chapter8
Chapter 8

Zander and Emily were back in Port Charles only a few days before her family began their aggression towards them. Zander had become concerned about Emily's overall health and the health of their baby. The stress and overexertion of the battle that was brewing was certainly no good for the two of them. Zander had tried his damnedest to keep her protected from her family, Emily was now in her second trimester of the pregnancy and shouldn't be exposed to their attacks. She was way to fragile and it was crucial that she be well protected physically and emotionally.

Sonny and Jason both had reassured them that everything was in motion and it would certainly get worse before it would get better. While Zander was assisting Sonny with strategy, Alexis was with Emily comforting, reassuring and trying to alleviate her fears and concerns. Zander was so appreciative to Alexis for her help with Emily. Alexis cared for both of them and had grown surprisingly fond of them.

A few weeks had passed by and Zander felt that he was again overstaying their welcome with Alexis. He felt that Emily would be more comfortable at home in the loft. A place she would be more familiar with and felt it would be time for them to move home. Zander discussed his concerns with Sonny and he had thought it a bad idea for them to move back to the loft. But he did agree that Emily would be more relaxed and comfortable back at the loft. Sonny had stepped up the guards at the loft and had requested that Rick drive Zander and Emily back home. He really didn't agree with the request from Zander but he would take the appropriate steps to make sure they would be safe in their own home. Zander and Emily packed up their things from Alexis and took the elevator down to the parking garage with Rick and Johnny in toe. Zander was trying to reassure Emily as they drove back to the loft. She had been so upset over the last few weeks, he had noticed the change in her emotionally as well as physically. She needed rest and some down time from the situation with her family. All the stress and anxiety was not good for her at all and Zander would make sure that she was well taken care of.

The limo arrived outside the loft as two of Sonny's guards welcomed the couple home. As Zander assisted Emily up the stairs, Rick followed behind them with their bags. "It was so nice to be home" Zander thought as he opened the door of the loft. He threw his keys on the kitchen table and led Emily to the bed. He assisted her into bed as Rick placed down the bags at the front door. Rick stood for a brief moment waiting instructions from Zander. Zander and Rick spoke a few moments about the situation and he left explicit instructions for Rick and the other guards who were on duty. There were to be no interruptions, except for Sonny or Jason and that no one other than Sonny, Jason and Alexis knew that he and Emily had returned home to the loft. So they were not expecting anyone to visit. The guards were to stay alert to anything suspicious and to inform him if there was. As Rick nodded in agreement he turned and took his post outside the door, Emily's cell phone rang. Zander took the phone from her bag to answer it. "Hello..." Zander said as he flipped open the phone. He figured it was Elizabeth calling to check on Emily. He really didn't expect the voice he heard and stood in disbelief. "May I speak with my daughter?.." the voice asked as a shocked look came over Zander's face. It was Monica, and it sounded to Zander as if she were crying and upset. "Monica, look...I really have no idea why you would be calling Emily. Your family has done nothing but upset her and she really doesn't need that right now." he replied as he gazed across the room at Emily resting on the bed. "Zander, please don't make this anymore difficult than it already is...all I...all we want is to have Emily back in our lives. That's all. Is it that difficult to understand." she replied in desperation. "Emily doesn't need the arguments and verbal battles that ensue between the family. She is at a critical point in her pregnancy and she shouldn't have to deal with the family who literally dumped her when she needed them the most."..he replied as the tone of his voice became forceful. "Alan and I only want what is best for Emily and our grand-child...can't you see that?" she replied as Zander moved the phone conversation to the back stairway so he wouldn't disturb Emily. "What is BEST for Emily?..since when?...since you dropped her off in California in boarding school or was it the time you pretty much kicked her out of the house? Now I can see that you love her, but you certainly don't respect her opinions or her wishes. If you would, maybe....just maybe things would be different." he said as Rick turned around as if to hear that he was getting loud. "That is just not true...not true at all." she replied as Zander could hear the tears that she was crying. "If you love Emily like you say you do...then stop all of this, stop this madness before it goes to far that you can't stop it. And you certainly know what I am talking about...don't know you?" Zander replied as he walked down the stairs. He motioned for Rick to stand post at the door of the loft. "Zander, look this turn of events was none of my doing....this was Edward and his vengeance on you for taking Emily away from us." Monica replied. "I took Emily from you?...No, Monica I think you guys did that all on your own when the family sent her to California. If you remember correctly I brought her back home to you, and what did I get in return....a jail cell. No thank you, no appreciation what so ever for returning her safely, because if I wouldn't have gone out there, she would of hitch-hiked home. But no one would give me five minutes to explain myself, you jumped to conclusions again." he said as his hands clenched into fists. The more he conversed with her the angrier he got. He was hoping that Monica would see the light and tell Edward to back off before it was too late. "Alan and I didn't call Taggert, Edward called him...Edward was also the one who convinced us to send Emily to boarding school, Alan and I had regrets as soon as we came home without her. Zander I swear we didn't know that Edward had hatched this plan, but now it is too late." she said. "Monica it isn't too late...it isn't too late for you and Alan to stop it in it's tracks. I really do believe that you and Alan love her, but I love her too. And I will protect her with everything I have. My family means everything to me, and no one..not even her family is going to take that away from me!" Zander said with anger. "Would you be willing to allow me to come see her?.." she asked as the tone in her voice softened. "Monica, it is not up to me...it is up to Emily. At this time I really don't think she wants to see any of her family. I know that the volatile situation that has arisen over the past few weeks have really taken a toll on her and she is no condition to see anyone." he replied a with worry. "Will you tell her that her mother would like to see her? And that she can call me anytime, day or night.....and Zander, Alan and I are sorry that Edward has stirred up all kinds of trouble for the two of you." she said as Zander rolled his eyes. "Monica, I am not promising anything, but I will tell her you called. It is up to Emily if she wants to see you and now I have left Emily alone for too long now...I must go and make sure she is okay." he replied as he headed back up the stairs towards the loft. "Thank you Zander for talking to me and letting me know how she is .." Monica replied. "Don't thank me yet...." Zander said as he flipped the phone closed and went back inside the apartment.

