I'm Here...

Welcome to another chapter...I know this is the longest fic I've ever written but I just keep getting inspired and for some reason would rather do one long Riley epic then a series of Riley fics... I STILL don't own GH...just Riley and my wacky ideas


She couldn't believe how much had changed in the course of a year. It was this evening a year ago that her life and the lives of countless others changed forever.

Riley Quartermaine got up off the edge of her bed after putting on her shoes. Smoothing out the blue and lilac comforter that she adored so much before heading to her vanity. She stopped in front of a small wooden box and picked it up winding it before opening it. The faint sounds of Moon River echoed back at her as she took out a silver bracelet and smiled. Both of these objects held a strong place with her.

The box had been a gift from Johnny Zacchara whom despite the circumstances of their relationship (she met him when she was fleeing town then spent almost a week held captive by his family's lawyer) they remained good friends. She had last seen him in December when she spent some of her holiday break in the city and was going to see him in a matter of hours at the Nurses Ball. The bracelet was a gift from her boyfriend Milo Giambetti on their first valentines day together. It was a pretty simple silver chain with custom made charms that signified different aspects of their love. There was a heart to symbolize how she had his heart, a shoe to remind her about that party Kate Howard had, a snowman to remind her about the crazy antics that had happened in the City that Christmas and a few other symbolic items.

She gave herself one final check in the mirror. She was grateful that sooner rather then later her hair grew out and it was its natural black once more. It was pulled back into a French braid with little jewels entwined in it. Her gown was a lovely pale green and was much nicer then that violet one from Wyndoms last year, this was a designer original.

She grabbed her purse and left her room descending down the stairs of the mansion. The huge house was silent which was a vast change from the family's bickering. Her cousin Brook was sitting down on one of the couches. She was wearing a black gown looking uncomfortable.

"Take a picture Riley. This will be the only time this year I get all dolled up like this."

Riley took a mental note of this. This was the one thing she loved about her cousin. Although Brook was a part of this high profile family her heart was in the city and she would much rather dress in a good pair of jeans and a t-shirt as opposed to a gown any day.

"So where is everybody?"

"I'm guessing that they already headed over to the Hotel where Carly is probably in a panic about where we are and Damian or Jason is calming her down."

"Yea sounds like Carly."

Carly Jacks was once again the balls MC and Riley knew that the older woman wanted the ball to go on smoothly unlike last years in which she came right out and announced that AJ Quartermaine was her father and it was also revealed that her friend Damian Spinelli was the son of Brook's father Ned Ashton and fashion editor Kate Howard. In the months after the ball Damian got to know his mother and went through a transformation of sorts. Not only did he change his name legally to Damian Ashton he began to dress better and exude a greater sense of confidence. But to Riley her cousin would forever remain the Jackal, the young computer hacker who became like a brother to her even before she knew they were related and who no matter what happened in their lives would remain her truest friend.

The doorbell to the front door was heard as Brook got up.

"That must be Johnny. I should get it before Alice throws him out."

"Alice has the night off."

Brook nodded and opened the door to reveal two young men.

"You clean up well Zacchara."

Riley smiled at her cousin's boyfriend.

"Back at ya Quartermaine."

Sure Johnny and Riley had seen each other dressed up before but they always loved to make a game of it.

She then smiled at the other man.

"But no offence guys I've got the hottest date to his thing."

She headed over to Milo and gave him a kiss.

Milo smiled back at her as he reached his hand into his pocked and rubbed his knuckles against a small box. He had plans to once again shake the ball up this year.

--

Back at the hotel Damian Ashton had met in the lobby with Georgie Jones.

"Happy Anniversary." He whispered to her.

"I can't believe it's been a year. Time sure does fly."

Damian nodded thinking back to a year ago and how unlucky in love he was. Lulu Spencer had rejected him for the billionth time and his new crush Jolene Crowell turned out to be a murderess. It was wise words from Riley that led him to the world of online dating. Who knew that a sweet young girl named Euro Chick would turn out to be Georgie Jones all along. The past year was glorious.

Just then Lulu entered the lobby and caught them mid kiss.

"Should I ask Carly to get you a room?"

"Greetings Blonde One. So flying solo."

Lulu nodded. She had enjoyed a good relationship with Logan Hayes however they always sort of knew it wasn't meant to be. Back in October he had told her that he was getting bored with the town and needed to break free. She told him that she needed to stay and attempt to go to school to make something of herself though her heart longed for adventure. She was a Spencer after all. So they stuck it out for a few more months but by March Logan was restless and gave her an ultimatum, Port Charles or him. It broke her heart to choose the town she was raised in over the guy she loved and though they were no longer seeing each other they were in correspondence with each other.

"So how is Logan these days?"

Lulu smiled.

"He's working at some ranch back in Texas. From the letters he seems happy and I think I'm going to go back up there to visit for a while before classes start."

"Just as long as your back for my bon voyage party."

"You know I will be. And don't worry about me stealing Damian from you."

"Like I was worried about the Jackal and the Blonde One teaming up again."

