Ain't Too Proud to Beg (SOU 4/16/1996)
AMC's Edmund Will Do Whatever It Takes to Win Maria's Love

He begged, he pleaded, he even groveled, but AMC's Brooke still had one answer to Edmund's marriage proposal: "No!" Enter Dr. Maria Santos- beautiful, unattached, and oh-so-in-love with Edmund. This time, Edmund didn't have to ask twice; Maria quickly agreed to marry him. Edmund now claims that Maria is the only woman for him, but we wonder: Is she the first-place winnder of Edmund's heart- or just his consolation prize?

"Edmund's really in love," declares John Callahan about his character's feelings for Maria (Eva LaRue). "He has found passion again with her, and is willing to give her 100 percent of himself." According to Executive Producer Felicia Minei Behr, he has convinced himself that this is the real thing.

But what about Grey's feelings for his ex-fiance, Brooke? Edmund may profess that Maria is the one he wants, but is wasn't too long ago that he was pledging his undying love to Brooke. "I think there's a part of him that will always love Brooke," explains Behr. "But when she told him it was over on New Year's Eve, he realized that he couldn't suspend his life anymore. That night made it crystal clear to Edmund that he had to get on with his life with Maria. Brooke is his past, Maria is his future."

Unfortunately, the past has has a way of coming back to haunt people. Brooke wasn't over Edmund when she hastily married Tad, and Tad still carried a torch for Dixie. Their marriage ended when Tad had an affair with Dixie, but Behr promises that Edmund won't make the same mistake. "We won't see Edmund pining for Brooke or cheating on Maria," Behr says. "Edmund has shown that he has high moral standards, and w will try to stay true to them."

Callahan defends his character's eleventh-hour appeal to Brooke for a reconciliation. He also insists Edmund is ready to settle down with Maria. "At one point in his life, he would have done anything for Brooke, so he had to find out if there was still a chance," he explains. "Once she told him no, that was it- it was really over for him. Now Edmund just wants a life with Maria."

Edmund may be sure of his feelings, but it will take time before Maria can feel completely secure. When Edmund refused to leave Brooke's side during her recent surgery, Maria was so hurt she was ready to call it quits, again, but Edmund changed her mind, again. "She has her fears, but she has squelched them," observes Eva LaRue. "Maria wouldn't marry him if she didn't think he loved her and she totally had him." But does Maria truly have Edmund? This is a man who twice tried to reunite with Brooke during his engagement to Maria. Still, LaRue doesn't think her character is crazy for standing by him. "This is her first love, so Maria is a bit of a wimp," she laughs. "And Edmund's residual feelings for Brooke have certainly been a source of inner conflict for her. But deep down, Maria knows that while Edmund may still love Brooke, he's no longer in love with her." Brooke knows it's over, too. She shows up at Maria's house the night before the wedding- to give her blessing.

Both parties will approach the altar with clear consciences and the best of intentions. But that's no guarantee of marital success. "I think they will be very happy together. Their strife will come from external sources," reveals Behr.

You'll have to tune in to find out exactly what Behr is referring to, but she offers some tantalizing hints. For one thing, the newlyweds' living arrangements won't be stress-free- the happy couple, along with Maria's rambunctious sister, Julia, will move into Wildwind. Already living at the Gothic estate is Edmund's older brother, Dimitri, and Dimitri's ward, Anton. Don't expect them all to be one happy family. "There will be a lot going on in that castle by the sea," predicts Behr.

Brooke might even stop by. "This is total speculation on my part, but what if Dimitri and Brooke somehow start dating?" asks Callahan. "He's separated from Erica, and she's divorcing Tad. It could happen- and think of what that would do for household relations."

Whether or not his senario comes to pass, Callahan knows Maria and Edmund won't have it easy. "Love is never neat, it is never predictable," he muses. "But Edmund is determined to make it work with Maria, so all they can do is their best." For better or worse.

English Lessons
Some might say that AMC's Brooke English (Julia Barr) is the odd woman out now that Maria and Edmund are getting hitched, and Tad is with Dixie. But Ms. English isn't asking for sympathy. Barr comments, in character, on Brooke's love life.

On Maria and Edmund's wedding: "I wish Edmund well in whatever he chooses. I hope he and Maria will be very happy."

On dating: "I've considered staying away from men for the rest of my life and becoming a nun."

On dating Dimitri: "I have too much pride to put myself in a situation that would make Edmund and myself very uncomfortable. Besides, Dimitri's not really my type."