Chapter 82- Skye gets Pressured
Alan Quartermaine was under a great deal of stress. Between worrying about Jason getting out of the mob and about Skye's issues, the final custody hearing of little Michael was that afternoon and even though he kept trying to reassure AJ everything would be all right, he was doubtful of it himself. Emily seemed to be the only one of his children he wasn't worried about now since she broke up with Zander.
He was just finishing up his shift when he passed by Monica's office, except it was Emily and Elizabeth he heard instead.
"I promised Skye I wouldn't say anything to Dad," Emily said. "I'm really torn… We still don't know each other that well yet and I don't want to break her confidence."
"I know," Elizabeth agreed. "But how did that happen to her? I almost feel like a situation like this is when you need to break a confidence. I don't buy the story that she fell."
"Neither do I."
Alan stepped inside and crossed his arms. "One of you better tell me right now what's going on."
Emily and Elizabeth exchanged a look.
"Dad," Emily said. "Skye confided me in something, and between medical confidentiality and sister confidentiality, I can't tell you."
Alan's eyes grew wide. "Is Skye hurt? Elizabeth said the story is that she fell."
Emily frowned. "Dad, all I can tell you is check on Skye, see if she's okay."
Alan sighed. "This doesn't sound good. But we have to be at the courthouse in an hour. I'll call Skye and try to get out over to see her later."
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Myrtle was a little suspicious when Skye didn't come down for breakfast and she found Kendall doing some of Skye's chores. Neither would tell Myrtle a thing, they just kept saying Skye was feeling down about Rae. But when Skye didn't go with Myrtle to the hospital to visit Rae, she knew something was up. But still, she couldn't get anything out of them.
After Myrtle left, Kendall took the ice pack up to Skye. Skye sat up and looked at her seriously. "I need you to do me a favour."
"What kind of favour?" Kendall asked.
"I just remembered they're deciding custody of my nephew today. Will you please go and find out what happens and call me right away?"
"I don't know. Won't AJ have enough people supporting him?" Kendall sighed. "He has Elizabeth, he won't need me."
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Please go? I just don't want to go out today."
Kendall groaned. "Okay, fine. But you owe me big for this."
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Rae seemed a little better that evening, but Dr. Wolek still wanted to keep her at least one more night. She couldn't hide her disappointment when Myrtle said Skye wasn't coming. She tried to make light of it, "Skye sends her love. I think she's focused on her nephew's custody case. She'll likely visit tomorrow."
Myrtle found Erica pacing the waiting room and when she noticed Myrtle, she hurried over to her. "Oh, Myrtle! You won't believe my day. Bianca is acting so strangely. We usually have such a warm and open relationship, as you know. But she keeps snapping at me. And her principal called me earlier. She skipped all of her classes. She never does that. And what's worse… when I suggested we go out for dinner and talk, she told me wanted to spend the night with Barbera. She hasn't stayed there since Travis died. And if she opens up to her stepmother and not me… I—I—I don't think I could take it!"
"Well, dear, skipping school sounds very off for her… but I wouldn't worry about her staying at Barbera's, maybe she just wants to spend time with her brother and sister."
"But why does she need to spend time with them when she can spend time with me?" She placed her hands over her chest.
"Well, dear, she does live with you full time and she hasn't seen her siblings since… Christmas was it? She only sees them a couple times a year since her father passed. At least she's safe. Try calling her tomorrow and see how she's doing. I imagine she won't stay there for long."
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Skye ended up taking a nap, so she didn't have to think about anything. But she ended up having a nightmare that Michael killed Rae and framed Skye for it. Skye ended up in Statesville and Myrtle testified against her and no one would come visit. As she jolted awake, her heart started racing when she noticed Michael standing over her. She grabbed her side and pressed her back hard against the pillow.
"Skye…" he said softly and sat on the edge of her bed. "I was worried about you. Did you get hurt last night?"
Skye swallowed hard. "I uh… I broke a few ribs."
He reached for her hand and squeezed it. "Will they take long to heal?"
"A—a—about 4-6 weeks."
Michael sighed. "You need all the rest you can get. And I want to help you feel better." He started to massage her hand.
Skye bit her bottom lip.
"I know we both did things we regret last night," Michael continued. "I was just concerned that your therapy would come between us. You are such a smart and beautiful woman. You don't need counseling no matter what anyone tells you."
"M—Michael, I uh… I think it's best if we—"
"I have the perfect resolution to our dispute. I think it's time that you and I get mar—"
Ring. Ring.
Skye looked over at her cell phone with Kendall's name on the screen, then back at Michael. "I—I should get that…"
He lifted the phone and looked at the caller ID. "Of course." He held the phone between them and put it on speaker phone.
Kendall spoke right away. "Skye… I have bad news. Sonny Corinthos won full custody of little Michael."
Skye felt her heart sink and her face paled.
"Are you okay?" Kendall asked, but Michael hung up on her.
"He—he… AJ lost custody…" Skye said sullenly. "This is all wrong."
Michael shook his head. "Sometimes the justice system causes harm instead of helping people."
Skye locked eyes with him.
"Does this make you angry?" Michael asked.
Skye nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, it does."
"Does it seem unfair?"
Skye broke eye contact with him and she balled her hands into fists. "Yes. Michael belongs with AJ, not a dirty mobster. This isn't fair. He's stealing Michael from his father and now Michael's life is just going to be a lie and he's going to be in constant danger."
"Does that make you want to confront Sonny?" Michael asked. "Put him in his place and stand up for your brother and nephew?"
"Yes. I want him to know what he's doing to that little kid."
"Do you want him to pay for what he's done?"
"Of course."
"Then you know what you have to do, don't you?"
"What?" Skye asked.
"You need to go over to his house and do just that. Let him know how cruel he's being. Yell at him. Get all of your feelings out. You need to do that for AJ and little Michael."
"But—I—I can't do that… I'm supposed to take it easy. You just said I needed rest…"
He leaned closer to her and tucked her hair behind her ear. "Your brother comes first."
Her mind began to race and she was almost starting to forget what older Michael did to her… he was right. AJ needed support and she let him down by not going to court that day. She was choosing herself over him. She nodded and looked at Michael. "I need to go confront Sonny Corinthos."