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Emily had awoken from her nap and was sitting at the kitchen table when Zander walked back into the apartment. She noticed he was carrying her cell phone in his hand as she took a drink of OJ she had in front of her. "Who called?..." she asked as he sat down at the table with her. "Your mother...she wanted to talk to you..I told her you were resting and I wouldn't disturb you." he replied as he took a sip from her glass. "I just don't get it...why would she call when the family has created this situation.." she replied as she reached across the table and took Zander's hand. "From what I gathered from the conversation, your grandfather is behind the battle that has erupted. Monica and Alan didn't have a hand in it...." he replied as he rose from the chair. "And you believe her....Emily asked surprisingly. "I didn't say that...I'm not sure who to believe. I don't know them as well as you do, Em." he replied as he stood behind her massaging her shoulders. "Hon, could you please pass me my phone?" she asked as she leaned her head back and looked up at him. "You're gonna call her?...Aren't you?" he asked as he handed the phone to her. "I want to hear it from her, I want to hear what she has to say...I owe her that much..don't I" she said as she flipped open the cell phone. "Em, you know where I stand with your family and I am not going to tell you what to do here. It's up to you." he replied as he turned walked into the living room to give her some privacy.

Emily dialed the number and sat calmly in her seat. She certainly didn't look calm, she looked concerned about what the conversation may bring. But Zander knew that she had to do what she needed to and if it meant talking to her mother, then that is what she needed to do. The phone had rang three times before someone at the Quartermaine's picked it up. "Good evening Quartermaine residence.." the voice replied on the other end. "Reginald...it's Emily. Is my mother there?" Emily asked as she seemed to become nervous just for asking it. "Yes, Emily she is..hold on and I will get her." Reginald replied as he set the receiver down on the table. Emily was preparing herself for the worse, she knew that this conversation could turn bad. "Emily?!..ah, sweetheart how are you?!" Monica replied as she brought the receiver to her ear. "I'm fine mom, really....Zander told me that you called." she replied as she gazed at Zander who was sitting across the room on the sofa. "Well, I'm so happy to hear your voice. It has been quite a while since we have seen you or heard from you, Emily. We were worried about you." Monica replied as Alan came into the room to listen in on the conversation. "Mom, I thought I owed you this much, so say what you have to say..." she replied as she sipped her OJ. "Emily, I would like to see you. I asked Zander if I could and he said it was up to you if you wanted to see me or not." Monica replied as she stood hoping that her daughter would agree to see her. "Just you...no one else?..she asked as she sat contemplating the thought of seeing her mother after all these months of alienating her and the family. They had created such a situation between each other and it would be a long time till Emily could face the entire family again. Alan nudged Monica to agree as he was listening to Emily's request. "Alright Emily, just me...I promise. I can come to the loft to see you, I am sure you will feel more comfortable there than anywhere else." Monica replied as she showed a positive response to Alan that Emily had accepted the request to see her. There was a short pause of silence till Emily comprehended what she was about to suggest. "Alright Mom, I will agree to see you...but I am not promising anything other than pleasantries. Can you come right now before I change my mind?" Emily asked as she shrugged her shoulders in Zander's direction. "Okay, now is fine...I'll be over in a few minutes." Monica replied as she breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay, I'll see you in a few minutes. Rick will be waiting when you get here, so don't be alarmed when he greets the car." Emily said as she rose from the chair. "Okay..bye Em." Monica replied as she placed the receiver in the cradle. Emily closed her cell phone as she walked across the floor towards the sofa. Zander rose from the sofa and met her half way. She reached out to him as she fell into his strong arms. She was safe and she knew he would protect her from everything that was on the other side of that door. "Do you want me here when your mom comes to visit?" Zander asked as he looked down into her brown eyes. "Please, I don't know how I would handle being alone with her....and I don't want her to think she can manipulate the situation without you here." Emily said as she reached towards him. His mouth found hers as he kissed her softly. They stood for a brief moment in each others arms before Rick opened the door and announced that Monica had arrived to meet with Emily.

