Part One - By Jill

Another successful party, Julian thought glumly as he retreated to his study. At least Father enjoyed it, vicariously as it may have been for him. Such horribly boring things they were, and even though he had the choice to skip them, he never did. Nor did he ever make an attempt to enjoy himself. However, he’d noticed that Ivy had, skipping gaily around the room and engaging herself with the guests. But then again, Ivy was the social butterfly, never at a loss for words and always interesting. He, on the other hand, wasn’t much of a party person at all.

Perhaps that attributed to the growing rift between us, Julian speculated as he sat down with a full glass of his only real friend, brandy.

He soon finished his first glass, then his second not long after. Quickly tiring of the amber liquid, he went to seek out Ivy, hoping in part for them to have at least an amusing conversation.

That was one thing Ivy was good for, he reasoned, an amusing conversation.

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Elsewhere in the house, Ivy watched from a doorway as the final guests left the party. The new governor and his wife walked out the door hand-in-hand, and suddenly, he leaned over and kissed her, leaving her giggling. Ivy smiled silently, strangely wishing Julian would do something like that once in a while. She turned around and stared listlessly out the window. What would happen if Julian started doing things like that? What if he showed her something other than the anger she saw in his eyes when he looked at her? She could hear her mother’s voice in the back of her head…Such things are not impossible…

“What would happen if, one day, Julian came home with a bouquet of flowers, for me and not for one of the maids?” Ivy asked, not to anyone in particular, and not hearing her husband approaching. “I think I’d rather like it.”

Her words struck thought from Julian, who’d never have considered doing such a thing, not being much for romance.

Ivy let out a sarcastic laugh. “But he’s not capable of romance,” she scoffed, watching yet another couple embracing in her doorway. “Why do some girls get all the love?”

Julian cocked his head curiously. So it was romance Ivy wanted. And she thinks I’m not able to be romantic. Well, I’ll show her. It’ll be the shock of her life.

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As Julian retreated to the library for the second time that night, he mulled over ideas to show Ivy he could be romantic. “Nothing too extravagant…” he said to himself, “it would look planned.”

He looked around the room. The walls certainly weren’t giving him any guidance. Jewelry wasn’t romantic in their world; it was commonplace.

“A candlelit dinner might do well at another time, but it’s no place to start,” he sighed. “Maybe her idea was the best. Flowers,” he finished thoughtfully.

A smile broke out on his face, and he picked up the phone. A tired voice answered on the other end. “Good evening, this is Sarah at Sarah’s Flower Shop in Harmony. We’re closed, please call again.”

“Oh, wait!” Julian cried. “This is Julian Crane.”

“O--oh,” Sarah exclaimed. “Well, then, Mr. Crane, what can I do for you?”

“Well, Sarah, was it?”

“Yes.”

“Sarah, I’d like to order flowers for my wife.” Julian proudly proclaimed. “A half-dozen roses, I should think.”

Sarah, though she’d never admit it, had been expecting a much larger order. But once she thought about it, later that night, she decided the six beautiful roses she’d choose would be far more romantic.

“Would you like it delivered, or will you pick it up?” She tried to sound casual, but millionaires didn’t order from her small-town flower shop every day.

“Delivered please. The address is--“

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but there aren’t many people in Maine, much less Harmony, that don’t know your address, Mr. Crane.” Sarah chuckled.

“Of course.” Julian nearly smacked himself for forgetting who he was for a moment. He explained that he would send someone over to pay later that night, told her to simply write “Julian” on the card, and thanked her for filling the order. He set the phone gently back on the cradle. He smugly smiled. By this time tomorrow, Ivy would be re-thinking his romantic ability.

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As Ivy walked up to her bedroom, she almost chuckled in spite of herself. To think, to even think, that Julian would ever send her flowers was laughable. But to hope for it…well, she could always dream. She quickly dressed for bed, laid down, and closed her eyes. Before dozing off, though, she made a wish that Julian would make her forget Sam forever, that somehow, she could still have a chance at happiness. She fell into a fitful sleep.

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Part Two - By Mandy

Ivy, being exhausted from the previous night's party, decided to sleep in the next morning. When she awoke, a most pleasant surprise met her eyes. A beautiful crystal vase was placed on the edge of the night stand; and held six of the most gorgeous roses Ivy has ever seen. A few full wads of baby's breath were nestled between the roses.

"Those weren't there when I went to bed," Ivy thought, sitting up. Noticing the card, Ivy carefully pulled it from the flowers. When she read the name, she felt her heart skip a beat.

"Julian sent me flowers?" she asked herself. "I must be dreaming. That's got to be it." Ivy squeezed her eyes shut and reopened them slowly. To her delight, the flowers were still there.

