Love in Exile

This is a Days of Our Lives and General Hospital crossover. Note: Ben was not a necktie killer. There was no necktie killer... That we know of anyway lol I hope you enjoy this story!

Chapter 1: Family Ties
Vienna, Austria – early spring 2016

"I can't believe you're leaving us," Carly Manning said as she helped Melanie pack her suitcase. Melanie watched a pair of her favorite high heel pumps disappear into one of the side pockets of her rolling bag. "Are you sure you don't want to stick around? Vienna is so beautiful in the springtime; there's so much to do and see," Carly went on.

Melanie nodded. "I know, and this whole trip has been amazing. It's just … I don't want to live in exile anymore. I want to go back to the states so I can help people. I need to be needed again."

"Living in exile," Carly murmured. "Is that how you've thought of traveling across Europe over the past year – as some kind of punishment?"

Melanie quickly threw down the navy blue sweater she had been in the process of folding. She settled her hands on her mother's shoulders. "I didn't mean it the way it sounded. I really have had a blast with you and Nicholas. I loved spending time with you two. It was the best thing for me."

Carly nodded. "But you would have had such a different life if Kimberly Brady's oh-so-precious daughter hadn't made it impossible. I can imagine why you feel trapped."

"I don't feel trapped. I just don't want to hide out from everything anymore. Besides, I got a job at the best hospital in New York! I look forward to returning to the workforce again and as a nurse this time." Melanie sighed. "And as for the oh-so-precious one you speak of… I'm over her and her antics. I know I did the right thing. Walking away from Brady so they could be a family to their son was the right thing to do – even if it sucked."

"If there was a way for you two to have a second chance…"

"There's not. I've accepted it. I am sure Brady's accepted it too since, according to Abby, he and Theresa are thick as thieves again. But it's okay because I don't ache half so much as I used to and I am crazy excited about my new job. I feel like I have a purpose again."

"You do. To be happy. I want you to be happy, Mel. You deserve it. I want the very best things for you in life."

"That's what makes you such an amazing mom."

Carly smiled. "Say that again."

Melanie smiled. "That's what makes you such an amazing mom."

"You called me your mom."

Melanie chuckled. "Well, that's you are right? My mother?"

"Yes, but when you call me 'Mom'… It truly feels like we've come full circle. That you've accepted me even after all of the mistakes I made with you."

"Well, Mom, I was angry at you for a while, but that was ages ago. I understand now why you did what you did. What you were actually forced to do. You gave me away so I could have a chance at life. Lawrence forced your hand and I am sorry for that."

"Don't you ever be sorry. You did nothing wrong."

"I'm sorry you were hurt by him though. You don't talk about him a lot but I can tell you loved him."

Carly's eyes took on a faraway look. She grabbed for one of the suitcase handles, gripping it tightly in her hand, her knuckles becoming white. "God help me, but I did. Lawrence was everything to me for a very long time. He was far from perfect but it was like overnight, he became this unrecognizable monster. I never really saw the transition coming which means that I was a fool."

Melanie could see the topic of Lawrence affected her mother greatly, even after all of this time. It was the one topic they rarely discussed so Melanie was surprised Carly was being so frank with her now.

Carly swiped at her eyes which were murky with tears. "When I think of all he took away from us, all the time we lost because he was so evil…"

"That's why you don't want me to go huh? Because we missed so much time together already."

"Yes, but I also know that you need to go and I really do want you to go out into the world and do what will make you feel good."

"Well, you and Nicholas could always come to New York with me. We could all get a flat and drive out to see Broadway shows every weekend."

Carly chuckled. "Forgive me if I can't see Nicholas living in a flat."

Melanie chuckled too. "Oooh, I know then! How about renting out a Park Avenue penthouse, overlooking Central Park?"

Carly smiled. "And Pia? Where exactly would she fit into this grand plan?"

"She could come too. She's practically family now anyway. So say you'll come with me, Mom. Please."

"I want to, I really do, but Nicholas has elicited a promise from me that I'll stay here and help him and Pia, and Pia's family, plan the wedding."

"I know. I still can't believe Nicholas is getting married! And to a woman he's known for only three months."

"I really did encourage him to take his time to truly get to know her before jumping into marriage but he's stubborn and determined."

"Kind of like you?"

"Haha."

"Well, who knows, maybe Nicholas and Pia will decide to honeymoon in the states. I will be back for the ceremony though, of course."

"You had better come, Sister," Nicholas said, striding into the room.

"Were your ears burning just now, Brother?" Melanie teased.

