…back at the docks. After his third cup of coffee, Nikolas Cassidine arrives. He steps out of the shadows. "Hi!, yes, I know you thought I was dead, but I wanted to talk and explain things and tell you how sorry I am about Ava, Emily, why my death was faked, and everything else. Can I join you on the launch to Wyndmere?"
"You picked a lousy time to show yourself, sure, why not. But I hope you are up for drinking something stronger than coffee.
They ride the first few minutes in silence when Nikolas speaks up. "So, what do I call you? Zander? Or have you been calling yourself something different the last nearly 20 years?"
He replies, "While Smith is a very common name Zander was not and there were still many people after me, including few members of the Five Families and their families, etc. With the help of the WSB, they made "suicide by cop" look real. I go by Lewis Smith, after my father's name."
"But many of those died a long time ago and I don't think Sonny or Jason would see you as a threat."
"No, by then I knew Emily was in love with you and Ric Lansing blackmailed me into giving up my only son, there wasn't anything holding me to GH and the WSB offered me a way to redeem myself and turn it around. I went into an extensive training program and a few years ago I joined a bomb diffusal and domestic terrorism task force."
By now the ride and the cold stinging wind had sobered Nikolas. He lunges towards 'Lewis', but he sidesteps and Nikolas's fist misses and hits the side of the boat. "Motherfucker! That hurts! So were you there when my wife died and why weren't you here to save Emily?"
"The answer to your first question is yes, I was there. There were two bombs and the one that killed your wife and the others went off before I could get there and I only had a limited amount of time that would have taken out an additional three floors instead of part of the floor that killed six people. The answer to your second question is several-fold. First, I'm, not God, second, Port Charles is normally not an area I'm assigned to for obvious reasons, though this time an exception was made due to my bomb diffuseal experience, and third, at the time Diego Alcazar was presumed dead, so he wasn't even on our radar. I do keep track of things since there are still people I care about here. I am sorry about Emily, but there wasn't anything I could have done. I wasn't allowed to even show my face. I can't tell you the number of times I wished I could have been there to prevent the havoc Ric Lansing did. We have arrived at your mausoleum and I have a few more stops to make before leaving town again, but a word of advice, you have a son, A son who knows who you are, don't fuck things up. He is a spoiled brat who half the time is at boarding school and the other half being manipulated by women after your own money. Courtney would have been an excellent mother, but your heart always remained with Emily. Don't get me started on Elizabeth. She's an excellent mother but besides the Cameron/Spencer situation, she would always be a substitute for Emily, like I would have been for you. I've said my peace. You can follow my advice or not. But I am truly sorry for a lot of things today and when Emily was killed. Goodbye."
Lewis directed the boat back to the city and he knows how late it was and he would need a much longer conversation with Elizabeth and Cameron, he decided to find a place for the night. Jakes, now the Floating Rib would probably be a good place to lay low.
Morning arrives and just about everyone has settled in for coffee, some eating cereal or bagels. The one thing for sure is today is one no one will forget.
Elizabeth comes downstairs smelling coffee and eggs, she loved his eggs. The boys soon join her with Jake and Adien running to Drew.
Patrick comes downstairs to coffee and a box of muffins, chuckling he thinks, "like mother, like daughter". Violet is skipping the stairs at the sound of a male voice, then looks dejected when she realizes it's not her father. "Violet sweetie, this is Patrick, a friend of mine and he's going help me tell you something," Anna sniffs
Except for two floors at General Hospital, the lower floors are considered intact. Many of the doctor's offices are cleared too. Chase stops by Finn'soffice and the DNA results from Mercy are still on top of his desk.
Mac has spent the night in an uncomfortable chair in Maxie's room. Felecia brings him some vending machine coffee.
Sam asked Jason to spend the night on the couch. She thought it might be nice for the kids to see him since he's not in jail or accused of anything. She comes downstairs to coffee and leftover Chinese food.
Alfred has provided breakfast, orange juice, and coffee to a hungover Nikolas
Lewis grabs his jacket and walks to Sonny and Jason's coffee warehouse ordering coffee and a scone. He asks the guy behind the counter when Sonny might show up and decides to wait.
After breakfast, Drew says, "I want to see Sam and my daughter and fill them in on my absence."
