Title: Love, Lies, & Deception
Chapter 68 "Nicholas Reveals His Plans for Michelle"
(It is now July 25th. It has been six days since Mrs. Benson briefed Michelle and Nicholas on what was going to happen at the custody trial. Mrs. Benson told them if they are not completely sure of certain facts even though it happened to them, to just answer to the best of their ability. She assured them that it happens where a witness doesn't remember every exact detail, so to just do the best they could. Michelle admitted to her lawyer that she was worried she'd do something wrong or say something wrong. Nicholas reassured his girlfriend she would do just fine and he would be right by her side to support her. Michelle looked at her boyfriend and was relieved at his kindness and thanked him for always being there for her. He gave her a soft kiss on the lips and reminded her that he loved her and would do anything for her. She smiled, shaking her head as she confessed no one has ever said that to her before. Nicholas comforted his girlfriend and reminded her he's not like the other guys from her past who will abandon her as soon as they get what they wanted. Michelle tearfully embraced him and couldn't believe a man like Nicholas Cassadine is in love with her and chose her. He reminded her again that she's not the same person she was when she first came to Port Charles. Michelle couldn't help but laugh and agreed with him)
(When she first arrived, she was a total bitch who didn't care who she hurt as long as she got what she wanted in the end. Of course, at the time, that was Lucky Spencer. Now, she couldn't believe she was so immature and such a bitch and she vowed to herself and Nicholas that she would make amends to those she hurt and hoped in time they would forgive her. Nicholas nodded in response as he smiled when he told her she did make amends when she told the truth about her faults and that Lucky and Elizabeth look at all the good she's done. They knew she truly turned over a new leaf when she confessed all her sins and worked her way into becoming a woman everyone can be proud to call a friend. Michelle appreciated Nicholas' kind words and loved him even more for that, but she reminded him that she needed to do this for herself so she could forgive herself)
(Nicholas looked at the woman before him and didn't think it was possible to love her as much as he did and knew she had truly changed if she wanted everyone's forgiveness despite the fact that everyone had told her they understood why she did what she did. They also noticed Nicholas' positive influence over Miss Thomas and Nicholas told them it was all her. She changed for the better the day her baby's truth became revealed. They all felt usually when something that traumatic happens to a person, it changes them. And they again thanked Nicholas because he has stood by Michelle through everything, especially when he didn't have to)
(Lucky has gotten a lot closer with his brother since everything happened. Nicholas is godfather to Lucky and Elizabeth's daughter, Ashlynn. Emily is the godmother as the two friends are like sisters. Even though Emily is still in high school, Emily has always acted mature for her age. Elizabeth and Michelle are even growing closer. Granted, they're not best friends, but they have come a long way since Michelle came to Port Charles)
(Nicholas has never felt for another woman what he feels for Michelle. As a matter of fact, Nicholas has been taking steps to solidify their relationship. Nicholas knew now was not the time for his relationship with Michelle to become more permanent, but after confiding in Lucky the last couple of days, Lucky knew his brother was making the right decision and it was just a matter of time before Nicholas finished his plans. He had hoped her answer was what he thought it would be, but he also knew they had never discussed the topic. But with what was going on with baby Andrew, Sparrow, and everything else, Nicholas intended on following through with his plans)
(Mrs. Benson is currently in her office going through some paperwork when there's a knock at her door. She is still going through her papers when she speaks)
Mrs. Benson: "Hi."
Jason: "You wanted to see me?"
Mrs. Benson: (nods) "Yes. Come in. Close the door behind you and take a seat, please."
(Jason does as he's told and closes the door before taking a seat in the chair across from the lawyer. She quits what she's doing and rests her elbows on the edge of her desk and puts her hands together like she's praying before facing the man in front of her)
Mrs. Benson: "You're aware that the custody case starts tomorrow, correct?"
Jason: (nods) "Yes, ma'am."
Mrs. Benson: "Now, the last time we talked, which was two days ago, you said you may have a lead on something?"
Jason: (clears his throat) "Yes." (nods) "I might."
(Mrs. Benson rests her hands on her desk, laying one on top of the other)
Mrs. Benson: "Are you in a position to let me in on it? Meaning, can you tell me what you have so far?"
