The Wayward Son and The Docile Daughter
Standing by, Alexis watches as the conference room slowly fills up with those allowed to be in attendance, the judge restricting having put a restriction on the hearing. If the Quartermaines had it their way, they'd fill it with people that knew Jason before the accident, hoping that the past will color the judge's perception. Thankfully, the judge has ruled that only people that know Jason before and after the accident can testify to his competency.
"Alexis Davis," Justice Ward greets her when he walks into the conference room. "I was surprised to find that you were representing Jason. I thought you swore off the Quartermaines for good."
"Jason doesn't see himself as a Quartermaine, but you know that already," Alexis counters. "Best of luck, counselor."
"Same to you," Justice replies sincerely, turning to watch the people enter as she does. "This whole situation just needs to come to a conclusion, regardless of which way it lands."
"Something we can both agree on," Alexis agrees. "The faster a ruling can be made the faster they can all find a way to heal."
"Here's to hoping."
Regardless of her feelings where the Quartermaines are concerned, Alexis hopes that they will find a way to heal and move forward with the acceptance of who Jason is now. With no personal stake in the situation, she can't speak to what they must be going through, but she's not here to oblige them for their hurt. Jason is the one that has suffered the most and she must do her due diligence to ensure he doesn't suffer anymore.
As the room becomes divided on those with the Quartermaines and those with Jason, it becomes clear which side has the most support. The doctors seated along the wall, taking neither side, Alexis finds that she's thankful for that much. Regardless of the Quartermaines' standing in the hospital, they still maintain their professionalism by not choosing sides and that makes her hopeful for their testimony.
Once everyone is seated, Alexis sends a text to Elizabeth to let her know that she can come in with Jason, giving him a clear path to his seat without having to interact with anyone. The moment he stepped through the doors, Elizabeth by his side, Alexis couldn't help the slight smirk that touches her lips, thankful to see that she was wrong to be worried about Emily choosing the suit.
"Where will I sit?" Elizabeth questions Alexis in a hushed tone as she guides them to the front where Jason will be seated.
"Right next to him," Alexis says, gesturing to the set of three chairs at the front. "United front."
"Right," Elizabeth replies, smiling softly when Jason pulls out her chair for her. "Thanks."
Taking her seat once Jason takes his, Alexis finds herself feeling a lot more secure in their standing as those in attendance start to whisper amongst themselves, clearly taken by the image of Jason and Elizabeth walking into the room together. Glancing across at the opposition, she can see that Justice sees what she does, realizing that he just might not win this one.
"All rise," the bailiff says loudly, prompting everyone in the room to rise to their feet. "The case of Jason Quartermaine vs Alan and Monica Quartermaine is now in session. The Honorable Judge Russo, presiding."
"Take your seats," Judge Russo voices once she's seated behind the podium. "Good morning. Before we begin, with questions being brought up against my objectivity, I'd like to address a couple of things. While I sympathize with both sides in cases like these, I have never once let it sway my rulings one way or the other. To all those that feel I may be biased, you can rest assured that my ruling today will be based on the facts and evidence presented before me."
"Your honor, my clients meant no offense by filing that request," Justice voices, having known that filing that request for the judge to recuse herself would backfire, but the Quartermaines insisted, as always.
"I know what they meant by it, counselor," Judge Russo says simply. "Let's begin. You may proceed with your opening remarks."
Straightening his suit, Justice rises to his feet, realizing that this was going to be an uphill battle to get them the ruling they want. If they had just listened to him and trusted that he knows how to do his job, they would have started off with a stronger base, but that's no longer the case. So, with nothing else to do, Justice presents his case with opening remarks, hoping that above all else that things will fall into place as they are meant to.
"As I'm sure any parent in this given situation would want, Mr. and Mrs. Quartermaine only want to ensure their son gets the care he needs to ensure a full recovery," Justice voices, trying his best to convey both the facts and emotions in his opening remarks. "Jason was a capable and thriving young man, there's no denying that, but the accident has put him in a vulnerable spot. Once you hear testimony from his doctors and those that have known both versions of this young man, we hope you'll come to see why we have agreed to come before you today. At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is Jason's recovery and his parents are the best people to help him reach that."
"Thank you, Mr. Ward," Judge Russo voices, prompting him to take his seat, turning to Alexis once he's seated. "Ms. Davis, you may give your opening remarks."
