The Wayward Son and The Docile Daughter
The moment the case was filed with the court and the Quartermaines were served with the papers, Elizabeth knew it was only a matter of time before they showed up on her parents' front steps, anger steaming through their ears, so much so that it was almost clockwork. Standing in front of both her parents and his, she remains silent as they shout at her, unable to do much more than hear them out. Knowing that anything she says will simply fall upon deaf ears, she doesn't even bother to waste her breath.
"You were tasked with helping us bring our son back to his senses," Monica states angrily, holding up the paperwork to her. "This was not part of the agreement! How dare you plague our son's mind like this?!"
"We should have known better than to trust a Webber," Alan says as he meets Elizabeth's gaze. "You should be ashamed of yourself!"
"Now, now, there's no need to be so harsh," Jeff says before turning to her. "She will fix this and do what was agreed upon. I assure you of that."
"She better!" Monica snaps. "Or you can expect a lawsuit against your entire family!"
"For what?" Elizabeth finally speaks up, stepping forward, ignoring her parents' dismay. "What could you possibly sue us for? You approached my family, you requested my help, everything that has happened started because you decided to seek out the help of an eighteen-year-old girl instead of letting the professionals do what they do best. So, tell me, Mrs. Quartermaine, what legal action could you possibly take against me?"
"Elizabeth Imogene Webber, you apologize this instant!" Carol scolds her, unable to believe that she just said all that to the Quartermaines. "Now, young lady!"
"No," Elizabeth states, tired of this entire situation. "I will not apologize for speaking my mind."
"No? Did you just say no?" Carol looks at her in disbelief. "Young lady, you are pushing your luck."
"No, this is pushing my luck," Elizabeth says before turning to the Quartermaines. "Jason will have his day in court. He will present his case to an impartial judge and I will be right by his side when the judge grants him his independence from you."
"My son is an amnesiac, no judge in their right mind will grant him medical independence once all the facts are presented," Monica states, standing toe to toe with her. "And once this entire despicable situation is dealt with, you will never see my son again."
"I wouldn't bet on it," Elizabeth states firmly. "Despite everything you claim him incapable of, he has proved himself capable enough to secure not only a lawyer to defend him but a judge willing to hear his case. It won't take much more to convince a judge he's competent enough to make his own medical decisions."
"That is enough!" Jeff snaps at her, anger seeping into each word. "Young lady, if you know what's good for you, you'll apologize to these people and do what was asked of you! Your future is riding on this or have you forgotten?!"
"My future is just fine without them," Elizabeth dares to state, unsure of where this confidence stems from, but her anger at their audacity pushes her to stand her ground. "I will not apologize and I will not do what they want. Jason has as many rights as any one of us. I will not stand by and allow those rights to be erased because they refuse to see him for who he is."
"Will it be just fine without us?" Jeff questions, stepping up to her when Monica steps aside. "You either quit this childish attitude of yours or you can kiss our support goodbye. That means no more allowances. No car. No college fund. Nothing! You will have no support from us at all!"
Falling silent, Elizabeth stares at her father, truly looking at him as he stands before her in anger. Glancing over at her mother, seeing her acceptance of her father's ultimatum, Elizabeth sees that she truly didn't mean as much to them as their position in society clearly does. Seeing them now puts her rape into perspective. They didn't avoid it because they could bear to face it. They avoided what happened because it tarnished their perfect image.
"Wouldn't be the first time," Elizabeth states, tears welling up in her eyes but refusing to allow them to see her cry. "I survived being raped without you. I faced my rapist in court without you. I sent him to prison without you. I lived through the worst year of my life without your support! If doing the right thing means not having your support then so be it. I've survived a lot without you, I'll survive this, as well."
"Big talk from a small child," Jeff says through gritted teeth, his anger growing with her blatant airing of their past. "Very well. You think you can survive on your own, do it, but don't think for one second you'll have us to fall back on. From now on you are no daughter of mine! I want you out of this house by the end of the day!"
"Gladly," Elizabeth replies, her heart tightening at his words, but she refuses to let it break her. "But mark my words, Jeff, I will build a future for myself far from your reach. A future so bright and beautiful that you will never be a part of. Neither of you."
Spinning on her heels, Elizabeth runs upstairs to her bedroom, ignoring her father's shouts in disagreement with her statement. Grabbing her luggage, Elizabeth packs up her essentials and art supplies before dragging them out the door, right past her irate parents that expected her to fold.
