A/N: Thank you to those who reviewed. I appreciate it. I wanted to update one more time before work starts again tomorrow (Tuesday). If you have a minute, please kindly review.

Title: Love, Lies, & Deception

Chapter 72

'Who Gets Baby Andrew?'

(Caroline looks at her private investigator in shock. What the hell did he just say? She needed to make sure she heard him right)

Caroline: "Okay, say that again?"

(After Jason takes a deep breath to gather himself, he speaks)

Jason: "The Brady's adoption on Andrew wasn't legal. The person that handled it, they were paid to tell the Brady's and everyone else that the adoption was legal. However, it wasn't." (scoffs) "She was paid $500,000 to falsify information in regards to the adoption."

Caroline: (surprised) "Holy shit."

Miss Powers: (snorts) "My thoughts exactly."

Michelle: "Okay, so what does this mean for me and the Brady's regarding my son?"

(Miss Powers and Caroline glance at each other before facing their clients)

Miss Powers: "Samantha, that means you have no real claim on Andrew. Michelle made it clear during the custody case she wanted her son and still does. You may have raised Andrew since birth, but you have no legal right to him."

(The Brady's face Caroline, who nods in response)

Samantha: "The way Linda made it sound, I was lied to regarding my inability to have kids, right?"

Miss Powers: (nods) "Correct. We will look into this, and if it's true, this reproductive surgery will help you conceive."

Samantha: "While I will always hold a special place in my heart for Andrew, he belongs to Michelle. That's his mother."

Michelle: (smiles) "Thank you, Samantha."

(Caroline and Miss Powers separately get on the phone with people who can confirm what they were told by Linda. Michelle and Nikolas embrace each other as they wait for news. Eric and Samantha are saddened for Andrew. Yet, they knew it was the right thing to do. With just moments to spare, Miss Powers and Caroline end their phone calls as court was officially back in session. Once back in her seat, Judge Devane spoke)

Judge: "Miss Benson, did you find out what you were looking for in regards to the claims you were told?"

Caroline: (nods) "Yes, ma'am. Dr. Mark Stevens, who was the witness from the adoption agency that lied about the adoption being legal, confirmed it. He will be giving a statement in the next hour. He is aware that he'll be facing jail time because of the bribe he took and his lie. As for Dr. Trinity Carpenter, she admitted her part when the Brady's were told they couldn't have kids."

Miss Powers: "That's true, your honor."

Judge: "Okay, being both parties accepted punishment for their misdeeds, we can move to why this courtroom is in session…who gets custody of baby Andrew."

Caroline: "Your honor, both Michelle and the Brady's discussed this when were granted a one hour recess. As much as the Brady's adore Andrew, they agree he belongs to Michelle as she never really got a chance to be his mother until recently."

Judge: "Eric and Samantha Brady, is this true?"

(The couple stands up and take turns speaking)

Eric: "Yes, your honor."

Samantha: "While we will always cherish our time with Andrew, we feel Michelle deserves to be a mother to him. In light of what we were told, there is a way to have a child and we're going to look into it."

Judge: (nods) "Okay." (to Nikolas) "In your personal opinion, Mr. Cassadine, do you feel Michelle would make a good mother and why to Andrew?"

Nikolas: "Yes, your honor. She gives her heart and soul to that child when in contact. She provides a stable life to him. She made it clear she would be devastated if she lost him again."

Judge: "Thank you, Mr. Cassadine. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer, how do you feel about Miss Thomas? I know you two have a complicated past with her."

Lucky: "We did in the past, yes. We had our issues, but we worked them out. I feel Michelle is a better person and my brother Nikolas and Andrew are because of that."

Liz: "There were things that Michelle and I didn't agree on, therefore, it caused a rift. In time, we were able to heal that rift. I feel we came out better than ever in the end because of it. Michelle is a great mother to Andrew when he was with her. I feel he'll continue to thrive while under her care."

Judge: "Thank you both for your honest words on Michelle. Mr. and Mrs. Brady, how is Michelle with Andrew when you're there with them?"

Samantha: "She gives him the care he needs. She provides a stable upbringing." (chuckles) "She showers him with hugs and kisses."

Eric: "We have never seen anything less than loving towards him, which is how it should be."

Judge: (nods) "I agree. Thank you both."

(After writing a few notes down on her notepad, the judge faces the people in the courtroom)

Judge: "Based on what I've seen and heard regarding how Michelle Thomas is with Andrew….I see no reason why Michelle shouldn't have full custody. I just want to make sure that's what you want, Miss Thomas."

Michelle: (smiles happily) "Nothing would make me happier."

Judge: (smiles & nods) "That's what I want to hear. Michelle Thomas, I hereby give you full custody of Andrew. His legal name will be officially Andrew Thomas."

(Michelle and Nikolas face each other happily. The judge bangs her gavel before leaving. Michelle walks to the Brady's and offers a smile)

Michelle: "Thank you for what you did. I just wanted to make it clear that, anytime you want to see Andrew, you're welcome to do so."

Samantha: "Thank you, Michelle."

(Michelle and Samantha share a hug before Michelle goes back to her lawyer, boyfriend, and friends)

Michelle: "Thank you all so much."

Caroline: (smiles) "You're welcome. I'm glad it all worked out."

(Michelle and Caroline share a hug before Caroline makes her exit. The Brady's remain firm in their quest to look into the surgery that will help them conceive naturally. As Michelle and Elizabeth walk out of the courtroom, the two brothers share a moment)

Lucky: (smiles) "Congrats, bro."

Nikolas: (grins) "Thanks. Now that Michelle is finally going to regain Andrew, there's another step that needs to be taken."

Lucky: (smirks) "Are you thinking what I think you are?"

Nikolas: (nods) "Yep. I'm going to ask Michelle to marry me."

Chapter 72 Done

Chapter 73 Preview: "Marry Me"

Your thoughts? See you this weekend.