Lulu chuckled a bit. As Johnny, Brook, Riley, and Milo arrived.

"Hi sis, Johnny."

"It's nice to see you again Damian."

Truth was even though Damian disliked the former mob-prince after the fun that they all had over Christmas in New York he young man learned to like his sister's boyfriend.

Riley moved a loose strain of her hair behind her ear and turned to Georgie.

"So are Maxie and Coop coming?"

Georgie shook her head.

"Unfortunately no. Maxie isn't aloud to travel right now."

Yes you heard right. Maxie Jones was pregnant. Shortly after the beginning of the school year Maxie announced that she was moving back to Virginia with Cooper to start over. In the process the couple stopped in Vegas and got married. Maxie was now expecting her first child and though it was still early along her case was being watched closely due to her heart condition.

Brook smiled.

"Dillon isn't coming either. Said something about his film being in post production or something."

It was then that Carly appeared in the lobby.

"Thank god you all are here."

"Are you in need of my technical expertise?"

Carly shook her head.

"Just made sure you were here so I didn't have to edit the program."

"Yea we're here." Riley said smiling.

"Also I came to request that there was no funny business this year."

Riley giggled and shook her head.

"It's Port Charles I can't promise anything Carly."

Carly rolled her eyes and handed the young woman a paper.

"If you are changing your number now let me know."

Silence.

"Ok then."

Carly left and the seven young adults entered the room.

"You'd think that being a Quartermaine we'd get upgraded from the kids table."

"This isn't the kids table I requested we all be together."

She gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Besides we can breathe from all the drama we are not in the middle of."

Everyone nodded in agreement as Carly got on the stage.

"Welcome to what is now to be again the annual nurses' ball."

Cheers.

Carly then began to tell of the origins of the ball and the cause.

"So," Damian said, "are you still going to keep this act of yours a secret?"

Riley nodded. She wanted to shock her friends and family by her performance. It was her and Milo's idea to this year do a duet and to have a lot of fun with it. The only person to see the act was Carly and that was only a rough rehearsal with no costumes.

After a few of the residence got up to show their stuff Riley smiled at Milo.

"We should go. It's going to take a while for me to get into costume."

He nodded as the gang waved goodbye to them.

--

Backstage Riley took off her designer gown and giggled to herself as she got into her costume. Milo was busy in another area getting changed into his own costume making sure to take the box from his suit pocket and placed it into the pocket of his pants praying that it didn't fall out.

--

"Ok," Carly's voice was heard onstage, "those of you here last year might remember what happened after Riley Quartermaine then Dennison took the stage. Well this year she's back along with Milo Giambetti in an attempt to top last years show."

--

The music began as Milo and Riley got on stage dressed like Sandy and Danny in the final scene in Grease. Johnny and Damian looked at Riley in her leather pants and black crop top and began to drool.

"She's your cousin," Georgie said eew.

Damian apologized to her as Johnny claimed he wasn't related so he could drool all he wanted causing Brook to hit him and tell him she was HER family and was off limits.

I got chills, they're multiplyin', and I'm losin' control
Cause the power you're supplyin', it's electrifyin'

You better shape up, cause I need a man,
and my heart is set on you
You better shape up, you better understand,
to my heart I must be true
Nothing left, nothing left for me to do

They played out the scene dancing on the stage until the song ended.

Carly was heading onto the stage to talk when Milo took the mic.

'Not again.' Carly thought waiting for what Milo was going to say.

"I know Carly wants to talk but I would like a minute."

He turned to face Riley.

"Ever since the first day I laid eyes on you at the coffeehouse I knew there was something special about you. I found out I was right. You saved me that day though you didn't know that yet. If it weren't for meeting you I might still of been in my former line of work, I might have been dead. "

Milo paused and took a deep breath.

"I'm not that good with words so I'd like to quote the song we just sang. Riley you're the one that I want and I hope that you want me to."

He put his hand in his pocket and took out the box.

"Would you do me the honor of marrying me?"

Riley was speechless as she nodded and allowed him to slip the ring on her fingers.

"Wow," Carly said, "I didn't see that coming. Let's take a brake to bid in the silent auction and make donations shall we."

--

Riley and Milo headed off the stage and got changed back into their cloths before heading back to the table.

Congratulations were giving from all directions as Riley stayed close to her fiancé. It had been one hell of a year and it was only the beginning. Soon she would be changing her name yet again for hopefully the final time in her young life. She would be Riley Giambetti and knew then and now that she and her friends would live happily ever after.

--

THE END

Song used 'You're the One that I Want' from Grease...I know I left this kind of open-ended still so feel free to use your imagination or if anyone wises to adopt my OC Riley and make a new fic about her go for it so long as you credit me for her. And as always I like to end my fic with giving my love to all my faithful readers who have stuck by me as

I've written this: jeffandjimmieschick, Crazy-Kiracat39, Journeylover062, RippedIntoPeices, zendall10, Mrs. Gallagher, jayhogartismyangel, ConnorFan, nychick4, LuckyDuck29

Special thanks to IlovetowriteSMP who reviewed almost every chapter