Written by: Dallas Walsh

"Darling, I gave you my American Express," Mac Rockwell says into his telephone as he sits at his desk in his office in the Rockwell Mining building. "Use it to buy any dress you want for the engagement party. I want you to look and feel as beautiful as you are. But I do have one stipulation," he warns his fiancé on the other end on the telephone. "And that is that you are wearing the diamond necklace and earrings that I gave you, you know the Rockwell originals….Very good, my love. I'll see you later, okay?"

He hangs up the phone just as the door to the office opens and Cole Rockwell and Lex Rockwell enter together. "Well, this is a pleasant surprise, my two sons arriving together. After yesterday's verbal spat, I wasn't sure that you two were ever going to see eye to eye again."

Lex looks over at Cole, and still feels like his older brother isn't deserving of being employed at the company again. In Lex's mind, Cole is still a loose cannon since he is fresh out of rehab and he doesn't have the best business savy. "No point in holding a grudge," Lex manages to say as he pours himself a cup of coffee and takes a sip. "Cole is still getting reacquainted with Rockwell Mining, it's going to take him some time to get fully caught up to speed, isn't that right, Cole?"

Cole ignores the dig from Lex. "I have an interim report on the Russia deal," he announces to Mac, as he drops a file on his desk.

Mac looks back at Cole in surprise. "That was fast," Mac tells his son, impressed by how fast he got the paper work together. "I wasn't expecting this until later this week."

"I know," Cole replies to him, unaware of how annoyed Lex is by his promptness. "But, we didn't know how the Serbia deal went and wanted to ensure that you got on this immediately if we needed to."

"Very good," Mac says back to him. "This is a good sign because I got the phone call late last night from Jankvoic."

"And, what happened?" Lex asks him, hoping that his father has good news about the Serbia deal.

"We lost it," Mac grits his teeth to his children. "To Blackmore Ltd. Kent Blackmore stole Serbia from me."

"What the hell?" Lex yells in frustration. "First that son of a bitch steals Kelsey Lake from Rockwell Mining and now this? Does that man have no scruples? I don't know what Mom sees in that man."

"I guess it's a good thing I stayed late and worked on that Russia deal," Cole tells Mac, trying to look at the positives. "We need to close that deal."

"Yes, we do," Mac nods to him. "And, I will do anything, absolutely anything, to ensure Rockwell Mining lands this deal."

***

"I cannot believe that you ordered us a bottle of champagne," Lydia Rockwell smiles back to Kent Blackmore as they sit on the patio of the country club about to enjoy breakfast together. She recalls how when he got home from the office the previous night, they made passionate love all night long and now, he is treating her to a nice morning. Obviously, something has happened that has put Kent in such a good mood.

"Why?" he smirks back to her. "We could be drinking mimosa's, but I thought champagne to celebrate would be more appropriate."

"Now I am curious," she admits to him, as a large diamond ring flashes over her fingers. "What, exactly, are we celebrating?"

Kent arches his eyebrow and looks back at her. "I got the Serbia mine," he reveals to her as she grins ear to ear. "Novak Jankovic called me last night and confirmed to me that I outbid Mac and Rockwell Mining."

"Oh darling," Lydia gaps for joy by his news. "I knew that you could do it. I just knew that you'd be the winning bid. What did I tell you?"

"You told me that I could do it," he nods back to her as he pours some champagne. "And, that's exactly why I love you. You believed in me and now, this is a huge victory for Blackmore Ltd. We will officially be the carrier of the finest diamonds in the world."

"Cheers," she holds her glass up into the sky. "To making the most of our skills."

"And to you, for always believing in me," he says before they toast each other.

Lydia takes a sip of the champagne and looks back at him. "This is lovely, I never realized I could be so happy after divorcing Mac."

"This is what our life together looks like Lydia," he replies to her. "Together, we can do anything."

"I'm beginning to realize that."