"Thank you, your honor," Alexis replies, rising to her feet and straightening her suit. "Despite what they must believe, I do sympathize with the Quartermaines and what they must be going through. For your child to lose all recollection of who they are, it's unimaginable, but they are not the ones that have suffered the most. Jason's the one that was in a coma, the one that lost his memories, and the one that must build a future on a shattered past. The Quartermaines, as much as they claim to know what's best for him, are working based on who he was before the accident, refusing to acknowledge that he is no longer that person. Jason's only intention for bringing this case before you today is to reclaim control of his life, of his fate, and ensure that he receives care tailored to who he is today and not who he was. Thank you."
Once opening remarks conclude, the judge calls Jason's neurologist, who testifies to Jason's neurological condition and the limitations that the damage to his brain presents. The obvious memory loss, impulse control, trouble interpreting two-dimensional drawings, etc. While the doctor lists his limitations, Jason's hand instinctively finds Elizabeth's, using the connection to help him remain calm as he listens to the testimony. Alexis had prepared him for this, that the doctors would have to be technical when they testify, but it didn't stop him from feeling annoyed by it.
"Given the limitations that you just attested to, doctor, would you say that it's more beneficial for Jason to have his parents, two doctors well versed in medical jargon, in charge of his care?" Justice questions once the judge allows for questioning.
"Yes and no," the doctor answers honestly. "While knowing the meaning of what's said can help make an educated decision, there's a saying in the medical field, medical personnel make the worst patients. As hard as it may be to believe, sometimes knowing too much can hinder treatment more than it helps it."
"I can understand that, but they are not the patients in this case," Justice counters, trying to get him to say just enough and not too much. "Given Jason's condition and his condition alone, do you believe that his parents can make better decisions than he can - given his limitations?"
"Given his limitations, I believe that it would be beneficial to have someone capable of helping him understand his treatment plan," the doctor replies simply. "Whether that be his parents or someone with his best interest at heart."
"Thank you, doctor," Justice voices, cutting off anything the doctor would say next. "No further questions."
"Doctor, your testimony consisted heavily of statistical evidence based on the experience of other patients," Alexis voices as she rises to her feet. "If it's alright with you, I'd like to bring us back to this case in particular, because that's what we're here for, after all. When Jason fell into a coma, can you tell me what you believed to be true about his chances of recovery?"
"How is that relevant?" Monica blurts out, sinking back into her seat when the judge turns a stern look in her direction.
"Control your client, counselor," Judge Russo says to Justice. "I don't appreciate outbursts in my court."
"Apologies, your honor," Justice replies sincerely. "It won't happen again."
"See to it that it doesn't," Judge Russo replies sternly. "The witness will answer the question."
"Given his tests at the time, the likelihood of the patient waking from the coma was slim to none," the doctor replies honestly. "The damage was severe and, given past cases, it didn't look optimal."
"With that in mind, did you advise the Quartermaines that his best chances would be to have him transferred to a long-term care facility?" Alexis questions, continuing when he confirms. "And what did they say to that?"
"They refused on the basis that he needed to be close by," the doctor explains. "They didn't think that having him sent to a facility would benefit him more than being here with them. They are doctors, after all."
"So, against your professional advice, they chose to leave him here in General Hospital rather than sending him to a facility where they are better equipped to handle a patient in his condition?" Alexis questions.
"Objection," Justice says seriously. "Mr. and Mrs. Quartermaine made the best choice available to them. Having family close by has been proven to speed up recovery."
"They made the choice that best suited them, not what best suited Jason's recovery, but I digress," Alexis says simply, turning back to the doctor. "Let's go back to the statistics, shall we? Despite statistical evidence to the contrary, Jason woke up from the coma and has since made strides to regain many aspects that were lost to him because of the accident. How would you explain that occurrence, doctor?"
"Past cases of similar conditions help doctors to determine the likeliness of something happening, but it's not a one size fits all," the doctor explains. "While many fall into the same pattern of recovery, it's important to address each case individually. This patient was fortunate to have a better recovery rate than others of a similar condition."
"Given that knowledge, isn't it possible that this patient has the ability to overcome the so-called limitations caused by the accident?" Alexis questions. "That, despite it all, he can find a way to adapt to those limitations and go on to lead a full and healthy life?"
"Given the right treatments," the doctor admits. "It'll be a difficult process, but it's not impossible."
"Thank you, doctor," Alexis replies, retaking her seat. "No further questions."
