Chapter 53
"Time of death is six fifty-two PM." Patrick slowly pulled his plastic gloves from his hands and wiped his red eyes. He held onto the edge of the table and stared at Alec's body. "I killed another one..." He tossed the gloves in the trash.
Elizabeth put her hand on Patrick's shoulder. "Don't say that." She whispered. "You did your best with Jakey and Alec."
Patrick buried his face in Alec's soft chest and cried. "What am I supposed to say to Brenda and Dantge? I tried? The kid you've only known for a short time is dead?"
Elizabeth backed away. Jake's face haunted her. She reached out and touched Alec's cheek still soft but cold. She turned to Monica waiting in the darkness.
"I take it there's no good news." Monica said.
Patrick lifted his head and sniffled. "Complications from hypothermia."
Monica shook her head. "I haven't told Edward. He will be devastated. He loved this child. Just hearing Alec run up and down the stairs shouting may the force be with you...I am sorry the both of you have to go through this again."
Nikolas paced by the elevators wanting to be the first to see Brenda when she arrived. The doors opened and Anna stepped out.
"Dante is on his way." Anna said. "Tell me he's going to survive?"
Nikolas took a deep breath. "I'm waiting. All I told Brenda was that he fell into the pool. She's on her way here with Lucy."
Anna went to the room and noticed Monica come out. "So? He's going to be ok?"
"No. He died." Monica lowered her eyes.
"Can I go in?" Anna asked.
Monica stepped aside and allowed Anna to go inside. Patrick took his time putting Alec's costume back onto his naked body. Anna watched him press out any wrinkles with his fingers and try to mend the rips from both the fight and the paramedics. Elizabeth gathered Alec's light saber in her hands. She flipped the switch off and on until the saber lit up as if it was ready for another battle.
"Patrick..." Anna went over to Alec's body noticing that Patrick was in his own world. "Do you know what happened?"
"I don't...other than he fell through ice of the swimming pool. He wasn't breathing when the paramedics brought him in. But I didn't want to give up. What am I supposed to tell Emma? First Jake and now Alec. I don't have the heart to explain this to her again. There's only so many all kids go to heaven stories to tell her before I stop believing it myself."
Elizabeth cradled the light saber and left the Alec's room. As she stepped out, Brenda arrived. Brenda's eyes met Elizabeth's. Nikolas looked over at Brenda with Lucy behind her. He shrunk inside himself wondering what the expression on Elizabeth's face meant. He knew what it meant. He'd seen it before. Brenda went up to Elizabeth and reached out for the light saber.
"Brenda, I was in the ER with Patrick when he tried to save Alec. And he did everything in his power to help Alec."
Brenda touched her chest. "He's dead? How did this happen?"
"Me." Nikolas raised his hand. "I wasn't paying attention to the boys. They were out back. I was upstairs with Alana. I told them they could go outside because they were disturbing Alana's nap. Somehow Alec fell through the ice of the swimming and drowned."
Brenda refused look at Nikolas. She kept her attention focused on Elizabeth who wanted to slink away from the whole situation.
"He's right in there if you want to see him?" Elizabeth pointed to the room.
Brenda went inside the room and found Anna stroking Alec's hair still wet. Patrick moved to the corner not knowing what to expect from Brenda. Anna turned to Brenda and touched Alec's hair once more before moving away.
"Shall I take that?" Anna motioned to the light saber blinking in Brenda's hand.
Brenda obliged handing Anna the saber as she hovered over Alec's body. She didn't know what to do or how to feel. He was both a nightmare and a dream—a nightmare in the painful reminder of how she was rarely allowed to be happy and a dream in that one minute he was there filling her heart with joy and the next he was gone when she awakened. Alec's eyes were closed. His lips were blue and his skin pale. She noticed his favorite Jedi Master costume was torn as if he had been in a battle.
"Brenda, if you touch him, his skin will feel cold." Anna said. "It's unnerving at first."
"I didn't hold him when he was born. I'd try to imagine what it would have been like to hold him as a newborn baby. I bet his skin was so soft and warm." Brenda slipped her hands under his back and pulled him to her. "You're right. He's freezing."
Patrick felt safe to come out from the darkness of the corner. "I'll get him more blankets." He hung his head as he walked out of the room.
"I'll leave you alone." Anna gripped the saber and walked out bumping into Dante at the door. "I'm so sorry Dante."
Dante went inside. He was in disbelief seeing Brenda holding Alec in her arms. "I don't know what to say. I was ready to take Sonny up on that Yankees game. It seemed like everything was falling into place."
