest.

"Yes, you want to do your cards again today? Much better in person you know."

"That would be fun. We could read tarot cards and listen to old Madonna and Pat Benatar CDs like we used to, well, they were records back then," Nola playfully suggested.

"We can get in robes and fix each others hair and do facials . .." Effie played along trying hard to forget the earlier Silas incident.

"I can do your eyebrows. And you have to get rid of those greys. You know I saw Madonna's concert a few months ago in Los Angeles with Gracie. She was fabulous. All kinds of celebrities were there and lots of people our age.”

“I guess we are all getting older,” Effie remarked.

"Yes, but not too old to possibly crank call Helena Manzini. Although everyone has caller ID now, so that is not so much fun anymore. Unless . . ” Nola says with a gleam in her eye, “Caller ID does not work for international calls?”

"Remember that time you gave her--what did you call it?"

"I gave Helena Manzini a shiner, and I loved it!!!" Nola laughed recalling that time back in London many years earlier. "You won't believe this, but Quint went to see her when he was in Italy about two years ago."

"Nothing wrong with that. They’re old friends." Effie commented, trying to diffuse Nola’s tension.

" Friends? Right. I guess the old flame never really burned out."

"Nola, you can't possibly believe that is true?"

"Of course, I do. I know how Quinton is. He is very sentimental, and Helena meant a lot to him at one time, and she still does."

"Maybe, Nola, but I’m sure only as a friend."

"He has always liked that exotic type, Effie, and that is just not me."

"He married you Nola. He picked you. He could have just as easily married Helena, but he loves you. I know he would not do anything to hurt you."

"Maybe, he didn't mean to. Maybe it just happened? I know better than anyone what a passionate man he is, well maybe not as much as Helena Manzini knows." She emphasized Helena’s name as her mouth curled up in disgust.

"Nola, I really think you are overreacting to this. They’re living thousands of miles apart. That does not make for a very convenient affair. And if he wanted her why wouldn't he just go to her?"

"Because he doesn't want to hurt the children," Nola quickly shot back.

"I really think you are wrong about that. Quinton is just not that type of man. He is more true and trustworthy than almost anyone I know. He is a man of his word."

"Well maybe, Effie,” Nola conspicuously changed the subject. “Now where are your Madonna CDs, tweezers and tarot cards?"

"I always have so much fun with you, Nola." But Effie could not help but keep thinking back to Silas Crocker. She wondered if Nola was more worried about it than she let on.

Meanwhile, Quint was relaxing out on the verandah of the house in California. The noon sun was immediately overhead and the surf was quite loud. The house sat at the top of a cliff as the waves crashed into the rocks below. He needed these peaceful times during the day to clear his mind. The tranquility of the moment was interrupted by the ringing of the phone. He checked the caller ID to see who was calling, but it came up as “unknown” telephone. Every time the phone rang these days he hoped to see Nola's cell phone number.

"Hello," Quint spoke into the phone.

"Is this Sean Ryan?" a mysterious voice distant voice said on the other end of the phone.

"I no longer use that name, but yes it is."

"I have a message from Silas Crocker, Mr. Ryan."

"What? Silas Crocker? That’s impossible sir. Silas died over 20 year ago."

"I'm afraid not. I had drinks with him the other night."

"Where?"

"I'm afraid I can not say where sir. But he wanted me to let you know that you need to watch your back. Goodbye and good luck." Then the phone went dead as the voice hung up.

This is craziness, thought Quinton. There was just no way that Silas made it out of the cave alive. He had seen Silas, and he was dead. He was sure of it. It had to be just a cruel joke, but who would be calling him using the name Sean Ryan? Then his mind started drifting, thinking of the possibilities that Silas was alive, and how would he ever protect his family when they were spread all over the world: Stacey in Oxford and AJ in New Orleans and then the situation that scared him the most, Nola in Springfield. He felt so helpless. He had to call Nola right away and demand that she get on a plane and come back home. He would hire security for the house until he found out if this was a hoax or not. He didn't want to frighten Nola too much by telling her about Silas, but how else would he get her to agree to come back to California? Quinton knew her well, and when Nola had her mind set; she had it set. He quickly dialed her cell phone number, but it immediately forwarded to voice mail. The outgoing message said that she was out of the country for a few days and would not have cell phone service.

“Out of the country? Nola where have you gone? Oh my God.” He felt certain based on how the connection sounded that the mysterious voice was calling from overseas. Next he dialed his mother-in-law's phone number. "Come on Bea . .answer the phone."

"Hello," Bea answered.

