Author's Note: As those who know me know, I'm a huge GH fan. I have been for over twenty years. As I have watched throughout the years, I've often been "hit" with a story idea, mostly because I didn't like what was really happening on the show. So, when the recent fire occurred at the Port Charles Hotel, this story came to mind. I thought it was the perfect way to do away with characters I did not like…chief among them Carly. I wish I had written this sooner because where the story is going now (on the show) is driving me crazy! So, I decided once and for all to write this so I can get my frustrations out. I can make life in Port Charles, as it should be, if only in my head. So, this is set one week following the "great fire" of GH (or as Guza and Pratt called it, the "cataclysmic event"). Hope you enjoy it. And of course reviews are always welcome.
Disclaimer: This goes without saying but I guess it must be said…the ABC/Disney Corporation owns all characters of General Hospital.
It had been a week of tragedy and loss, the likes of which Port Charles had never seen. The Port Charles Hotel, which had been a fixture for almost fifty years, had burned to the ground taking with it several innocent lives. As the fire raged, firemen and volunteers worked feverishly around the clock to get as many people to safety.
In the days that followed, Port Charles citizens worked alongside each other as they sifted through the rubble looking for any signs of survivors. Soon it was time to memorialize the victims. Many funerals and memorial services were planned. The first funeral was one week after the fire.
Maxie Jones stood in front of her mirror preparing for the funeral. She still couldn't believe that Mac was dead. Suffering from severe third-degree burns, Mac had lingered in the hospital for several days before he finally passed away.
To many in Port Charles, Mac was merely the police commissioner, but to Maxie and her sister Georgie, he was "dad". Though he was not their biological father, Mac was the father they didn't have. Frisco Jones was merely a name on their birth certificate; Mac was the one who was there for them when no one else was, including their own mother, Felicia.
Maxie heard her bedroom door open. Turning around, she saw Georgie enter.
"Are you ready, Maxie? Everyone's waiting."
Maxie nodded and followed her sister downstairs.
"Can I get you something, Robin?" Monica Quartermaine asked. Robin was sitting quietly on the couch, surrounded by Bobbie, Lucas and Tony Jones.
Robin looked up and smiled at Monica. "No thank you, Dr. Quartermaine, I'm fine." Robin had been living in Paris for the past few years and had flown home as soon as she heard the news of her Uncle Mac. She had arrived just days before he passed away.
Maxie and Georgie arrived downstairs and joined them on the couch. "Where's Mom?" Georgie asked. Felicia had been in Texas caring for her grandmother when she got word of the fire and Mac's injuries.
"Felicia's plane is delayed," Bobbie informed the girls.
Maxie sighed. "It's just like Mom to wait till the last minute to come."
"Maxie, Felicia tried her best to get here earlier," Bobbie told her niece, "she had a hard time finding someone to care for Maria before she left."
"Whatever." Maxie was very bitter over her mother's constant disappearing acts. She felt that Felicia was continually making excuses to not stay home with her daughters. If it wasn't some "mystery" she was dying to solve, then it was flying off to Texas to care for Grandmother Maria. Maxie felt it made no difference what the excuse was; it was just a way for Felicia to put off being a mother.
The front door opened and Alan Quartermaine walked in followed by Kevin Collins and Lucy Coe. "The limo is here," Alan announced, somberly.
Lucy approached Robin and hugged her fiercely. "I'm so sorry for your loss, Robin," she weeped. "Mac was a good man."
Robin hugged Lucy back. "Thank you, Lucy." She pulled back and Kevin stepped forward. "Hi Kevin."
Kevin was a man who was not afraid to show his emotions. He let the tears fall as he hugged Robin. "He was my best friend," he choked back tears.
"I know, Mac always said the same thing about you," Robin told him.
Alan reminded them the car was waiting and Robin pulled on her coat. It was a crisp February morning, with snow in the forecast.
