A Friend's Advice (Dixie)

[Gillian Andrassy]

As of lately, Gillian had been getting shunned from people she cared about. They didn't understand that she had lost her memory when she woke up. All they understood was, that she had stayed away for ten years, and that she wasn't really dead. She had heard around town from a few people, about what had happened to Dixie, and that Dixie had the same thing happened to her, well sort of the same thing anyways. She was really nervous. Gillian and Dixie were at one time close friends, and she hoped, that despite everything that Dixie would still want to be friends. She looked in the phone book to look up their address, and made her way over to their place. She finally arrived, and sat in the car for a few moments. She just needed a moment to think on what she was going to say to her. She had already explained it to everyone, and noone seemed to understand.

Finally, after a few moments, she got out of the car, and walked to their front door. She then lightly knocked, and waited for someone to answer. The door finally opened, as Gillian let out a breathe, and looked to Dixie. "Dixie..it's me Gillian"

[Dix C. Martin]

After getting out of work early, with Kathy still at school Dixie was home with the twins. After daycare and tearing around the apartment after lunch, they were both napping in the nursery, so she was watching TV and grateful for a little peace. That she had til she heard a knock at the door.
"Wonder who that could be?"
She thought to herself, getting up to answer. And when she did she was stunned to see who was on the other side.
"Omigod..."
Totally thrown, having been in town when her old friend had donated her heart to Laura English, Dixie wasn't sure what to think. Luckily hospitality instincts kicked in and she let her in the house. But was still looking at Gillian dumbstruck as they stepped into the foyer.

"I...I'm sorry, it's just...I can't believe this..that you're still. Forgive me but, you're probably the last person I ever expected to walk in my door this afternoon!"
The blond exclaimed, still wondering if she was dreaming this whole thing up.

[Gillian Andrassy]

Gillian walked in, and then turned to face Dixie. "I know this comes as a shock to you Dixie, but I am alive, and have been all of this time. I have been back in town for a few weeks now, but it's not like I pretended to be dead or anything like that. I did get shot in the head, but my father apparently wanted me back in Hungary, so he did everything in his power to make it happen. The next thing I knew, I woke up in Hungary, and couldn't remember my past, until a few months ago, it all came flooding back to me. I snuck away from my family, and came back here." she said as she looked down.

"Ryan knows I am alive, and so do a few others, but I came here to you, because I have heard that the same thing sort of happened to you..." she said as she looked back up to Dixie. "And I came to get your advice...on what to do from here"

[Dix C. Martin]

Hearing Gillian tell her story, Dixie glanced at her in awe.
"Wow hon, I..I can't believe it!"
She said, but was wondering why of all people she'd come to visit her. Sure they were friends back in the day but she assumed she would rather be catching up with her soulmate. Hearing her mention she'd seen Ryan though, Dixie nodded and smiled. But it went softer at the princess' observation and question.
"I..c'mere, let's take a seat alright."

Bringing her over to the couch Dixie took a seat next to her.
"First..now that the shock's worn off a little, Gillian I can't tell you how, great it is seeing you again! When I found out what'd happened to you I...it's so good to see you're back."
She said sincerely.
"And..you heard right. This past decade I've lost years of my life..thanks to..a car crash and, later, poisoned pancakes of all things. Both times I was robbed of the people I loved..either because of, horrible things I brought about or..horrible things brought on me by others. But..even though I went through hell, my family suffered the most and, I'll never be able to forget or..completely forgive myself for, causing them that pain."
The blond sighed guiltily.

"From what it sounded like though, you didn't bring anything on your loved ones intentionally. You were shot and held captive. Nobody can hold what happened against you. And..call it a hunch but I don't think the people you love will.
The only advice I can really give is just to, take back as much of what's your's as you can and, hold onto it just as tightly. I kept Tad, my kids, everyone I loved at arms length for so long out of protection for them and for myself. And it was the worst thing I could've done.
I'd been given a second chance and, completely took it for granted. Now I'm stuck on my third life and, I'm trying my best to make the most of it.
All I can tell you is, do the same, sweetie. Right before I ate those pancakes I thought Tad and I had all the time in the world. But then I blinked, and we'd lost over a year together.
It was completely unfair, and the last thing any couple deserves. Especially one like you and Ryan. I know the two of you had something special...and you both deserve to get back to that."