"I'm sorry you didn't get to know him."
Dante was afraid to touch him. With Alec's skin so pale, the little boy seemed fragile in his eyes. "What do you do when there's really no one to blame? I remember talking Lucky off many a ledge after Jake was killed. You turn around for a minute and next thing you know, something bad happened."
Sonny went up to Nikolas in the waiting room and handed him a cup of coffee. "Don't be so hard on yourself. I'm partly to blame." He took a seat next to Nikolas. "Can we call a truce? Do we even know why we don't like each other?"
"You tried to come between Courtney and me. You always thought I was a brat." Nikolas sipped his coffee. "Though I'm not one to talk, I never approved of your lifestyle."
"Jax is looking for Spencer. Don't worry about him." Sonny grabbed Nikolas' shoulder.
"She'll never forgive me. I barely had her and then I lost her."
Sonny clicked his tongue. "If Brenda cared about you before this, she'll care about you through this. She's loyal to a fault. She gave me more passes than I deserved."
"You didn't kill her kid."
"But I killed her spirit."
Brenda walked into the waiting room. Both Sonny and Nikolas stood up. "It's kind of surreal. It's like he's sleeping. Sonny, thank you for going in after him."
"Don't thank me for anything. It obviously didn't do any good."
"Nikolas, don't be so hard on yourself. Same thing could have happened on my watch as well."
"I told you that your son was safe with me and I lied."
Sonny rubbed his eyes. "I'm going to see Dante." He left Brenda and Nikolas alone.
"I can make all the arrangements for Alec so you don't have to." Nikolas said.
"It hasn't really hit me that he's dead. I don't even know that I want to stay in Port Charles any longer. We weren't supposed to stay." Brenda tried to catch the tears that started to fall down her face. "He loved Paris the best but I preferred Rome. So I told him that we could do six months in Paris and six months in Rome. And then he started to ask about Port Charles. He loved Max and Milo. And I think he had a little crush on Emma. But Lila Rae kind of stole his attention." She looked around her. "Where is Spencer?"
"He ran off. Jax is looking for him." Nikolas nervously played with his fingers. "I fear that Spencer is being used by my grandmother. I worry about it all the time."
Brenda wiped her eyes. "You don't think he had something to do with this?"
"Why would he run? Spencer knows better than to leave Alec in need. Something happened. But I can't worry about it right now. I want to do what I can to help if that's even possible."
Brenda wrapped her arms around Nikolas. "I'm just glad you're here right now."
Little Mikkos opened his eyes to an unfamiliar face smiling down at him. "Momma." He started to fuss not sure of where he was.
Franco reached down into Mikkos' crib and gathered him into his arms. "Finally we meet." He bounced the little boy and admired every feature. "I wasn't joking about those baby pictures. I think we could be twins."
Alexis walked down hall of Wyndemere hearing a manly voice coming from Mikkos' nursery. She stopped and peeked into the room to see Franco holding Mikkos. She pulled from the door. Every muscle in her body tensed up. Her stomach curdled. She thought of Michael and the promise that she made to him. She quietly prayed that Michael wouldn't try to find her.
"I can now complete my painting." Franco nuzzled his nose against Mikkos' cheek until the little boy giggled from the tickle.
Stefan went up the stairs and found Alexis pinned against the wall outside Mikkos' nursery as if afraid to move. He beckoned for her to follow him back down the stairs. It took her a moment to move but she crept down the stairs feeling less strangled once she made it to the bottom.
"I am aware that Franco is in the nursery."
Alexis touched her chest. "I could kill him right now. He put his filthy hands on my child." She could barely speak in full sentences.
"Remain calm. This is all we need to get him sent back to prison for good."
"What if he takes Mikkos?"
"He's not a fool."
"If he's not a fool than why is he here? Why is he in my son's nursery?" Alexis fears got the best of her. She rushed back up the stairs determined she would nip it all in the bud but she was too late. She made it to Mikkos' nursery but Franco was gone. Alexis looked down at Mikkos standing in the floor. She kneeled down to pick him up. "How did you get out of your crib? You didn't do that by yourself did you?" She squeezed him tight enough to make him yelp to be freed.
Stefan walked into the room. "Where did he go?"
"I have no clue. But you and I both know that Franco knows the tunnels like the back of his hand. I imagine he slithered in that direction."
Ms. Lansbury walked in. "I apologize for the interruption but Master Nikolas called with terrible news."
Alexis and Stefan gave her their full attention.
She continued. "Young Alec has died."
Alexis rested her free hand on her heart. "What? Alec is dead? How?"