The next witness to take the stand is his psychiatrist, Dr. Collins, who starts off by explaining how he came to be in charge of Jason's care. Given his prior knowledge of who Jason was before the accident, the Quartermaines felt that he was best suited to help Jason with his condition. At first, Jason was combative and unreceptive to treatment, making him believe that he needed a different approach.
After consulting with the neurologist, Dr. Collins formulated a treatment plan he felt would best help Jason, but it wasn't until Jason finally started opening up to him that he came to understand the uniqueness of this case. Like was previously stated, it's helpful to use experience when coming up with a treatment plan but it can't be a one size fits all. This case being proof of that.
"Dr. Collins, was it not your professional opinion that the Quartermaines retain control over Jason's medical decisions because you felt him incapable of making those decisions?" Justice questions.
"It was," Dr. Collins confirms. "As I said, Jason had been combative and unreceptive to treatment. I believed, at the time, that it would be most beneficial to have his parents make the important decisions."
"No further questions," Justice voices, knowing that pushing any further would lead the doctor to voice things opposing their standing. "Thank you, doctor."
"You've been speaking in the past tense," Alexis points out, rising to her feet. "Is that no longer your belief, doctor?"
"That's correct," Dr. Collins confirms. "Once Jason opened up to treatment, he has made big strides to recovery, no longer reacting to his condition but actively working to overcome it. While I'd still advise him to have someone with him to help explain parts of his treatment that he doesn't understand, I no longer believe that his parents are the best option to do that."
"Why is that?" Alexis questions curiously, wanting to hear his thought process.
"There's no doubt that they love their son, that they want what's best for him," Dr. Collins says wholeheartedly. "With that being said, however, their unwillingness to face the reality of his condition has only proven to place unnecessary stress on the patient. Jason needs time and space to not only come to terms with what happened to him but also to find a way to move forward from it, as well."
Glancing over at the doctors Quartermaine, Alexis watches their expression as they process what Jason's doctors have said, wondering if their testimonies will be enough to break through to them. Yes, they are doctors, but that doesn't automatically make them the best option to help their son. As Dr. Collins steps down, she watches Justice huddle with his clients, clearly seeing the writing on the wall.
Of course, hoping for them to accept the reality set before them was asking too much, because Justice requests for a recess rather than accepting the loss. Granting a fifteen-minute recess, the judge uses the time to go over the witness list, instructing the bailiff to clear the room.
"What is happening in there?" Monica blurts out once they are in Alan's office. "They have managed to twist the doctors into confirming their standing!"
"I thought you said that you could get them to confirm our side not theirs!" Alan snaps. "What's the plan now, Justice? What do we do to switch it in our favor?"
"I assured you that I would do my best to get the judge to understand your standing," Justice counters, growing more and more frustrated with the entire situation. "As for what comes next, the doctors have given their professional opinion, but - as Ms. Davis has pointed out - professional opinion only takes them so far. It'll come down to whether or not we can sway the testimony of those closest to Jason. Now, I will do my best to word my questions in a way to highlight our standing, but Ms. Davis is just as capable and she has the facts on her side."
"What are you saying?" Keesha questions in disbelief. "Are you saying we should just give up?"
"I'm saying that you should step back emotionally and look at this case factually," Justice says seriously. "Jason may not be the same Jason he was before the accident, but he has clearly proven himself capable beyond what you believe him to be. I'll do my best to fight for all your sake, but - if I was being honest - if I were to be called to the stand, it'd be against your standing and that's just fact. Now I suggest you get yourselves together because we have one hell of a fight ahead of us if we're going to have any chance at swaying the judge's ruling."
"There's gotta be something we can do," Keesha voices when Justice leaves the room, looking to the Quartermaines to give her hope. "Please tell me there's something we can do."
"There is," Monica assures, turning to Alan. "As long as Robin can testify on our behalf. Have you heard anything?"
"Nothing," Alan admits sadly. "I tried to ask Mac, but he wouldn't give me a straight answer."
"You don't think she's going to testify for Jason's defense, do you?" Keesha questions, her heart pounding as the fear of what's to come weighs on her, realizing that this could really be the end of her and Jason.
"I don't know," Alan answers honestly. "I just don't know."
"Is Justice right?" Monica dares to ask her husband, meeting his gaze. "Do we accept that Jason doesn't need us to make his decisions for him?"
"I don't know," Alan replies sadly. "But we're not going to give up."
