ABC/DISNEY owns GH. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 43
Elizabeth was back in the kitchen looking over the pastries trying to decide what to have for dessert. Everything looked delicious and the fact that Cook's chocolate cake was also here was making the choice even harder. "Maybe I should just take one of everything." She said with a grin.
"Elizabeth." Monica was standing behind her daughter in-law, with Alan by her side. They had been waiting for an opportunity to speak to Liz alone and it had finally come up.
"Yes." Liz looked over at the older couple who she hadn't really had much interaction with today. They had been making it a point to give Skye most of their attention. Which was fine, Liz had been glad to see them doing so. If things continued to go well, they might learn the family was expanding before Skye started showing off her bump.
"We wanted to apologize, for our behavior." Monica told the younger woman. "We've been rather blatant in our ignoring of you. Which is not only rude, but hurtful."
Liz put her plate down. "Can I ask why you felt the need to pretend I didn't exist? Aside from the fact that you were worried I was after Jason's bank account."
"Because attempts to push Carly out of AJ's life failed." Alan said being honest.
"You thought if you treated me like a non-entity I would have become one." Liz said making sure she was getting what they were saying. "Clearly that didn't work either. What about me was unsuitable? Just out of curiosity. I know you objected to pretty much everything about Carly. From the way she dressed to the job she held. Where did I come up short?" It was just them and before she accepted their apology, which she would for Michael's sake, Liz needed some answers.
Both doctors squirmed some under Elizabeth's gaze. "We made some erroneous assumptions." Monica finally said.
"Like." Liz prodded them.
"That you didn't actually have a job. We thought that your apartment and clothes were given to you by Jason." Alan admitted quietly.
Liz was struck mute. "So Carly was a gold digger, and I was a kept woman. Let me guess what you were thinking." Liz was trying to keep control of her temper, but she hadn't ever felt so insulted in her life. "Carly had it good, so she called me up and said come on over I've got a patsy for you to milk dry. Is that what you thought was going on?"
"Well, yes." Monica kept going because she felt the need to explain. "Jason said you two were introduced by Carly. I've never heard you mention a job, or going to school, or having any source of income. Rent in the Towers isn't cheap."
"So I'm a leech, and Jason was just too stupid to see what was going on." Liz said drumming her fingers on the counter. "Man I was way off. I thought for sure you disliked me because I wasn't Robin. I never would have guessed what you just said. For the record let me clear a few things up for you. I do have a job. It's the same one I had when I moved into the Towers. Yes, I went to college and I did graduate. No, Jason didn't give me my apartment or fund shopping trips. I paid for my unit on my own, and most of my clothes have come from my mother because I hate to shop. Are there any other misconceptions I can correct for you?" She was really glad Jason wasn't around, he and Matt had gone to look at Cody's new riding mower. This would seriously piss him off.
"Would you mind telling us exactly what it is you do? Lila was the one who corrected us about you being employed. She also mentioned that you have a well-paying job, but wouldn't say what it was." Monica commented fishing just a little. She had asked around and no one she knew had any clue exactly where Liz worked. That made Monica wonder if Liz was somehow connected to Jason's illegal businesses in some way.
Liz just smirked. "My job is perfectly legal." What Jason's mother was thinking was written all over her face. Monica would probably think she was some kind of madam next. "I'm not going to tell you what it is though. Not after I went from kept woman to high priced call girl in the blink of an eye."
"We judged you without getting to know you." Alan conceded. He had the good grace to blush, because that was what he had been wondering. "We are going to do better from here on out."
What Liz was thinking was that they couldn't do much worse, however she said something different. "Thank you. I will tell Jason you apologized." She waited to see if they were going to ask about visiting with Michael, but they didn't. Apparently they did have some common sense, while she knew that was predominately why they apologized they were smart enough not to advertise that fact.
"Maybe we could go to lunch some time." Monica cautiously suggested. She had done a lot of damage being judgmental and now it might be too late.