Emily who was now about 6 months along in her pregnancy and was certainly showing she was with child turned around as Monica stepped through the door into the apartment. Monica stood in amazement to see her daughter all grown up. Neither knew quite what to do, and both were desperately wanting to embrace each other. As the two stood looking at each other, Zander excused himself to make a few phone calls while they talked. Emily made the first move and extended her hand to her mom. Monica took her hand as Emily led her to the sofa to sit down. "So how are you?...How are you feeling?..." Monica asked as Emily got comfortable by leaning against the arm rest of the sofa and faced her mother. "I'm fine..I'm doing okay...the baby is fine and well, Zander is taking very good care of me." Emily said as Monica's eyes wandered around the apartment. "Good, that's good. This is a very nice apartment the two of you have...." Monica said as she felt a little awkward and really didn't know what to say. She was trying so hard not to say the wrong thing and trying not to say something that would give Emily the wrong impression of her visit. "Thanks, mom....we live very comfortably here. Zander is providing for us very well. He works very hard to give me a life a deserve." Emily said as she noticed Zander across the room on the phone. Knowing Zander, he is probably on the phone with Sonny. Monica noticed too that he was on the phone and wondering who he was talking with. "I didn't come here to upset you...I came here to see how you are doing and to tell you that your grandmother is worried about you. She would like to see you if that would be possible." Monica said as Emily turned her gaze to her and away from Zander. "I miss her so much, and I would love to visit with her, but grandfather...I really don't want to hear the accusations, the manipulations, and the resentment from him." Emily replied as she reached for her mother's hand. "Emily, we just want what's best for you. And I think over the past year we have grown to accept the fact that you and Zander love each other and well, are going to be together whether we like it or not." Monica replied as she looked towards the child her daughter was carrying. Emily facial expression told Monica that something was happening inside her. "What....what's wrong, Em?" Monica asked as Emily placed her own hand on her rounded belly. "Here..." Emily said as she took Monica's hand and placed it where her hand had been. As Monica held her hand against her daughter, she felt the life that was growing inside of her kick something fierce. As she looked at her daughter, she felt her eyes start to tear. Zander who was now off the phone just sat watching the two of them from across the room. A mother and daughter bonding moment was taking place, but he was concerned that it wouldn't last very long. Emily certainly needed her mother now more than ever but the rest of the family, he certainly could live without. Emily knew that she was so desperately in need of her family, but how could she excuse their behavior over the last 2 years. It was reprehensible what they have done to keep her and Zander apart. And now that she was carrying his child made things so much worse. She didn't know how she could forgive the family for what they have done, but she didn't want to keep them from her child. She was happy to see her mother and to have her share her pregnancy with her. She was in need of their love once again, but didn't know how to turn things around. "How is dad?...Does he know you came over to see me?" Emily asked as Monica 's hand still rest against her. "Yeah, he knows I'm here..and he was glad to see that you accepted the request." Monica said as she pulled her back. "Mom, if things were different you wouldn't need my permission to come visit...?" Emily said as she moved closer towards her mother. "Em, I don't know what else to do, tell me....what do you want me to do?" she replied. "I need for the family to stop the madness and to accept the fact that Zander and I are going to be together." Emily replied as she noticed her wedding band. There had been so much stuff going on lately she completely forgot about the wedding bands her and Zander were wearing. She was hoping that her mother didn't notice. "Emily, we would like nothing more then to make amends with the two of you, however you know how your grandfather is and I am not trying to make excuses for him because he has really acted like jackass in this situation but I know that your father and I would like to try to mend things. If you are willing..?" Monica said as Emily motioned for Zander. Zander rose from his chair and walked over towards the sofa where they had been sitting. He knelt down beside Emily as she looked into his eyes. Monica saw the love they felt for each other and knew that the only way her and Alan were going to make this work was to abide by the rules that Zander and Emily would place down.

