A/N: Thank you to guest and leasmom for the feedback. To guest: no problem that you're not a fan of lucky. Thanks for the well wishes. To leasmom, I wasn't sure if anyone was still interested in this story. If you still read past this update, please review and let me kmow. I will update regularly if you want.

Chapter 62 "News from the Brady's Lawyer"

(Michelle and Nicholas are at home getting ready for the day. It's been 4 days since they've talked to Mrs. Benson and the lawyer said when she had news, she'd call them. Michelle is putting on some silver earrings while looking in the mirror. She turns around and sees Nicholas buttoning up his shirt. She talks to him)

Michelle: "I wonder when we'll hear from Mrs. Benson? I mean, it's been 4 days and she said she'd probably hear from Miss Powers in a day or so."

Nicholas: "Yeah, but she also said, depending on when she can get a hold of Miss Powers, it may take longer."

Michelle: (sighs) "I just wish we'd hear something already. The wait is killing me!"

Nicholas: (chuckles softly) "Yeah, patience isn't exactly your strong suit."

Michelle: (tilts her head) "Can you blame me?"

Nicholas: (shakes his head) "No, I understand why you're impatient. Just believe she'll call when she has news."

Michelle: (sarcastically) "Great."

(Nicholas finishes buttoning his shirt and goes to Michelle, who finished putting on her earrings. He takes her in his arms and gently kisses her before looking directly at her)

Nicholas: "You need to have faith that Mrs. Benson will come through for us regarding the custody case. Remember, she DID say she rarely loses. That's got to count for something, right?"

Michelle: (nods & tilts her head a little) "You're right."

Nicholas: (jokingly) "Of course I am."

Michelle: (smiling & shakes her head) "You're something, Mr. Cassadine. But if I didn't have you, I don't know where I'd be."

Nicholas: "You'll never have to worry. I'm always going to be here."

(All of a sudden, Nicholas' phone rings. He goes to pick it up & answers it)

Nicholas: "Hello?"

Mrs. Benson: "Hi, Nicholas."

Nicholas: "Oh, hi, Mrs. Benson! How are you?"

Mrs. Benson: "I'm doing well. And you?"

Nicholas: "Good. What can I do for you?"

Mrs. Benson: "I apologize for not calling you & Michelle back sooner regarding the Brady's lawyer. I just talked with Miss Powers yesterday and between discussing the case with her, talking to the Brady's, and gathering all my notes together, it took a little bit longer."

Nicholas: "Oh, no, Mrs. Benson. It's okay. We understand you're busy. We knew you'd get back to us when you could."

Mrs. Benson: "I appreciate your patience with this."

Nicholas: "No problem."

Mrs. Benson: "Do you have any plans this afternoon, Nicholas? I'd like to talk to you and Michelle at my office."

Nicholas: (nodding) "Of course. Anytime you want us to come, we'll be there."

Mrs. Benson: "Great! How about 2 p.m.? The Brady's and their lawyer will be there as well and we can all discuss everything that Miss Powers & I talked about over the phone as well as in person."

Nicholas: "Sounds like a plan."

Mrs. Benson: "Okay, so its 11 a.m. right now, so does 2 p.m. sound okay?"

Nicholas: "We'll be there."

(Nicholas hangs up the phone & looks at Michelle, who looks at him impatiently)

Michelle: (impatiently) "Well? What'd she say?"

Nicholas: "She wants to meet with us at 2 p.m. this afternoon. The Brady's will be there as well as their lawyer."

Michelle: (slowly nods) "Okay. Did she say what she was going to discuss?"

Nicholas: "What she and Miss Powers talked about over the phone as well as in person."

Michelle: (sighs deeply) "I guess we'll see what happens then."

Nicholas: "Yep."

(Nicholas takes her in his arms)

Nicholas: "Don't worry, honey. Everything will be fine. Like Mrs. Benson said, she's a pro at this. She'll do great."

Michelle: (smiles) "When you say it like that, you make me believe it."

(They softly kiss and then decide to go to Kelly's for lunch. Nicholas said Elizabeth is working today so they decide to update her on what's going on & then decide to visit Lucky afterwards at work to update him as well. They arrive at Kelly's and take a seat at a table. They see Elizabeth coming out of the kitchen with a tray full of food and bringing it to a table across of them. After Elizabeth is done serving the food to the customers, Nicholas calls out her name)

Nicholas: "Hey, Elizabeth."

(Elizabeth turns around and sees Nicholas. She goes to them with a smile on her face)

Liz: "Hey, guys!"

Nicholas & Michelle: "Hi."

Liz: "What brings you here?"