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Downstairs, in the living room, Julian smiled at his plan. The roses had been delivered to the mansion at eight that morning. Since Ivy was still asleep at that time, he had been able to slip into her room and place the flowers on her night stand without her ever knowing.

"She wanted flowers and she's got them. Maybe this will prove to her that I can be romantic."

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After getting dressed. Ivy sat back down and looked at the roses.

"I wished for this last night and it happened instantly," she said. Once again, her mother's voice sounded in her head.

Wishes can come true. You just have to believe in them.

"I guess she was right," Ivy told herself, getting up from the bed and making her way downstairs for breakfast.

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Julian had only intended for the flowers to prove to Ivy that he could be romantic. He had never expected the feelings he got when he saw her coming down the stairs. And the feelings only got stronger, when, for the first time in a long while, she smiled at him.

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Part Three - by ZeroHero

She smiled.

Standing in the entrance to the living room, Julian watched as his wife actually smiled.

And as she continued to smile, while looking straight at him, Julian could almost see her heart melting- even if it was only by a few degrees.

Ivy was dressed in the most beautiful red suit Julian had ever seen her wear. In her hair, which waved around her face, were a few sprigs of scattered baby’s breath. She had definitely found the roses.

Composing himself, and trying not to seem too affected he pulled his eyes away from her, a difficult task, and continued to skim the paper. “Good morning, Ivy. Don’t you look radiant today?”

He listened as her heels clicked towards the tray of orange juice, and she picked up a glass.

After taking a sip Ivy turned his way and stop smiling long enough to say, “Thank you.”

“Well, you always look good, but today you look extra radi-”

“No. Thank you for the flowers.”

Julian ripped his eyes from the paper and met with his wife’s dazzling gaze. Was this how it felt to be in love? Was this what every normal married couple had? Well whatever he was feeling, he loved it.

His mouth fought to find words but all he could do was smile back.

Ivy broke the silence by taking a seat on the sofa next to Julian. “So... what’s up, uh, with Crane Industries?” Ivy wanted to know what made Julian send the flowers, but for a strange reason she couldn’t ask. It was like in high school. When a guy does something special for a girl, and the girl wants to know what made him do it- but she’s afraid the answer might be bad. So small talk would have to do.

“What? Oh, oh.” Julian was disappointed with the subject change, but nevertheless was happy the silence had been broken. “Well, stocks are still a little touchy from Ethan’s broken engagement but they’re getting higher again. Which should make Father happy.” Silence. “How’s Ethan this morning?”

“I haven’t seen him yet, why?”

“No reason. Did he like his party?”

“I haven’t seen him.”

“But did you talk to him last night?”

“A little.”

“And…?”

“Oh, he was tired. I think he had fun, but again he was disappointed Alistair didn’t show. Why didn’t he come?”

“He was busy.”

“Why was he too busy to come to his grandson’s engagement party?”

“Not sure.”

“Why was he too busy to come to the first engagement?”

“Well, you know Father.”

“Why did you send me flowers?” The small talk had been too much. Ivy needed to know what was behind her husband’s sudden transformation from villain to hero.

Julian stared at her. He couldn’t tell her the truth- that he had overheard her wish that he would be romantic. But could he start out this new relationship with a lie?

He extended his arm, and began caressing her cheek. When she didn’t move away he began. “Ivy. It’s been years, and I know I’m tired of the life we lead,” he paused for a moment, proud of how well he was doing, “Aren’t you tired of it too?”

She nodded, still staring deeply into him.

“I’m tired of the hateful words we exchange, and the icy glares we share, and how we never do anything together, and how we have separate bedrooms, and...”

As Julian’s voice continued, Ivy didn’t hear a word more. Her breathing stopped, and her heart sank. Those were the key words. That was why she had gotten the flowers.

They had separate bedrooms. All Julian wanted from her was sex. She was fooling herself to even wish Julian was capable of something remotely romantic. And it enraged her.

Shooting up from the sofa and marching towards the tray of orange juice she forcefully tipped the tray over, saving only one glass which she through at Julian.

“You disgusting fraud! You sent me flowers in hopes that I will sleep with you!” Ivy shrieked.

Julian, who had been hit by only a spray of orange juice, leapt to his feet. “WHAT?!”

“Did Rebecca drink to much at the party last night, and get a hangover so she can’t come over and play with you? So now you need someone else? WELL TOO BAD! You are a pig Julian Crane, a filthy, disgusting pig. And if you think that a few flowers are going to get me into your bed then think again, because you have embarrassed and hurt me too much for me to EVER LOVE YOU AGAIN!”

With that, Ivy turned on her heel and grabbed a nearby shawl and stormed out the door- leaving Julian alone and baffled.