"A lot actually." Nicholas smiled as he watched Melanie zip up the last of her suitcases. "You really are doing this then."

"I am. I want this a lot though I have absolutely loved being so close to you two over the past year."

"You have to say that," Nicholas said. "But I'll miss you, Melanie. I feel I can truly call you my sister now."

Melanie's chest tightened and her eyes welled. "You mean that, don't you?" Nicholas nodded. "Well for the record, I love having you as my big brother. Now promise me that you'll take good care of our mom."

"Hey now," Carly interjected. "I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, thank you. I'm not an elderly invalid - yet."

"Of course you're not, Mother," Nicholas said. "You're perfectly young and vibrant."

"I agree with Nicholas," Melanie put in.

"Oh, you two," Carly said. "Get over here right now and indulge your 'young and vibrant mother in a group hug."

"Alright," Nicholas said.

Carly held out her arms to her children, enfolding them in a tight embrace.

XoXoXo

Port Charles, New York

"Hey, baby brother," Jordan Ridgeway greeted Ben as she noticed him standing by the bank of elevators, impatiently tapping his wristwatch as if he couldn't wait to get out of there. "How was your first day on the job?"

"Well, a woman threw her bedpan at me," Ben said. "And that was the nicest thing that happened today."

"I'm sorry. Maybe tomorrow will be better. Sometimes it takes some getting used to – you know, working with new people, people with totally different temperaments. But don't give up. You make an excellent assistant."

"You mean orderly." Ben shrugged. "But it's better than making coffee … Anyway, are you heading home now too? We can ride share."

Jordan blushed a light pink. "Actually I'm not going home right now. I'm going … out."

Ben raised an eyebrow. "Wait. Does my big sister have a date?"

"Why do you sound so surprised that someone would ask me out?"

"I'm not. I am just surprised you accepted. You've been here for well over a year and this is the first time I'm hearing about a new man in your life."

"He's not. I mean, he's a man, yes, but he's not my man."

"Not yet. Hey, just promise me something."

"Okay…"

"Promise me you won't get involved with him if he doesn't treat you the way you deserve to be treated. Tell me he will treat you better than the last two numbskulls did." Ben curled his hand into fists at his side. "When I think of Chad in particular…"

"I know." Jordan touched his sinewy bicep. "But try not to think about him. He's not worth it."

"How can I not think about him, Jordan? He stole my life. He's raising the little girl who should have been mine. Because of him, I lost everything."

"I know, but I don't believe that it was all intentional."

"The hell it wasn't." Picturing Chad's smug face, Ben desperately wanted to punch something but somehow resisted.

"All I'm saying is that he was lied to as well."

"I know, thanks to daddy dearest." Ben sighed. "You were right about Clyde all along and I didn't want to listen to you until it was too late. He's total scum and I am so glad he'll spend the rest of his unnatural life rotting behind bars."

"I didn't want to be right about him. He's your dad."

"Not anymore, he's not." Ben looked at his watch. "Where is the damn elevator? I guess I'll take the stairs and let you go find your date, whoever he is."

"Will you be alright?"

"Yeah, of course. I'm a big boy." He offered his sister his brightest attempt at a smile. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do okay?"

"I won't," she promised, giving him a big hug. "You know I'm proud of you right?"

"I do know that and it means a lot." Ben disentangled from her tight embrace. "See you later okay?"

"Okay," Jordan agreed. He felt her watching him with concern as he walked to the stairwell door, pulled it open, and disappeared down the steps.

When he was outside, feeling the cool night air on his face, he withdrew his cell phone from his pocket. He began to flip through pictures on it as he walked. There was picture after picture of a cherubic-faced infant girl with a big bald head. She was perfect. Arabella was perfect.

He kept scrolling until he reached the end of the photos. The last picture was of Abigail. He had never found the strength to delete that one. She had looked so happy and she had smiled so brightly at him when he'd snapped the picture during a lunch date in Horton Square. She used to look at him like he meant something to her…

Before he could stop himself, he was dialing her number. He had considered calling her a million and one times but now he would actually go through with it.

The phone rang three times and then a familiar voice answered. "This is Abigail Deveraux's phone," Chad said. He heard giggling in the background. Abby.

Ben said nothing, wishing that he could reach through the phone and throttle that DiMera bastard. But he also knew that it wouldn't help. Abby had made her choice and Ben had to live with it.

"Who is this?" Chad asked. "I can hear you breathing."

Ben pressed the disconnect button and stuffed his mobile back into his pocket - but not before deleting that one last picture of Abby. He hoped it was the beginning of being able to let her go but he sincerely doubted it.

To be continued.