Nicholas: "Oh, we're here because it's the best restaurant in town."

Michelle: (giggles) "And we thought we'd give you an update on the custody case."

Liz: "Oh, that's nice of you guys!"

Nicholas: "Do you have a break coming up soon?"

(Elizabeth checks her watch, looks around the restaurant, & then looks back at them)

Liz: "I can sit for a few minutes. What's up?"

(Michelle & Nicholas update Elizabeth on what's going on with the Brady's & the lawyers)

Liz: "Hopefully, you hear good news from them. If you ask me, this has been dragged out for too long."

Michelle: "I agree. I just want this whole thing to be over and for my son to be back with me."

Nicholas: "Where he belongs."

Liz: "Are you going to update Lucky as well?"

Nicholas: "Yeah, as soon as we're done here, we're going to see him."

Liz: (smiles) "Sounds good. I know he'll want to know about it."

Michelle: "Thank you, Elizabeth, for your support in this. Lucky, too."

Liz: (smiling big) "You're very welcome, Michelle. I hope you get your son back. No mother should be away from her child like this, especially when he's been kept from you since birth."

Michelle: "I appreciate that."

(Michelle gets up from her chair & gives Elizabeth a hug. Nicholas smiles at them during this. Elizabeth & Michelle then break free & Michelle sits back down)

Liz: "Well, I better get back to work. Please let me know what happens at the meeting."

Nicholas: "No problem."

Michelle: "Sure will."

(Elizabeth leaves to go back to work. After finishing lunch, Michelle and Nicholas go to Lucky's workplace. They see Lucky & go to him)

Nicholas: "Hey, man."

(Lucky hears Nicholas' voice, and raises his head to see him. He puts down his tools, and goes to them)

Lucky: "Hey! What's going on?"

(Nicholas and Lucky pat each other on the back. Lucky looks behind him to Ricky, who tells him he can take a break. They go to a bench and sit down)

Lucky: "So, what's new?"

Nicholas: "We have an update on the custody case."

Lucky: "And?"

Michelle: "We have a meeting with Mrs. Benson at 2 p.m. and the Brady's will be there along with their lawyer, Miss Powers."

Lucky: "Did Mrs. Benson say what it would be about?"

Michelle: "She's going to update us on what she and Miss Powers discussed and what they found out about everything."

Lucky: (smiling) "Sounds very promising."

Nicholas: "Well, the way our lawyer was talking, it sure sounded that way. We just finished lunch at Kelly's and ran into Elizabeth in the process and gave her the same update. She was happy as well."

Lucky: "Well, I'm sure she said the same thing I'm going to say right now: keep me updated on it and sometime after the meeting, let me know how it went."

Michelle: (smiles) "Of course. You and Elizabeth, along with everyone else we love, have been there with us through everything. We can't thank you enough for that."

Lucky: (shakes his head) "No 'thank you' needed. We're just happy for you and pulling for you."

Nicholas: "Thanks, man."

(The brothers hug. Afterwards, Nicholas and Michelle say they better get going because it's almost time for the meeting. They all say their goodbyes. Nicholas & Michelle are on their way to Mrs. Benson's office. Michelle checks her watch, which shows 1:45 p.m. They arrive at Mrs. Benson's office a short while later. They go up to the receptionist desk and tell the lady they're here for Mrs. Benson. The receptionist says they can go in, that Mrs. Benson is expecting them. After thanking her, they knock on Mrs. Benson's door. They hear a 'come in' and then they go in)

Mrs. Benson: (smiling) "Hi, Michelle. Hi, Nicholas."

Nicholas & Michelle: "Hi, Mrs. Benson."

(She introduces them to the Brady's lawyer Miss Grace Powers. Michelle and Nicholas shake her hand as well & say 'hi' to the Brady's, who greet them back. Mrs. Benson asks them all if they'd like something to drink, but they all say 'no, thank you'. They all take their seats, getting comfortable)

Mrs. Benson: "Well, shall we get started?"

(Everyone nods)

Mrs. Benson: "First, I want to say that…that the Brady's have been very cooperative and gracious about answering any questions I had, which I appreciate it. Thank you."

Mrs. Brady: (smiles) "You're welcome."

Mrs. Benson: "Miss Powers, what can you tell us? You can share with everyone what we discussed."

Miss Powers: "Well...Ahem. I did find out that the Brady's adoption of baby Andrew John is perfectly legal. The adoption agency they went through, 'Adoption Enterprises', confirmed that the baby was indeed adopted by the Brady's on April 15, one week after Michelle delivered him by caesarian. They said, if needed, they would give me a copy of the adoption papers. I told them I probably would need a copy."