Elizabeth says that would be good, but right after you should see Monica since you know how quickly stuff like that gets spread like wildfires in Port Charles. She may want to insist you stay with her and she does have the space. My couch may not be the most comfortable, but you are welcome here. But that is your decision to make." She tells him to use Franco's car if he needs transportation. They say their goodbyes for now.
Patrick and Anna sit Violet down and Patrick says, "while I am Anna's friend, Emma, her granddaughter is my daughter and I understand you met her not that long ago. She and her brother and my wife will be here in a few days, but we wanted to tell you something first." Anna holds Violet in her lap while Patrick continues talking softly and slowly to Violet. "Something terrible happened last night and your father along with some other great people were in a terrible accident. I am so sorry but your father has died." Violet burrows her head into Anna and sobs.
"Anna says "sweetheart, do you understand what Patrick is saying?" The little girl nods and runs upstairs. Anna says, "I have to go after her, do you mind?"
Patrick replies, "of course. I do have to check on Dante and see if his swelling has gone down enough for his surgery tomorrow. Good luck."
Lewis is catching up on local news when Sonny walks in. He peers over his paper and the guy behind the counter says he has a visitor. Lewis lowers his paper and a slight look of recognization comes over Sonny's face. "relax Sonny I come in peace", Lewis says. He briefly updates Sonny on his activities and hands him an envelope. "Here is everything you need to take down the 5 families, regain more control and hopefully leave your mob life. Cyrus is dead, you have two young children who need you and they need you to do what is right for them. Avery just lost a mother and you don't need to expose more of your kids to how dangerous your life can be. But that's up to you. I won't be around to see you thrive or crash and burn. Give my regards to Jason. I have one final stop to make before leaving for my next assignment." He walks out without looking behind him and Sonny never said a word.
Drew arrives at the PH and Sam opens the door. She looks at Drew in shock. "I, we thought you were dead", she looks over to Jason.
Drew replies, I will fill you in but are Danny and Scout around? Does she know I'm her father?"
Sam nods and says "Scout does call Jason 'daddy', but she knows you are her biological father".
Drew asks, "can I say hello to them? Then I'll tell you what happened to me."
Sam goes upstairs to get them and Drew tells Jason he's heading to see Monica next and he is welcome to join hm if he wants. Before Jason can reply Scout and Danny come running down the stairs and Drew turns his attention to them. 20 minutes later Sam tells them to get dressed.
Jason offers Drew a cup of coffee and Drew begins his story. "My plane was shot down, but I survived. The FBI believed Peter was responsible, but they had no irrefutable proof and if I tried to return, Peter could try to kill me again. They put me into Witness Protection and set me up with a new identity, a new job, new everything. The only requirement is if necessary I would have to testify and I was not to return until that happened. I agreed. Scout and Danny could be in danger. I also made a request of my own. I would not return, but wanted to keep apprised of what was going on in Port Charles. When I learned of Franco's death, I tried to come home, but they stopped me. I tried again when you got arrested, but they were wise to me; however as soon as they told me Peter was dead, I was allowed to leave and I signed my WITSEC release form. I'm home for good. It is safe for me and anyone around me."
Jason thanked him for stopping by and Drew asked him to come with him to see Monica. He thought it might be easier if Jason was with him when she saw Drew. Jason agreed and they leave in Franco's car.
Meanwhile…..
Cameron saw his brothers off to school and Elizabeth was finishing up the dishes when the doorbell rang. Cameron opened the door and Elizabeth heard, "OMG!" She runs from the kitchen to the door. She can't believe her eyes. Sure, he looks older, but there is no mistaking it's Zander.
"Zander?" she asks.
He replies, "could both of you please have a seat? I know this is a shock, but I want to explain everything I can" Lewis tells them his story and wants to spend some time his son before leaving town again
Elizabeth says,"Zander…sorry, I mean Lewis. You just got here. You are leaving again?"
He replies, I wanted to see you and Cameron, but other than Cameron, I have no reason to stay. My job takes me wherever I am needed. I have to leave soon, but if its okay with you Elizabeth, if Cameron doesn't mind, I would like to take him to lunch, have a conversation get to know him a little?"
"It's up to you Cam", Elizabeth says. Cameron nods. She hugs him and then hugs 'Lewis'. She says "
Return whenever you want. If Emily was still alive, I know she would be happy you survived and she always had faith you could do anything you wanted to."