"This is just the start," he whispers back to her before he takes another sip of his champagne. "I heard that there is a mine in Russia that will be sold to the highest bidder. If Blackmore Ltd could get that mine, it would damage Rockwell Mining for the rest of the year."

Lydia takes another sip of her champagne as she looks back at him. "Are you saying you want this Russian mine as well?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying," he smirks at her as their eyes lock. "And, for the record, I wanted to apologize to you."

"Apologize to me?"

"I know that you don't want the truth to come out, Lydia. I understand that. I just got caught up in that moment," he reveals to her, thinking back to the previous night when she slapped him when he suggested that the secrets they share together should be revealed.

She nods back to him before she takes a sip of her champagne. "I can never come out," she tells him. "But I accept your apologize, Mr. Blackmore."

***

Cole Rockwell moves into the living room of the mansion and spots Stacey Rockwell putting a book back on the large bookshelf.

"I didn't know you were a reader," he smirks to his sister, as she turns to face him.

"Very funny," she laughs back to him. "I was trying to see if I could find something that interests me."

Cole arches his eyebrow. "Why? I thought your hobby was shopping?"

"That's exactly the point," Stacey replies to him. "Everyone assumes that I just shop, party and repeat. But you know, I want something else for myself. I can't keep doing the same things over and over again."

"Oh my God," Cole playfully gasps. "Is Stacey Rockwell really growing up?"

"Cole!" she laughs back to him. "I'm being serious here."

"I know you are," he comes up to her and pulls her into a hug. "I'm proud of you, Stace. I hope you know that whatever it is you decide to do, you'll have my support. That's what I'm here for you."

"Have I told you how much I missed you while you were away?" she asks him as they exit their embrace.

"No, but you can tell me at the country club over sangria?" he suggests to her.

"That sounds great … but I'm supposed to be figuring out what I want to do with my life?"

"There's no better way to decide then over sangria," he laughs back to her. "Come on, I'll drive."

***

Jarek Williams drives up to his mother's house and looks at it for a moment before he steps out of his vehicle. He can't get it out of his mind that the previous day when he was seeing Odette Williams that she continued to tell him to do whatever it takes to make his relationship work with Lex. He has always appreciated the fact that his mother has been supportive of him being gay and his relationship, but he wonders why she is so dead set on him being with Lex. In reality, Jarek has been thinking of ending his relationship with Lex, not because the sex isn't amazing but because Lex doesn't seem interested in wanting to take the relationship to the next level.

Jarek walks up to the front door of the house and opens it quickly. Since his father died, Jarek has always been able to come and go from his mother's house as he pleases because he still has a key. Considering how depressed Odette has been, Jarek feels like he has to check up on her often, not that he is complaining because he loves his mother.

"Mom, are you home?" he calls out as Odette comes out of the living room, as an episode of the Days of Our Lives is playing out on the television.

"Jarek, what a surprise," she smiles as she comes up to him and kisses his left cheek. "I just saw you the other day, so I wasn't expecting to see you again so soon."

"I couldn't stay away," he replies to her as he moves into the living room. "I missed you."

"You just saw me," she tells him as she swats his arm playfully

"How are you Ma, really?" he asks her as he sees a framed picture of his father laying on the sofa and he picks it up. "Why are you looking at this picture of Dad?"

Odette grabs the picture from him and looks at the man in the picture. Tears quickly fill her eyes as she thinks about how unfair it is that her husband died so young. "Sometimes, I just like seeing him. I don't know why it happened this morning but I wanted to see him. Don't you think of him sometimes?"

"Sure I do," Jarek replies to her quickly. "But, if I'm honest, I don't have many memories of him. He died when I was pretty young."

"And it was before you came out," she notes to him. "He never got see you turn into the man you are today."

"It's okay," Jarek tells her. "He can see me, wherever he is, he can see how good we are doing."