(Jason's deep sigh and hesitancy tells the lawyer that he may not be ready yet to reveal anything. She slowly nods before speaking)
Mrs. Benson: "I take it you prefer to wait until what you possibly uncovered is concrete enough?"
(Jason stares at Caroline for a few seconds before putting his head down and rests his elbows on his thighs. He finally raises his head and looks at the lawyer and it's clear he's struggling. Caroline notices this and has a surprised look on her face)
Mrs. Benson: "Jason, what the hell did you find?" (shakes her head) "I've seen you have some emotion over my other cases, but never like this."
(Jason slowly nods and sighs)
Jason: "I could tell you what I found so far, but I prefer to wait until I have proof. I don't want to tell you incase I'm wrong. I know I should tell you, Caroline, but I hope you trust me to get the whole story before just giving you bits and pieces."
Mrs. Benson: (exhales deeply) "Jason, of course I trust you. There's never been an issue or question of trust regarding this case or any other case you've worked on for me. You have never disappointed me yet. Whatever you possibly found…it…"
(Caroline shakes her head and looks stunned)
Caroline: "It must be big." (tilts her head) "Can you at least tell me that much so I have an idea on what I'm dealing with here?"
(Jason stares at his boss for what feels like forever before he finally responds)
Jason: "I can't get into specifics. But to answer your question, Caroline, yes if what my gut is telling me…it will be big. I need to dig further into it, but if I'm right, it'll be bigger than what I revealed before when it was revealed Linda forged Michelle's signature and all that other stuff."
(Caroline looks at him in disbelief)
Caroline: "Wow, Jason, if what you're looking into is bigger than before…"
Jason: (nods slowly) "That's why I prefer to get all of the facts before I disclose anything."
(Caroline nods and briefly smiles in response)
Caroline: "No problem." (clears her throat) "My question for you is…the custody trial starts tomorrow…will you have what you need then? I realize it's already the afternoon and I know Michelle offered the Brady's visitation if they get custody, but I want to do everything I can to make sure she gets custody. I know in the end it's up to the judge, but I have never lost a case and I don't intend on starting now."
Jason: "I assure you, Caroline, that I will do everything in my power to help you win your case. I have never let you down before and I don't intend on starting now. As soon as I leave your office, I'm going to look further into those possible leads I was telling you about."
Caroline: (nods & smiles) "Sounds good, Jason. Thank you for coming in. I trust you'll do what you can."
Jason: (nods) "Yes, ma'am."
(Jason nods at his boss before leaving her office. Caroline leans back in her chair and sighs deeply)
Caroline: "Whatever leads you're working on, Jason, I hope they'll help Michelle."
(Meanwhile, at Michelle and Nicholas' place, Lucky and Nicholas are talking about the custody case and their respective ladies. The men are sitting on the couch as they're talking)
Lucky: "So, I'm betting you and Michelle are nervous about tomorrow?"
Nicholas: (scoffs lightly) "That's one way of putting it. I've been doing my best at reassuring her, but I admit it's getting harder putting up a brave front. I will always be there for her, though."
Lucky: (smiles) "I know, man. I can tell how much you care about her. You've been there for her through pretty much everything. If that's not love, I don't know what is."
Nicholas: (nods) "I do. I do love her." (chuckles) "I know it may sound weird, but I think I've loved her since the first time I saw her."
Lucky: (laughs) "You're right. It is weird considering she was a real bitch when she first came to Port Charles and several months after that."
Nicholas: (snorts) "That's one way of putting it. She was one of a kind to put it mildly."
Lucky: (seriously) "It took me a long time to forgive her for everything. Back then, I hated her. But…" (sighs) "…after everything she's been through with the baby and Gislo, I learned to forgive. I mean, she put me and Elizabeth through hell, but I know Michelle has changed since then. She's not the same person she was before."
Nicholas: (shakes his head) "No, she isn't. I agree with you that she did unforgiveable things back then, but when you thought you lost your baby and then when a madman unleashes his fury on you, it does make you realize what's important in life."
Lucky: "And to her, it's Andrew. She loves that baby." (smiles & points at Nicholas) "And you, too."
Nicholas: (smiles) "I love her, too. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me. Andrew, too. I know he's not my biological son, but I love him as if he were."