[Gillian Andrassy]

"Wow, a car crash and poisoned pancakes, and you are still alive Dixie?" she said as she smiled abit. "I am glad that I came to you, because you were always a good friend to me, Dixie. Well, I haven't actually talked to Ryan yet.." she said as she looked down. "I sort of crashed Jake and Amanda's wedding, and Jake didn't seem to care that much that I was alive, but I guess that had to do with, because he was getting married, and I understood, but Ryan saw me at the wedding, and after I talked to Greenlee, I ran off. I mean, this is not fair to Ryan. He grieved for me, and moved on. I just think it would be smart for me to move on too" she said as she looked up to Dixie. "But don't get me wrong here, I still love Ryan, but I don't think it would be best for us to get back together. I mean ten years have passed..and alot has probably gone on with him.." she said as she then stood up.

"I am not surprised though to know that you and Tad are back together. I know that when I supposedly died...you two seperated because of David Hayward, and Leslie Coulson..so what ended up happening with that?" she asked as she looked down to Dixie.

[Dix C. Martin]

"Yeah well.."
Dixie shrugged shyly. She wasn't one to brag because of all her miraculous back from the dead returns, of anything they made her a little self conscious.
"And you to me."
She smiled, before Gillian explained she crashed Jake and Amanda's wedding. Hearing her say though she didn't think it was for the best her and Ryan reunite, Dixie sighed.
"Well I agree ten years is a long time, but..hon if you still love him, that's worth something. Sure a lot of things have changed but, don't rule anything out. If things are meant to be they tend to work out."
Dixie said knowingly. She'd never expected she'd be asked on a date by Tad after the way they'd been at eachother's throats for the better part of a year. Same as she never expected they'd be together raising their three children.
Hearing Gillian mention David and Leslie though, got the blond shuddering involuntarily.
"It's funny, all that stuff seems like it happened lifetimes ago, you know?"
She said, sitting back against the couch cushions, trying to remember the details she tried so hard to forget.
"Well, Tad and I reunited for a bit, but, it took us going through a lot of drama to get there. Even after I realized how much of a cretin David was and, cut him out of my life, J.R began acting out. And Adam was of course being no help in the situation. He tried to sue for custody and, Tad stood by me through all of that. And later, when he got tangled up in, the murder of a drug dealer who J.R had been associating with, I did my best to be there for him, same as he'd been there for me. I really thought we had a lock on things but...then Leslie wormed her way back into the fold. And Tad had played a part, he'd used her to try and, keep David away. It nearly cost him his life. When I learned what he did, how he put us all at risk like that, I wanted a divorce and got it. Even after I..found out that I was pregnant with Tad's baby, our daughter Kate.
I went to Europe to have her but, didn't tell Tad until late in the pregnancy. When I told him he and I, planned to reunite in Switzerland but then there, there was the car accident. And because of it, I lost four years of my life and, my family wasn't having the best of luck either. Let's just say things had to get..way worse before they got better. And luckily for the moment, things are better."
She said honestly, and grabbed a picture from the coffee table to show her friend.
"Not only do I have Jamie, J.R and..my grandson A.J, there's also Kate..and right there are her brother and sister, Nolan and Tara. They're Tad's and my twins."
Dixie said proudly, and saw Gillian looking on surprised, getting her chuckling a bit.
"I know..it's a bit of a shock but...there's proof."

[Gillian Andrassy]

"Wow. Everything seems to have been crazy for you, but yet you seem to have it all back together again, Dixie" Gillian said amazed. She had always looked up to Dixie, and admired her, but now she knew why. Dixie, was this amazing woman, who despite almost dying twice, she fought back, and came back to her family, and had more children. "Dixie..you inspire me" she said as she smiled. "I mean, you always have, but seeing you and Tad have kids, and watching you have a family, well, it just proves to me, that if you fight for something, you can get it" she said as she nodded her head.

"And that is what I am going to do. I am going to fight for my life again. I am going to try and win Ryan back, and I will not take no for an answer.." she said, as she then took Dixie's hand. "Thank you so much, and I would like to do something. If you have any girlfriends that loves the spa, why don't you let me take you and your friends, and how about we take one day for a spa and massage. That should ease the stresses for all of us.."

[Dix C. Martin]

"Oh, Gillian. Thank you."
Dixie blushed, humbled by the younger woman's compliments. Squeezing her hand in return she gave her a smile, that broadened when she mentioned the spa.
"That sounds pretty terrific if you ask me. I may have to take you up on that."
She said, before hearing whimpering that sounded closer than the nursery. And frowning she excused herself and got up, only to see her littlest girl in the hall outside the nursery, awake from her nap and crawled out of her crib.
"Oh you little spider monkey!"
"Momma!!"
Tara squealed, waving her arms as she clumsily ran over to her mother.
"For crying out loud..wait til your father gets home and hears about this."
"Daddy!"
"Yes..your daddy. And trust me he won't be too thrilled! Now c'mon my little escape artist there's someone I want you to meet."
Scooping up her daughter, Dixie brought her to the front where Gillian was standing.
"Gillian this is Tara. Tara this is my friend, Gillian."
"Gilly?"
Tara chirped, tilting her head as she stared at the brunette curiously, before curling up shyly into her mother's shoulder.
"Oh c'mon..don't get shy on me now Tinkerbell."
Dixie chuckled, smoothing her daughter's red curly hair as she gave Gillian a smile.