Odette nods back to him. "Just promise me one thing," she whispers to him as she pulls him into a hug. "That you'll make your relationship with Lex work, okay? Your father would be so happy if he knew you were with that fine young man. I know he would be."

Jarek feels uneasy as he hugs his mother back. "Yea, sure Ma."

***

Stacey Rockwell knocks on the office door in the Blackmore Ltd building and waits until she hears Lydia tells her to come in. She enters and sees her mother sitting on the sofa in the office and Kent sitting at the desk, looking over some files. She realized while she was with Cole earlier exactly what it is that she could be doing with her life.

"Sorry to interrupt," Stacey announces as she shuts the door behind her.

"You're not interrupting at all," Lydia stands up from the sofa and moves over to hug her daughter. "Kent and I just got in from the country club. We had breakfast. What brings you by?"

"Do you remember our last conversation together?" Stacy asks her mother, who nods back to her recalling how Stacey was telling she felt like needed to find herself so she could have a future that she is proud of. "I've been thinking."

"About your future? That's a very good thing," Lydia tells Stacey. "Have you made any decisions?"

Stacey shrugs a little. "I really dislike that people assume that I am some spoiled brat. That is not the image that I want to be perceived with."

"Darling, you're not a spoiled brat, I told you that already," Lydia tries to make her daughter feel better.

"I know," Stacey smirks back to her mom. "But you're my mom, you're supposed to say that to me. Everyone else has this view of the Rockwell's. I want to change that."

"What are you saying?" Kent asks her, as he comes over from his desk and joins in the topic of conversation.

"I'm glad that you're here Kent because I want to ask something of you," Stacey tells them, as Kent looks at Lydia before looking back at Stacey. "You own the mine at Kelsey Lake, right?"

"Yes, I have for years," Kent replies to her. "I outbid Rockwell Mining and have been the owner ever since."

Stacey nods back to him. "Right," she says. "I'd like to go to work there, in the cafeteria. You know, serve the miners their lunch. Clean up. That sort of stuff. I looked online to see what it all entails."

"Stacy Rockwell, you cannot be serious! Do you know how low of a job that is?" Lydia gasps, shocked by her daughter's suggestion. "It's not flattering at all!"

"I know," Stacey nods back to her, trying to make her understand. "But that's exactly why I want to do this. If I work there, even for a while, it will help me grow as a person and make me realize how blessed my life style is. And, it may help me get clarity with how I what I want to do long term with my life. I'm not saying that this will be forever, but I would like to give it a try. It will ground me."

Kent smiles back to her. "You remind me of my son," he informs her. "Wanting to find his own path. Of course, you can have a job at the mine, Stacey. If that's what you really want."

"It is," Stacey tells him, with a smile on her face "Thank you so much, Kent."

"You're the daughter of the woman I love, anything that makes you happy will make her happy, which will make me happy," Kent says as he hugs Stacey. "If you run into any problems, let me know, okay?"

"I will."

"And darling," Lydia tells Stacey as she exits her embrace with Kent. "You know I support you. If you need anything from me, anything at all, you let me know. The minute you don't want to be there anymore, you let me know, okay?"

***

Celeste Baldwin emerges from the Chanel boutique carrying a large garment bag in her hands. She is trying to hold it higher up in the air so it doesn't touch the ground, but she is failing miserably.

"Damn it," she says to herself out loud, as she realizes she should have asked the man inside to help her to her car instead of saying no to him, knowing that she just spent a fortune on her dress.

"Did you basically just call for help without asking for help?" Cole asks her as he comes up to her and grabs the bag out of her hands, causing her to be relieved.

"What are you, Superman now?" she asks him, as she looks up at him, somewhat relieved that he has arrived.

"Pretty much," he winks back at her. "What did you buy? This is dress weights a ton."

"It has jewels on it," she informs him. "It's from the latest collection."

"Of course it is," he tells her as they walk towards her car, which is parked on the street. "Ah, you got your car back. Better than ever before?"