Lucky: (smiles) "I know you do, man. It's written all over your face every time she walks into a room and when you hold him. You don't need to convince me of that and I'm sure you don't have to convince her, either."
Nicholas: (shakes his head & sighs) "She's my life, man. How you feel about Elizabeth is how I feel about Michelle."
Lucky: "Elizabeth can see it, too. So can Luke and Laura." (confused) "Speaking of Michelle, where is she?"
Nicholas: "Michelle took Andrew to Luke and Laura's. Mom and Luke have been asking, a lot I may add, for Michelle to bring the baby over for awhile now. But, of course, she wanted to spend some time with him alone. You know…one on one with me there of course."
Lucky: "Hey, man, that's understandable. If Elizabeth and I were in your position, we'd be the same way. I'm sure mom loves Andrew even though he's not blood related. She loves him because you love him." (chuckles) "And besides, mom loves babies. Mom loves Michelle, too. She agrees that Michelle has changed for the better." (smiles) "You helped her with that, bro."
Nicholas: (smiles tenderly) "No, she did it all by herself. I'd love to take credit for it, but it's all on her. I'm really proud of her."
Lucky: (pats Nicholas on the back) "You should be, man. Michelle has come a long way."
Nicholas: (smiles) "I love her so much and the way she is with the baby solidifies that."
(Lucky looks at his brother with curiosity in his eyes and a small smile spreads across his face)
Lucky: "Okay, what's going on?"
(Nicholas leans back a little confused)
Nicholas: "What do you mean?"
Lucky: (chuckles & smiles) "You've got something up your sleeve, don't you? I mean, in regards to Michelle?"
(Nicholas studies his brother before smiling. He knew he could never keep anything from him. Not that he'd ever try. Lucky sees the big grin on his brother's face and it was clear he was onto something)
Lucky: "Okay…spill. What do you have planned for Michelle?"
Nicholas: (shakes his head & laughs) "I just can't get anything past you, can I?"
Lucky: (shakes his head & smiles) "Nope. What's going on?"
(Nicholas studies his brother again before he knew he needed to tell him. Nicholas smiles proudly as if he hit the jackpot)
Nicholas: "I'm asking Michelle to marry me."
(Lucky looks at his brother in shock before his face lights up. He swallows hard before a smile spreads across his face again)
Lucky: "Are you serious? You're gonna ask her to marry you? W-When?"
Nicholas: (sighs) "Well, to be honest, I'm not sure when yet. I mean, I want to do it when she least expects it."
Lucky: (nods) "Okay. Well, with the way things have been going, I'm sure she won't expect it. How long have you been planning this?"
Nicholas: (smiles) "For awhile now."
Lucky: (nods) "Have you picked out a ring yet?"
(Nicholas looks at his brother with a guilty face before shaking his head)
Nicholas: "Haven't gotten that far yet."
(Lucky quickly shakes his head and comforts him by placing his hand on his brothers back)
Lucky: "There's nothing wrong with not having a ring yet. Look at me. I mean, it took me awhile to find the perfect one for Elizabeth." (smiles) "You'll find the perfect one for Michelle."
(A thought then comes to Lucky and he looks at Nicholas)
Lucky: "Do you need help picking out a ring? You were nice to help me out or give me moral support so I thought you might need the same."
Nicholas: (smiles & nods) "Yeah, that might come in handy. I'm hoping she'll say yes."
(Lucky tilts his head and gives his brother a look)
Lucky: "She'd be a fool not to say yes. Anyone with eyes can see she loves you."
(Lucky then wonders something. He wasn't sure if Nicholas had thought of it, so he decides to bring it up just in case)
Lucky: "Hey, man, if-if you two don't get custody in the end, are you still planning on proposing?"
(Nicholas looks at his brother with a questioning look, causing Lucky to explain himself)
Lucky: "I know you love her and it's obvious she loves you. What I'm asking is…if the Brady's get custody in the end, will that affect your feelings on proposing to Michelle? Being you two believe you will get Andrew back."