Anger fueling her, Elizabeth walks the whole way to the hospital, getting to Jason's room just as Keesha walks out of the room, clearly as displeased with her as the Quartermaines. The moment Keesha's hand makes contact with her face, Elizabeth saw red, if not for Alexis walking up when she did, Elizabeth isn't sure what she would have done to the other woman.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I do believe I just saw you assault my client," Alexis says as she stands beside Elizabeth. "I passed a few officers on the way up. Just say the word, Elizabeth, and I can have this woman arrested for assault."
"No, it's okay, she can consider it a freebie," Elizabeth states, walking to stand side by side with Keesha, facing her menacingly. "You only get one. Next time, I'll swing back."
"I don't know how you can sleep at night!" Keesha snaps as Elizabeth pushes open the door to Jason's room, continuing when she stops dead in her tracks. "You said you'd help Jason!"
"That's exactly what I'm doing," Elizabeth says plainly, not even glancing in her direction. "You're the ones not helping."
"My client may be generous, but I, however, am not. As a witness to the assault, I don't need her to file the complaint," Alexis states once Elizabeth's in the room. "I suggest you leave before I feel inclined to do so."
"I know you have no love for the Quartermaines, but for you to use Jason's condition is despicable," Keesha states, anger in her words. "He needs the people that love him to help him heal not this ridiculous circus you've concocted."
"What Jason needs is something only he can decide," Alexis says plainly. "My history with the Quartermaines aside, I'm merely doing my due diligence as a lawyer, nothing more, nothing less. Now, I am at the end of my patience, so, I suggest you carry about your business before you land yourself in lockup."
Alexis could see that Keesha wanted to further push her luck but the girl had enough smarts to quit while she's behind. Like most of the Quartermaines, she carries the air of entitlement and that just rubs Alexis raw that they think they can do and say anything with little to no consequence.
Looking in on the two, Alexis smiles softly at the sight of Jason examining Elizabeth's face where Keesha had slapped her, clear anger on his face as he does. There's no doubt that if he could have made it all the way to the door he would have done some kind of damage to his ex-fiancee.
"I know you declined filing charges against Ms. Ward, but I'd advise you to obtain an ex parte protection order until Jason's hearing is over," Alexis suggests, knowing that being proactive with these people will benefit them in the long run. "I can get the hospital footage as evidence and file it by the end of today. You just have to say the word."
"Yeah, okay," Elizabeth accepts, knowing that she was right. "Do it."
"You got it," Alexis smiles slightly. "Now onto why I'm here. Given your inability to make it to the courtroom, the judge has secured the hospital's conference room for your hearing, we'll be convening first thing Monday morning. The judge will hear opening arguments from both sides before moving on to testimonies from your doctors. Both sides will have a chance to ask questions in favor of their standing. With enough questioning, I do not doubt that we'll be able to secure your medical independence. It would also help if you two present a united front."
"How would that help?" Elizabeth questions, curious as to her reasoning.
"Though Jason has more than enough medical information remaining from his time as Jason Quartermaine, it can still be argued that his condition can cloud his judgment when it comes time to putting that knowledge to use," Alexis explains. "With you at his side, knowing that he'll have someone there to help explain things to him if he doesn't understand, it'll definitely help his case."
"That won't be a problem," Elizabeth assures, turning her gaze to Jason. "You know I'm in it with you to the end."
"I know," Jason replies, sliding his hand to take hold of hers. "We'll be ready."
"I don't doubt that," Alexis agrees. "I'll let you know when the protection order goes through."
"Thanks, Alexis," Elizabeth smiles slightly. "For everything."
"Of course," Alexis replies. "Walk me out?"
"Sure," Elizabeth agrees, giving Jason's hand a gentle squeeze before releasing her hold on it and following Alexis out of the room.
"Talk to me," Alexis says once the door's closed. "What's with the bags?"
"Nothing," Elizabeth replies, though she knows she's a lousy liar, something Alexis is familiar with from their time rehearsing her testimony. "They disowned me."
"I have nothing but hatred for your parents, but this is a whole new low I didn't think them capable of," Alexis says with distaste, swearing she hates the Webbers as much as she hates the devil queen herself. "Where will you be staying?"
"I haven't thought that far ahead," Elizabeth admits. "I just couldn't stay there for a moment longer."
"What about your inheritance?" Alexis suggests. "Wasn't it supposed to clear on your eighteenth birthday?"
