CONCLUSION: Part 11: What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?

CONCLUSION

Part 11~What Becomes of the Broken Hearted...(song at bottom of post)

Jo-anne had been working at the bakery for almost a month now, her hours were now full-time, and she liked Veronica Titus, she was very nice. And could the woman bake!
Jo-anne almost looked forward to going to work, to be able to stand there and smell all the glorious odors of bread, cakes, and cookies. And Veronica always sent her home with fresh baked goods. She kept her and Patrick and his mother well supplied with fresh bread and rolls and other treats.
Veronica now trusted Jo-anne enough she could leave the shop now for periods of time. Like today. She had to talk to Cindi, the girl had been avoiding her for days.


Jo-anne was wiping down the counters when she saw a man walk by the large picture window, her heart caught in her throat, was that...Sam? Her brother? Her first instinct was to run and hide. Why, she did not know. Sam never did anything to her, except leave her in that awful house.
She was torn, would she let him pass on by, or run out to him? What was he doing here in Rockland?

Jo-anne ran outside. "Sam?" she whispered.
"My God Jo-anne! Do you know how long I have been searching for you? Why did you run away? You had me worried sick!" Samuel cried.

"I had to...it was horrible. All they did was drink, and he...kept coming into my room, he wouldn't leave me alone. I'd fight him off, I tried to tell mom, she wouldn't believe me! Oh Sam...I knew the time was coming I would not be able to fight him off anymore, I had to leave!"
Sam was floored. "Why didn't you come to me?? Call me?? I am your brother!"

"You...you didn't care, you left me there! You were too busy, you never called! I was alone!" She choked back a sob.

Samuel Watts held his sister close as she cried softly. "I am so sorry. I was so wrapped up in finishing my degree, finishing my internship. I was selfish. Please forgive me, I had no idea it was that bad! Forgive me Jo?"

Jo-anne nodded her head, she could never stay mad at Sam. He was close to 9 years older, He was long gone, he had no idea what it was like, her mother, and that man she married.
"I started a small practice here in Rockland Sis, I was sleeping at the clinic, but now I found you, we will find a place together, alright?"

"Yes Sam..." she cried. Her brother. Why she didn't call him...she really believed he didn't care about her. And to know he was looking for her all this time. He did care after all!

Patrick had come back from some more knee-breaking for the De Luca's, he was weary, tired, he just wanted to have supper with Jo-anne, look into her lovely face. Forget his many troubles.

He came in the trailer, and there she was, standing with another man. What in hell...

"Sam, this is the man I told you about, Patrick, this is my brother, Samuel Watts. He just opened a medical clinic here in town! We were both living here in Rockland the last two months and had no idea!"

Great. A Doctor. Suddenly, Jo-anne seemed way out of his league.
"I cannot thank you enough for taking her in, you and your mother. When I think what could have happened. I was looking for her, you see..." Samuel broke off. Jesus, this guy was a hood. The look of him.
Patrick could see the judgmental, wary look in her brother's eyes. "We were glad to do it." he mumbled.
"I'll wait outside for you sis, nice to meet you." Sam stated.
I'll bet, Patrick thought to himself.

"I am sorry I did not tell you why I ran away sooner..." And so she explained at last. Running from her step-father's increasing sexual advances and their alcoholism. Apparently this happened in every social stratosphere. Yeah, she came from a well-off family. He knew it all along.
And him? Trailer trash all the way.
"Patrick, I am going with my brother, we are going to find a place here in town, I will call you when I am settled, should only be a few days..." She began to step closer.

Patrick laid a hand on her shoulder, keeping her away from him. He did not want some pity hug or kiss. Not now. Call him, right. Sure she would.
Better to cut it clean.

"That's great Jo-anne. You do that." He said, a little more coolly than he intended. "You better go with your brother, now. He will take care of you."

Jo-anne headed for the door. She turned and looked back at him, closing her eyes. But I want it to be you, Patrick that looks after me. You. Please ask me to stay.
But Patrick said nothing, just stood, without moving.
His voice was so distant, cold.
Maybe he was glad to get rid of her. But what about the kiss they shared just a few nights ago? Did that mean nothing to him?
She waited a few minutes. Finally, she said softly. "Good-bye, Patrick."