"He drowned in the swimming pool at Wonderland."
Stefan looked at Alexis. "This is not good. I should go to GH."
"I should as well." Alexis placed Mikkos back in his crib. "I'll tell Michael to keep an eye on Mikkos. Stefan, we have got to do something about Franco."
Franco took a stroll through the tunnels. He passed his old art studio still in shambles from a year before when both he and Alexis were knocked unconscious by Stavros and left for dead. His heart broke from his desire to return to the only thing that he ever knew—his art. He stopped in his tracks when he heard the crying of a child and the demanding voice of the man that raised him—Caesar Faison.
"Young Man, I will unchain you when you start to follow my instructions." Faison's voice echoed through the tunnels.
Franco followed the sounds until he was led to Helena's lair where he noticed Faison sitting across from Spencer at a chessboard but Spencer was chained to his chair.
Faison moved a piece on the board. "No need to lurk Franco. You're always welcome to return home."
Franco stepped into the room. His eyes fell on Spencer who seemed distraught and unyielding. "I used to believe that Mikkosavich would be my replacement but it seems Spencer is the chosen one."
Stavros walked in clapping his hands. "Out with the old and in with the new. What brings you to the underworld Franco?"
Franco turned to Stavros. "I was visiting my son."
"Visiting? Your son?" Faison snarled. "You're delusional. Young Man, if I unchain you, can I trust that you will follow instruction?"
Spencer nodded.
Faison took the key and unchained Spencer from the chair. "Your move."
Spencer wrung his freed hands before picking up a piece and moving it across the chessboard.
"Spencer had his first kill today." Faison lit a cigar. "He's one of us."
"Who did he kill?" Franco asked.
Stavros stepped in front of Franco. "Why don't keep your mouth shut Faison? There's nothing he needs to know. He should be killed for even being here." He turned to Franco. "What do you want?"
Franco smiled. "You never cared much for me Stavros. Maybe Helena just preferred me over you. I think she still does."
"Look at Pinocchio. He's turned into a real boy and now he's better than the rest of us." Stavros got in Franco's face. "Get out of here. You don't belong here anymore. You can't be trusted."
Faison rolled his eyes but remained focused on Spencer.
Franco took one last glance of the lair before leaving through the tunnels without another word. After a bit of a walk he made it back out to the outside world where he didn't fit in either. He made it to the lake just before the launch. Staring out into the water, he wondered if maybe he was better off floating in it.
Franco straightened his tie in the mirror. "I feel like a real boy. I'm going to meet my mom and dad today." He felt a sharp pang in his back.
"Protect Your Queen Franco." Helena pressed the dagger in his back and twisted it. "I created you Pinocchio. I can tear you apart. What is your mission today?"
Franco held his breath as he felt the dagger seep through his skin. "Kill Natasha."
"By any means necessary." Helena stated.
"Where you headed Mate?" Ethan walked up.
Franco dipped the tip of his shoe into the water. "Back to the cottage I suppose."
"Why would you be on Spoon Island? I would doubt you had an invite."
"Can you lend me your ear Mate?" Franco asked.
Ethan pulled at his gloved fingers. "I guess I'll humor you."
"I admit that I was in Mikkos' nursery today. But I was not there days before."
"You shouldn't be telling me this. I work for Alexis and my number one job is to protect her and her children. And that includes Sam. I heard through the grapevine that you had your way with her."
"I can't apologize enough for that. Are you going to tell me that you've never done anything wrong? Nothing that you regret?"
"Yea. I have."
"Why don't I deserve another chance? Port Charles is like our homeland of Australia—a colony of convicts."
Ethan smiled. "That's a bit of an exaggeration don't you think? Murder of the innocent and rape are two things that I don't tolerate. You sent a man to rape a young boy. Did you get any pleasure from that?"
"At the time I did."
Ethan pounded his fist into his the palm of his hand. "That boy is my cousin and I swear Franco, you're lucky it's the holidays and I'm feeling really generous tonight or I'd find a way to toss you in that lake. You're a vile human being. You kidnapped Kristina. I'll never forgive you for that. She's still traumatized to this day. So is Michael. Who knows how Sam is going to come out of this. This list of people that I care about that you hurt is too long." He snatched Franco up by his collar.
Franco's heart pounded. "You wouldn't really kill your own brother would you?"
Ethan released Franco with disgust. "Don't try to play mind games with me. I'm not falling for it."
Franco straightened his collar. "Sorry Mate. Just spreading a little truth. I can bring the horse to water but I can't force him to drink."
Ethan laughed. "I'm Luke Spencer's son."
