Chapter 17- Skye's Choice

Alan invited Rae and John to spend the night, much to Monica's chagrin. She didn't argue them though, she just tried to ignore them. Lila showed great concern over Skye and wondered when she'd be coming home, but she spent most of her time playing with Michael, whom Carly still hadn't picked up yet.

Rae and Alan went to the hospital at 9:00 sharp when visiting hours started. Adam, Stuart, and Hayley were also there and said they stayed at the Port Charles Hotel.

While Rae, Alan, and Stuart talked to Tony about Skye's night, Hayley went in to visit Skye.

Skye was sitting up and had a little more colour in her cheeks but was just staring at her lap.

"Hey," Hayley said.

Skye looked up at her, mouth slightly agape. "What are you doing here?"

"I came with Dad after we heard you were in the hospital."

"Oh, like you care."

"You know, not everyone is out to get you," Hayley said. "You could give Dad some slack. He hasn't been himself lately."

Skye huffed. "After all these years, you're still defending him."

"He's a very flawed man," Hayley said. "But he loves us."

"Loves us? Maybe you and Junior and Colby. He has a habit of forgetting that I exist. Let me guess, he got the call that his daughter was in the hospital and he panicked thinking it was you or Colby. Am I on the right track?"

"He was worried about you."

"And I suppose it was Uncle Stuart who suggested that you all come to check up on me. We all know that Daddy can't say no to him. He's his conscience."

"Look, Skye," Hayley said. "We all have our issues with Dad. Maybe you should let it go and forgive him. Life is too short to hold grudges."

"Skye is doing so much better," Tony said. "We're still keeping her on oxygen and fluids until she's 100%. The heated blankets are helping a great deal. If she continues to progress and starts eating today, she should be able to go home this evening. She shouldn't be left alone for the first couple nights though. And I'd like her to return for a follow-up check up in three days."

After Tony left, Adam and Rae went in to visit Skye, and Hayley went out to sit with Stuart.

Rae kissed Skye's cheek. "How are you feeling this morning?"

Skye looked at Adam, then stared at her lap and shrugged. "Better."

"Good," Rae said. "You look so much better."

"When can I get out of here?" Skye asked.

"The doctor said if all goes well, you can be discharged tonight. He also said that he doesn't want you to be alone for the first couple of nights."

Skye locked eyes with Rae.

Adam cleared his throat. "So, you will be coming back home. Home with me and Stuart and Hayley. Back where you belong. I shouldn't have let you get away in the first place. None of this should have happened."

Skye opened her mouth to say something, then closed it.

"Adam, that is up to Skye," Rae said. "None of us are going to pressure her. As long as she has someone to care for her." She turned back to Skye. "But no matter where you go, I'll be there around the clock to help in any way that I can."

Adam scoffed. "You are not jumping into her life after all these years and calling all of the shots. She's coming home with me and that's final."

"And are you going to actually care for her?" Rae asked. "Or are you going to have the help to do it for you?"

"That is none of your business." Adam held Skye's hand. "Sweetheart, I think the biggest mistake in our relationship was being apart. You need to come home with me where you belong. Then we can be together, and I can dote on you. I know I've made mistakes, but you deserve to have me, all of me and my time and attention. The only way to do that is if you come home."

Rae placed her hand on her forehead and shook her head.

"That's the way it always should have been, sweetheart," Adam continued. "You have always been and always will be a Chandler. I know you are confused right now, and this is why I didn't tell you that you were adopted sooner. I should have known someone like Rae Cummings would come along and turn your life upside down."

"Adam!" Rae shouted. "We've been over this. She was stolen from me. I don't want to hurt Skye, in fact it's the opposite."

"Skye is my daughter and the sooner you leave her life the better."

Rae shook her head. "I'm not going anywhere. Too much time has past already."

"Can you both go, please?" Skye spoke up and turned onto her side. "I want to be alone right now."

Rae sighed and leaned over to kiss her temple. "I'm sorry if I said anything to upset you. I'll come back in a little bit to check on you."

Adam rolled his eyes and followed Rae out to the hallway.

"Do you want to explain why you're trying to steal my daughter away from me?" Adam asked.

"She's not your possession, Adam!" Rae yelled. "And don't think I didn't catch on to what you were saying in there. You were making your attention to her conditional only if she goes home with you!"

"Like I said, I shouldn't have let her leave in the first place," Adam said. "She never should have learned she was adopted. If she didn't, she wouldn't be lying in that hospital room."

"Skye needs to know that you will be there for her no matter what. Whether or not she lives with you, whether she's in jail, or lying in a hospital bed. She needs you through everything whether she does something you disapprove of or something you encourage her to do."

"I will not stand here listening to you lecture me on how to be a father to my own daughter."

FargateFargateFargate

Mac returned to Skye's hospital room to ask more questions about what happened at the boathouse the day before. Skye still couldn't give more details, though she told what she remembered a little more clearly than the day before. When asked if she thought Lorenzo Alcazar could have done it, Skye wasn't sure. She really didn't know much about him as they had only been seeing each other for a few days.

Skye was sad, though not surprised, that Jax didn't come to visit her, though Alan told her that he called him to see how she was doing. She knew she blew it with him and probably hurt him for seeing Lorenzo behind his back even though they weren't officially a couple. She had brought this on herself and would probably just end up alone like always.

Alan and Edward came together to visit Skye, and Edward kept talking ELQ and how everyone there was anxious to have her back. Something that confused Skye even more. She had given up a job she loved at the Banner hastily to secure a place in the Quartermaine family. But what really made her torn was when they talked about Skye going home with them. Was Skye a Chandler, a Quartermaine, or a Cummings? Where exactly did she belong?

Adam returned a short-while later alone. "Sweetheart, please come home with me. I know I said things wrong. But I love you. You are a Chandler and that means a great deal in this world. If there's anything to learn from this experience, is that I won't take you for granted again. You deserve to have my attention and to be in my home. It's your home too. To be close to your Uncle Stuart, and your brother and sisters. I want Colby to know her big sister. And JR was just asking about you the other day. He wants to see you more. So, please, come home to Pine Valley."

Before Skye could respond, Alan and Rae walked in with Tony.

"Skye, I have great news," Tony said. "I am discharging you. Once your paperwork is signed, you can go home."

Skye looked between her parents, then turned back to Adam. "I've decided to go home to Pine Valley, with Daddy."