Patrick walked over to the sink, to splash some water on his face. He looked at the curtains, Jo-anne's idea.
He looked at the teapot he bought her, because she loved a cup of tea every night. Everywhere he looked it reminded him of Jo-anne. her essence was everywhere, all around him, embracing him. Shit.
Let her go, she is better off. Especially with what may happen...she was safer with her brother.

The pain, the raw, aching pain. He was in love with her, he was almost from the beginning. Making him scrambled eggs on toast. That's what did it, that and the smell of Mr. Clean. She was everything he could ever want in a woman. He was not good enough, Trash.
The tears began to spill down his cheeks, he didn't sob or wail, just stood, feeling the pain, like someone was stabbing him in the chest...in his heart. Raw aching...need.
And unfathomable loneliness.

Finally Ronnie managed to get Cindi to sit down. Ronnie did not waste anytime, told her Liam De Luca came by the bakery some nights back. "Why didn't you come to me first? What possessed you to go see that...that...man?" Ronnie questioned, trying to contain her anger and frustration.

"He is my father, I wanted him to know it, wanted him to know what he did." Cindi answered softly.

Veronica sat by her daughter. "Why didn't you ever tell me mom? I had a right...to know! To know who my father was!"
"Not this man Cindi. Not ever. I never wanted you to know, were you listening outside the door, when I told Dennis?" Ronnie asked.

"I...I didn't mean to, I was coming to say good-night! Mom, Liam De Luca had no idea, I saw it on his face." Cindi cried.

"Whether he remembers it nor not, he still raped me." Ronnie said quietly.
"But...he still is my father." Cindi whispered.
"William Titus was your father, never forget that Cindi. he loved you like you were his own. Liam De Luca is not capable of love." Ronnie said emphatically.

Cindi thought a few moments. "No, I think you are wrong mom. I think he is."
"I don't want you anywhere near him Cindi, I mean it." Ronnie whispered firmly.
"That is for me to decide, mom."

Cindi laid her head on her mother's lap. "Are you ashamed of me mom? Am I so horrible?"
Ronnie began to stroke her hair. "Never, you are my precious girl. I love you more than life itself. I do not feel shame being your mother, Never."
"I told Greg...he left, saying he never wants to see me again. Oh why did I tell him?" Cindi began to cry. "I love him, Mom!"

"He is just a boy, he doesn't understand." Ronnie soothed. "My dear, do not tell anyone else. It is a private family matter. And I really would rather you not see Liam De Luca."
"Dennis didn't run off when you told him..." Cindi said softly.
"No, he didn't." She smiled. Thank God.

Cindi sighed, wiping the few tears from her cheeks. She did not want to stay away from Liam De Luca. Regardless of what he did, Cindi wanted to know him better.

A few months have passed, and Maggie is now close to 8 months along. Liam was in awe, with the changes in Maggie's body, their child, it was sobering. And brought him some peace actually. And joy.

He could not keep his hands from her ever expanding mid-section. His child. Their child. Never had he let his emotions show so readily. Only with Mags.

He stared at his Mags. She did not seem to derive any pleasure from her pregnancy, nor none from his obvious joy. He did everything he could think of to make her happy. The only response he seemed to get out of her was in bed. In the dark, their bodies joined. The only time she said she loved him was...in bed. In his arms. In the throes of passion.

He cupped her face in his masculine hands. "Mags...you are drifting away from me, I can feel it. What can I do? Tell me, I love more than life itself. I have for years. We are finally together, like we should have been all along. You were afraid, are you still afraid of me? Talk to me..."

His voice was deep, rough with emotion. Maggie lowered her head. She wished she knew what was wrong. She did love him, but something was holding her back. "No, I am not afraid of you Liam...I will go start breakfast."

Liam watched her pad away downstairs to the kitchen. Damn. Maybe after the baby was born she should see a doctor, one of those psychiatrists everyone seemed to be going to. She had to talk to someone.
Liam leaned on the rose trellis, deep in thought. He had not told Maggie about his daughter. Should he ask for a blood test? He was in no position to make any demands. Rape.
That kept him awake many nights since he heard. The guilt, and yeah, remorse. He wasn't a total animal.
Shit, maybe he should make an appointment for himself to the head shrinker.

