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Previously...

• Kayla left a mysterious note behind before disappearing. Still unaware of the true reason she fled town, her family was left in utter shock that she would leave her daughter behind. Speculation from those close to her saw Rick and their eroding marriage as the true reason she fled. However, others have a much different opinion- and that lays the blame on Liz Bryant as the real reason Kayla was driven out of town.  
  
  
• After the divorce, Steve and Diane have spoken very few words to each other- and those words usually involved anger and pain. While they recently were brought together when their son, Jason, disappeared for a time, they still haven't learned to coexist in peace.
   
  
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  Scene: The Ocean Cafe.  

Diane Davison sits at her table in deep thought as she does her best to tune out the many different sounds around her. Collegians surround her talking about the latest fashion trends; the noise of ferry's departing echo in the distance. It's a beautiful clear day in Pacifica Heights, although Diane is not concerned with the present. There is only one day that she can focus on- and that day came exactly twenty-six years ago when she married Steve Summers .

She can't believe that it's been over a year now since her divorce from Steve. She remembers all the pain that surrounded her divorce- the bickering between them that tore them apart. Of course, if she wants to be honest with herself, the marriage went downhill many years ago...

"Hello?"

She finally breaks her daze when a tall, dark haired and very handsome man approaches her. She figures it's a supporter of one of the columns she writes for the paper and finally responds.

"Hello there. May I help you?"

"I was just wondering if this seat was taken. I'd love to join you."

"Oh, well..." Diane becomes a bit flustered and finally ushers for him to sit down.

"I'm Braden . And you are?"

"Diane...I thought you might have recognized my picture from the paper." Diane responds, now unsure of his reason for joining her.

"Your picture in the paper, eh? You're not an escaped convict I hope..."

"Not at all...although I'm sure there are some people out there that argue my opinions and would see me off better in jail."

Braden smirks. "Well, I love a woman with strong opinions. What can I say? Well, it's a pleasure to meet you in town. Excuse me for not picking up the press yet, I am fairly new to town."

"Where did you reside prior to your move here?" Diane inquires.

"New York City."

"Oh, what an amazing city. I've had the great opportunity to visit there a couple of times."

"And why only a couple of times?" Braden asks.

"Well, I had a family to take care of...children to raise."

"Are they as stunning as you are?"

Diane is taken back, growing flustered once again and realizes she?s probably turning a bright shade of red.

"You are very charming...although I have a daughter that?s probably around your age."

"Age is of no concern to me."

Diane nods, not sure how to respond. "Well, it is to me."

"With all due respect, you don't even know how old I am. Perhaps I just age extremely well."

"You're probably around thirty, am I right?" Diane asks.

"Ah ha! I am actually a tad older, but thank you for the compliment. You can never judge a book by it's cover...remember that, Diane. Now, may I order you another cup of coffee?"

"Sure..." Diane trails off with a bit of apprehension. She soon decides to embrace the situation when he rises to walk towards the counter.

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Scene: The Summers Estate. 

The door slowly creaks open and a quick chill runs down Steve?s spine as he calls out for any sign of life. Utter silence slices through the foyer as he realizes that Kimberly is no where to be found. He realizes that she's probably out to dinner herself; perhaps she has a date this evening just as he does. He leaves a stack of imperative documents on her desk for her perusal when she returns home.

He shoots a quick glance at the mantel and notices a picture of him and Diane that was taken nearly twenty years ago. He suddenly looks down at his watch and is quite startled when he sees the date. He can't believe that twenty-seven years ago today he was married to the young Diane Davison.

Steve remembers the day like it was just yesterday...the butterflies in his stomach fluttered quickly and despite acquiring what seemed to be the mother-in-law from hell, there would be many good times ahead. Indeed, it would only be a year later that Diane would give birth to their first child, Kimberly. A few years after that Jason would be brought into the world.

He suddenly grows angry and clenches hiss first when he realizes the huge lie that was looming over their marriage this whole time. There was one thing that Diane hadn't divulged to him prior to the their wedding day- hell, it wouldn't become public knowledge for another twenty-five years. The truth was that Diane had lied to him about having a child prior to their marriage- a lie that Steve could never forgive her for.

Now he had to regain his focus, but it was much easier said than done. He was now expected to go on a first date tonight with someone he knew he shouldn't be seeing...it was the same woman that he came across in the supermarket just a few weeks prior- and, as small as this town seemed to be, it appeared that the young blonde was now his administrative assistant at the office.

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