[Gillian Andrassy]

"Hey sweetey" she said as she played with the girls fingers for abit, and then looked back over to Dixie. "Dixie, she is so precious. She looks so much like you, but she certianly has Tad's charm.." she said as she then looked down, and stood up, and let out a sigh. "Seeing you having a family, something that you have longed for, for a long time, and now you have it, well it just makes me wonder if I could ever have the same thing, Dixie" she said as she turned to face her friend. "I remember the last time I got pregnant, and I lost the baby. I remember the pain of it, and I am not sure if I can go through that again" she said as she shook her head.

"But then if everything works out the way I want it to, then it will be worth the try.." she said smiling abit, as she looked over to Tara. "I mean, it probably would have been easy for you to just have washed your hands with it, and given up, but you didn't and now look at you. You have beautiful children, and a charming husband, and I want that too, Dixie."

[Dix C. Martin]

Hearing Gillian's remark about losing her baby, Dixie sighed sadly giving her a sympathetic look. But smiled a little when she said she wanted the husband, the kids, whole nine yards.
"And I think you deserve all that and more sweetie, really."
She said sincerely, perching on the arm of the sofa with a snoozy Tara in her arms.
"I mean it took a lot to get me to this point. Not long ago I was in the same position as you. I mean, you were there for me when, when I lost Bess. And for awhile Kate was lost to me too. I honestly thought the only child I'd be able to give Tad was his daughter with another woman. But..somehow things worked out and, my kids and I beat the odds. I got the life I wanted with Tad since the day we first laid eyes on eachother. I don't doubt you and Ryan can do the same, and get everything you want. You've both earned it."
The blond smiled knowingly, gently kissing Tara on the head.
"I swear, she's just like Tad. Loves her catnaps."

[Gillian Andrassy]

"I remember that time when you had lost Bess. At that time, I didn't know how it felt to lose a baby that was inside of you, but unfortunately I did feel what it was like, but that was a bad time in my life. I was caught up between Jake and Ryan, and it was just a moment that I never want to relive ever again, Dixie. But you want to know what is really strange? Greenlee is being nice to me.." she said as she smiled down to her, noticing that Dixie was abit shocked to hear that news. "Yea, I know. I was shocked to, but she wants a truce, and I think I am going to let the past be the past, but I don't trust her that much, not yet, and with good reason.." she said as she then sat back down.

"Let me ask you a question Dixie. When you came back into Pine Valley, alive again. Did Tad have another woman that he was seeing?"

[Dix C. Martin]

Hearing Gillian mention the niceness coming from a certain former rival of her's Dixie's jaw dropped a little and even Tara glanced up attentively.
"Greenlee, as in Greenlee Smythe??"
Getting a nod she chuckled in surprise.
"Yeah, I'd be keeping a close eye on her. From what I remember she's not one to play nice."
When the princess asked her about Tad and other women, sighing Dixie reluctantly nodded. She generally avoided thinking about the times Tad was with anyone besides her. Call it selfish but he was her guy and always would be.
"Well when I first came back to town, after the accident I found out Tad was engaged. To my half sister, Di. And, let's just say he wasn't all she'd tried to take away from me."
Dixie said vaguely, but went on to explain the rest about Di stealing her life with David's help.
"We have, mended fences since though. We're actually pretty close now. But..a few years back if you'd told me, I'd think you'd lost your mind."
After cooing a bit at Tara when she stirred, the blond went on to answer the question.
"Later on after the pancakes, I came back and..Tad was happily married. To the mother of his other little girl, Krystal. The happiness didn't last too long for them though once I came back."
She said, not bragging just stating the fact. Looking back on how she'd acted then didn't make her very proud.
"But we've..moved past it now. Krystal and I even called a truce recently. It's just better to leave that kinda thing in the past..you know?"

[Gillian Andrassy]

"Well, I am truly happy that things have worked out for you Dixie, I really am." Gillian said as she smiled. "But listen, I am sorry to cut this so short, but I must be running. I got some things I got to take care of.." she said as she walked towards the front door, and then turned to look at Dixie. "And, thank you Dixie for everything. You have given me so much to think about..." she said as she smiled, and then left.

After talking with Dixie, Gillian knew what she had to do. She had to speak with someone that could help her more than anyone could ever realize.