In the last few months, Tyler Barnes did everything he could to erase Mike Leary from Regan De Luca's mind. He was pretty sure he succeeded. They were at his apartment, where they had spent many nights.
The swiftness and depth of his feelings surprised him.
Spoiled Mafia princess be damned, he loved her.
And looking at her now, standing in front of him, naked, not ashamed...

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly, deeply. All these years. never would he have dreamed he would be here with Regan De Luca.
He brought her here to his apartment as he did most nights, to make love to her.
But it was more than that, and after they made love, he would put it all on the line...his heart, his soul, his life.

Regan had a quick shower after they had made love, she came back into his bedroom. He took her hands.
"Are you happy baby?" He asked hopefully.
Thing of it was, never had she felt this way. What she felt for Mike Leary? A childhood obsession gone way beyond reason and logic. She had fallen for Tyler Barnes. Hard.
"Yes Tyler, very happy."

He went over to his dresser and got a small box, whirled around and dropped to his knee. He snapped the box open, the overhead light caught the glittering diamond.

"Regan, I love you, I don't want to waste another moment, share my life, my love...marry me."
Regan squealed. This she was not expecting. They really did not speak of the love these last months, not in any depth. Regan wanted to, but was afraid it would break the spell.
Regan reached for the ring, slipping it on her finger.

She ran and jumped into Tyler's arms. "I love you too, Tyler, yes, oh God yes, I will marry you!"
"As soon as possible baby, let's not wait." he whispered huskily in her ear.
"Yes...right away." She began to sob quietly.
Tyler laughed. "Aw baby, don't cry."

Her face was buried in his shoulder. "I am just so happy, I never thought I would be this happy, or deserve it."
"You deserve it all baby, and I am going to give it to you..."

It was 4 AM. Maggie could not sleep again. Liam was deep asleep, so she grabbed her car keys and decided to go for a drive. To clear her head.

He had made tender love to her again, how she ached with loss. She wanted to be happy, she did love Liam, more than she thought possible. But she could not speak of it aloud, or show it, except in bed. Why? What was wrong with her? The tears began to spill from her eyes.
As if in response, the baby gave her a swift kick.

Maggie resolved then and there to make things up to Liam. She had to, she felt herself sinking lower and lower into the black abbess. She did not want to feel this way. She wanted to be happy, content. Loved. But this had gone on for years, even with Mike. Why, she did not know.
No. She loved Liam, it was time...time to love. Live. Climb out of that dark pit.

Maggie was so deep in thought, her eyes blurred from her tears, she did not see the GTO racing down street toward her.
Her last conscious thoughts were of Liam. And love.


*SIRENS WAILING*

At dawn, Mike Leary, his MCU unit and a couple of uniforms walked into the De Luca garage.
Vinnie looked up, "What in hell, Leary?"

"Vincent De Luca, you are under arrest for robbery, conspiring to commit murder, gambling and extortion and fraud." Mike announced loudly.

Vinnie stood and walked around the side of the desk. "You've got nothing, cop. This is ridiculous. I will make bail before you can go grab a doughnut and coffee."

"No, I don't think so." Mike said firmly. "We got all we need to put you away." Mike motioned to the uniforms. "Cuff him and take him outside."

"Listen to me Leary, you will pay for this. I never forget. You...will...pay." Vinnie sneered in a dangerous tone.

"Take him to the station, book him. Get him out of my sight." Mike sneered.


After everyone left, Mike walked back across the garage property, Patrick Quinn stepped out from behind the garage. "So is that it? Got everything you need?" Patrick questioned.

Mike nodded. "Yeah, what changed your mind? To help more, I mean."

"I overheard Vinnie talking about murdering my father. The deal still holds, I won't be testifying. I want to walk away from this, clean." Patrick said firmly. "You can try questioning Paulie, but he will never talk. I know he witnessed my father's murder."

"The deal still holds. I am confident we have enough for a conviction. It won't be easy, he will be sure to have expensive lawyers. We will bring Paulie in for questioning, but you are right, he won't talk. I am sorry." Mike looked at the younger man in front of him. "What about you, what will you do now?"