"Let me look at my schedule. If we are lucky Skye and Emily can join us." Liz said with a pasted on smile. Honestly she wasn't looking to have a relationship with her now mother in-law. Family gatherings would be enough, but there was no need to be hostile. If her sisters were going to lunch with Monica, then she would be happy to tag along.
"That would be nice." Monica got the unspoken message.
"There you are." Jason said coming into the kitchen.
"Yes, I was checking out the sweets when Alan and Monica came in to talk to me." Liz said giving her husband a real smile. "They apologized and I accepted."
"Good." Jason looked over at his parents. "I think Emily is looking for you. She is showing some pictures of how the decorating of her house is going."
"We should go out and see what she picked." Alan was only a little disappointed that Jason didn't invite them to come see Michael. Monica had said today wouldn't be enough to change their son's mind. That they would have to back this apology up with better behavior. "Before we go you should know that father has hired Claire Walsh to take on the custody case."
"I believe she is arriving in Port Charles today." Monica added on. Edward had been talking on the terrace thinking he was home alone, and Alice had overheard part of the conversation. The housekeeper had been asked to pass along any information she picked up. What Monica, nor Alan, knew was that this information came from Lila. "I'm not sure what he is planning."
"I am keeping an eye on Edward." Jason told the older couple. He knew all about the lawyer. "We'll be out in a minute." He said waiting until they left before speaking again. "I was on the other side of the French doors and I heard your entire conversation." He letting a slow smile come to his face. He had just shook his head at his parents arrogance. "I was wondering if Alan was going to have to pick Monica up from the floor when she insinuated that you were exchanging a nice lifestyle for sex." He was angry with his parents for that assumption, something his wife would see in his eyes.
"Clocking her was tempting." Liz admitted. "I don't think I've ever been that insulted in my life. Adulting and using your words instead of your fists is hard at times."
"I'm proud of you." Jason leaned forward and kissed her nose.
"When will they be able to see Michael?" Liz wanted to know.
"When I know they actually meant what they said today. I know you are not looking for a new set of parents. I'm not saying you have to start hanging out at the mansion on weekends. I don't do that so I can't expect it of you. I just need to know you are being respected." Jason explained his thinking. "I also need to know they aren't going to try something if I let Michael go to the mansion."
"You think they would try to keep him?" Liz asked surprised. He already mentioned Edward, but she hadn't extended that to his parents.
"The thought has crossed my mind." Jason said shrugging his shoulder. "Tracy tried something like that when her ex-husband let Dillon come over for a summer visit. She took him out of the country with no intention of coming back."
"I thought Dillon lived here when he was alive." Liz asked confused.
"He moved here when he was in high school. If he had stayed away he might still be alive." Jason cleared up. "Paul was killed in a car accident, so she got custody. Monica insinuated for years that Tracy caused the crash." There was a part of Jason that believed that. His aunt hated her ex-husband.
"Your family is messed up. I thought my family had issues, but yours takes the cake." Liz said shaking her head.
"It's too late to get away now." Jason said laughing. "You are stuck with me." He lifted her hand and kissed above his ring.
"I don't scare easily." She said with a wink. "Let me get some dessert and we can head back out."
"Grab enough to share." Jason said with a grin. He had grilled vegetables earlier so he had earned a treat.
Logan stood by the gate and waited while the passengers left the plane. Lucky appeared first and since he was holding the hand of the redheaded woman next to him. Logan guessed that Siobhan. He was smart like that. They were already looking the part. "Welcome to Port Charles." He had called last night and told them to arrive today. The mob guys wanted a look at the couple.
"Thanks." Lucky said as he returned to the place he had been born. He had no memories of this small town at all, and he was interested in looking around. Maybe even seeing if the club his father used to own was still around. "This is Siobhan."
"Hello." She had been thrilled to get the call to work this job with Lucky. She had worked with Luke once before and the con had gone bad. As far as she knew the older man didn't want to work with her ever again. Looks like she was being given a second chance. It also wouldn't be a hardship to pretend to be married to Lucky. She had a weakness for blondes.
"You're Irish." Logan hadn't been expecting that.