Zander placed his hand on Emily's knee and gazed into her soft brown eyes, and he knew that she needed her parents now and would be willing to slowly bring them back into her life...if that is what she wanted. There was no way they were going to forget or forgive the Quartermaine's for what they had put them through over the last 2 years but it was time to bury the past....in the past. He and Emily were starting a new life together as man and wife, they have a child on the way...the family was either going to accept it or not. They would find out soon enough if a relationship with her parents could be rebuilt.

Emily had agreed to spend some time with her mother and her father, if only on one condition. They meet at the loft and she would be able to see her grandmother without going to the house. This was the first step in trying to rebuilt what they had lost a year ago. She didn't make any promises or guarantees that this agreement would work itself out, but it was a start. Still not knowing that her daughter and Zander had gotten married...Monica was just happy to say that she was able to make some progress in the short time she visited her. If it meant a few conditions needed to be met to visit with Emily, then she would do what she needed to to do it. Emily was surprised to even hear herself even agree to such a thing, but she need some peace between her new family and her parents. The fighting and the attacks had gone on long enough....she couldn't take the stress and strain of the on going battles between them. She was determined to carry this baby to term and to have a healthy little boy or girl for her and Zander to love. Her pregnancy had already been affected by the stress of the situation and she just wanted to continue the last few months of her pregnancy stress free.

Emily and Monica sat a little longer in conversation before Monica noticed that Emily was getting tired. As Monica rose from the sofa, Zander assisted Emily in coming to her feet. Monica started to put on her coat as Rick opened the door to the apartment, which startled Monica that he really did that sort of thing. Monica turned around as Alan walked into the apartment. Emily shocked to see her father standing in her living room didn't know quite what to say. She felt Zander stiffen as she noticed he all of a sudden he became protective of her. "What do you want?.." Zander asked as he stared at Alan. "I wanted to see what type of place my daughter has been subject to live in since she moved out of the mansion!...You have a problem with that?!" Alan said as the anger rushed over him. Zander immediately left Emily's side and walked over to where Alan was standing with a purpose as he stood nose to nose with Em's father. "Look, what I have a problem with is you coming into our home uninvited...plus you have the nerve to tell me that I am not providing a good enough environment for your daughter...where do you get off telling me anything...who do you think you are?!" Zander said as he felt anger and resentment come over him. It took all of what Alan had not to do what he was thinking as his fist clenched and his jaw tightened. "I am this girl's father and I will do what I have to do to protect her from the likes of you!" Alan said staring down Zander's nose. "Well first of all let's get a few things straight right off the bat...we love each other..we are having a baby in 3 months....and I will be the one protecting her from the likes of you!" Zander said as poked Alan with force in his chest. Emily and Monica stood there knowing that this was escalating to something that was going to get ugly. Zander's emotions are flaring about this time and he was not one to back down to anyone. He wasn't the least bit intimidated by Alan's stature or his influence. "Alan, let's go...you've done enough for one night..." Monica replied as she took a hold of Alan's arm to lead him out the door. "No! Monica we are going to settle this little problem once and for all...right now!" Alan replied as he yanked his arm away from her. Zander keeping his eye on Emily and making sure she was out of harm's way from anything that was about to happen, was gearing up for a showdown between him and Alan. "Yeah, it's about time we settle this...it has been a long time coming and I am really going to enjoy this!" Zander said as he made a step forward toward Alan.

