My Life Closed Twice
Chapter 8: Welcome to My World
Disclaimer: General Hospital and all its characters belong to ABC, Disney, etc.
Author's Notes: Thanks to my faithful beta reader. Please read and review!
When we back to the brownstone I jumped out of the car, grabbed the box of jumbled paper and then waited patiently by the door for Michael.
The courtly bow he made as he opened the door needed work.
I listened carefully for sounds of the twins underfoot as I walked to the coffee table in the living room. After dropping the box there I headed toward the kitchen. Michael was already getting a drink out of the refrigerator. Mr. Spencer was playing with the twins on the floor. Jax and Ms. Spencer came in just behind me. Let the games begin.
Mr. Spencer looked up, "Barbara Jean, you didn't need to bring Lurch home. It will do the kids good not to have a butler for a day or so."
"Luke, I think we need to talk," Jax responded. I could practically hear Jax's armor banging. Was there anyone who actually liked Mr. Spencer?
Michael handed me a soda and settled on the arm of the couch. He was obviously not going to miss this floorshow.
"Go ahead," Mr. Spencer graciously allowed.
Jax looked at Michael and me. I knew he was trying to think of a way to chew out Mr. Spencer for taking advantage of crazy Mom and her young daughter without upsetting me. He also didn't want Michael realizing what was going on.
I could have told him it was hopeless. I knew him too well. As for Michael, he may be a pretty-boy male chauvinistic pig, but he didn't strike me as dumb.
Mr. Spencer was having a ball, "You do remember how to talk don't you?"
Jax just glared at Mr. Spencer, "I understand you invited Alexis and Kristina over for the weekend."
Mr. Spencer smiled and said, "I thought that after so much time with Count Vlad they might want to spend some time in the sun. I thought you would be in favor of that."
"I am in favor of them getting a relaxing vacation," Jax responded.
"Oh, what could be more relaxing then time spent with the Spencers?" Luke asked.
"Perhaps they should spend some time with friends and family," Jax responded.
"You may find the Slavic Sociopath relaxing, but I am not sure Natasha agrees," Luke said.
It was like watching a tennis game. So far I think Mr. Spencer was ahead. Michael was enjoying the game immensely. Ms. Spencer just seemed resigned to the fact that this match was going to continue in her family room.
"Are you going to be staying for dinner Michael?" Ms. Spencer asked.
"No, I promised Mom and Dad that I would be home for dinner tonight," Michael responded. He did take the hint, stood up, and gave his grandmother a hug.
He turned to me, "Nice to meet you."
"Yes, it was nice for you," I responded.
"Natasha, back me up here," Luke called out.
Sure enough, there in the doorway was my mother. "Not if I can help it," she told Mr. Spencer.
Well that did it. Jax looked like he was having a stroke. Mr. Spencer was insufferably pleased. Ms. Spencer was staying above the fray by beginning dinner. Michael was trying to decide between introducing himself and just sneaking out.
Mom looked at him, "Michael?"
How did she know Ms. Spencer's grandson? Michael's face had the same question written all over it. He nodded.
"You're alive? Kristina isn't. Sonny doesn't come anywhere near her." Mom said.
This was the mother I had become accustom to. I saw the looks of pity on Jax and Ms. Spencer's faces. Mr. Spencer actually looked like he was just figuring out a puzzle. Michael though, well I had seen that look in the mirror too many times not to recognize it.
Then Mr. Spencer broke the mood, "Come on Princess, you know you love me."
They were off to the races. Mr. Spencer was baiting Mother, Jax was defending her, and Mother was watching the entire show with a look that said she wanted to smack them both upside the head. Michael snuck out the door.
It took me a second to decide that while possibly entertaining I was not going to find out anything too useful from the second tennis match. So I followed Michael out.
When I got outside I barely caught a glimpse of him turning the corner and heading into a nearby park. I caught up with him on a park bench just inside the park. For a minute I stood at the entrance. What was I doing? I didn't comfort people. Dad always said I was my Mother's daughter. I made plans, worried about the unexpected, and fixed problems with logic. Dad was the one who knew what to say when anyone felt bad. Still, I knew what it was like to love a parent no one else got. How you didn't care that they were different. They were still your parent.
I didn't say a word or even look at him when I sat down on his bench. I just stared straight ahead into the park.
"Aren't you worried that you might get killed sitting next to me?" Michael bitterly asked.
"Aren't you afraid you might go crazy sitting next to me?" I returned.
I had his attention now. He was looking at me, but I was still starring straight ahead.
"My father was murdered 6 years ago. Since then I have heard my mother speak coherently exactly five times. Most of the time she doesn't say anything at all," I explained.