"Hi Bea, it’s Quinton. How are you doing?"

"I'm fine, dear. How are you holding up?"

"Oh, just trying to take one day at a time. Do you have any idea where Nola went? I tried to call her on her cell phone, and it said that she was out of the country."

"Actually Quint, this is the first I’m hearing of it."

"Didn't you notice that she wasn't around the house?" Quint asked confused.

"She might have just left and she has been keeping a lot to herself lately, so I might not have noticed," Bea tried to cover.

"That does not at all sound like Nola. I mean no disrespect, but I think you're not telling me something."

"I'm sorry, but I just don't know where she is."

"This is very important that I talk to her, and if you are covering because she has been seeing someone else, please just let me know the truth, because what I need to talk to her about is of the utmost importance."

"Honey, I promise, as far as I know, Nola is not seeing anyone, but I haven't seen her. Perhaps, she went to visit with Stacey if she’s out of the country?"

"Stacey? That makes sense. I'll call Stacey then. It is still not too late out there. Thanks Bea."

"Is something wrong, Quint? You sound kind of worried."

"Probably not, Bea, but I do need to speak to Nola as soon as possible."

"OK dear, please let me know if you need anything. I love you."

"I love you too, Bea. Bye." Quint quickly punched in Stacey's phone number at her apartment in Oxford. The phone rang and rang, but she never picked up and neither did her broken answering machine. It would be some time before Quint could reach Stacey, as right after Nola left a few hours earlier, Stacey had received a call from Seamus who had bought her a plane ticket and invited her out to spend the weekend at his parents' home in Ireland. "Dammit . .where are you, Nola?" Quint burst out in exasperation.

Nola and Effie were both dressed in robes with mud masks. Nola carefully examined and tweezed Effie's eyebrows. Madonna tunes played in the background. Effie flinched with each pluck.

"You have to keep your brows shaped, Effie."

"Nola have you thought anymore about what I said earlier about Silas Crocker?"

"Yes, I have been thinking a lot about it," Nola admitted.

"I think you need to take it seriously, Nola. You know how dangerous Silas was or is."

Confused, Nola examined her friend's face, "Is there something more you know that you’re not saying, Effie?"

"Oh no Nola, it’s just that my friend said she heard those people talking about Silas Crocker," Effie tried to cover.

"Well, you know Silas would be a celebrity among certain sleazy types. Maybe they were just talking about him like people would talk about any past celebrity like I talk about Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire."

"It didn't sound like it was something like that." Effie hated to concern her friend, but Nola had to take this seriously.

That night Nola had a difficult time sleeping thinking about Silas Crocker. She was thinking more and more that she should call Quint. It bothered her about the power going out at Thornway Road the way it did, and then about what Effie told her. Silas had to be dead, and if he wasn't dead why would he wait so many years to resurface? Wouldn't he have been tormenting her family while they were traveling the world working on dig sites? Nola's head continued to race with horrible thoughts about Silas, but then finally she was able to drift off into a fitful sleep. She dreamt of that horrifying time when Silas had kidnapped her and held her hostage in the rat infested cargo ship. Margarita was the name of the freighter. Nola rarely spoke of what happened when she was kidnapped and even seemed to have blocked a lot of it out; she only remembered certain things in her nightmares.

Summer 1982, Outside of Springfield

Silas' breath reeked of Jack Daniels. Nola was bound and gagged and tied to a small wooden chair. The smell of rodent urine was pungent in that hellish cell. Nola always wished that Silas would drink enough that he would pass out, but the moments immediately preceding him passing out in a drunken stupor were particularly unpleasant. Silas would get right up in her face and put his filthy hands around her neck and in her hair.

"You know Nola, as much as I can't stomach that boyfriend of yours, I have to admit that he has exquisite taste in women. First there was Helena, and then there was Devon, and now you, little Nola. You know, you wear all those crazy clothes, but you really should wear something to show off your body a little more. You're a very sexy little thing. Being this close to you I really can see it, and feel it.” He cackled as Nola squirmed trying to get away from him.” I could show you what a real man is all about, Nola. Helena tells me that I’m a much better lover than good ole Quint.” He slurred, “How is it when Quint beds you? You need a real man like me, Nola. Just like me, Nola."

He moved in to kiss Nola as she resisted and cried. Silas stood up. "Don't cry, Nola." He started to undo his belt buckle and then stumbled back and fell to the floor unconscious.

Nola bolted upright in her bed drenched in sweat. For some reason, she was just feeling it in her gut that Silas really was still alive, and she wanted Quint to protect her like he always did.