Previously…
– Jason and Natalie’s wedding day approached.
– Sabrina secretly partnered with Helen to get a DNA sample from Spencer so that Helen could run a paternity test on baby Peter.
– Helen summoned Natalie for a secret meeting and confronted her with the DNA results proving that Spencer is Peter’s father. She demanded that Natalie call off the wedding. Natalie wove a tale about her and Spencer deciding not to find out the baby’s paternity, hoping to convince Helen to keep quiet.

Windmills bustles with the conversation and activity of the dinner rush. Flames from tabletop votives wave softly through the dim lighting, and soft piano music plays in the background. At the restaurant’s white marble bar, however, two women are having anything but a normal, pleasant evening.

“I know I’ll never be Courtney. I could never replace her in Jason or Sophie’s lives,” Natalie Bishop tells Helen Chase. “I am so, so sorry that you lost her — even thinking about something like that happening to Bree rips my guts out.”

Helen nods slowly, taking this in, her usual fire tamed for the time being.

“I’m begging you, Helen,” Natalie continues. “Please don’t destroy our family. Can you imagine what this would do to your granddaughter? Please keep this to yourself — for Sophie’s sake.”

Though her lips part, Helen says nothing. She clicks her nails against the bar.

“Please. This would destroy so many lives, and it wouldn’t make anyone’s better.” Natalie waits and then adds, “I promise to — to defer to you where Sophie is concerned whenever you want. You’re her grandma. I’ll always respect that.”

“That would be a nice change of pace.”

“Then I’ll make it happen. I swear. And if I step out of line, then… well, then you can reconsider.”

Helen takes a deep breath. The pause before she lets it out and finally speaks seems to stretch on forever.

“I can’t believe these words are coming out of my mouth,” she says, “but okay.”

Natalie nearly leaps off her barstool. “Do you mean it?”

“Yes. Yes, I’ll keep your secret — but don’t think for a second that I’m doing it to protect you.” 

“I know that.”

“And if you so much as challenge me where my granddaughter is concerned–”

“I won’t. My job as her stepmom is just to make sure she’s safe and happy. Anything else, you and Jason can hash out.”

“Okay, then.” Helen stuffs the DNA results back into their envelope. “Then I think we’re through here.”

“Helen, I can’t thank you enough. I could — god, I could hug you.”

“Let’s not go wild here.” Slinging her purse over her shoulder, Helen stands. “But if you keep your end of the bargain, I’ll keep mine.”

“Thank you so much. Thank you. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

Helen offers a terse nod in response before exiting the restaurant.

Natalie remains at the bar, attempting to catch her breath. Her heart is pounding and her lungs feel raw, as if she has just run a marathon. This is not how she envisioned spending the evening before her wedding, but if she actually managed to neutralize such a major threat to her happiness, then she’s glad she did it. Having Helen on her side might even prove useful in the future.

She grabs the half-drunk glass of white wine from the bar and quickly slams it back. She holds up the glass and makes eye contact with the bartender.

“I’ll have another,” she says, waiting for the alcohol to work its magic on her rankled nerves.

Thaw Coffee & Tea is quiet, save for two patrons sitting by the window having a hushed conversation. Sabrina Gage is behind the cash register when she looks up and sees Jason Fisher entering through the door that connects the cafe to Edge of Winter Arena.

“What are you doing here so late?” she asks with a smile. “Aren’t you getting married tomorrow?”

He offers a bashful shrug in response. “We leave for our honeymoon Monday, so I wanted to make sure I had all the loose ends tied up so things don’t pile up too badly for Tempest while I’m gone.”

“That’s nice of you,” Sabrina says. “Where are you and Natalie going on your honeymoon?”

“Hawaii. Kauai, actually.”

“That sounds amazing! I’ve never been. I bet it’s paradise.”

“I hope so,” Jason says as he comes up to the counter. “It’s been forever since I had a vacation — and a week without kids doesn’t even seem real.”

“Oh, I bet! Who’s watching them?”

“My mom. I don’t think she could be more excited.”

“That’s so great, Jason.” Sabrina catches herself staring at his face for a moment and then quickly adds, “Did you come in for a drink? What can I get you?”

“No, I’m all good. I just thought I’d stop in on my way out and say goodbye, in case I don’t see you much tomorrow. You’re still coming, aren’t you?”

Sabrina feels blood rushing into her cheeks and quickly looks down at the register, thinking of the fact that Jason came in solely to see her.

“Of course. I sent in my RSVP,” she says, her gaze still held down. “You must be so excited.”