Alan saw what was coming and made the mistake by throwing the first punch in this altercation. What he threw missed and Zander came back and drove him back against the wall. He had Alans lapels clenched tightly in his hands as held him back with force. Emily and Monica stood their quietly not knowing how to react and completely in shock that this situation had come down to a physical fight between Zander and Alan. Zander was hoping that putting the fear into Alan "GodFather style" like Sonny had done to him oh so long ago, might just make him back off from the situation. "Now, I am telling you once and only once...you are very lucky that you are still standing. I am not a very patient person and right about now you are working on the only nerve I have left. And I really didn't want to have it out with you because you are Emily's father but you have left me no choice. I will protect my family from the likes of you or anyone else who decides to try to take them away from me. Nobody but nobody comes into my home and talks to me that way...nobody!" Zander replied as he strengthen his grip on Alan's jacket. Alan didn't seem to be affected by what was just said and just stood there with his hands wrapped around Zander's wrists staring with contemptment. "She is my daughter...damn it! I have the right to do what I think is right when it comes to Emily! And no one, not even a deviant like you will tell me otherwise! Alan replied to Zander's threat. Zander looked back at Emily and he noticed that her hand was placed on the side of her belly as if something was wrong. "Em...are you okay?! Zander asked as he released his grip from Alan's collar. Seeing there was something wrong, her parents rushed to be by her side. Emily had slumped forward as to give the impression she was having contractions but it was way to early the baby wasn't due for another three months. Zander without hesitations swept her up in his arms and carried her towards the door. Monica opened the door as Rick turned to the sound of the opening of the door. "She needs to go to the hospital now!..." Zander said as he made his way down the stairs with her in his arms. Rick followed him and opened the limo door as he climbed in with her. "We'll meet you there!" Alan said as they descended down the stair way and headed to their car. This was all his fault...if anything happened to that baby, he would never forgive himself...never.

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Zander had made a phone call to the emergency room to let them know the situation and when they arrived there were nurses and the doctor on call waiting for them. Emily was looking no better than when they left the apartment, and it seemed the contractions were getting stronger with every passing minute. Rick opened the door of the limo and Zander carried her into the emergency room and laid her down the on gurney that was waiting. She looked up at him with concern in her eyes as their hands released and the gurney was rushed into a restricted area. Zander stood outside the swinging doors as he saw his wife being rushed into an examine room. He felt so helpless, he just stood there worried about her and the baby. All he could do was wait and pray that they would be okay.

As he turned around he noticed Alan and Monica come in through the automatic doors of the ER. All the anger that he had built up inside of him overtook his whole being. Monica rushed over to him to ask about Emily's condition when he by passed her and walked right up to Alan and stood once again face to face with her father. "You better pray to God that she is alright!" Zander said as he glared intensely into Alan's eyes. "Because if something happens to her or my child, you sir..will have to deal with me!" Alan stood there and knew Zander spoke the truth, it was his fault she was here. Alan would never forgive himself if anything happened to his daughter or grand-child and nothing that Zander could do to him could be any worse then living his life with knowing he was at fault.