Franco furrowed his brow. "Even Alexis I'm sure had to come to some kind of realization that Mikkosavich looked nothing like Jason. Didn't your first paternity test state otherwise?"
"I'm not having this conversation with you now. Get the hell off of Spoon Island." He pointed in the direction of the launch. "I'll watch you leave and don't think of coming back."
"I don't know what to say." Sonny found Dante in the waiting room by himself.
"You did your best and I appreciate that." Dante played with his phone.
Sonny sat down next to him. "I can not believe you and I saved Alec from Suzanne and now he's gone."
"Sonny, if I knew he was my son, I would have moved heaven and earth to get him back sooner. Honestly it shouldn't have mattered if he was or not. I didn't protect him enough."
Sonny grabbed Dante's face and kissed his cheek. "I love you Son. I don't say that enough. You and I have come a long way and I am so ashamed of what I said to you on Thanksgiving. But I can't take it back."
Alexis stepped off the elevator with her porcelain doll in her arms. She noticed Brenda coming out of the room that was storing Alec's body. "Brenda."
Brenda went to Alexis. "Hey."
Alexis gave Brenda a hug. "I'm so sorry. I don't even know what to say."
Brenda pulled from the hug. She noticed the doll. "What's that?"
Alexis handed the doll to Brenda. "That was Nikolas' favorite toy. She gave me so much comfort after my mother was killed. It's..." She could barely spit the words out. "Traditionally dolls were buried in Greek and Roman children's graves. I'm not sure why. Maybe it was to protect them."
Brenda held the doll close to her. "I'm not there yet. Patrick said to take our time but I have to have him moved eventually." She cried. "And then I have to bury him. I already thought he was dead once and now I have to go through this all over again."
Stefan approached Alexis and Brenda. "Brenda, my condolences. Anything that the Cassadines can do, please don't hesitate to ask."
"Nikolas is beating himself up over it. I don't blame anyone. Blame won't bring my little boy back."
Jax stepped off the elevator and went up to them. "I can't find Spencer. I alerted Anna and she's going to look for him herself."
"Why did he run off?" Alexis asked.
Brenda sighed. "Nikolas thinks Helena is involved."
Sam and Jason returned to their home of Wonderland. As soon as Sam made it through the front door, she dropped her bags wanting to just charge up the stairs and shower her little girl with kisses. Jason was stuck with his hands full with bags. Rain met the couple at the door. She settled down in the floor and wagged her tail expecting a pat or two. Sam and Jason both stepped back not sure of their new house guest.
"When did we get a dog?" Jason asked.
Sam squatted down and stroked Rain's head. "What a beauty you are. I think I told Spin that he could pick out a dog."
Jason dropped the bags and almost went past their family room. He went inside to the Christmas tree decorated and lit. "Look at this." He smiled.
Sam went in behind him. "It's gorgeous. Brenda! Nikolas!"
Spinelli took his time going down the stairs. His hair was a mess and his clothes were disheveled. His eyes were red. He made it to the bottom and Rain stood up to greet the only master she knew in Spinelli. He kissed the dog's forehead before making it down the last step.
"Gracious Greetings!" Jason threw up his hands but dropped them quickly noticing the sadness in Spinelli's eyes. "What's wrong Spin?"
"You have returned prematurely."
"Yea. I thought it was a good idea to just come back." Sam said.
Spinelli banged his hand on the banister. "I'm afraid that the Young Jedi Master is no longer with us to balance the force."
"What?" Jason was annoyed. "Who is the Young Jedi Master?"
"My apologies Stone Cold and Fair Samantha. Alec was the Young Jedi Master and he is dead."
"How?" Sam screeched.
"Follow me." Spinelli led Jason and Sam through the back and out the door to the pool. More of the ice had started to melt but the hole of Alec's demise was still visible. "There. The Young Jedi Master drowned. Mr. Sir tried to save him but he did not make it through. I feel terribly for The Divine One. But rest assured that my eyes have not left Little Miracle. She has been in my care since the tragic call from The Princely One."
Jason took a walk to side of the pool closer to the hole. He reached in and grabbed a piece of fabric that was sliced away from Alec's costume floating on top. He held it up dripping with water. "What happened?"
"Do you know anything Spinelli?" Sam asked.
"All I know is that the Divine One is at General Hospital holding vigil over the Young Jedi Master's lifeless body. "
Sam took Jason's hand. "Will you stay with Alana? Jason and I will go."
Spinelli bowed to them. "I will continue to stand guard. Please give the Divine One and the Duplicitous..." He caught himself. "I mean Dante my best wishes."