“I am,” he replies. “It’s crazy. This all kind of snuck up on me — being with Natalie, having another kid, building this whole new little family. There was a time I never thought this would happen.”

Sabrina swallows hard. She feels like a balloon that has suddenly been pricked with a needle and popped — and she immediately feels foolish for it. Jason is about to get married.

“It’s really great,” she says, pushing another smile across her face. “That you found each other and made a life like this.”

He beams back at her, an expression that both makes her happy to witness and causes a strange sinking feeling in her stomach.

“I am,” he says.

“Well, I hope you have the best day tomorrow,” Sabrina tells him. “I’ll be there to celebrate. And thank you again for inviting me.”

“Of course! You’re a friend.”

She nods, hoping that he can’t see the conflicted feelings behind her eyes.

“See you tomorrow,” Jason says.

“See you tomorrow,” she repeats as she watches him exit through the front door, looking as if he is walking on air.

—–

When she steps out of Windmills, Helen is surprised by how dark it has gotten outside. She had hardly realized the hour or how much time had passed during her confrontation with Natalie.

As she walks through the parking lot, her mind is still buzzing about the promise she made and how differently their conversation went from what she expected. She was almost certain that she had Natalie over a barrel and that tomorrow’s wedding would be called off. She supposes that she still could have made it happen — she still can, if she so wishes — but the explanation that Natalie gave about Peter’s paternity awakened a sense of guilt that she had been able to push aside for weeks.

Helen doesn’t consider herself someone who’d hurt others for enjoyment, especially not when the collateral damage would be her own granddaughter. Or even Spencer Ragan, from the sounds of it, who doesn’t have any interest in being a father at this point in his life. She certainly can’t blame him for not wanting to share a child with Natalie. And if Natalie is actually going to uphold her end of their deal, then Helen will be getting what she wants — which is to keep that indecent woman from interfering in Helen’s relationship with her own grandchild.

She pushes her thoughts aside as she reaches her car. Hiking her purse up on her hip, she digs inside it to locate her keys. She has just gotten a grip on them when she feels something pressing into her back.

She jumps at the contact and nearly screams as her head whips around.

“Quiet,” a male voice grunts at her.

“What do you want?” she asks, able to see only that the man is wearing a ski mask.

“Hand over the purse. Now.”

Her body trembles as she tries to follow his orders, realizing that what is pressed into her back is a gun.

—–

Jason is already confused when he steps through the front door of his home.

“Anyone home?” he calls out, confused that Natalie’s car isn’t in the driveway.

“I’m in here!” Bree Halston responds, and seconds later, she emerges from the kitchen.

“Hey,” Jason says as he sets down his bag and removes his shoes. “Where is everyone else?”

“Sophie is upstairs helping Peter with his puzzle before bed. Mom said she had some super-secret last-minute errand to run for the wedding.”

Jason lifts both eyebrows. “Should I be worried?”

“It didn’t sound like anything too big.”

“Good. I’m still waiting for the part where she announces that we actually are riding in on tigers or something.”

Bree giggles. “No, it didn’t sound that serious.”

“You never know.”

“There’s leftover grilled chicken and veggies for you,” Bree says.

“Great. I’m starving.”

He follows her into the kitchen, where she opens the refrigerator.

“Stop,” he says. “I’ll get it. You go back to whatever you were doing.”

She takes a seat at the kitchen table, where her iPad sits open. But she pays it no attention as she observes Jason assembling a plate to microwave.

“Are you excited about tomorrow?” she asks.

“Yeah, of course. It’s gonna be a big day.” He places his plate in the microwave and then turns back. “How are you feeling about everything?”

“Good. Really. I’m a little nervous to stand up in front of everyone, but…”

“Oh, come on. You’re a skater. You perform for crowds! It’s what you do.”

“This is different,” Bree says softly. “It’s a big day for you and Mom. I just hope I don’t, like, trip or say something stupid during my speech.”

“You won’t. I know you.” He presses buttons to start the microwave. “No need to be nervous.”

“Thanks.” She pauses and lets out a sigh. “And don’t worry. I really don’t think Mom is going to spring any wild surprises on you.”

Jason turns to her with a grin. “Have you met your mom?”

“I know, I know. But this day means so much to her. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen her be this happy… this content.”

“She makes me very happy, too.”

“I haven’t really thanked you,” Bree says.

“You don’t have to thank me.”

“I do. Because Mom has always been a little…” She holds her hand up beside her head and waves it around. “It hasn’t always been that easy. But it’s like you gave her the life she always wanted, and she’s been a better person and a better mom since you guys got together.”