Zander and Emily's parents waited for someone..anyone to come out of the restricted area with news about Emily and the baby. Monica finally couldn't take anymore of not hearing any news, so she walked back behind the swinging doors to see what she could find out. Zander had made the apporpriate phone calls to Sonny, Jason, Alexis, and Elizabeth and he was hoping any of them would walk through those doors he had been watching for some time now. Zander sat in the waiting room and held his head down between his hands, he was distraught with worry and concern for his wife and child and having Alan there didn't make things any better. "Zander.." a voice said as they approached him. He looked up from his hands and saw Elizabeth standing before him. He quickly rose from his chair and embraced her. Elizabeth could feel his pain and his fear as they stood in the lounge embracing each other for comfort. "How is she?...." Elizabeth said as she broke the embrace and looked at the worry in his eyes. "We don't know....Monica went in to see what was going on about 10 minutes ago but she hasn't returned." He replied as they took their seats in the large over stuffed chairs. Zander explained the situation about how Monica had come to see Emily at the loft and how Alan showed up. The situation just escalated from there and that he and Alan got into a scuffle in their living room. And a few moments later he noticed she was in pain and the contractions had started more than likely from the intensity of the situation.

As Elizabeth held his hand in the waiting room, Zander noticed the elevator doors parting open as Sonny, along with Alexis and Jason stepped off and walked towards where he was sitting. Alan of course was now really uncomfortable with the company that had arrived, so he excused himself and headed towards the nurses station.

As Zander and Emily's friends sat waiting in the lounge for news, while she was being attended to by nurses and doctors who were desperately trying to stop the contractions. Monica had put on surgical blues and stood by her daughter side as the duty nurse injected the IV with the liquid medication that should stop the contractions. She held her mom's hand tightly as she watched the IV drip down through the tube that was attached to her arm. The contractions had become sparingly and had not been as strong as they were when she first arrived. Six months was too early for her to deliver this baby and she was hoping the doctors could stop them in time. Monica noticed that Emily was calming down and seemed to be more concerned now about those waiting for news about her and the baby. She looked at her mother and expressed that she should go and let everyone know what was going on so they wouldn't worry. Monica kissed her daughter on her forehead and headed for the door. She made her way down the long hallway to the swinging doors, still in the surgical blues she noticed there was a waiting room full of people wanting to hear some good news about Emily.

Zander looked up and noticed Monica walk through the doors and he rushed to her with a panic look in his eyes. "How is she?...." Zander asked as calmly as he could. "She's fine..." Monica replied as she rubbed her hands along his strong arms. "And the baby?..." he replied. Monica paused for a moment as the othes who had been waiting came closer to hear the news. "Monica..the baby?! ...How's the baby?!" Zander asked as he started to panic again. If they lost this baby, Emily would be devestated. "Zander, they are both fine...the baby is being monitored and Emily was given something to stop the contractions, but for right now they are fine. Heartbeat is strong and it seems that the baby is in no distress at the moment." she replied as she saw the sigh of relief come over him. "Can I see her?....I want to see her..." He asked as he noticed everyone breathing a sigh of relief as they sat in the lounge. "Yeah sure give Dr. Meadows a minute....he is finishing up and I am sure he will want to give her a private room. I'll come get you as soon as he gives the okay." she replied as she looked at him reassuringly. "Thank you...." Zander replied as Monica nodded as she touched his hand lightly.

As Monica and Alan stood by the nurses station, Zander made his way back over to the lounge area to explain the situation to the others who had been waiting. Zander told them what Monica had just explained to him and that he would be able to see her in a few moments. He saw no reason for all of them to stick around waiting, she was fine now and he just wanted to spend some private time with his wife. Alexis pulled Zander aside away from anyone who maybe listening. "You do realize that you are now going to have to speak up about the two of you being married?" Alexis said as adjusted her glasses. "Yeah I kind of figured we would have paperwork to sign and I really hate for her parents to find out like this, Alexis." he replied as he looked over to Alan and Monica standing across the large open area of the nurses station. "Zander, you are going to have sign for her...you are her husband...her parents have no control over this anymore." Alexis replied as Amy called Zander's name. "Well, it looks like this is it...wish me luck." Zander said with a grin and turned to walk towards Amy. As he passed Sonny and Jason he patted Sonny's arm as a hello gesture as Sonny realized this was it...the truth be known that Zander and Emily were man and wife. All of them prepared for the huge eruption that was about to happen when her parents find out the truth.