"I am, but I do a several very good American accents. For this job Lucky picked a slight Texas drawl, which I do very well. When we get to court I'll use that." Siobhan explained as they headed to the luggage carousel. "Unless you want me to be from somewhere else. I do a good New York and Georgie accent as well."
"Texas will be fine." Logan was thinking that if everything went the way it was planned, neither one of the people he was picking up today would do much talking in court.
"Where are we staying?" Lucky wanted to know.
"Port Charles Hotel. It's owned by the Quartermaine family. You'll be on the same floor that I am, in a nice big suite, and one floor below your lawyer who you will meet soon." Logan reached in his pocket and took out a cardboard key holder. "You are already checked in. Feel free to order as much room service as you like. Same with movies."
Lucky nodded in understanding. They were going to be in their room for most of the stay. Or until they got custody of the kid. "Has a court date been set?"
"Your lawyer will give you all that information." Logan said as they got into the car. "You want the nickel tour?"
"Why not." Lucky would sneak out later to take a closer look at the area, this quick drive around would help him establish which direction he needed to walk in.
After playing chauffeur Logan headed to his second to last meeting of the day. This would be their only face to face meeting, because they couldn't be seen together. "I'm just in demand." He said with a smirk. He had scoped this area out last night. Meeting off the beaten path made him nervous.
"You have good timing." Edward was sitting on bench that was hidden by tall bushes. This was the edge of the lake on the Quartermaine property, but about as far from the boathouse as you could get. Lila was the only person in the house and she never came out here these days, so it was a perfect place to meet.
"The McKennas are in their hotel room." Logan said taking a seat.
"Good." Edward was looking forward to getting Claire's opinion on if they would be suitable. They needed to be, otherwise he would have to start from scratch and that would be a problem because the clock was ticking. Once the young couple got custody they could stay until CPS was satisfied, and then he would relocate them after he made it appear they had an accident. With Jason having already been denied custody no one would blink at Michael coming to live at the mansion. Worrying about Skye or Emily didn't even cross Edward's mind. "Jason's application goes live tomorrow."
"I am aware of that." Logan was being kept in the loop by Francis, but Edward would simply think it was from leg work. "I like to know what all the players are doing. Your grandson is not someone to take lightly."
"Speaking of my grandson. I need you to do some digging." Edward was impressed with Logan's result so far. He was going to keep the young man on retainer once all this was handled.
"I have time on my hands." Logan said grinning. "That's never a good thing, so staying busy is for the best."
"A strong work ethic is a good thing." Edward said with approval. "I need all the information you can get on Elizabeth Morgan."
"Do I give what I learn to you or Ms. Walsh?" Logan said not batting an eye.
"Me. Claire doesn't need to know that I'm making this request. I want you to get as much information as you can on the death of Elizabeth's sister. Also I need to know what Jason's wife does for a living. No one seems to know." Except Lila and Jason he said to himself. "I need that information."
"Then I'll get it for you." Logan said with extreme confidence.
Edward nodded, if he could find one thing to neutralize Elizabeth then Jason would lose his biggest asset. "I need to get home." Lila's guests would be leaving soon. "I'll wait for your call."
"Yes sir." Logan said heading back to his rental. In the car he put his phone in the hands free holder. "I just finished meeting with Edward, he wants information on Elizabeth." This was his last meeting for the day.
"Not surprising." Johnny was taking this call. "Liz said that the Quartermaines pretty much treated her like a non-entity. They never bothered to learn about her. Monica put out feelers which Lila blocked. We will discuss this with Jason tomorrow, and get back to you with something to give to Edward."
"Okay. Lucky and Siobhan are here." Logan passed along.
"Our guys are monitoring." Johnny had already gotten his first report. "They are playing with all the knobs and buttons in their fancy suite like kids who've never been anywhere before."
"Edward told them to stay inside." Logan passed along.
"If they listen that will make them easier to track." Johnny leaned back in his chair. "Claire's room is also wired, so we'll know what her strategy is. We will let you know if we need you to do anything with the lawyer, but I doubt that will be the case."