"Even if that means losing him for good?" Monica questions. "Justice says that fighting it will only prolong the inevitable...that the outcome will not favor us."
"Regardless of the outcome, we have to fight for our son until there's nothing left to fight for," Alan replies. "At least he'll know that we never gave up on him."
"Okay," Monica accepts, taking in a shaky breath. "If you want to keep going, we'll keep going."
Making their way back to the conference room at the end of the fifteen-minute recess, they take their seat by Justice, bracing themselves for the rest of the hearing. One after another, they put members of the family that know both versions of Jason on the stand to testify, watching as Justice questions them leaning one way just before Alexis questions them leaning the other.
While they testify to the differences and what Jason would have wanted before the accident, none of them can speak on what he wants now. Despite wanting to support Alan and Monica, when asked about Jason's demeanor in their presence, none could testify to his inability to control himself. Alexis pointing out that not wanting them to visit wasn't evidence of Jason's brain damage but simply him not wanting their company.
Sitting by, listening to Alexis tear apart his defense, Justice wants nothing more than to let this hearing come to an end. As much as the Quartermaines want to be the one in charge of their son, the system is working as it was meant to, obliging the facts and the facts alone. Even with that, Justice accepts that he must keep the fight until all is said and done, owing the Quartermaines that much.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but you're not a doctor," Justice says when it comes time to question Emily, her testimony damaging his defense even further. "How can you testify to Jason's ability to make medical decisions?"
"Before the accident and after, Jason remains my brother, his memory loss doesn't change that fact," Emily states sternly, glaring at Justice. "I know him better than you do...better than they do...and that makes me qualified to speak on his behalf. Jason was studying to become a doctor before the accident and he still retains that knowledge to this day because that information is stored in a different part of the brain. My brother has the mental ability to make rational decisions and the medical knowledge to make the right ones."
"Or maybe you want to believe that to be true," Justice counters. "Because if he's capable, you won't have to face the fact that Jason is no longer your hero, that's he's not invulnerable."
"You're wrong!" Emily states angrily.
"No further questions," Justice says, cutting off anything she was about to say, hating himself for being this hard on her, but there was no choice.
"You say he has the mental ability to make rational decisions, can you give us an example?" Alexis questions gently, understanding Emily's anger.
"Even though having my grandmother testify on his behalf would give him better chances of winning his case, Jason chose to have her sit it out because of her health," Emily explains. "He rationalized the importance of her health over the importance of his case because that's the kind of person that he is! Just this morning, I had to convince him to let me testify for him."
"Why is that?" Alexis questions. "Your health clearly isn't a factor."
"He didn't want me to have to stand against my parents," Emily says, her eyes finding her parents. "He wanted to keep the peace between us. That's who Jason is. That's who he has always been. He's not only rational but compassionate for others. The fact that you are blind to that is evidence of your shortcomings, not his."
"No further questions," Alexis says, smiling slightly as Jason rises to his feet and walks out from the table to wait for her to step off the stand. "Thank you, Ms. Quartermaine."
Shaking her head, Emily steps down from the stand, walking right into Jason's waiting arms. Her anger for the entire situation had her physically shaking, unable to believe that Justice would push her like that, thankful for Jason's calmness as he holds her close. Pulling away, she smiles softly as he kisses her forehead.
"I know it's hard," he whispers, meeting her gaze, "but try not to let it get to you."
"I'll try," Emily assures. "We're almost to the end...just gotta hang in there a little longer."
"Right," Jason replies softly. "Thanks."
Waiting long enough for her to take her seat, Jason walks back to his seat, allowing the hearing to continue. Through the whole thing, the judge has sat by just listening to the testimonies, watching the interaction, and truly taking the words to heart. Clearly, emotions are running high, but that doesn't negate the words spoken. The more she learns of Jason, the more she can see the truth, but she reserves her ruling until both sides rest.
"Robin Scorpio," Judge Russo voices as Robin stands before her. "Am I correct in saying you have decided not to testify here today?"
"That's correct," Robin confirms, glancing over her shoulder at the Quartermaines before turning back to the judge. "I knew Jason before the accident, he was one of my best friends, but I don't believe I'm qualified to speak on who he is at this point in time."
"Robin, please!" Keesha blurts out, desperate for someone to stand on their side. "Don't do this!"
"I'm sorry," Robin says sincerely, turning to look at the Quartermaines. "Nothing I have to say will help you. It's best if I just don't testify."
