Written by: Dallas Walsh

"Vivian, you're awake," Kent Blackmore gasps back to his wife, Vivian Blackmore, who just opened her eyes after being in a coma for days. The fact that her eyes are open is a huge milestone because the doctors had noted that she only had until the end of the week to live. "It's…it's a miracle!"

Vivian goes to open her mouth to try to say something, but Kent stops her. "Don't try to speak, not yet, you need your rest okay?" he tells her as he grabs a cup of water and places the straw into her mouth. "Here, have some water."

"I…I can't believe this is happening," he says as tears fill his eyes. "We thought we were going to lose you, Vivian. I'm…I'm so glad that you're back."

"Hang on, okay?" he says as he moves the cup from her mouth and sets it down. He rushes to the door and opens it. "Madi! Houston! Come in here, your mother…she's awake! My God, she's come back to us!"

Madison Stewart and Houston Blackmore jump from their seats and rush towards the door, while Stacey Rockwell, who was also in the waiting room, looks over in shock that her lover's wife has just opened her eyes.

***

Helena Grant steps off the elevator at Rockwell Mining and moves towards the main office, where is expecting to meet with Nathan Lockhart. She is rather excited because is going to start working with him on his engagement ring for Sabine Andrews; she will be his security as the diamond is one of the largest the company has ever used before, which is excited for her and a change from her everyday activities as a police detective.

She opens the office door and moves inside. "Hi Nathan," she announces as she sets her bag down on the sofa.

"Helena," Nathan stands up from behind the desk and smiles over at her. "Right on time."

She chuckles back to him. "In the police force, you can't afford to be late," she winks back to him. "So, how is this going to work? Do you just need me to hang out in here while you work on the ring?"

"There's actually another office in the building that we can work in," Nathan reveals to her. "It is for when we have an executive staying here that are from out of town. It's a mini-apartment, so we can be more comfortable there."

"Oh perfect," Helena nods back to him. "And that way, no one will know what we are working on."

"Exactly," he winks back to her. "Come on, I'll show you the way."

***

"Tonight's dinner was really something else," Mac Rockwell tells Lucinda Rockwell and Dane Ashby as they move into the living room of the Rockwell mansion, fresh from having their last meal of the day together.

"I couldn't agree more," Lucinda agrees with her son. "The chef really went all out tonight."

"How about I pour us all a brandy before we turn in for the night?" Dane suggests to his family.

"That sounds great," Mac says as he sits next to Lucinda on the sofa, while the flames in the fireplace keep them warm.

As Dane pours the drinks, Lucinda looks at her son. "You know, I've been meaning to tell you that I am so proud of you, MacKenzie."

Mac chuckles back to his mother. "You haven't said that for a while," he replies to her as he takes the drink from Dane. "What have I done to make you so proud?"

"You and Levy," she says as she takes a drink of her brandy. "You truly are getting along and running the company together. I…I never thought that this day would come."

Mac continues to chuckle. "You and me both," he says before he takes a sip of his brandy. "But the truth is, Nathan and I, we are getting along and in a very good place. I will do whatever I can to ensure that it stays this way."

"That's exactly what your mother wanted to hear," Dane tells his son. "After all the heartache we've gone through, this is exactly where we should be: a united family and getting along."

"I'll drink to that," Mac raises his glass to his parents.

***

The following morning, Sabine Andrews moves into the living room of the Rockwell Mansion and sees Nathan pouring himself a cup of coffee at the bar.

"Good morning, you got home late last night," she says as she moves up to her fiancé and gives him a quick kiss.

Nathan smiles back to her as he thinks about how he was working on her engagement ring with Helena the previous night. Of course, he only asked Helena for her help as a part of his way to get revenge on Sabine and Mac for their torrid affair, which is underway.

"Yes, when you are running a multi-billion corporation, sometimes burning the midnight oil is required," he winks back to her. "But I am free all morning if you'd like to spend some time together."

"I would love that," Sabine nods back to him. "In fact, I was thinking about something…"

"And what is that?"

"That we should start planning our wedding," Sabine tells him. "The sooner we start making some plans, the sooner we can say 'I Do" and become husband and wife."

Nathan forces a smile on his face. "I like the sound of that," he tells her, even thought the idea of marrying Sabine is making his stomach turn.

***

A short time later, Sabine hangs up her phone with a smile on her face as she just booked a florist to take care of the flowers at her wedding to Nathan just as Lydia Rockwell moves into the living room.