Logan was guessing there was a plan in the works for the fake married couple, but he wasn't going to ask about it. When he needed information he would get it. "That I can do. Did you get the recordings?"
"I did." Johnny was grinning. They had planned to simply blackmail Edward, but it turned out Diane could use them in court if necessary. There was a loophole that could be exploited if need be. Logan was getting a nice bonus for thinking ahead. "Thank you."
"Call me if you need me." Logan said ending the call and heading to a pub he spotted last night. It was time for a burger and a beer.
"Hi." Nadine closed her book and stood up. "Michael is upstairs napping. He should be getting up in about thirty minutes. I did his laundry and put it away. I changed the linens in the nursery, and I also made bottles for the next three days." The nanny told him.
Liz blinked at the rundown of what had been done in their absence. "Thank you. You don't have to do Michael's laundry."
"It's part of the job." Nadine pointed out. "I take care of Michael, his personal items, and his living space. I also prep meals. Otherwise I'm just very expensive babysitter." She was getting that Liz and Jason didn't want to take advantage of her, but she was here to work. Nadine was going to take a cue from Georgie. The nanny wanted to do her job and she wanted her employers to not feel guilty about letting her do that job. Her first paycheck had been deposited in the bank, and she didn't feel like she had earned it.
"Point made." Jason heard her loud and clear. "We both go back to work tomorrow so we'll be less hands on during the day." Starting in the morning they would all be back to their normal routine.
"Can I talk you into not putting a nursery next door?" Nadine asked Liz pushing a little more. "Michael will be here, and I can bring him over for visits and lunch."
"I'm open to trying that." Liz could always change her mind.
"Focusing on your job doesn't mean you are ignoring him." Nadine had actually taken classes on how to deal with parental guilt at having a live in child care provider. "From what I've seen the two of you are not work obsessed, although I'm sure there will be times where your work needs more attention than normal. Figuring out the balance you need during the time he doesn't remember is just easier."
"It's almost like you're a trained professional or something." Liz said laughing.
"That is kind of funny." Nadine was smiling when she headed to the door. "What time tomorrow." She asked before stepping into the hall.
"I'll call you. Diane is coming over for an early meeting after which Jason and I will head out to work." Liz explained. "Most days you'll start at eight-thirty and the day will end around five. I'll give you as much notice as I can if that needs to change."
"Sounds good. Bye." Nadine said before heading home.
"Let's go check on Michael. While we are I'll tell you what Edward is up to." Jason said holding out his hand.
"I was wondering when you were going to explain about Claire Walsh." Liz replied as they walked upstairs.
"Edward has tracked down some of Carly's biological family members. It turns out that her mother was related to a man Sonny ran out of town." Jason began explaining. "He isn't coming, but his son is. As well as a pretend wife. They will be petitioning the court for custody in roughly two weeks."
"How is that even going to work?" Elizabeth wanted to know. "That screams money grab."
"I'm sure some tale will be spun in court to make it look like the family was searching for Carly all this time. Only they found her too late. My grandfather is also probably planning on them having an "accident" after they get custody. Conveniently they will name him as guardian. He won't kill them, but I'm betting a relocation with new identities is in the works." Jason wasn't worried because Diane had the situation under control. "We have Lucas Spencer Jr. and his fake wife Siobhan under surveillance."
"How far are you going to let Edward go?" Liz wanted to know. Michael was sleeping.
"To court. We are giving him enough rope to hang himself." Jason said as he smiled down at his son. Also if by not saying anything now he could possibly get more information on what Edward was doing on the business front. "He won't win."
"No, he won't." Liz was confident about that. "Come on, I'll make you some coffee while we wait for Michael to get up. First let me change into some jeans."
"Can I watch?" Jason asked with a lecherous grin.
"No." Liz said laughing at his pout. "We don't have time, but later you can watch me take off my jeans."
"Deal." Jason said grinning. He couldn't wait until bed time.
Thanks for the reviews!