"You said you'd testify!" Keesha snaps. "You can't just back out of that!"
"Enough, Ms. Ward! Counselor, I don't need to remind you to control your clients," Judge Russo snaps before turning to Robin. "While I can respect what you're trying to do, I'd like to hear what you have to say. Please, have a seat and just speak of what you do know."
"Yeah, okay," Robin accepts, moving to sit on the stand, having hoped to avoid all this. "Jason and I have been friends for a few years. He's been one of my best friends, the kind that you could call at any hour of the night because you know that he doesn't mind. The day I found out he lost his memories, I was devastated, knowing that everything we shared was gone. Because of our past, I tried to stay out of the turmoil between Jason and his parents. I just didn't feel it was my place to step between that."
"What made you change your mind?" Judge Russo questions.
"His parents came to me, asking for me to testify because Jason was taking them to court," Robin explains. "I owe a lot to the Quartermaines. Jason was there for me during the hardest part of my life and his parents helped me with my health issues soon after. Given our history, I felt I owed it to them to at least consider doing what they asked. That's when I met Jason, this Jason, and I realized that he may not be the same guy I became friends with all those years ago, but he was still Jason. The past may be lost to him, but that didn't mean the future had to be lost, as well."
"Thank you, Ms. Scorpio," Judge Russo replies with thought. "You may step down."
"I'm sorry," Robin says to the Quartermaines as she walks past their table on her way out the door.
"We've heard testimony from doctors and people in the patient's life," Judge Russo voices. "I'd like to hear from the patient himself. Jason, can you tell me in your own words what's brought you here today?"
"From the moment I woke from the coma, I have been forced to live my life according to what everyone believes I should be living," Jason says carefully. "Everything I do, everything I eat, is chosen for me. All I want, your honor, is the right to make choices based on who am and not who they believe me to be. That's all."
"Given all the evidence presented before me today, I'm inclined to grant you just that," Judge Russo admits. "One thing that your doctors can agree on, however, is that you will need someone by your side to help you when the need arises. If not your parents, who do you have that's qualified to take their place?"
"That would be me, your honor," Elizabeth voices as she rises to her feet.
"Ah, Ms. Webber," Judge Russo says as she looks at her. "Are you saying that you'll be assisting Jason through his treatments?"
"She's hardly qualified," Monica blurts out.
"What Mrs. Quartermaine means to say is, we'd like the chance to question her like any other witness," Justice explains, knowing the judge is growing tired with the outbursts.
"Very well," Judge Russo accepts. "Ms. Webber, would you please take the stand?"
Giving Jason's hand a gentle squeeze, Elizabeth makes her way up the stand, taking a seat as she's sworn to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. She doesn't get what having her take the stand will do to help their case, but if they want to question her so be it. Let them question away.
"Ms. Webber, do you understand what you're being asked to do?" Justice questions seriously. "Do you comprehend the weight of having to interpret medical jargon for Jason in a capacity that ensures he makes the best decision for himself?"
"Jason understands medical jargon just fine. He understood it enough to know that he had the right to challenge his parents for control of his medical decisions," Elizabeth points out simply. "He understood it enough to secure a lawyer to defend him and express just what he wants in a way that had Ms. Davis more than willing to defend him. Jason doesn't need anyone to interpret for him."
"Just answer the question," Justice counters firmly. "What makes you qualified to be that person for Jason?"
"Like Jason, I come from a family of medical personnel, both doctors and nurses," Elizabeth says seriously. "I have spent countless hours volunteering at hospitals and clinics throughout New York as well as interning for Dr. Collins over several summers. To answer your question, Mr. Ward, I believe my credentials make me qualified to be that person for Jason."
"Do you believe that you could do a better job of caring for Jason than his own parents?" Justice switches gears. "Better than the two people that have raised him and have loved him his whole life?"
"What I believe is hardly relevant," Elizabeth counters. "It's up to the judge to decide who is better qualified to help Jason make the best decisions for himself. I can only speak to my own abilities."
"So you can't say for certain that you're the best person to make those choices," Justice counters. "No further questions."
"Justice raises a good point," Alexis voices, placing a calming hand on Jason's shoulder as she rises to her feet, knowing he was getting ready to just clobber Justice from his clenched fists on the arms of the chair. "He wants to know what makes you qualified to help Jason aside from your credentials. We can oblige him of that much, can't we, Elizabeth?"