Patrick looked off. "I don't have a fucking clue. If it wasn't for my mother, I'd probably leave town. But, I have to look after her." He briefly thought of Jo-anne. She had been calling him constantly, he knew it was her even though he did not pick up the phone. Finally, he went to stay in a hotel these last few weeks. He needed time to think, plan.

"Listen, anything I can do to help you, let me know. Job, school. whatever." Mike said earnestly.
Patrick snorted. School. Right. "Yeah, thanks Leary. I may take you up on that."

About the same time, dawn was just breaking over the city, Liam got the call from Keiran about Maggie being in a car accident. He could not believe it, She had been sleeping in his arms, when did she go out? Why?
He raced in the front doors of the hospital, his heart in his throat. Keiran would say nothing over the phone. Really had no information to tell, or so he said.

"Keiran!! Christ...how is it you are here?" Liam asked, slightly out of breath.
"I was getting off my shift at the bottling plant, came across the accident scene, I recognized the car right off, I followed the ambulance here to be sure. I called you as soon as I found out..."

"Where is she? Is she alright? The baby..." Liam's voice got louder.

"Listen, Liam...she apparently went into labor on the way over here, you have a daughter. The baby is fine. The Doctor was just out here, I told him I was her brother-in-law. Let me go get him..." Keiran went to move off, but Liam grabbed his arm. Closing his eyes tightly, he whispered. "Go ahead, tell me the rest. You know, I hear it in your voice."

Keiran sucked air through his teeth. "She didn't make it Liam, she died not 20 minutes ago...internal injuries..."
Keiran's voice faded away, as Liam heard nothing else but the roaring in his ears.

After seeing to Vinnie's paperwork, finger printing, mug shots and transportation to the prison, Mike made his way to Irenie's.
He just wanted to hold her, love her. When he was in her arms, the crazy world stopped spinning.
And as soon as this craziness was over, he wanted to marry her, right away.

"It is done then? Vinnie is in jail?" She asked softly.

"Yeah, it is done. This is going to be a long dragged out affair, Vinnie threatening to sue us all, fight it tooth and nail. His expensive lawyers could drag this out for years." He exhaled. "Is Joey home? I should be the one to tell him."

Irenie went to get Joey, and Mike explained it all, the arrest, the incarceration. Joey's father. He felt like shit, but what could he do? He had his duty.

Joey listened, he saw the look a pain on Mike's face. "I knew what my father was Mike...this is no surprise to me. I don't blame you or anyone."

Mike had got to know Joey a lot better these last few months, Irenie was right, he was a fine young man. "Joey, I know Vinnie was more like a distant uncle to you in your life, but I want to be more than that to you. Your mother and I are talking marriage at some point soon, if you could look to me as a step-father someday, I would be honored." Mike said quietly.
Irenie stood, fighting back tears.
Joey smiled slightly, genuinely moved. "Sure Mike. Thanks."

Now with Vinnie arrested, Patrick checked out of the hotel and headed back to his trailer. As he got off his motorcycle he sucked in his breath, Jo-Anne was sitting on his front stoop. He had not seen her in weeks.
How long had she been sitting there?

He felt inept, useless. He could not get his legs to move toward her. Why didn't she stay away? He had nothing to offer her, less than nothing. He had no idea what he was going to do with his life, let alone next week. Get a job pumping gas, that's all he was good for, seeing he dropped out of school.
But what choice did he have? After his father was killed, he had to support his mother and himself...he still did.

She saw him, got up and started walking slowly toward him, Oh God, she was beautiful, graceful, classy. Too good for him. This was fucking torture.
Yeah, he could see her living in the trailer with him, right.
While he punched a time clock at the bottling plant if he was lucky enough to get a job there.
And his mother, always there, cooking her pork chops., watching the Dick Van Dyke show. Real cozy.

"Damnnit Jo-Anne, why didn't you stay away?" Patrick hissed, his voice not hiding the hurt and pain he was feeling. He clenched his fists, damned if he was going to touch her.

"Do...do you want me to?" her voice trembled. "Because I do not want to stay away, Patrick. I have fallen for you."

Well, shit. He unclenched his fists and lifted his large gloved hand to stroke her cheek, caress those golden brown waves with his fingers. "You are better off staying away, I have nothing to offer Jo-anne. Your brother can give you a good life." His deep voice rasped.