(Nicholas looks at his brother for a long time. He knew what his answer was, but he had to admit to himself he never thought about Lucky's question. Nicholas meets Lucky's eyes before smiling)
Nicholas: "You have a good point. No, I never thought of that. But to answer your question…if in the end we don't get custody of Andrew…" (shakes his head) "…no, that doesn't affect my decision to ask Michelle to marry me. I love Andrew and even though he's not mine biologically, he will always be my son. I hope Michelle agrees with me on that. I love her either way…with or without Andrew." (smiles) "As a matter of fact, if Michelle says yes to my proposal, down the road, I would love to have a family with her. The way she is with the baby, I have no doubt she'd make a great mom."
(Lucky can't help but smile at his brother's happiness with Michelle. He has never seen him so happy. He makes a mental note to thank her later for it. Lucky pats Nicholas on the back and they continue chatting. Later at the prison, Gislo and Sparrow are in their cell. Gislo is reading a book and Sparrow looks like he's a million miles away with his head back on the pillow when they hear a guard coming to their cell, resting their hands on the bar handles)
Guard: "Well, well, well. If it isn't my two favorite troublemaking duo. I don't see any blood anywhere so you two must not have tried to kill each other yet."
(Sparrow, who is listening to the guard but still doesn't make eye contact, scoffs lightly)
Sparrow: "Don't count that possibility out yet."
Gislo: (chuckles) "You know you love me, Sparrow."
Sparrow: (rolls his eyes) "If by 'love you' means I'd love to kill you, then yes." (thinks out loud) "Or better yet, I could always kill you in your sleep." (chuckles) "I highly doubt anyone would miss you. Linda made that clear the other day when she came to visit you."
Gislo: (growls) "Linda is a bitch who will get what's coming to her when I get to her."
Sparrow: (laughs) "Face it, man. You've lost. Linda won. Get over it. My only comfort is that Linda got away. I may not be able to, but I've made peace with it."
Gislo: (angrily) "Go to hell."
Sparrow: (snorts) "I am in hell, buddy, everyday that I'm stuck in this hellhole with you."
(All of a sudden, the guards' walkie talkie goes off. The guard unlatches it from his clip on the right side of his uniform and puts it to his mouth)
Guard: "Yeah?"
(There's a muffled noise on the other end before the guard says 'okay' and rests his walkie talkie back where it was. He looks up at Sparrow)
Guard: "Sparrow, you have a visitor."
(Sparrow looks at the guard like he's nuts)
Sparrow: "Me?"
Gislo: (laughs) "Who would be here to see his ugly face?"
Sparrow: (sarcastically) "Probably the same person who wanted to see yours."
Guard: "Okay, okay, you two. Come on, Sparrow."
(Sparrow clears his throat before getting off his bed and walks to the cell door where the guard lets him out. The guard leads the former doctor to the visiting area where he stops dead in his tracks. The guard looks at him weirdly)
Guard: "What the hell is wrong with you?"
(Sparrow has a shocked look on his face when the guard snaps his fingers in front of his face)
Guard: "Hey, snap out of it. It's not like you've never seen her before. What different does today make?"
(Sparrow gulps before he's able to compose himself and speaks softly)
Sparrow: "I haven't seen her since before we got arrested."
Guard: (tilts his head) "Well, then consider this a pleasant surprise."
(Sparrow continues to have a shocked look before he realizes he can't just stand there any longer and walks slowly to his visitor. When he's right in front of the person across the table, he stops and can't help but fidget)
Sparrow: "I never expected a visit from you or to see you again."
Linda: (chuckles nervously) "Yeah, sorry I haven't come before. I saw Gislo, but thought I'd better see you being it's been awhile."
(Sparrow sits down in the chair before speaking again)
Sparrow: "Don't get me wrong, Linda. I'm happy to see you. But I'm just surprised. The last time I heard, you were going to jail in North Carolina with your son being cared for by your sister."
Linda: (nods) "That's right. You heard right."
Sparrow: (clears his throat) "So, uh, what did you need to talk about?"
Linda: (sighs deeply) "We have something we need to discuss and I don't want you to be blindsided in court."
(Sparrow looks at her weirdly, turning his head slightly)
Sparrow: "O-kay. You have my attention. What's this about?"
(Linda sighs deeply and briefly looks down before meeting Sparrow's eyes)
Linda: "Our past together and the consequences from it."
Chapter 68 Done
Chapter 69 Preview: "Will Sparrows & Linda's past be revealed?"