"Sure is," she smiles as she unlocks the door. "Thanks again for taking care of the repairs."

"It was the least I could do," he says as he places the dress in the back of her car.

"Thanks for walking me to my car, I'm sure that dress would have be ruined if you hadn't helped me."

"Glad to help," he smiles back to her. "Look, Celeste, I know you said that we shouldn't see each other anymore, but I have to be honest with you about something."

She finds herself licking her lips as he speaks to her. His large biceps are noticeable, even through his blazer. "Honesty is always a good thing."

"I can't stop thinking about kissing you," he tells her as he moves closer to her. "It was…amazing."

Celeste feels her cheeks blush. "I'm glad that you think so, but like I said, I'm with someone and I'm very happy with him. The kiss, as nice as it may have been, it can't happen again."

"Ah ha!" Cole chuckles back to her. "You just admitted that you thought the kiss was nice. That's progress."

"You're terrible," she laughs back to him.

***

Lex opens the door to the Grind looking to grab a black coffee. While there is always coffee at Rockwell Mining, sometimes he likes it a bit stronger from the Grind, especially if he has a long day ahead of him and he knows he does because he has to get the information for the Russia mine to Mac as soon as possible. He had no idea that Cole was going to stay late and start his portion of the information for Mac; he hates that Cole surprised him with that this morning. He wants to ensure Mac knows that he is still the best son to be next in charge, regardless of the age of sons. Realistically, the eldest son should be the next in charge but Lex won't allow that to happen.

After he orders, he places a lid on his coffee and then takes a sip of it. "That's perfect," he whispers to himself as he turns to leave the coffee house. And that's when he spots it. By the far window, there's a table for two. Sitting at the table is Jarek and a very handsome man. They are laughing together and Jarek reaches over and grabs the man's hand.

Lex feels his heart move into his stomach at the sight of this. Has Jarek decided that their relationship is over? Has he moved on? Lex doesn't understand what is happening or why this is happening. He remembers when Jarek asked him to move in and Lex turned him down. They proceeded to have hot, intense sex … so why is Jarek with someone else?

"I will get to the bottom of this," he whispers to himself, before he quickly walks out of the Grind, unseen by Jarek.

***

Lex opens the door to Mac's office and slams it shut, still reeling from what he saw at the Grind with Jarek and the other young man. He doesn't notice Cole sitting on the sofa, reading over some notes in a file.

"I can't fucking believe this," Lex says out lout to himself as he reaches Mac's desk, his mind racing about Jarek.

"Rough morning?" Cole asks as he stands up and looks at his brother.

Lex sighs seeing Cole in the office. "What the hell are you doing in here? You have your own office, you know?"

"I was working on the Russia file," Cole replies to him quickly. "I wanted to run some things by Mac when he gets back. What's gotten into you?"

"It's none of your fucking business, okay Cole? Just keep working on that file and let me handle my own problems."

"Whoa, calm down Lex," Cole says back to him. "You're obviously upset about something, but there's no need…"

"No need for what? To remind who where you are? You know that I'm next in command here, and I don't need you to remind me of anything else," Lex yells at him as Mac opens the door to the office.

"What on earth is going on in here? I could hear you shouting from outside," Mac asks his sons. "Tell me, this isn't another disagreement."

"Ask Lex, he's upset about something, but I have no idea what. And frankly, I don't care," Cole snaps at Lex as he moves towards the door. "See you at the party later Dad. I'm looking forward to meeting this new woman that has captured your heart."

Mac looks at Lex after Cole has left the office and then moves over to the bar and pours two scotches. He passes one to Lex before he takes a sip. "Take this," he tells Lex. "You're on edge. Are you okay?"

"I'll be fine," Lex replies to him after he has a drink of his scotch. "I know he's my brother, but Cole just gets under my skin. He's so arrogant. I know that I shouldn't let him get to me, I just can't help it."