Lewis said, "I still miss her too, I'll make sure Cameron gets back home by early this evening." Cam and Lewis leave.
Patrick finishes checking scans and determines Dante will be ready for surgery in the morning and he updates Olivia. He schedules an OR room and calls Elizabeth his favorite scrub nurse and asks if she is up for surgery. Her reply is yes. He heads down to check in on Maxie and her new baby. Mac is outside her room and when Patrick walks up he says, "Robert told me you were in town. Felecia sent me out of the room. She told me I was pacing. You would think after all the births I've been around, I'd be used to it, but after what Peter did, she wakes up screaming."
Patrick replies, "could I go in and say hello? I promise not to stay long. I have surgery to prep for tomorrow." Mac nods yes and when he enters Maxies room, Felecia quietly exits giving them privacy.
"Hey, Maxie! It's Patrick. I hear congratulations are in order. I also hear you went through quite the ordeal. Don't worry Robin should be in town sometime tomorrow. She will want to see you."
Maxie smiles, "I'm not going to break Patrick, you can give me a hug." Patrick hugs her and kisses her cheek. Mac pokes his head in and tells him Maxie needs her sleep. Patrick agrees and heads back to Anna's to check on Violet and call his family.
Meanwhile…
Elizabeth's phone rings and it's Drew. He wants to know if he can bring over dinner and wants to fill her in on everything. She tells him yes, but to make for four instead of five and she will explain when he arrives. He asks if the couch is still available. She replies "are you sure? You don't want a real bed at the Quartermaines?"
He says, "no, I'd rather be close to the people important to me and I want to learn more about Franco. I'll see you in about 30 minutes."
Across town….
Lews is spending his last few hours in PC getting to know his son. They are having a late dinner away from anyone that might see him. They avoid the Metro Court. The last thing he wants is to run into Carly and have to explain himself, even if Sonny told about their visit he didn't want to make it about her. He wants that time with Cameron. He updates him on what he's been doing for the last almost 18 years. He explains he was messed up and he was offered a deal to work with the WSB. He tells him he's sorry he wasn't there for him the times he needed him, but he's turned into a fine young man. He avoids discussing Ric since Cameron did like Ric, that is until he left. Lucky the first father was there for him, but he had drug and anger issues. Drew was a short-lived figure and left as soon as he believed he was Jason, he left. Despite Franco's past, he turned out to be a good influence on Cameron and Elizabeth's other kids. He could tell by the way Cameron talked and cried about him.
"Cameron, I was never around when you needed me and I know that was my choice, just like it is my choice to leave again. I did watch you from afar and saw you grow up. I don't want you to feel abandoned again, so if you want to contact me you can. You will be 18 soon, so you can make that decision yourself. Here is my card. Let me take you back to your mom's and then I have to leave town." Lewis returns Elizabeth and hug her and tells her she should be proud at how Cameron turned out to encourage him to early admission to college. He says goodbye to Cameron and walks out the door running into Drew on his way out with his hands full of takeout.
Drew says, "I'm sorry, am I interrupting?"
Lewis replies, "no, I'm leaving, if you can, keep an eye out for my son." Soon after Lewis catches a flight to parts unknown.
Elizabeth sets the table while Cameron gets his brothers to wash up. Drew unpacks dinner. Cameron and Elizabeth fill Drew in about Lewis.
"Wow", Drew says. "all these years you thought he was dead and then he returns, diffuses a bomb, and is off to parts unknown?"
Elizabeth chuckles, "yes. We also thought you were dead. Robin's & Jake's death were faked. Jason came back from the dead as did Lucky, and that is only a handful of people back from the dead people living in Port Charles. Sometimes I wonder why I stay here, but this is my home and my children's home."
In return Drew laughs and says, "fair enough."
By this time the younger kids have made it downstairs and they change the conversation to mundane things. After dinner, the boys head upstairs for homework, and Drew clears the table and helps Elizabeth with the dishes. Elizabeth says, "I have to get up early to assist Patrick in surgery for Dante, do you think you could help get Jake and Adien off to school? Cameron has been through a lot and maybe spending time with his friends can help."
Drew replies, "sure, I'd love to spend time with the boys."
"Thank you", Elizabeth says. "Maybe I'll see you in the morning before I leave. Good night."
"Night Elizabeth."