"You certainly look like you're in a good mood," Lydia observes over to her sister.

"I am in a good mood," Sabine replies to her. "I just booked a florist for my wedding to Nathan, and he, he is on the phone with a caterer as we speak."

"Well, it seems like things are coming along nicely then? After everything that has happened, I almost can't believe that you and Nathan are about to be married."

"I know, me either," Sabine tells her sister. "But you know what? This is how everything is meant to be; Nathan and I, happy and in love and Mac and Helena are getting closer."

Lydia uneasily sighs back to her. "I suppose you're right. I guess I am wondering where that leaves me, however."

"I'm sorry," Sabine moves closer to Lydia. "I have been so insensitive, knowing that you and Kent are no longer an item."

"It's fine," Lydia says back to her. "I should try to figure out who I am without a man on my arm. And that will be the best gift I can give myself."

***

"I came as soon as I got your message," Cole Rockwell says as he moves into the waiting room of the hospital and sees Madison Stewart pacing back and forth. When Cole woke up, he had a text message from Madi telling him that a miracle had happened as Vivian was now awake. "Is it true? Your mom, she woke up?"

Madi turns to see Cole and rushes into his arms. "Yes, it's true," she says as a tear of joy runs down her cheek. "Kent was with her and she opened her eyes. The doctors are now looking at her to see what her condition is like."

"I…I am so happy for you," Cole tells her as they exit their embrace. "It really is a miracle, Madi."

"I know," Madi smiles back to him. "And you, I can't thank you enough, Cole."

"Thank me? I don't know what I've done to earn a thank you."

Madi chuckles back to him. "You've been with me every step of the way with my Mom. You have supported me and been with me through some very dark times."

Cole grabs her hand and squeezes it. "We have been through so much together, Madi," he whispers back to her. "There's no way I would ever let you go through anything like this alone. Not as long as I am here."

Madi leans up and kisses him on the lips, which takes both of them by surprise. They part ways and look into each other's eyes before Madi hugs him again.

"I have my Mom back," she says as they hold each other. "I really have my Mom back!"

***

A short time later, Madi moves into the country club and sees Chase, Dyhannah and Deacon Cooper all sitting at a table, with Quinn Cunningham also with them. While the doctor is looking at Vivian, Madi came to celebrate the good news with her family.

"Madi, please join us," Chase greets his daughter with a hug. "We have ordered some champagne to celebrate Vivian's awakening."

"Thank you everyone," Madi says with a smile as she sits down at the chair. "I am feeling very blessed today with this news. And once I've eaten something, I'll head back to the hospital to see what the doctors are saying is the latest on Vivian's condition."

"It feels like a true miracle," Dyhannah clasps her hands together, just as Jumper starts fussing in the corner.

Dyhannah, Chase and Deacon all watch as Quinn quickly gives the small child his bottle, which keeps him quiet.

"Sorry about that," Quinn purses her lips together. "He normally will fall asleep again once he has some formula."

"That's how baby's work," Dyhannah chuckles to her. "The first few months of their lives, they don't do much other than eat and sleep."

"That's the truth," Quinn replies to her. "I can't wait for him to be a little older so he can crawl and walk."

"All in due time," Deacon tells her. "It will be here before you know it."

"This is really nice," Quinn tells the family. "You guys being so supportive of me, I mean. I can't thank you enough for helping me with the custody case. I just hope it works."

"It will," Deacon smiles to her, which Dyhannah and Chase notice. "There is no other option but for you to keep baby Jumper."

***

A short time later, Celeste Baldwin moves into the country club and sees Marat Kafelinkov sitting alone at the bar. Since the Coopers have left the dining room, Marat felt like he could have a drink in peace. Celeste moves, quickly, forwards her former lover and sits next to him.

"We keep meeting like this," she chuckles as she orders herself a drink from the bartender.

"I don't mind," Marat looks back at her with a grin on his face. "Right now, I feel like you're my only friend."

"Let me guess? Everyone is attacking you because of the pending custody case?" Celeste asks him quickly before she takes a sip of her champagne cocktail.

"Bingo," Marat chuckles back to her. "Deacon and Quinn, in particular, are not happy with me. Not at all."

"If you want my opinion, Quinn had this coming to her," Celeste says back to him. "She lied so many times about the baby's paternity, what did she think was going to happen?"