"You're right, you can't let him get to you. Whether you like it or not Lexington, he's a part of this family and apart of this company. We have to find a way to work together. Do you think you can handle that?'

Lex takes another sip of his scotch. "Yes, father."

"Good, we have some files I want to look over before the engagement party. Do you want to look at them now or do you want to go home and get ready and I can fill you in on them after?"

Lex looks at his father and realizes that this could be a test. "I'll stay. This Russia deal is the most important thing right now, especially since Serbia fell through."

"Very good," Mac smiles back to him. "Let's see what we can do."

***

"Oh Daddy, I'm glad I caught you before you went down for the party," Stacey says as she comes into Mac's bedroom a couple of hours later, as he finishes putting his tuxedo on for the engagement party that will be starting very soon.

"Stacey," Mac says as he looks over at his daughter. "What on earth are you doing here? I'm surprised that you're not getting ready for the party."

"I know, I had to see before the party started because I want to talk to you about something. It's very important and I need to hear this from me and no one else," she informs him, causing him to arch his eyebrow.

"Well, you certainly have my attention," Mac tells his daughter. "What is it that I must hear from you?"

"Do you remember a few days ago when I came to you and I told you that I wanted direction in my life?"

"Of course I do," he replies to her. "I told you I would help you and support you in any way that I could."

"Well, I made a decision and I trust that you will stand by your words of offering support," she tells him.

"I don't see why I wouldn't."

"Because I've taken a job at the Kelsey Lake mine in the cafeteria," she informs him, almost worried of his reaction. "I want to do something gritty, I want to see how real people earn a living. I think it will help me grow as a person and end this perception that I'm a spoiled rich girl."

"Darling, this is outrageous," Mac raises his voice, shocked that she's going to work for his rival. "Of all people to go and work for, Kent Blackmore? Do you know how much damage that man has caused this family? He stole Kelsey Lake from me years ago! And just yesterday, he stole another deal out from under me! That man cannot be trusted, Stacey. I wish you had come to me with this idea, so I could have helped you find a position here at Rockwell Mining."

"But Daddy," she protests to him. "I don't want some executive position because I am your daughter. I want to see how real people work and the only way to do that is by working in a mine. I know your history with Kent, I really do, but this is what I want. Please, you told me you'd help me with anything. I'm asking you to support me on this."

Mac pulls Stacey into a deep hug. "Of course I support you," he whispers into his daughter's ear. "I don't like who you are going to be working for, but if this is what you think you need, you have my support."

"Oh Daddy, thank you. I love you so much."

***

The den of the mansion has been transformed into the setting for the engagement party. The fireplace has roaring flames in it; waiters in black and white tuxedos are walking around serving champagne and many of the women are dazzling in diamonds; especially the Rockwell women.

"You've certainly out done yourself with this party," Lucinda Rockwell tells Mac as they stand next to the fireplace, each holding a glass of champagne. Lucinda has the largest diamond necklace on in the room. Her wedding ring is also a large diamond, that is visible as she is holding her champagne glass with her left hand.

"I wish father could be here," Mac replies to her quickly.

"So do I," Lucinda informs him. "But you know, he's not all there anymore. The dementia has gotten worse."

"I really need to make time to go and see him soon."

"He'd love that," Lucinda agrees with her son.

"I hope that you will like my fiance, my future wife, more than you liked Lydia, Mother," Mac smirks back to his mother as he takes a sip of his champagne.

"Considering what a gold-digging, lying, whore Lydia was, I can't imagine that will be difficult MacKenzie," Lucinda rolls her eyes back to him, knowing that she hated Lydia as a daughter in law.

"Please, mother, tell us how you really feel," Mac laughs back to her. "I need you to be on your best behaviour tonight, Lydia will be coming. I asked her to come for the children."

"Lord have mercy," Lucinda quips back to him. "The children are grown now, why do we have to coddle them?"