"It is no kind of life without you, Patrick." she whispered.

He pulled her close. "I have fallen for you too, Jo-anne. Hell, I love you. There, I said it. I love you so much, I can't subject you to my life. Look at me..."

Jo-anne did. "Do you think I care about your job, where you are living? I love you too, Patrick. Don't push me away. I want us to be together, forever. We will face it all." She leaned in closer, her eyes full of the love she was feeling. "Look at me, Patrick...I love you."

He scooped her up in his arms. He couldn't be this damned lucky.
"It won't be easy baby, it may take us years to get anywhere, if we get anywhere at all."
Jo-anne threw her arms around his neck. "I don't care Patrick, all I want is you. Your love."

Lowering her to the ground, he let her slide down the length of his muscular body, her satin dress rubbing seductively against his leather jacket and pants.
That was them, leather and satin.
He kissed her, deeply, with a purpose and desire he did not know he possessed. What was ahead, who knew?
They loved each other. For now, that was enough.

Later that afternoon, after he dropped Jo-anne back at her brother's, he stopped by Keiran's dilapidated house. Christ, he thought he lived in a dump. Keiran was cleaning the place out, was he moving?
"Sorry to hear about your old man..." Patrick said, the words almost choking him. "Are you leaving?"
Keiran shrugged. "Yeah, I was only living here because Pop made me. I am moving back to the house. As least, as long as we still have the house."

Patrick knew what he meant. Assets will no doubt be seized. The De Luca house among them. Keiran's future was as up in the air as his was.

"Listen to me Keiran. Your girlfriend..." Shit. How would he word this? Why he wanted to keep Liam out of it, he did not know. He heard Liam lost his wife in an accident that very morning. Maybe he felt sorry for him. Let Julie tell him if she wanted, Keiran wouldn't hear it from him.
Keiran knotted his eyebrows. "Did you hear something? tell me!"

Patrick reached in his pants pocket and pulled out a piece of paper, he thrust it into Keiran's hand. "She's in California. The address is there. I helped her leave."

Keiran was floored. "What? Leave? Why did she leave? Why would she go to you?? This makes no sense!"

"It is up to her to tell you everything, I will tell you this, she is a cop. She was undercover. I helped her to get away for her own safety. I will tell you this, she loves you man. That she did not count on, falling for you. It tore her apart to leave." Patrick hesitated. Should he mention the pregnancy? No, he was giving no more details.

Keiran's insides were roaring. A COP!? The deception stung. Deeply. But he could see by the look on Quinn's face he was getting no more information.
Guess he was going to California...and right away. Julie. Cop or no, he loved her.
They had a lot to discuss.

Mike heard about Maggie's death shortly after he got to Irenie's, Dennis had called him. He went home immediately and waited for the twins to get home from school. That was the hardest thing he ever did, to tell them their mother was dead.

Joey came with him, to be with Donna. They had ordered some take out, but no one really ate. Mike went to find Greg, he was taking it very hard.
"Talk to me son." Mike whispered.
Greg said nothing.

Mike went over and reached down and pulled Greg into his arms. "It's all right son, let it out."
Greg stood stock-still, not putting his arms around his father. All Greg felt, was hate. Hate for Liam De Luca. He knew he was responsible somehow. He felt it in his gut.

Mike pulled Greg closer. As if reading his mind, he said softly, 'It was an accident son, nothing else. A terrible accident."
Greg at last, embraced his father.

They parted. Mike looked off down the street. "Your mother was not a happy woman, Greg, not for years. I couldn't reach her, and neither could De Luca. We both loved her, ever since we were kids, I guess. You see, we were friends once, Liam and I. But our love for your mother tore us apart. All of us. I think, in her way, she loved us both, as much as she was capable. And she loved you kids most of all. Don't ever forget that. It is no one's fault. It was an accident. Don't let hate consume your life, Greg."

Greg looked at his father, he loved the man. Admired him, respected him, maybe he spoke some truth, but the hate in Greg's soul was a twisting, living thing. Maybe it would lessen as time went by...or not.
Aloud he said, "Thanks, Dad."