"Exactly," Marat agrees with her. "I may be the black sheep right now, but I am only doing what I think is best for my son, and I won't apologize for that."

***

"I was worried that when I came in last night, I was going to wake you up," Helena purrs to Mac as they lay next to one another in his king size bed in his bedroom of the Rockwell Mansion. She recalls how after she was done working with Nathan at Rockwell Mining, she came over to be with her lover. "To my surprise, you were awake and waiting for me."

Mac chuckles back to her as he thinks about how they made love all night long once she arrived. "What can I say, I was eager to see you."

"You certainly were, Mr. Rockwell," she runs her finger over his toned chest. "I am getting used to you and me being together, at least, once a day."

"Good because so I am," he winks back to her. "By the way, what kept you from getting here earlier?"

Helena bites her lower lip as she knows that she can't tell anyone, including Mac, that she is helping Nathan with the special ring that he is going to give Sabine at their wedding. She hates to lie to Mac, but she knows a little white lie won't be the end of the world.

"I just got wrapped up in this case at work," she finally replies to him. "You know, the life of a police detective, there's never a dull moment."

"I'm so proud of you and the work that you do," Mac looks back at her. "You are saving people's lives each and every day."

"You give me too much credit."

"You know what I really want to give you this morning?" he winks over at her before he leans in and kisses her on the lips.

"Mmm," she purrs as their lips part. "I am definitely in a receiving mood now."

***

Lucinda moves into the living room of the Rockwell Mansion and she stops when she hears Nathan whistling, which is a sign that he is in a good mood.

"Good morning Levy," Lucinda says to him. "And please, don't scold me on your name. I don't think I will ever get used to you calling yourself Nathan."

Nathan turns and chuckles to her. "It's fine, for once I am not upset by it, mother."

"Now I know something has put you in a very good mood," Lucinda tells him as she pours herself a cup of coffee. "What is it, Levy? What has made you so happy?"

Nathan looks back at his mother, who takes a sip of her coffee. He knows that he can't tell her that his plan to get revenge on Mac and Sabine is well underway because he must pretend that everyone is getting along.

"Sabine and I have put some great ideas down for the wedding," he reveals to her. "The ceremony, it's going to be unlike anything this town has ever seen."

"That is wonderful to hear," Lucinda smiles back to him. "It is about time that this family is so united and happy. We all deserve that."

"I couldn't agree more," Nathan grins back to her. "And I am all about making sure we all get exactly what we deserve."

***

Lydia swiftly moves up to the front door of Casper Ross' office and moves inside his office. She sees the younger man behind his desk, working hard as he types into his laptop.

"Good morning," Lydia announces to him. "I know that you have started your investigation into Dane Ashby."

"Morning Mrs. Rockwell," Casper stands up to greet his client. "I have started asking some questions. I started with Mac, I'm sure he told you."

"He did," Lydia tells him. "And I played it cool, like I didn't know why you'd be asking him anything. The last thing I want is for the family to know that I am behind this, at least for right now."

"Well, you should know that Lexington was here last night asking me questions about why I was interrogating Mac about Dane," Casper reveals to her. "You might want to check with him because I told him I couldn't say anything else to him because of confidentiality issues."

Lydia nods back to him. "Alright, noted. I will talk to Lex," she says back to him. "In the meantime, have you uncovered anything of use?"

Casper shakes his head back to her. "Not yet, but it is still early days into the investigation. But don't worry, if Dane is hiding something, I will find out what it is. You can count on that."

***

Lexington Rockwell moves into the country club hoping to grab a drink before he goes into the office so he can try to wrap up the report that he has been working on for the last few weeks. It has been slowly driving him crazy that he still hasn't finished the report, but he has had a lot on his mind. As he moves into the dining room, he happens to see Jaxson Williams sitting alone at the bar.

Lex finds himself moving towards his lover, even though the last time they saw one another Jaxson made it clear that he was tired of waiting for Lex to make his decision about whether or not he wanted to be with him or Casper.

"Hey Jaxson, how are you today?" Lex asks as he sits next to him. "Looks like we had the same idea about a drink?"

"Yea, I had a rough morning," Jaxson admits to him. "I am a photographer, and the model was being a pain in the ass; I doubt any of the pictures will usable."

"That's unfortunate, I am sorry to hear that," Lex says before he orders a drink. "Hopefully the next shoot goes better."

"It better or I am going to have to start looking for a new client," Jaxson chuckles back to him. "What's going on with you?"