"Sure," Elizabeth says simply.
"Can you tell the court how it was that you came to know Jason?" Alexis questions. "I mean, your family and the Quartermaines aren't exactly friendly, you didn't grow up with Jason, did you?"
"No, I didn't," Elizabeth confirms. "Mrs. Quartermaine and my father had once been involved. Relations between our families have always been strictly at a distance."
"So, with no prior history between you and Jason, why did you take it upon yourself to visit Jason that first night?" Alexis questions.
"Objection," Justice throws out though he knows it's pointless. "Relevance?"
"Overruled," Judge Russo shakes her head, turning back to Elizabeth. "You can answer the question."
"Mr. and Mrs. Quartermaine approached my father requesting for my help," Elizabeth explains. "In exchange for a letter of recommendation, they wanted me to find a way to break through to their son."
"Why you?" Alexis questions. "I mean, they already had doctors working to help their son, why approach you - a complete stranger to their son - and ask you to help him?"
"They were made aware of my internship with Dr. Collins and figured that I might be able to break through to him because I'm closer to his age than Dr. Collins," Elizabeth explains. "I didn't know what good I could do, but my father didn't leave me any choice. So, I agreed to their request and I made that first visit."
"According to his doctors, Jason started to open up after a couple of visits from you," Alexis points out. "After weeks of having no improvements, just two visits from you and Jason was open to receiving treatment, is that right?"
"That's right," Elizabeth confirms. "I gave him someone to talk to. Someone that accepted him for who he is and I guess having that gave him the ability to accept help from the doctors."
"So, when Mr. Ward asks what makes you qualified over his parents, wouldn't you say that your track record speaks for itself?" Alexis questions. "Where his parents failed to reach him, you were successful, resulting in Jason receiving the treatments necessary for him to move onto the road to recovery. Instead of attacking your qualifications, they should be thanking you for doing what they were incapable of doing. No further questions."
"Thank you, Ms. Webber, you can step down," Judge Russo voices before turning to the court as a whole. "We'll take a short recess while I deliberate. When we reconvene I will give my ruling. Bailiff clear the room."
Guiding Jason, Elizabeth, and Emily out of the room, Alexis makes sure to keep them out of reach of the Quartermaines, taking them back to Jason's room as they wait for the judge to reconvene the hearing. Getting to the room, Alexis smiles softly when they turn to her in confusion at the sight of takeout from the Grille.
"It's the least you guys deserve after the hell that was that hearing," Alexis says simply. "I'll text you when the judge is ready to give her ruling."
"Thanks, Alexis," Elizabeth says before hugging her. "For this...for everything."
"Enjoy," Alexis replies before pulling open the door. "The guards are still in the hall so you won't be disturbed."
Pulling the food to the bed, the three of them sit down on the bed to enjoy the food, all agreeing to leave the hearing at the door. They have all done everything they could to make their case. There's nothing more that any of them can do but wait for the judge to make a ruling. So, for the time being, they'll live in the moment and just enjoy some good food with good company.
It didn't take the judge too long to deliberate, just long enough for them to finish eating before they were brought back into the conference room. To everyone's surprise, however, the Quartermaines weren't present for the ruling, Justice being the only one sitting at the opposition's table.
"Given the evidence presented for the court, taking into consideration the testimony of all that appeared today, I have decided to grant your petition for the right to make your own medical decisions," Judge Russo says definitively. "On the condition that Ms. Webber upholds her promise to help you if the need should arise. It is the court's hope that you move forward from what happened to you and continue to heal until you are able to lead a full and healthy life once again. If I'm not mistaken, I believe you had one last petition to bring before the court."
"That's correct, your honor," Alexis voices before walking over to place the change of name petition before the judge. "My client requests for a change in name."
"I can understand why you'd want to make such a change," Judge Russo voices. "Can I ask how you chose the name you want?"
"It's my grandmother's maiden name," Jason explains. "I felt it was only right to honor her."
"Very well," Judge Russo replies as she signs the petition. "Your petition for a change in name is granted. Best of luck to you, Mr. Morgan, in life and in health. Court is adjourned."
Author's Note: Well, dang, the words just didn't want to stop. I can't wait to hear what you thought of the court proceedings. The question now being what comes next? Will the Quartermaines accept the ruling and move forward or will they do continue to interfere with Jason's life on the basis of knowing what's best for him? I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Take care and know you're truly appreciated. A million virtual hugs to you all.