They trooped out of the house and piled into their cars. Kevin and Lucy shared a car with Alan and Monica while Robin, Maxie, Georgie, Bobbie, Tony and Lucas shared the limo. The drive was silent as each was deep in thought.
When they arrived at Queen of Angels church, Kevin took Robin's arm and escorted her into the church. The church was already filled with friends. As Robin took her seat, with Maxie and Georgie beside her, the priest took his place at the pulpit. Clearing his throat, he spoke, "on behalf of the family of Malcolm Scorpio, I want to thank you for coming today to pay your last respects." He smiled down at Robin. "Mac's niece Robin has requested that anyone who wishes to say a few words is free to do so."
All of Mac's friends stood up one at a time and spoke glowing words about him. Finally it was Robin's turn. She stepped toward the pulpit and looked out among her friends, people who had watched her grow and mature. "Before I begin," she said, "I want to thank all of you for coming today. I'm sure Uncle Mac is looking down on us and is just beaming." She paused and smiled. "He had a great smile. That's what I'm going to miss most about him…his smile."
Soon, it was time for the burial. The hearse carrying Mac's body led the long promenade to the cemetery. It was a full policeman's burial, complete with the American flag. Detective Alex Garcia, who had returned for the funeral of his former boss, bent over Robin and handed her the flag. "I'll always remember Mac as the best police commissioner I ever worked under."
After the service, Robin remained at the gravesite long after everyone had left. She ran her hand along the coffin. "Thank you, Uncle Mac," she sniffled, "thank you for always being there for me after my parents died."
There was a hand on her shoulder. Robin turned around and looked into the eyes of Sonny Corinthos. "I'm sorry for your loss, sweetheart," he whispered.
Quietly, Robin hugged him. "Thank you, Sonny," she said, almost mechanically. "I'm sorry for your loss as well." Sonny's wife Carly had also perished in the fire. "Carly and I weren't friends by any means but I'm truly sorry for her death."
"Thank you," Sonny told her, "I have to tell you, it's hard with her gone because of the kids." Sonny sighed. "I mean, Carly and I were getting a divorce so our biggest problem was making sure our Michael and Morgan felt safe and loved. With her gone, they have only me and now, there's Kristina." Alexis Davis had died in the fire alongside Carly. When her will was read, Sonny was stunned to discover that her daughter Kristina was also his. "Now that Kristina is living with me and the boys it's hard balancing all three."
At that moment, Jason Morgan arrived at the gravesite. Hesitantly, he approached them. "Hi Robin, how are you doing?"
"I'm fine," Robin told him. Jason and Robin had not spoken since that night on the bridge when they bid a tearful goodbye. "I'm sorry to hear about your wife," she told Jason after a short pause.
"Thanks," he said, quietly. Courtney had died saving the life of one of Port Charles' society ladies. He turned to Sonny. "We need you back at home."
Sonny nodded and turned back to Robin. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to call. I know we haven't talked in years and I'm real sorry about that, but I want to start over. I miss you, Robin. You've always been like a little sister to me."
Robin smiled. "I missed you too, Sonny." She hugged him quickly. "Go home and take care of your kids. I'll see you soon."
Sonny and Jason turned to leave. After she was left alone, Robin sat in one of the empty seats as her cellphone chirped. The LED read "number unavailable". "Dr. Scorpio."
"Robin, hi, it's Mum," Anna Devane Scorpio greeted. Mother and daughter had been reunited a few years previously and were now living in Paris. When they got word of Mac's death, Anna had wanted to accompany Robin except she was laid up with a broken leg.
"Hi Mom, how are you doing?"
"I'm good, sweetheart," Anna replied, "how was the funeral?"
"A lot of people showed up. Mac was very loved."
"I wish I could have been there for you but it sounds like you weren't alone."
They talked for a few minutes later. After hanging up, Robin stood up to leave. She kissed her fingers and touched them on the coffin one more time. "Goodbye, Uncle Mac. I love you."
(Hope you enjoyed it. Please review.)