"I have been struggling to finish this report at work, which is unlike me," Lex admits to him. "I'm normally more efficient."

"In your defense, you have had a lot on your plate."

"I am trying to be easy on myself, but it still bugs me."

"Sometimes you just have to take a leap," Jaxson tells him. "And just see what happens. Not everything in life can be a well thought out plan."

"That's good advice," Lex nods back to him.

"Then take it," Jaxson winks back to him. "Have dinner with me, Lex. Let's go out on a date and see if there is anything between us?"

Lex takes a long sip of his drink before he looks back at Jaxson. "Sure, maybe that will be just the thing I need. It's a date!"

***

"What do you think of this element?" Nathan asks Helena, who is sitting on the sofa in the executive office at Rockwell Mining, while he sits at the small table, constructing the ring he is creating for Sabine.

Helena slowly stands up and moves towards the table. She leans over and looks at the ring. She is so close to Nathan that he can smell her perfume; he shuts his eyes and takes it in.

"Oh, the detailing right there," she says as she points to the edge of the white gold ring. "Is incredible. Sabine is going to love it."

She turns her head, and they lock eyes for a moment. "You think so?"

"Yea, I really think so," Helena replies to him. "You're a great guy for doing this for your fiancé. If it was me, I'd be sure to thank you in every way possible."

Nathan chuckles as he licks his lips. "I somehow think that I would really like that."

Helena realizes that they are flirting so she stands up straight. "Well, I should get back to my book, and you, you have a ring to finish," she says as she walks towards the sofa, as Nathan smiles at the sight of her leaving.

***

"I had lunch with Lucinda earlier today," Cole announces to Sabine as he moves into the living room of the Rockwell mansion and he sees his Aunt pouring herself a glass of white wine. "She told me that you and Nathan have started to make wedding arrangements?"

"Yes, it is true," Sabine turns to him with a smile. "We have a florist and Nathan is working on food. It is all coming together."

"I am happy for you, Sabine," Cole moves closer to her. "But…"

Sabine chuckles back to him. "Why is there always a but?"

"Because, I care about you," Cole looks into her eyes. "And I want to make sure that you're doing the right thing here."

"Alright, what are you concerned about?" she asks as she takes a sip of her wine.

"When Quinn was in the hospital giving birth to Jumper," Cole reminds her of their conversation. "You told me that you and Mac had slept together, and that resulted in your pregnancy. I mean, at least it could have."

"Would you keep your voice down?" Sabine hisses back to him. "Only you, Mac and I know about that. And, I need it to stay that way."

"Okay, but, my question is: do you have any lingering feelings for Mac?" Cole asks her as they lock eyes. "Because if you do, then this wedding shouldn't happen. You should be completely committed to Nathan if you are going to marry him. You don't have to give me an answer, I just want you to think about it."

***

"The doctors are running some tests, so we will have a better understanding of your condition soon," Kent smiles to Vivian as he sits next to her in hospital room. He is still on cloud nine over the fact that she is awake and out of her coma.

"Thaaaaankkkk yoooooooou fooooor beeeeeeinggg herrrrre," Vivian whispers back to him.

"I wouldn't be anywhere else," Kent replies to her. "Houston and Madi, we've all been here since you had the accident Vivian. We were all so worried about you."

"Did I heeeeear rigggggght? Weeee arrrrreeee marrrrrieddddd?"

Kent nods back to her with a grin on his face. "Yes, you are my wife," he says as he caresses her face. "It was Stacey's idea; she thought it would help you, and look, you're awake, so it worked."

At the doorway, Stacey freezes at the sight of seeing Kent and Vivian together. She starts to close the door as she doesn't want to interrupt, but she can't help but hear the next thing that Vivian says.

"I….I loooooove yoooooou Kennnnnnt," Vivian tells him as he squeezes her hand.

"I know you do Viv," he replies to her. "And you're my wife again. So, you can use that to your advantage to keep getting better, okay?"

Outside, Stacey leans up against the wall with tears filling her eyes, having heard Vivian admit that she still loves Kent.

***

A short time later, Stacey is rushing out of the hospital, desperate to get some fresh air, when Houston walks up to her, as he is just getting back from as he took a quick break to go home to shower and change.

"Stacey? Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost," Houston asks her as he moves up to her.

"I'm…I'm fine," she lies to him. "I guess this is all just overwhelming."

"Did something happen with my mother?" Houston asks her quickly.