Inside, Joey was doing his best to console Donna, He felt inept, what can one say? But he wanted to be there for her, for whatever she needed, someone to talk to, to hold her.
Whatever it took to ease her pain, her loss.

He cupped her chin in his hand and kissed her tenderly on the forehead. "I am here for your Donna, I will stay with you as long as you want or need. I love you baby."
A large ragged sob caught in Donna's throat.

Joey lifted her into his arms. God, he loved her, he wished with all his heart he could take some of the pain away. She felt so fragile, so injured, like a small bird fallen out of its nest. Never would he love like this again. He knew it with such certainty.
Never.

Mike was in shock. Tyler...and Regan De Luca? He had no idea. And he was going to marry her! "Are you sure Tyler?" Mike asked. "I mean, its none of my business..."

"No Mike, it isn't. But to answer your question, Yeah, I am sure. Never been so sure of anything in my life, nor so happy."

"Well then, my congratulations to you both..."

Dennis had arrived and the three men began discussing Vinnie De Luca. Mike did not tell them about Quinn being the informant.

"So is that it, the De Luca crime hold is over?" Tyler questioned.

"Depends on Liam De Luca. The family has enough legitimate businesses to keep them going, construction, garbage, the liquor store. That's if there is anything left after the government gets through with it."

"And what about Fenwick, or Denison, whatever her name was?" Dennis asked.
Mike exhaled. "We still don't know what happened. I haven't given up. I will find out what became of her." Mike said firmly.

"Mike...I want to express my condolences over the death of your ex-wife. How are your kids?" Tyler asked soberly. Dennis also whispered his sympathy.

"Not good, that's why I am making this meeting brief, I want to get back to them. And thanks, guys. She...she gave birth to a girl, before she...anyway, I never thought I would feel sorry for Liam De Luca." Mike said sorrowfully.

"I don't trust Liam De Luca. That bastard will slip right in where the old man left off. He is a son of a bitch. I want to take him down. Hard." Dennis burned with a renewed hatred for Liam De Luca, after hearing what he did to Veronica. He would make it his personal mission to take him down. "I say the MCU should continue, even if De Luca doesn't take over, someone will step in to fill the vacuum. But my money is on De Luca."

Mike was not so sure. Liam could go either way. Depends where his grief takes him. One thing Mike knew, Liam loved Maggie deeply. Her death would affect him, shit, it was affecting himself. He used to be married to her, known her since they were kids, loved her...once. Mother of his twins. What an end.
He would not want to be in Liam De Luca's shoes right now.

Cindi heard about Margaret De Luca's death in a car accident. She was tempted to go see Greg and express her sympathy, but she did not go.
Someone else needed her sympathy more. The sun had set, she walked up to the front door, she tried the handle, it opened. Walking through the door, she found him, sitting in the dark.


"Mr. De Luca?" She said softly.
"Go away...please." He said flatly.
He kept his head down, he had been crying, she observed, tears were still spilling down his cheeks. Her heart lurched in her chest for him. She had not seen him since she confronted him on his front veranda a few months before.
He looked terrible.

Cindi got to her knees in front of him. "I am so sorry to hear about your wife." she said softly. "It is not enough to say sorry, is it?"
The meaning was not lost on Liam. "No, I suppose it isn't. Why are you here?"

"You shouldn't be alone. Where is your family?"
Liam snorted cynically. "It has been a banner day, my father was arrested, my brother and sister were here earlier, I told them I wanted to be alone."
"Do you want me to leave?" Cindi whispered.

Liam lifted his head, and looked off, as if deep in thought. "No. I don't want you to leave." He replied finally.
"Can I get you anything? I can make coffee, I learned working at the bakery." She offered hopefully.
"Why are you here?" Liam whispered again.
"Because Liam, you are my father." She replied in a soft, caring voice.


Liam stood abruptly and walked away from her. This was all too much.
Cindi stood and walked over to him, slipping her hands around his waist. "You are my father..." she repeated.

Liam was not used to letting his emotions show so starkly. The tears continued to spill down his cheeks. Never had he felt such pain.
But he was a father.
Now of two daughters.
Maybe, just maybe, they would help begin the healing. He laid his cheek gently against her forehead. "Yeah...I am your father."

~THE END~