"It's tied up in litigation," Elizabeth explains. "The judge is supposed to come back with a ruling next week."
"Don't tell me your parents are contesting your grandfather's will."
"No, not my parents," Elizabeth shakes her head. "My grandmother."
"Ah," Alexis says with understanding, the whole lot of that family can seriously give the Cassadines a run for their money where their blood is concerned. "Why didn't you come to me with it? You know I would have represented you no questions asked."
"I know, but my grandfather's lawyer said he could handle it," Elizabeth replies honestly. "He says that the hearing is merely formality and I should recieve my inheritance in the end."
"Who's the lawyer?"
"Scott Baldwin," Elizabeth concedes. "Why?"
"No reason," Alexis says simply, making a mental note to pay the man a visit. "Look, I've got more than enough room at my place, you're welcome to stay with me until things get settled."
"I couldn't ask you to open your home to me," Elizabeth waves away her offer. "I'll be okay, Alexis, really."
"You're not asking and neither am I," Alexis counters. "I'm telling you, Elizabeth, use my place as a temporary fix until your inheritance kicks in. If not for yourself then do it for my peace of mind, it'd help me to know that you're not sleeping in the streets."
"You're not going to take no for an answer, are you?"
"You know me so well," Alexis smiles softly before pulling out her spare key and handing it to her. "You remember where my apartment is?"
"I remember," Elizabeth assures. "You really don't have to do this, you know? You've done more than enough for me as it is."
"I'll see you at home tonight," Alexis counters simply. "Take a cab. I'll cover the tab when you get there."
While Alexis heads off to process the protection order, the Quartermaine estate is in an uproar over the upcoming hearing. With all that has happened, AJ's drinking being called into question, to have Jason's hearing atop of it all just isn't what any of them need right now. As she was explaining everything that transpired at the Webber house, Monica - in her bout of anger - lets slip what resulted from their visit, falling silent when her daughter chimes in.
"You did what?" Emily questions in utter disbelief. "And you're proud of that? Seriously?"
"Emily, dear, you have to understand, that girl used her position to influence your brother to take us to court," Monica explains. "If not for her..."
"If not for her, Jason would still be refusing treatment," Emily cuts her off, having enough of their blatant disregard for all that Elizabeth has done for Jason. "Elizabeth managed to reach Jason when no one else could and that was the whole point of getting her help, wasn't it? I cannot believe that you would find any pride in causing the Webbers to kick out their own daughter from her home. You're essentially saying that you're proud you made a girl homeless for doing whatever she could to help your son!"
"Emily, what the Webbers do or don't do concerning their daughter is hardly your parents' fault," Keesha steps up in defense of Monica and Alan. "Ease up, will you?"
"Don't speak to me as if you know me," Emily states, having grown tired of her woe is me attitude. "You are all so caught up in your own needs like any of this is about you! Jason is the one that has suffered the most! Jason is the ONLY one that can cry victim in all of this! So, instead of being caught up in your own crap, why don't you try and see things from his perspective and, for once in your life, do what HE needs!"
"That's enough! Everything we do is done with Jason's best interest at heart," Alan scolds his daughter. "How dare you accuse us of anything less! Your brother has been through a lot, we only want him to heal and move forward with his life, the life he had before the accident."
"I don't know why I even waste my breath trying to get you to see reason," Emily says before turning on her heels to leave the room. "I'll be testifying on Jason's behalf at the hearing. We'll see just who the judge will believe has the best intentions when all is said and done."
"You will do no such thing!" Alan shouts, following her out of the room and stopping at the base of the stairs as she walks up to her room. "Young lady, you get back here, we are not done discussing this!"
"I'm done discussing it," Emily says plainly. "You can continue the argument without me. Lord knows you won't listen to a word I have to say."
Getting into her bedroom, Emily shuts the door behind her before letting out a deep sigh, it looks like her plans will have to be moved up a bit. Walking to her closet, Emily grabs her luggage and starts to pack up her things, sending a quick text to her boyfriend to let him know that she'll be packed within the hour. The family never could take words for an answer. No, if she wants them to open their eyes, her actions had to speak for her. Maybe, just maybe, if they see what they stand to lose, they'll be more inclined to compromise.
Author's Note: Thank you all for your reviews. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on this one. Till the next one, take care of you and yours, a million virtual hugs to you all and the standing reminder that you are appreciated. One hundred million percent, you are truly appreciated. Thank you!