Children
Kevin Lord Riley (Buchanan)
1976
Written By: Nanci L.
Ever the
precocious child, Kevin came into the world in a premature birth. His
parents, Viki & Joe Riley, were thrilled to learn Kevin did not suffer
from the hereditary heart defect that plagued Megan, Joe's daughter with
Cathy Craig. The first few weeks of Kevin's life were blissful for the
Rileys. But that happiness did not last as Cathy, who had been slowly
losing touch with reality, kidnapped baby Kevin. After many months of
anguish, the Rileys had begun to lose hope when Cathy was found.
Unfortunately, she had no memory of taking Kevin. Joe was sure his son was
lost forever, but Viki refused to give up hope. Joe began drinking heavily
and his marriage to Viki was in jeopardy. Eventually, Viki was reunited
with her baby and soon she and Joe repaired the damage done to their
relationship.
1982
When Kevin was
still a toddler, his father died of a massive brain tumor. A few years
later, his mother remarried. Kevin and his younger brother Joey, were
adopted by their stepfather, Clint Buchanan.
1991
A teenaged
Kevin got his first taste of young love when he met crime boss Carlo
Hesser's neice, Stephanie Hobart. Hesser's hatred for Kevin's family made
having a relationship difficult and Stephanie left town. Kevin soon found
himself in the arms of his friend, Lee Ann Demerest. Friendship gave way
to passion and Kevin lost his virginity to the older woman. Lee Ann
however, still had feelings for old flame, Max Holden. Kevin proposed to
Lee Ann several times to keep her from Max, but each time, she refused.
Later, when Lee Ann became pregnant, not knowing if Kevin or Max was the
baby's father, she accepted Kevin's offer to "do the right thing" and the
two eloped. The new Mrs. Buchanan was growing more and more attracted to
the new rebel in town, Jason Webb. Lee Ann gave birth to Kevin's son,
Demerest "Duke" Buchanan, but couldn't deny her feelings for Jason. When
Kevin found them together, he filed for divorce and won custody of Duke.
Desperate to keep her son, Lee Ann fled town with Jason and the baby.
Kevin turned to his friend Rachel Gannon, and by the time Duke was
returned, his relationship with Rachel had taken a turn for the serious.
1993-1995
Kevin allowed Lee Ann partial custody of Duke. She moved
home to Texas with the toddler in tow. Kevin continued to focus on his
relationship with Rachel and his studies at Llanview University. He joined
the Kappa Alpha Delta fraternity and moved into their house on campus.
During the frat's "Spring Fling" party, Kevin noticed Marty Saybrooke
drinking out of control. When she refused to let him drive her home, he
took her to his room and left her to sleep it off. While in the room,
Marty was brutally gang raped by frat brothers Todd Manning, Zach Rosen
and a reluctant Powell Lord, Viki's cousin. Marty was unable to fully
remember the events of that night and accused Kevin along with the three
for her rape. Eventually, with the help of Nora Gannon, Kevin was
exonerated and the guilty three were jailed. Kevin and Rachel realized the
wanted different things from life and broke up.
When Viki was
at her lowest point of suffering from DID, it was Kevin who first realized
the depth of his mother's illness. Ever since he was a baby and she
promised never to let go of him again, Kevin and his mother have shared a
serious bond. Kevin, along with Clint, and his siblings, helped Viki fight
and win her battle with DID.
1996-1998
Carlo Hesser sought revenge on Viki for her role in the
death of his son, Johnny Dee. A son for a son was his plan as he forced
Dr. Elliot Durbin to program Viki to kill Kevin. Viki's loving bond with
her son proved stronger than the implanted suggestion and she could not
bring herself to kill her son.
Kevin
joined the Banner staff as an investigative reporter. He began a playful,
flirtatious and competitive relationship with fellow reporter Cassie
Callison Carpenter. Kevin fell hard for his coworker and pursued her
relentlessly. While in Rio, investigating Carlo Hesser's "death," Cassie,
who was attracted to Kevin, swore to never be unfaithful to husband
Andrew. Kevin seemed to accept this and upon returning to Llanview, Cassie
was jealous when he began an affair with Tea Delgado. Andrew forced Cassie
to choose between himself and Kevin and she ran into Kevin's arms. Andrew
divorced Cassie and took custody of their son, River. Kevin and Cassie
were married. After a brief time of happiness, Cassie broke with reality
after learning of Kevin's one night stand with Barbara Graham. Cassie's
mother, Dorian, had Cassie hospitalized in Switzerland and her marriage to
Kevin annulled.
1999-2000
Still "grieving" for Cassie, Kevin threw himself into his
work. After the death of Mel Hayes, Kevin began working on Mel's last
story with an informant known only as "Hamlet." Little did he know that
"Hamlet" was actually Ben Davidson, the man with whom his mother was
falling in love. Kevin and Ben got to know and trust each other while
working together to rescue Viki from Hugo Monroe, a mob kingpin who was
out to get Ben. Kevin found love again with Ben's sister, Grace, but once
again happiness was short lived as Grace's life was cut short when she got
in the middle of Kevin's grandfather Asa's vendetta against her brothers.
After Grace's death Kevin sought solace in alcohol for a
short period. Kelly Cramer, Grace's best friend was also devastated at
loosing Grace and the two found themselves growing closer as they tried to
console each other. Gradually Kevin and Kelly found themselves strongly
attracted to his brother Joey's fiance. Kevin confided in his mother who
suggested that they be honest with each other. However both he and Kelly
continued to deny their feelings. Eventually, Kevin pushed Kelly away in a
very hurtful manner.
When Viki was
diagnosed with breast cancer, it was Kevin she confided in, as she and Ben
had become estranged. Kevin helped his mother fight and win her battle
with cancer and find her way back into Ben's arms. On the very day he
finally planned to heed his mother advice regarding his feelings for Kelly
and tell her the truth, Joey and Kelly arrived in her hospital room to
announce that they had eloped. Eventually Kelly confessed her feelings for
Kevin to her husband. This revelation has caused a major rift between the
two brothers who had always been each other's best friend.
Throughout his
life, Kevin's relationship with his mother has been his one constant.
They've always been close and held a tight bond of love, which has also
become a bond of friendship.
