A/N – I love how nervous everyone got nervous about Anthony after the last chapter. I guess that lets me know I've done a good job of providing angst in this series. What you need to know about this chapter is that I don't know how signing over an illegal business actually works, so I did it in a way that makes sense in my head and I'm hoping everyone just accepts it. Also, I believe this is Diane Miller's debut in the series. Hope you all enjoy, let me know if you do or if you don't! I love all reviews!
Chapter 2 – Signing Things Over
Johnny stared Anthony down and waited for him to respond. If Anthony tried to back out this time, Johnny would fight him. Today was the day he was shedding the burden of the business and nothing would stop him.
"Answer me," Johnny demanded. "Are you turning the business over to me?"
"Yes," Anthony sighed. "I'm just trying to share a moment with you before I do it."
"When did you become so sentimental?" Johnny asked.
"John," Anthony laughed. "You always think so little of me. I've always had a soft side."
"Right," Johnny nodded. "That's why you shot me. You're soft."
"Attitude," Anthony warned.
"Can we just get this done?" Johnny questioned.
"Whenever Trevor shows up, we will make it official and you can have all the power you seem to be craving," Anthony replied.
Johnny nodded again, careful not to snap on his father. He didn't want power at all, but he needed to remain calm. He couldn't risk his father deciding not to give him the business yet. He couldn't handle putting it off any longer. He looked up as Trevor breezed through the door, carrying a few files in his hand.
"Sorry I was late, but I wanted to make absolutely sure these papers were fool proof," Trevor said, opening the first file. "I know it's important to John that it all be final."
"He just can't wait to be rid of me," Anthony mumbled.
"It's like you said before," Johnny spoke up. "I just want the power."
"Right," Anthony said, smiling to himself. "Let's get this done."
Trevor explained all of the places that needed signing by both of them. It took about twenty minutes, but Johnny was finally holding the pen and preparing to sign the final document that would give him complete control of the business. He pressed the pen to the paper and quickly added his signature, making everything official. It was all working out just how he and Lulu and Jason had dreamed it up so many months ago.
"There we go," Johnny whispered. "It's all mine."
"Congratulations John," Anthony offered. "You just got everything you could have ever wanted."
Johnny just smiled and nodded. For once, his father was right. He just had no idea why.
"I'll take all of this and file it right away," Trevor cut in, gathering everything. "It shouldn't take longer than thirty minutes for it to be official."
"Great," Johnny said, shaking hands with Anthony. "Thanks, Dad."
"Of course," Anthony replied.
Johnny stood up and took one final look at the visitation room and at his father. It was probably the last time he'd be there. There was a small part of him that remembered the times his father had been sane and a halfway decent man that was sad for this final moment. But the larger part of him knew it was all for the best and he walked out of the room with no regrets.
Lulu played with her necklace that Johnny had given her for Christmas as she laid on the couch, waiting to hear news from Johnny. She was trying to remain calm, but it was hard. All she wanted was to have Johnny back home with her. Her phone rang and she sat up, reaching for it on the coffee table and answering quickly.
"Hello?" Lulu said, wishing she had looked at the caller ID first.
"Hey, beautiful," Johnny replied, the smile obvious in his voice.
"You sound happy," Lulu noted, trying not to get too excited.
"Well, I'm talking to the woman I love and I'm a free man," Johnny responded. "Why wouldn't I be happy?"
"Why are you calling if it's all done?" Lulu asked. "Come home already."
"It's not all done," Johnny admitted. "But the hard part is over. I'm in complete control of the Zacchara empire."
"So what are you waiting for?" Lulu wondered.
"Trevor is filing the papers so they're official or something," Johnny explained. "He said it should only take about thirty minutes, so I'm meeting Jason and Diane in forty-five to finish everything up."
"Where are you now?" Lulu questioned.
"Why are you asking so many questions?" Johnny laughed.
"I'm just nervous," Lulu muttered.
"I'm just driving while I wait," Johnny offered. "And speaking to you because I wanted to hear your voice."
"You could come by," Lulu suggested.
"No, if I come by right now I'll miss the meeting with Jason and Diane," Johnny chuckled. "Because as soon as I see you, I'm ravaging you."
"Is that all you can think about right now?" Lulu asked, blushing at his words.
"It wounds my pride a little that you're so focused on something else," Johnny replied.
"Johnny, as much as I love it when you ravage me, I can't think about that when you're at risk," Lulu sighed.
"Lu, I'm fine," Johnny said again.
"I won't know that for sure until you're here with me," Lulu said softly.
"If you want me to come by and put off the rest until tomorrow-" Johnny started.
"No," Lulu cut in. "I want it to all be over."
"Will you be okay while you wait?" Johnny asked. "Maybe you should go have coffee with Carly or something."
"No, I want to be here and waiting when it's all done," Lulu replied. "Just hurry."
"I will," Johnny promised. "I love you, wife."
"I'm not your wife yet," Lulu pointed out.
"I'm just testing it out," Johnny laughed.
"It sounds good," Lulu smiled.
"Perfect," Johnny corrected. "It sounds perfect."
"I love you, too, husband," Lulu said, not being able to stop herself.
"Perfect," Johnny repeated. "Bye, beautiful."
"Bye," Lulu muttered.
She held the phone to her chest and smiled. Husband and wife did sound perfect for the two of them.
Johnny pulled up to Jason's penthouse, the first time he was meeting him that wasn't in secret. He had nothing to hide anymore. He walked in the front door and made his way to the elevator quickly. The ride up went by slowly because Johnny was so anxious to get to the top and complete the deal. The elevator finally came to a stop and Johnny hurried over to Jason's door, knocking immediately.
"Hey," Jason said, opening the door.
"Hey," Johnny sighed. "Where's Diane?"
"On her way," Jason replied. "She couldn't draw up papers for you to sign stuff over to me until there were papers that proved everything was signed over to you."
"Makes sense," Johnny nodded. "I just hope it doesn't take much longer."
"Eager to get it done?" Jason asked.
"Yeah," Johnny answered. "I just called Lulu and she's even more eager than I am."
"I bet she wants to start planning that wedding," Jason noted.
"You know, I think I'm more excited about the wedding than she is," Johnny laughed. "She doesn't ever want to plan anything."
"You seem okay with that," Jason said with a surprised look on his face.
"I know it's because she's been focused on today," Johnny shrugged. "Once this is all over, I doubt I'll be able to keep her from trying to drag me to the nearest altar."
"Is that a bad thing?" Jason wondered, laughing.
"I want her to have the wedding of her dreams, not just a quick ceremony," Johnny explained. "I want her to have the memories to look back on."
"She'll thank you for it," Jason predicted.
"I think so, too," Johnny agreed.
The door opened and Diane bustled in, carrying several files. Johnny felt a bit of deja vu as Diane began spreading papers out on Jason's coffee table. He couldn't fight the smile that crossed his face.
"Alright, Mr. Zacchara," Diane smiled. "You're about five signatures from you and five from Jason away from handing over your newly acquired business. I'm required to ask you if you want to have your own counsel present for this."
"Actually, I'm dumping Trevor as my attorney," Johnny muttered. "I was sort of hoping you would be my lawyer, should I need one anytime in the future."
"Why, of course, as long as you pay my retainer fee," Diane smiled.
"Of course," Johnny agreed.
"Good, we'll talk details later," Diane said, handing him a pen. "First, let's get these done."
"Yes, let's," Johnny said, taking a deep breath and signing the first paper.