"Just promise me mother," he replies to her.

"I will do my best, dear."

***

Lydia and Kent enter the den together, causing many faces to turn and start whispering. Many of the guests knew that Lydia was invited, but no one anticipated that she would arrive with Kent Blackmore, considering his history with Mac. And, her divorce from Mac is still very fresh in everyone's minds.

As the couple grabs glasses of champagne, Lucinda approaches them. "MacKenzie told me that you'd be here, but I never imagined you show up with this piece of trash on your arm," Lucinda announces to Lydia.

"Lovely to see you too, Lucinda," Lydia replies to her, before taking a sip of the champagne.

"Save it," Lucinda barks back at her. "I know what you're up too, Lydia and I'm here to tell you that you will not get away with it. You know damn well what it would do if the truth came out."

Lydia's eyes open wider in shock before she looks at Kent, who is about to say something. "How dare you even mention that to me right now. Do you know that anyone could hear you?"

"Don't worry," Lucinda laughs it off. "Most people here think I'm an old lush, they won't listen to anything I have to say. But if you think you're going to divorce my MacKenzie, shack up with Kent Blackmore and then reveal all of your dirty secrets, you have another thing coming."

"For once we agree on something," she interjects. "I have no intention of telling any kind of truth. And, I told Kent the very same thing the other day."

"It's true Lucinda," Kent backs Lydia up. "She did tell me that. And, I received a slap at the same time."

"You two are made for each other," Lucinda spits back to them. "Considering this a warning, I will destory you if you ruin my family. You've done enough damage."

***

"I had heard rumours that you were back in town, but I haven't had the chance to see it to believe it," Lucinda smiles as she comes up behind Cole.

He turns around and gets a huge grin on his face when he sees his grandma. "Nana," he hugs her. "I've missed you, probably more than anyone else in the family."

"That will be our secret," she laughs back to him. "Or your mother would kill me."

"Nah, she's harmless," Cole teases her back.

"No, that's what Lydia wants you to think," Lucinda warns him. "Now, how was New York? An entire year in the big apple, that must have been exciting?"

"It was what I needed to get back on my feet, yes."

"Well, it certainly agreed with you because you are looking handsome as ever," she tries to pinch his cheek but he stops her.

"Can I get you a drink? I was going to have a gin and tonic," he replies to her.

"Could you make mine a double? It will save me from having to have another glass of this awful champagne," she teases him, as he laughs and moves to the bar.

***

Cole walks over to the bar and grabs a gin and tonic, and starts making a double for Lucinda. He knows that he probably shouldn't be drinking in the first place since he is out of rehab, but he never had a problem with alcohol. As he takes a sip, he can't help but think about Celeste and wonders what she is up to right now.

"I don't know why I can't get you out of my mind," he whispers to himself before he takes another sip of his drink.

"Talking to yourself?" Lex asks him as Stacey and Lucinda come up to him.

"Nope, I was just about to pas Nana her drink," Cole gives Lex an evil stare as he passes Lucinda her gin.

"Thank you, Cole," she tells him. "And what is this nonsense between you two. You're brothers, for crying out loud! Stop with this petty fighting. Blood is thicker than water, you hear me?"

"Yes, Nana," they both say back to her, as Stacey tries not to laugh at her grown brothers getting scolded by Lucinda.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Mac announces to the guests as he stands by the doorway of the den. "I'd like to make an announcement. You all know that I have recently become engaged, and tonight we are here to celebrate this wonderful news."

The guests have merged around Mac as he continues to give his speech. "Tonight, not only are we celebrating this but I'd like you meet the woman that has captured my heart. So, without further ago, I present to you, my fiancé … Celeste Baldwin."

Celeste emerges at the doorway and immediately hugs and kisses Mac as the crowd claps and cheers. Cole, meanwhile, feels the blood drain from his face when he sees the woman he has been pursuing in the arms of his father.