Mrs. Brady: "Do they…'Adoption Enterprises'…need anything signed by me or Eric to release the papers?"

Miss Powers: (shakes her head) "No, you're fine. Mrs. Benson and I will probably get a copy of the adoption papers in the next few days so we can review them."

Mrs. Benson: (nods) "That's correct. Tomorrow I have some free time, so I will go get a copy to look over."

Mrs. Brady: "If there's anything wrong with the papers, are you able to let me know?"

Miss Powers: (nods) "Yes, we can. I don't anticipate anything being wrong, but if there is, we'll let you know."

Mrs. Brady: (nods & smiles) "Thank you."

Miss Powers: (smiles) "You're welcome."

Mrs. Benson: (looks at Michelle & Nicholas) "You will also be informed as well, in case either of you are wondering."

Nicholas: (smiles) "Thank you."

Michelle: (smiles) "We appreciate it."

Miss Powers: "As I'm sure Mrs. Benson informed you, Nicholas & Michelle, there is a chance that my clients, Eric and Samantha Brady, will get custody of Andrew in the end."

Michelle: (sadly) "Yes, I'm aware."

Nicholas: "We're aware."

Miss Powers: "Eric & Samantha informed me that if you get custody of the baby in the end, you are willing to give them visitation when they want to see him?"

Michelle: (nods) "Yes. We know that if they were to lose custody, it'd be hard on them, so we're willing to let them see

Andrew whenever they want."

Miss Powers: (smiling) "That's kind of you."

Nicholas: "We feel it's the right thing to do."

Miss Powers: "I don't know if my clients informed you of this, but they told me, if they were awarded custody, they would do the same. Meaning, they would offer you visitation whenever you want to see the child as well."

(Michelle and Nicholas look at each other before replying)

Michelle: "N-No. We didn't know that."

Nicholas: "We appreciate that you're willing to offer the deal we were offering to you."

Eric: "Like Michelle said, it wouldn't be right if you didn't have visitation rights if we were awarded custody."

Mrs. Benson: "I have some investigators, as I'm sure you're aware of, Michelle and Nicholas, looking into any information that Miss Powers or I have not been able to find regarding the custody case and the trial of Joshua Sparrow. Like I said before, though, we'll handle the custody case first."

Michelle: (confused) "Wait. I don't understand. Why do you need investigators on the custody case if you know that I'm the biological mother and you also know everything else needed for the case?"

Mrs. Benson: "On custody cases like these, I always have investigators look into it in case there's a detail or something I missed. Don't worry; my investigators are good at their job."

Michelle: (chuckles softly) "Like you?"

Mrs. Benson: (chuckles softly) "Yes, like me. I wanted them on in case I missed something, because, believe it or not, sometimes I do."

Nicholas: "I guess I don't know what the investigators would find in a custody case, but…"

Mrs. Benson: "Oh, you'd be surprised at what they can find, especially in cases like this."

Michelle: "How long does it take to find information on cases?"

Mrs. Benson: "It depends on the case."

Miss Powers: "Every case is different. It can take hours, days, weeks."

Michelle: "Do you think it'll take a while for my case?"

Mrs. Benson: "That depends."

Michelle: "On?"

Mrs. Benson: "If there's anything worth finding. I'm afraid I can't answer that…right now anyway."

Nicholas: "But you'll let us know when or if you do find something, right?"

Mrs. Benson: (nods) "Yes, I will. Miss Powers, I believe we covered everything, right? What we discussed over the phone

and in our meetings with each other over the subjects we discussed?"

Miss Powers: (nods) "I believe so, yes."

Michelle: "So, what happens now? Or is it too early to know?"

Mrs. Benson: "As of right now, we covered everything we needed to discuss, unless you or Nicholas have any questions for me or Miss Powers?"

(Nicholas & Michelle look at each other & shake their heads, looking back at Mrs. Benson)

Nicholas & Michelle: "No."

Nicholas: "I think you covered everything."

Mrs. Benson: (nodding) "Okay."

Michelle: "If I have any questions, I know how to reach you."

Mrs. Benson: (smiles) "Sounds good."

(Miss Powers looks at the Brady's)

Miss Powers: "Do either of you have any questions for me or Mrs. Benson?"

(Eric & Samantha look at each other & then back at Miss Powers)

Samantha: (shakes her head) "No, we're good."

Eric: "Like Michelle stated…if we have any later, we'll let you know."

Miss Powers: (nodding) "Sounds good."

Mrs. Benson: (sighs) "Well, if there's nothing else that needs to be discussed, I think we're all good to go!"

Miss Powers: "I agree."