He stares into the microwave, watching the plate spin, as he thinks.

“Your mom saved me, too,” he says. “I wasn’t in a good place after Courtney died. Not for a long time. But she brought me back from the brink and made me see that I could have a new and different life.”

“That’s so sweet.”

“That’s what happened when you love someone. That’s what it’s really about.”

The microwave beeps, and he removes the plate of steaming hot food.

“Part of that is you guys, you know,” he adds as he lets the food cool. “You, Sophie, and Peter.”

“I haven’t even heard them yelling from upstairs,” Bree says. “So maybe they know it, too.”

“Let’s not jinx anything.” He takes a fork and knife from one of the upper drawers and brings his food to the table. “So what are you watching on that iPad?”

Bree folds her hands on the table. “It’s this show about three girls in New York who work for a magazine…”

—–

The entire encounter lasts less than a minute, but it seems to Helen to take a horrifying eternity. She hands over the purse, thinking about what’s inside it and wondering if there is any possible way she could alert someone to what is happening. But the man keeps her pressed against the car so that she cannot even tell if anyone is close enough to hear her scream — and if there were, he might simply shoot her, anyway.

He scrambles away into the night, Helen’s purse in his hand. She counts to ten the way that he ordered her to do, bracing herself against the car door. Her hands and legs shake with terror as she finishes counting and looks around, but there is no sign of the man or of anyone else who might have seen what happened.

With her mind a jumble, she hurries back toward the restaurant. The host’s pleasant smile fades as he clocks her manic nature.

“I’ve just been robbed!” she exclaims. “I need to use your phone.”

The host offers his personal cell phone, and Helen takes a seat in the waiting area to call 911. A busboy brings her a glass of water, from which she takes a cursory sip before placing it on the ground. She explains the situation to the 911 dispatcher and has just been put on hold when Natalie races toward her.

“What are you still doing here?” Natalie asks. “You haven’t–”

“No,” Helen says with annoyance. “I was just robbed in the parking lot!”

“What? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, but–” She cuts herself off as her eyes settle upon the younger woman. “How could you?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Did you send someone after me?”

“No! How would I… it’s been ten minutes. I was sitting at the bar having some wine and trying to pull myself together. What, do you think I have goons on my payroll?!”

“I don’t know,” Helen says with a huff as she listens to the faint hold music on the phone line. “This man, he demanded my purse, and the papers were inside–”

“Well, that would’ve been a stupid plan,” Natalie says. “I’m sure whatever lab you went to could reprint them for you anyway.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

“You’re sure you’re okay?” Natalie asks. “He didn’t hurt you?”

“No. He nearly scared the life out of me, but nothing physical.”

“Then can I get you anything?”

“I’m fine. But thank you. I’m just waiting for the dispatcher to come back on the line.”

“I can… I could call your husband for you,” Natalie says. “We’d have to explain why we both happened to be here, but…”

“Don’t worry about it,” Helen says, not wanting to have to perform any more mental gymnastics right now. “I’ll call him once I’m off the phone with 911. Just go.”

“Are you sure? I can stay with you.”

“There’s nothing you can do. Just go so I don’t have to cover for you any further.”

Nevertheless, Natalie lingers for a long moment. “Thank you again, Helen. And I’m glad you’re okay. That sounds scary.”

“It was,” she says, and then a click on the line announces the dispatcher’s return. “Now go.”

Natalie’s shoulders slump in relief as she quickly makes her way out of the restaurant.

—–

After Jason departs, Sabrina cannot stop thinking about what is happening tomorrow. She has, of course, been aware that Jason is marrying Natalie and that she would be in attendance. But the reality of the fact that he will be a married man has, for some reason, just hit her. She hates herself for being anything but overjoyed for the man who has done so much for her and become a good friend. It would be selfish to want anything but true happiness for him.

Then again, she reminds herself, that’s why I agreed to help Helen Chase. If Natalie has been lying to Jason about Peter’s paternity, then Jason deserves to know that.  

After closing out the register, she tells the other barista that she’ll be right back and slips into the break room. She takes her cell phone from her locker and places a call.

It goes to voicemail immediately. That means that Helen either has her phone turned off or is avoiding her.

“I need to know what’s going on,” she whispers to herself. Did Helen get the test results? What do they say? And is this wedding even going to happen?

END OF EPISODE 929

Was Helen’s mugging really a random crime?
Does Jason deserve to know the truth about Peter?
What is going to happen at the wedding?
Discuss it all in the comments below!

Next Episode