He didn't know quite what to say, but I could tell he understood.
I pulled my legs up onto the bench seat and wrapped my arms around them. "My cousin and his wife disappeared two days ago apparently, my Uncle seems to have gotten himself lost looking for them, and then your crazy Uncle shows up and gets the first response anyone has gotten out of my Mother for years. Since last night everything she has said made sense."
"You're not dead," Michael said.
"No," I agreed. "But my Aunt Kristina is. So is my Grandmother Bergmann. The death rate is high enough."
"It's not my Dad's fault," Michael said. "He is a good guy."
"And my Mom is the best lawyer money can buy," I said.
Michael put his arm along the back of the bench. I leaned my head towards him. Not resting on him, I don't need any support. Just letting him know that I was in the club too.
"For better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do we part. They are ours, Spencer," I told him.
He nodded his head, "It's Corinthos by the way."
I put my feet back on the ground, leaned against the back of the bench, and faced him for the fist time since I sat down. I couldn't resist asking, "Is that the sane branch?"
The new vice-president of the Kids of Ostracized Parents club smiled. "No, Mom just married sane."
"Lucky. I've got crazy on both sides, Cassadine and Quartermaine," I told him. Both sides, UH OH! I shot up off the bench and dug in my pocket for my phone.
As I was scrambling for my phone Michael gave me a weird look, "You're a Quartermaine?"
I didn't even bother to answer, it was late and I figured I had about two seconds before Great-Grandfather Edward called in the CIA and had the new maid I left my message with arrested for conspiracy in my kidnapping.
The phone rung three times before Reggie picked up. Not a good sign. "Quartermaine residence," he said.
Yup, I could hear Great-Grandfather yelling in the background. "Hi Reggie. How much trouble am I in?" I asked.
"Not much, he's just blowing off steam. Nothing has been going on lately. Who do you want to talk with?" Reginald responded.
Good question. In days gone by I would have asked for Great-Grandmother Lila and trusted her to get things straightened out. She had died about a year before Dad, which considering what had happened since was a good thing. Technically Reginald had been her butler. I sometimes wondered why he stayed after Great-Grandmother died. I guess he felt that someone had to take over her role of trying to keep Great-Grandfather out of trouble.
I was still pondering whom to ask for when Great-Grandfather gave me my answer, "You hoodlum!"
All right, Great-Grandfather only called Uncle Zander 'hoodlum' and since Uncle Zander never went anywhere near Great-Grandfather without Aunt Emily I am saved. "Can I speak to Aunt Emily?" I asked.
"Smart move, I'll get her," Reggie said.
While Reggie got Aunt Emily, and I got the standard Q hold music of a family yelling match in full gear, a man a little younger then Jax came up to Michael. I caught Michael calling him Jason before Aunt Emily got to the phone.
"Hello?" Aunt Emily asked.
"Hey Auntie Em. Sorry I took so long calling back," I apologized.
"Kristina! How is everything?" Aunt Emily sounded relieved.
She also sounded loud. Yup, I could hear the fight moving closer to the phone. Before I could get a chance to respond, Great-Grandfather was all over Aunt Emily. I could hear him demanding the phone and answers at the same time. Aunt Emily was trying to stave Great-Grandfather off, but her patience was running out.
I think Michael could hear the yelling coming from my phone because he seemed to lose all interest in his friend and just stared at me. I was used to that reaction when I was with the Qs. I decided to give Michael another lesson in the power of women. I raised one hand and started a count down while taking an exaggerated deep breath.
Five.Four.Three.Two.One.
"STUFF IT GRANDFATHER!" Aunt Emily and I yelled at the same time.
In the brief silence that followed I gave Aunt Emily my message, "I am fine. Mom is fine. We are in Port Charles. I will call you later to set up a time when we can meet and explain everything. Say hi to everyone for me." I hung up my cell phone with a snap.
"You're a Quartermaine alright," Michael said.
I disagreed, "No, I'm worse. I'm Kristina Lila Davis-Ashton. I eat Quartermaines for breakfast."
Chapter 8: Welcome to My World
Disclaimer: General Hospital and all its characters belong to ABC, Disney, etc.
Author's Notes: Thanks to my faithful beta reader. Please read and review!
When we back to the brownstone I jumped out of the car, grabbed the box of jumbled paper and then waited patiently by the door for Michael.
The courtly bow he made as he opened the door needed work.
I listened carefully for sounds of the twins underfoot as I walked to the coffee table in the living room. After dropping the box there I headed toward the kitchen. Michael was already getting a drink out of the refrigerator. Mr. