So my stories stay in my head, I have reread them dozens of times and they keep going in my head, sometimes they stay on the same chapter for years and others keep flowing with new details.
I definitely became an adult during the major span of them, went from high school to college and all that entailed. Survived my twenties, became independent and experienced a parent dying.
I see some people come back and revisit them and others discover them. So I will do my best to return to writing them and let Jason and Brenda have the closure they deserve.
Feel free to leave constructive criticism and dear god YES Jason is supposed to be changing during this, he is not a Mary Sue (or is there a new term out there?).
Also I am forever scarred by Steve Burton's quarantine hair. Also um I still read soap opera websites even though I long since stopped watching.
-o-o-o-
The New Familiar
-o-o-o-
Early Evening New Year's Day, The Penthouse:
Brenda was sprawled across her bed, there was little elsewhere to go for privacy in the apartment. Robin hadn't even made an attempt at hiding that need from Jason and had practically dragged Brenda upstairs.
"You're not angry that I kissed Jason right because that's definitely happened a few times since you-"
"No," Robin shook her head, they were Persephone and Poseidon, there continued to be an inevitable aspect of them. She saw it now, the accident had painted over Jason and therefore them with a seemingly fresh clean coat of paint, as the years had worn on and the paint had worn down and the writing remained. "However Carly lost her shit, so good job," Robin nodded quickly.
Brenda smiled as Robin expected because Karen or Carly that nature remained as well.
"I slept with Patrick," Robin blurted out.
"After your shift?" Brenda's brows narrowed, she hadn't even been gone 36 hours, how could Robin have undone an entire month of effort in less than 2 days.
"During my shift," Robin's eyes were wide.
"If this was a decade ago, I would be so proud," Brenda sat up realizing she needed to be way more present for this conversation than she expected.
"I have done so much, to get past Patrick, to move forward in my life, I don't do things like this!" Robin's eyes remained wide.
"Pretty sure Jason would tell you, you're spending too much time with me."
"You CANNOT tell Jason!" Robin exclaimed.
Brenda laughed, "You need to calm down. Do you want to get back with Patrick?"
"No," Robin paused, "it was fun, he's fun. But I want a family and he doesn't.
"But if Patrick wanted a family then-"
"No," Robin vehemently shook her head, "we aren't doing that, he doesn't and that isn't going to change any time in the near future."
"But you want it to."
Robin opened her mouth and then closed it.
Brenda focused her look as Robin's eyes suddenly couldn't keep contact with hers, "Or you don't."
"I don't know what I want aside from a baby. Maybe a baby is enough and I don't need some guy."
"You mean you don't have to share?" Brenda pondered.
"Really with Mac and Maxie and Georgie?"
"I said I would help," Brenda was offended by the exclusion.
Robin rolled her eyes.
"I'm not actually sure what I'm supposed to be doing."
"I think telling me that I am not a dirty whore for having sex with someone I don't want to be in a relationship with," Robin gave a slow and thoughtful nod.
"Who are you talking to? I think you should keep doing Patrick until you're willing to share your baby and life with someone else."
"Thanks," Robin rolled her eyes and sat on the bed.
"As for the dirty part, I don't have sex at work. That one might be dirty."
"Really?" Robin turned in surprise.
"Hair and makeup," Brenda nodded.
"Oh right. Trailers and dressing rooms," Robin shrugged.
"Oh I've had sex on set. After last call or if its not my set," Brenda explained.
"Did you ever sleep with that guy from the ghost film?"
"I don't think his boyfriend would have liked that."
Robin paused and the continued on, "He's a really good actor."
"I know! If he had been straight I probably would have married him after that. So speaking of star-crossed lovers any word on Spinelli and Georgie."
"Maxie got drunk and called her dad-"
"You don't mean Mac," Brenda interjected.
"No she called Frisco. It was at least the morning where he was."
"I didn't know they talked."
"Well he got a lot more than the 10 words she normally gives him," Robin said referring to the rare and curt conversations Maxie had with her father other the recent years.
Brenda snorted, "Well I am sure he deserved it."
"That he definitely did." Robin finally had someone to voice her opinion to after so many years, "It's so weird. He loved Maxie so much, he loves her," Robin corrected, "he loves her like my dad loved me. I don't know what happened for him to stay away."
"Sometimes you don't mean to stay away. It's another day, another week, another job and then so much time has gone by, how do you go back?"
"When something horrible happens," Robin hugged Brenda. "Don't leave again."
"I won't, not like that. If I do, be like Maxie, pick up a phone and tell me off."
"Not a problem."
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
PC Police Station
Two days later:
"You just got home," Cooper said as Maxie hung up the phone in the middle of the police station.
"Spinelli is having an emergency," Maxie said as if that explained everything.
"What could have happened in the 15 minutes since you left him," Cooper said not willing to let his girlfriend go after 5 days of being away.
"I don't know, you know Spinelli can't always talk when he is freaking out," a quick shake of the blonde bob.
"I was there for the DC and Marvel mix-up," he looked away annoyed at the situation at hand.
"I'm not going to say he's not that bad, but Georgie is gone and I'm all he's got. You and Mac are here for another hour. Just come get me at Kelly's," her lips twitched up in a smile and she lifted up on her toes to give him a quick kiss on the side of his mouth.
"One hour," Cooper warned.
"Promise," she gave another smile before turning to head back out into the cold January day.
-o-o-o-o-
"What happened?" Maxie questioned as she and Spinelli approached each other outside of the door of Kelly's.
"Ugh-" his hands went up.
"Okay so Brenda and Jason…oooh were they doing it?" Maxie opened the door for Spinelli because if she didn't they would stay outside until he calmed down.
"That would have been a more welcoming greeting."
"So what happened?" Maxie said starting to take off her layers, while Spinelli was already in a chair still wearing his winter jacket.
"Yoga."
"Yoga?" Maxie questioned trying to figure out if that could be Spinelli for something.
"Stone-" Spinelli shook his head, "Hollywood was leading them through triangle to half moon."
"Did you just rename Jason to Hollywood?"
"The usurper bought him Uggs for Christmas."
"Oh my god what?" Maxie's eyes widened.
"He is unrecognizable-"
Maxie stifled a laugh, "They work out together. So maybe Brenda gets him to stretch more than he used to."
Spinelli glared.
"Are we angry about Dillon stealing away Georgie?" Mike asked as he approached with menus in hand.
"Always," Maxie answered with a quick shake, "but current mental breakdown appears to be Jason doing yoga."
"Was he wearing yoga pants?" Mike asked after a moment of hesitation.
Maxie snorted.
Spinelli threw his hands up.
-o-o-o-o-
"Is your yoga breakdown over?" Brenda asked Spinelli as she walked in with Jason some time later.
"What did she do to you?" Spinelli ignored Brenda and focused his attention on Jason.
"It's good for your balance," Jason said without so much as a shrug or a smile. "Did you decide what you want yet?" Jason asked Brenda.
"I know what I want, but I'll have coffee."
"Filming in lingerie this week?" Maxie asked knowingly.
"Every day, but Thursday. I think I have fifteen minutes of screen time with clothing in this episode."
"I don't think it's even that much," Jason said from having read the script.
"We made bone broth," Brenda supplied.
"There are no processed carbs in the apartment," Jason warned Spinelli.
"Willpower is not the absence-"
"Spinelli, I will cut you," Brenda gave a fake smile as she cut off the young man.
"I'm getting the coffee," Jason shook his head.
"Where are you guys going?" Maxie questioned.
"Get new ski stuff, we're going to hit the mountain after work this week to mix up all of my not eating events."
"Is that wise after your-" Spinelli was once more cut off by Brenda.
"Gonna try not to go off any cliffs, should be fine."
Spinelli gave a look that stated he doubted that.
"How are you guys holding up? Brenda questioned with a nod.
"It's one semester," Maxie answered.
"Are-" Brenda began.
"One semester at a time is all I can handle," Maxie cut her off.
"Coming to the set tomorrow? See me in all of my glory?"
"Wouldn't miss it," Maxie smiled.
"Did you get hot chocolate?" Brenda asked as she took the to go cup from Jason.
"So you could drink it and I could listen to you blame me for the rest of the week?" Jason answered without so much as a smile.
"You think you're so clever," Brenda's eyes gave a half roll as she took a sip.
"Are we going because skiing was your idea."
"Sounded way more fun before I realized it was going to be a cold workout," Brenda scowled.
"We can," Jason went to pull a chair out.
"Going!" Brenda stopped him, "Bye guys."
"Eat out," Jason nodded as he passed Spinelli.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
"Evening Brenda," Mike nodded as Brenda walked back into Kelly's days later.
"Hi, Mike," she smiled.
"Your order should be almost ready, just give me a minute."
"No rush," she smiled again as he went back to taking an order.
Maxie pushed out a chair from the table she was sharing with Spinelli, "Are you eating carbs again?"
"We skied for 3 hours, I'm eating a horse," Brenda said as she sat.
"You are aware there are other food establishments aside from Kelly's right?" Spinelli questioned.
"You are aware there are other places to socialize aside from Kelly's right?" Brenda shot right back.
"Don't start with him, he's been my best customer this week," Mike called out as he started to walk to the kitchen. "Evening Jason," Mike nodded as the door opened again.
"Okay seriously, I can pick up food," Brenda stated from her position at the table, which did not support her statement.
"With what money?" Jason questioned.
"Spinelli's," Brenda was quick to retort.
Jason sighed and walked towards the counter.
"For better or worse," Brenda called out ending with a smile as she stayed seated at the table.
"We're divorced," Jason yelled back.
"He's a little hangry," Brenda smirked as Jason turned to walk back.
"It's over an hour from the mountain," Jason pointed out.
"We had a snack," Brenda smiled.
"Half a granola bar, are we eating here?"
"No I need to change."
"Let's go or you're walking home," Jason snapped and turned towards the door.
"And he thinks I get hangry-" Brenda smirked again and she stood.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
"I've been thinking," Michael said as his mother tried to tuck him into bed, a feat she often tried, despite his age, to keep him her Mr. Man.
"Why do those words scare me?" Carly smiled gently at her son.
"Because you're a smart woman," he smiled, knowing the rules of charming his mother.
"Oooh this is going to be a good one," Carly leaned back on one hand to prepare.
"I think that we should do a weekly dinner with the Quartermaines."
She shot straight up immediately, "No, absolutely not."
"Just hear me out," Michael shot forward.
"Answer's gonna be no."
"Did you know I had another aunt? Ned nearly married her?!"
"Why did I let you drive up with Ned?" Carly stood to pace, regretting her decision to let Michael be driven up rather than Jax flying down for him.
"Actually Brook told me or maybe it was her grandma. Did you know?"
"About Dawn?" Carly nodded, "I mean they don't talk about her. I don't think AJ or Jason even met her."
"How can you have a sister you never meet? I mean I know she was adopted."
"They were away at school," Carly said with no further explanation.
"They didn't come home to meet their sister? How long did she die after coming here?"
"I don't know," Carly admitted, recalling trying to question AJ about her and getting nothing.
"So don't I need to spend time with them? They're all alone. I'm all Grandma Monica has now."
"This is not up for discussion, time for bed," Carly gently guided Michael's shoulders back down.
-o-o-o-o-o-
"Do you really think this is a good idea?" Alice questioned as Edward held up two pictures for her to choose from, both from the red carpet event Jason and Brenda had attended with Michael and Brook Lynn.
"My great-grandchildren walked their first red carpet," Edward refused to be deterred.
"With Jason."
"And Brenda," Edward pointed out.
"I don't think that makes this better."
"It is going in my sitting room," Edward put the photos back down, "Jason smiled in one photo and it was while they were walking."
"He was probably happy to get away from the photographers."
Edward's lips raised slightly and he had to nod in agreement.
"Mr. Quartermaine," a maid smiled from the doorway, "you have a visitor."
"You cannot just keep letting people in the house, you-" he paused and looked slightly up at Alice.
"Heather," Alice supplied.
"Heather, really? I should be able to remember that. Heather, security should be stopping people before they even reach the door, if they do-"
"Oh they did Mr. Quartermaine, they called up."
"So you're asking me if you should let a visitor up," Edward questioned, already exhausted by this conversation.
"Oh no, I told them to send him up."
"Heather-" Edward said with raised eyebrows, more than happy to fire her with or without Monica's agreement.
"Heather, who is the visitor," Alice interrupted.
"Michael Corinthos, Mr. Quartermaine's great-grandson."
Edward sighed.
"Thank you, Heather, I will let him in," Alice said dismissing the maid.
"Do you pay them, so you look better?"
"You should be nicer, they might be better," Alice nodded at him before leaving to go great Michael at the door.
AN: And I don't recall what Alice used to call Edward, Monica or Tracy. Pretty sure Luke was Mr. Luke.
Thanks for giving this a read!