(Everyone gets up. The Brady's each take turns shaking hands with their lawyer and then with Mrs. Benson before leaving the building. Miss Powers shakes hands with Mrs. Benson and Michelle and Nicholas before leaving as well. Michelle and Nicholas face Mrs. Benson)

Michelle: "Mrs. Benson?"

Mrs. Benson: (looks at Michelle) "Yes, Michelle?"

Michelle: "You wouldn't happen to know when the custody hearing will start, would you?"

Mrs. Benson: "Well, I'm going to give my investigators a few days to see if they found anything first. If, after that, they don't find anything, we'll go from there. I don't see why we would delay it unless something happens between now and a few days from now. But don't worry. I will keep you updated."

Michelle: (smiling softly) "I know you will. And I appreciate it."

(Michelle gives Mrs. Benson a quick hug before her & Nicholas leave as well. Michelle and Nicholas then head to the Brady's house to see their son for awhile. At Kelly's, Elizabeth is still at work. She checks her watch, which shows a little after 4:30p.m. All of a sudden, the phone at Kelly's starts ringing. Melody goes to answer it. She can barely understand the person talking. All she understands is that it's someone asking for Elizabeth)

Melody: "Um…okay. Just-Just hang on, please, so I can get E-Elizabeth."

(Melody looks around the restaurant for Elizabeth. When she can't find her, she asks Taylor to come to her, which she does)

Taylor: "What's going on?"

(Melody looks worried)

Taylor: "Melody, c-calm down. What's-What's wrong?"

Melody: "W-Where's Elizabeth?"

Taylor: "She's in the back washing dishes for Tammy. Why?"

Melody: "Someone's on the phone asking for her, but I don't understand what they're saying. They're talking fast and they keep cutting in and out."

Taylor: (nodding) "Okay. Keep them on the phone and I'll go get Elizabeth."

(Melody nods. Taylor goes to the back and sees Elizabeth washing dishes still. She goes up to her and pats her on the back. Elizabeth turns her head and sees Taylor)

Liz: "Hey, Taylor. What's up?"

Taylor: (shakes her head) "S-Someone's on the phone for you?"

Liz: (confused) "Okay. Why do you look worried? Who is it?"

Taylor: "I don't know. Melody answered it & she can't understand what they're saying. All she could make out was that they were asking for you and they sounded worried."

Liz: (confused) "Huh. Okay. I'll go see who it is."

(Elizabeth wipes off her wet hands on the towel and goes to the phone. She picks it up, puts the phone up to her ear with a worried Melody and Taylor looking on)

Liz: "Hello?"

Laura: (cutting in & out) "Elizabeth?"

Liz: "Laura? Is that you?"

Laura: (trying to catch her breath) "Yeah, it's me."

Liz: "Are-Are you okay? What's-What's going on?"

Laura: (still trying to catch her breath) "It's-It's Ashlynn."

Liz: "Wait-Wait-Wait, Laura. Slow down! I can barely hear you. You-You're talking too fast and you're cutting in and out! What-What about Ashlynn? Is she okay?"

(Laura keeps trying to talk, but her voice is too shaken to talk to Elizabeth & her voice is still cutting in & out)

Liz: (shouting) "Laura?! What's going on?! What about Ashlynn?! Laura?!

Laura: (voice cutting in & out) "Ashlynn…sick…hospital…"

(Laura's phone breaks up and the call ends. Elizabeth, worried, tries to call Laura's cell phone and her house phone, but no one picks up)

Liz: (shouts) "Damn it! Oh-Oh my god! What's-What's going on?! Why isn't she picking up?!"

(Elizabeth goes to get her coat. As she's putting it on, Melody & Taylor run to her, worriedly)

Melody: "Eliz-Elizabeth? What's going on?!"

Taylor: "Who-Who was on the phone?!"

Liz: "Laura, my mother-in-law. She was cutting in and out, so I couldn't really hear her, but she said 'hospital' regarding Ashlynn. I-I'm sorry, you guys, but I need to find out what's going on."

Melody: "Go, Elizabeth!"

Taylor: "Yeah, we got it covered!"

Liz: (nods) "Thanks, guys!"

Taylor: "Please let us know what happened."

Liz: "I will."

(Elizabeth buttons up her coat and then leaves Kelly's)

(AUTHOR'S NOTE: I apologize if I don't have all the correct info regarding a custody case and not enough info. I tried researching it, but must not have typed in the right info, so please bear with me. If you feel I missed anything, feel free to let me know. Thanks!)

TO BE CONTINUED

Chapter 63 Preview: "What's wrong with baby Ashlynn?"