"No, she's fine," Stacey forces a smile on her face. "She's talking to Kent and everything. It looks like she is getting better."

"Thank God," Houston breathes a sigh of relief. "You know that this is all because of you, right? My mother getting better is because you agreed to let Kent marry her; that gave her the strength to pull through."

Stacey lets a tear fall down her cheek. "And now," she whispers back to him. "I have no idea what my future holds because if your Mom is getting better, I don't know where that leaves me and Kent."

Houston, suddenly, realizes why Stacey is so upset; she is worried that she has lost Kent now because of his marriage to Vivian. "Come here," he says as he pulls her into a hug. "Everything will work out, you have to trust that, Stacey."

"I'm trying," she says as he continues to hold her. "But I feel lost, and I have no idea how this will resolve itself."

***

"Should we talk about what happened earlier?" Cole asks Madi as he moves back into the waiting room of the hospital and passes her a bottle of water. "We…uh…kissed."

Madi takes a sip of the water before she smiles back to him. "How could I forget?"

"I don't want to be that guy that takes advantage of you when you're in an emotional state."

"I don't think that at all," Madi informs him quickly. "In fact, I am pretty sure that it was me that kissed you. Are you complaining that I kissed you, Cole?"

Cole chuckles. "Not at all, I guess I just wasn't expecting it, you know? We've been through a lot together, Madi, and I like where we are right now. I don't want to do anything to ruin that."

"Neither do I," she admits to him. "But I won't lie, I liked kissing you."

Cole smirks back to her. "Well, I liked it too, so we can be on the same page at least."

Madi giggles back to him. "Exactly, we both know that we like kissing each other. See, that wasn't too hard, was it?"

***

A short time later, Cole is standing in the living room of the Rockwell mansion pouring himself a scotch when he hears someone walk into the room. He turns around and sees Celeste standing in front of him.

"Celeste, what are you doing here?" he asks her before he takes a sip of his drink.

"I know I told you everything that is in my heart earlier," she replies to him quickly. "But the truth is, there is something else that I need to tell you."

He arches his eyebrow back to her. "What else could you have to tell me? You professed your love to me."

"I know," she tells him as she moves closer to him. "I know that you came to see me the day that I was with Houston; it is how you know about the affair."

Cole takes another sip of his scotch. "I'm not sure what you're getting at, Celeste."

"I want to know why you came to see me that day," she tells him. "There must have been a reason that you were at my hotel suite and I want to know why. I think you owe me that much, don't you?"

***

Lydia opens the door to the main office at Rockwell Mining and moves inside. "I am glad that you're here," she says to Mac, who looks up from his computer screen.

"Lydia, what brings you by? Let me guess, this has to do with your determination to uncover something about Dane's past?"

"No, this isn't about Dane or Lucinda," Lydia replies to him quickly. "But I was with Sabine earlier and she happened to mention that you and Helena Grant are growing closer. I just came to ask you, how close are you getting to the police detective?"

Mac chuckles back to her as he stands up from behind his desk. "My relationship with Helena is really no one's business, Lydia."

"Oh come on Mac, it's me you're talking too. I just want to make sure that you're not headed for more heartbreak!"

"I don't think you have to worry about that," Mac moves closer to her. "Helena and I are getting closer, and I don't think I have ever felt this content in a relationship before. Everything is perfect, Lydia, absolutely perfect."

***

Meanwhile, in the executive office, Nathan looks over at Helena, who is sitting on the small sofa reading her book. He recalls how they were inches away from each other earlier, and they flirted a little. She, realizing what was happened, returned to her book, but Nathan knows that he was getting too her.

"Which is perfect," he says inside of his head. "Because soon, I will seduce you Helena. You're a beautiful woman, so I will not mind being with you, but the bigger picture is that will help me get my revenge on Mac and Sabine. This is all turning out to be a perfect plan."

He stands up from his chair and slowly moves over to Helena, who looks up from her book.

"Nathan? Is everything okay?" she asks him as he bends down to look her in the eyes.

"Everything is fine," he nods back to her. "I was sitting over there, working on the ring, but I couldn't get something out of my head."

"What was that?"

"A smell," he reveals to her. "The smell of your perfume, it's…haunting me."

Helena uneasily chuckles back to him. "Oh come on, it's…"

Before she can finish, however, Nathan leans in and kisses her passionately on the lips, and Helena finds herself getting caught up in his passion.