July 25th 1988…

The second the two pairs of eyes connected, Bill Eckert picked the shivering 3 ½ month old up into his arms and she burrowed herself into his shirt… she wrapped her tiny right hand around his index finger and her left hand around Nancy's.

The couple had walked into the adoption center with their young son along with them, the paperwork having gone through to adopt the baby.

And they both looked at each other with soft smiles as Sly made silly faces at the infant, who giggled.

"I think this little angel chose us as her family…" Nancy whispered before lightly kissing the infant on her forehead. "Well, we've gotta pick out a name for her… any suggestions?" She responded quietly.

"I thought of one… Harper Elena." Bill answered before turning to her. "You like that, kiddo?" He asked.

Harper clapped her tiny hands together as she babbled, Sly looking at Bill and Nancy.

"Is it okay if I hold her?" Sly asked.

"Of course, Slyster." Bill responded, gently putting Harper in Sly's arms after the boy sat down.

"Hi… I'm your older brother and I'm gonna look out for you. I'm gonna teach you a lot of things in life, Harper… how to tie your shoes when you're old enough to wear them… how to ride a bike… and drive a car. Well, when I'm old enough to drive, of course." Sly replied, lightly brushing Harper's short dark blonde hair back. "And you're gonna know that you're always loved by your family… I promise, Sis." He whispered, kissing Harper on her forehead.

Harper let out a sleepy yawn and rested her head on Sly's right shoulder, closing her eyes as Bill and Nancy smiled again.

The first night home, Bill found himself holding Harper close to him after changing her into a pink and grey pajama onesie… the infant was out like a light but Bill couldn't bring himself to put his daughter in her crib just yet.

"One day, Harper Elena, we're gonna go to Port Charles and you're gonna meet your whole family… Luke, Bobbie, Patricia… they're gonna love you like they've known you for your entire life. And love you for you, my precious angel." Bill whispered, Harper's snores barely audible.

And when Bill finally put her in her crib, he swore he saw Harper's tiny mouth form into a smile… he lightly kissed her on her forehead before he headed to his and Nancy's room.

Over in Port Charles, Alan was checking on his 3 ½ month old daughter, who was asleep in her crib when he felt hands resting on his shoulders and turned… and smiled when he saw Monica, who smiled at him and Lily.

"She's gonna grow up surrounded by all the love we all have… and none of the chaos that comes with our family." Monica whispered, Alan smiling.

"Yes she will." Alan responded quietly before he lightly kissed Lily on her forehead and Monica rubbed the infant's head.

"Goodnight, sweetheart." Monica whispered before she and Alan headed back to their room, Alan quietly closing the door.

Across the world in Ireland, Duke looked at newly turned 12 year old Brayden, who looked back at him.

"Where do you keep going off to, Dad? Mom mentioned that you're seeing another woman…" The boy questioned, Duke kneeling down to his son's height.

"A place called Port Charles… and someday son, I want to take you there so you can meet her. Her name is Anna and she is very nice but she has a child of her own and she's been busy trying to figure everything out." Duke explained before he and his son hugged. "I promise, I will be back for you." He responded before he left.

But at the time, Brayden didn't know that the man who had just left wasn't Duke Lavery…

Present time…

Harper's eyes slowly opened, her looking up and seeing Brayden before she snuggled closer to him and they kissed.

"Morning, love." Brayden responded.

"Morning to you too." Harper replied, slowly stretching her body... or trying to but her limbs were numb.

The 29 and 41 year olds were still half asleep and tempted to fall back asleep… but they heard the door open and two sets of footsteps, the two sitting up.

"I have no damn idea where she could've gone off to, she doesn't know the city like it's second nature to her." Jason responded after closing the door.

"Look, just calm down… I'm sure Harper will turn up here sooner or later, she seems to feel safe with you. That tells me that you two are getting to know each other after being robbed of years you could've had as siblings. And none of them were thinking straight from what you told me when you called but Carly really shouldn't have blown up at her yesterday… Harper was just trying to keep things from turning volatile." Anna replied.

"Which is a good thing. Carly does get out of control when she gets angry, so does Nelle… I hope Carly didn't mean the horrible things she said, how Harper isn't truly family because she didn't grow up around me." Jason responded.

Brayden immediately stood up, pulling the condom off and pulling on a pair of boxers before pulling his pajamas on as Harper stood up and pulled her underwear and his shirt onto her before they kissed and she went to go get cleaned off… taking a few seconds to compose himself, Brayden walked out into the living room and Jason and Anna looked up.

"She's getting cleaned off?" Jason asked.

"Yes… last night got a bit…" Brayden responded. "Chaotic. Harper's not harmed but she was upset after the altercation between Carly and Nelle and Carly going off at Harper didn't make things easier." He replied, having trailed off as Anna observed him.

"You remind me of your dad, he always looked out for others before looking out for himself." Anna responded with a kind smile, putting Brayden at ease.

But the look Jason had on his face didn't make the calm feeling last long… and he knew what had happened the night before.