From Drags to Riches

"Alex! Why didn't you tell me you were having brunch with Mom and Dad?"
Denver is furious with his sister.
"You know how Dad feels about me right now."
"Yeah, but you two need to work this out sometime."
As they approach their parents, Blair and Denver lock eyes, one in anger, and one in desperation.
"Hey Mom, hey Dad."
Alex hugs her mother but doesn't touch her statue of a father.
"Dad."
"Denver."
As the two women watch, both men's eyes begin to soften in a way of understanding. Nicole decides to step in, to break the seemingly uncomfortable silence, and greet her son.
"Denver, are you excited school is almost over? I suppose you've had to start interviewing."
Before Denver has a chance to respond, they are called to be seated.

"Thanks for picking me up, Dad."
"Brayen, it isn't a problem."
"I'm glad we've been able to work things out. Now, if only your lovely wife could do the same. Why are you still with her anyway? As long as I can remember, you two have never really had any happy moments except for the ones that seemed forced."
Weston is careful to answer. He does not want to reveal that he was forced long ago to marry Isabelle for the debts owed to her father.
"Brayen, deep down I love her and the Kreeland family has always been a big supporter of the two of us, especially in hard times that you were too young to remember and before we adopted you."
Brayen accepts the answer as they shut the car doors and head toward Mary's. As they near the door, Brayen comments on the uncomfortable scene coming from the Chase family.
"Kinda looks like we did in the kitchen almost a decade ago when I came out to you and Mo… I mean Isabelle."
Weston chuckles.
"I am sure they will work things out. In the few weeks that I've known Dr. Chase, she has been nothing but fantastic. I am sure she will be able to talk to her husband and on and get them to talk to each other."
As he follows his son into the restaurant, Weston's heart skips a beat at the sight.

Hawke opens his door to find Skyler crawling on the floor to the bathroom.
"Skyler, what are you doing?"
He walks over quickly to help the guy up.
"I was… I was… jus tryin… to get to the shower. It'll help wake me up."
Hawke slowly escorts the hungover Skyler to the bathroom. Turning on the shower, he worries about his friend's state.
"Are you sure you're okay to be moving around?"
"Yes… I'm fine."
Skyler pulls his clothes off and steps into the shower.
"You were never shy, Skyler. I'm heading down to the pool to have lunch with my brother and sister-in-law. I'll be back in about an hour to take you home."
Hawke hears Skyler mumble from the shower in response as he leaves the steamy room.

"This is Steve."
"Steve, where is Mr. Kreeland?"
"I need to know who is speaking, please."
"Steve! You know who this is. Tell him Jersey needs to speak to him right away."
"Oh… my apologies Miss Knox… I will tell him."
After a few long moments, a deep voice speaks on the other end of the phone.
"Yes, Jersey, how did it go last night?"
"Perfectly, I know exactly who we should use. Not only will he be close to the Bouchet's, it will also help you get back at someone else and keep them under your control."
"Excellent. Once again, Jersey Knox, you have impressed me."