Amy handed him a clipboard with all kinds of forms to be filled out so she could be admitted. He took the board from her as he gazed over at Em's parents who stood next to him. "And what do you think you are doing?" Alan asked as he looked at the clipboard in Zander's hands. "Alan....don't start!" Monica said as she stepped between her husband and Zander. "We are her parents, we should be filling out those forms..not you!" Alan said as he pulled the clipboard from Zander's hands. "You may be her parents, but I am her husband..so for that reason, I fill out these forms.." Zander said as he took back the clipboard and he noticed those standing within an ear shot of the conversation stood in complete shock and disbelievement. Zander walked away with clipboard in hand as Emily parents stood there in shock at what they just heard. Alan followed behind him as he took a seat in the lounge once again. Alan was now face to face with Sonny and Jason who stood in front of Zander as if to protect him. "Oh, so what you need these two to protect you now?!" Alan said with anger. "No, I don't...what do you want to finish what we started...cause we can ya know?!" Zander threatened as he rose from his chair. "Zander, this is not the place..." Jason said in his monotone voice as he placed his hand on Zander's chest to back him away from the situation. Tempers flared as the air tightened. "Zander...this will not change anything!" Sonny said as he turned around and looked at him intensely. "No, it won't but it will make me feel better!" Zander said as he drew back his arm to throw a punch at Alan. Jason quickly restrained Zander's arm as Monica got between Alan and Sonny. "You don't want to do that Zander!.....Don't give them another reason to hate you!...They are not worth it, just let it go!" Jason said as he tried to restrain Zander from doing something he was sure he would regret. Zander had anger and resentment in his eyes as he turned his head and looked at Jason. "I know, they push your buttons...and believe me they pushed mine too for a long time. But you can't let them get to you!" Jason said as he noticed Alan backed away from Sonny with Monica standing in between them. Alan temper was flaring as Monica tried desperately to control him. He knew that this was not the time nor place for this, and he was more concerned about his daughter. "Alright!..." Alan said as he straightened out his suit in disgust. "Let's just have everyone calm down, none of this is doing Emily any good and I am sure she has heard the ruckus we have all caused out here in the hallway." Monica replied as she centered herself between the four men who stood before her.

As Monica tried to calm down the situation, Amy walked over cautiously towards the group that took center stage in the hallway of the hospital. "Zander...Dr. Meadows said you could see your wife now." Amy said as it felt a little strange for her to say that. "She was taken to a private room down the hallway...room 411." she said as she pointed in the direction of the room. "Thanks Amy..." Zander replied with a grin. "I am going to see my WIFE now...she needs me!" he said as he glared directly at Alan and Monica. Alan reacted as he thought he would at Zander's snide remark...as he started to walk after him. "Alan....No!..stay here." she replied as she grabbed onto his arm to pull him back. "Monica..we can't...!" he said as he looked down at her grip. "We have too..he is her husband." she replied as the anger was now turning to concern. Concern for their daughter and their grand-child.

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Zander made his way down the hallowed halls of the hospital in search for Em's room. Once he found it he stood outside the door for a few moments to collect himself before he entered the room. He didn't want to give Emily any indication of the ruckus that just taken place. He took a deep cleansing breath as he pushed open the door of the room. As he stepped through the door, he noticed she was resting peacefully as he made his way over to her bedside. He pulled the chair that sat in the corner to him so he could sit and hold her hand while she slept. As he sat down he took her hand in his and held it tightly. She opened her eyes to see him sitting there looking at her with concern and worry. She reached up and brushed his face lightly with her hand, as his face fell into her touch.

"Em...I was so worried about you and the baby...if something would of happened to you.." Zander began as their eyes met. "Yeah I know....but believe me I'm fine now...baby's fine..." she replied as she took his hand once again. "There were a whole lot of people worried about you...you gave us quite a scare..ya know." he replied as his grip tightened and he gently caressed their unborn child with his other hand. She knew how devastated he would be if anything were to happen to either her or the baby. She drew him near laying his head on her pregnant form allowing him to hear the heartbeat of their future.

Chapter 9