He rolled what he’d said to her over again in his head, realizing only now that she’d misunderstood the bedrooms remark. But who was he fooling? He’d treated her with no respect for the last twenty-four years, a few flowers and a ‘Let’s try again!’ button weren’t going to erase the past.

Ivy had once loved him. She’d said it herself just now, so that was something to go on. But it wasn’t enough.

Looking around at the empty walls of the Crane Mansion he wondered if there was anyway to save his marriage- and show Ivy he cares.

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The streets of Harmony were barren. Only a few people lined the insides of the book cafe as outside winter cast her dismal shadow over the coastal town.

Ivy was one of the few inside the cafe. She sat in the corner, nursing her wounds over a cup of cappuccino, and watching the people carry on with their lazy, unfruitful winter morning activities.

Jessica Bennett was on the sofa, giggling with some friends. They were working on something but kept getting distracted by things and would brake into insane teenage laughter.

Ahh, the good old days. Ivy remembered how unplagued by evil they were. And of course, she remembered Sam and all the little things he’d done for her. While remembering a particularly good time with Sam at his parent’s cottage, Jessica approached her.

Ivy snapped back to reality, to meet the smiling girl’s face.

“Good morning Mrs. Crane!”

“Good morning Jessica. How are you today?”

Jessica smiled largely, “I’m really good. I’m really happy I ran into you!”

“Oh?”

“Well, my friends and I are doing a project. You had to choose a powerful family that is involved in economics for our country. Our group chose the Cranes, and I really need to do well on this... and I need, well I, can I ask you some questions?” Jessica’s eyes shot away, nervous of Ivy’s reaction.

“Sure! Ask away, but I’m afraid I don’t know a whole lot about Crane Industries and all that economic to do.” Ivy watched as Jessica’s smile faded. It was obvious this was important to the girl, “But why don’t you make up a list of questions to ask my husband while I finish my drink and you can come home with me and ask them?”

Jessica’s face brightened, and as she thanked Ivy she ran back to her group.

Ivy didn’t want to be alone with Julian when she returned anyway.

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Julian had been searching his brain all morning for ideas for Ivy. Maybe I just can’t be romantic, he thought- but then argued that thought away because he knew that he could get any woman. Just not his own wife.

A knock on the door.

Ivy!

He almost ran to answer it, but when there he found Ivy with a young girl whom he instantly recognized as Sam Bennett’s daughter he stopped suddenly. Groaning he moved away to let them pass.

Through clenched teeth, he managed, “Jerrica, Ivy.”

“Her name is Jessica, Julian. And she’s doing a project on us- the Cranes. She has a list of questions to ask you so if you could go sit down and answer them,” Ivy leaned closer and threateningly whispered, “I might not add this morning’s incident to my big list of Why I Hate Julians.”

Sighing, Julian beckoned for Jessica to follow him into his den.

Upon arrival, Jessica took a seat and began. “What are Crane Industry trade relations like with the following countries: England, China, Canada, Japan, Australia...”

The girl kept talking.

He answered.

“What was the exact date of the foundation...”

He answered.

“When did...”

He answered. And throughout the whole process, with all the empty questions, he couldn’t help but wonder if that’s where everything had gone wrong. He’d been groomed to take care of Crane Industries all his life. There wasn’t a day that the company wasn’t on his mind. When he had been only seventeen he had been given complete control of imports going to Canada. He missed his senior prom to fly home for a business meeting. He missed his eleventh Christmas to attend a pressing press conference in London.

Julian had missed learning about life from his Father.

All because of Crane Industries.

All because of this stupid company he’d missed out on love.

“Mr. Crane? Mr. Crane?” Jessica’s voice repeated, and Julian looked up. “Is it hard to run Crane Industries?”

Julian just stared for a minute, “It’s awful.”

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Ivy had been reclined on the living room sofa for the last hour, carelessly flipping through the pages of Cosmopolitan. Jessica had left over forty minutes ago, and Ivy hadn’t seen Julian since earlier.

As she leafed through the magazine, the only thing that was on her mind were the six simple roses. Could she have misjudged Julian’s intentions?

At that moment the phone rang. It rang once. Then twice. Then once again, and as there was no maid in sight, Ivy picked it up.

“Hello?”

She instantly recognized the domineering voice on the other end. “Ivy, get Julian in here this instant!” Alistair boomed.

“Wha- why? Alistair you sound terribly angry. What happened?”

Alistair was more then angry, he was furious. “Your husband, my bumbling idiot of a son has just organized a small press conference. He wants to tell the world that he’s breaking free of Crane Industries. THAT HE WANTS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE COMPANY!”

Ivy dropped the phone, and stepped back. What was happening to Julian?

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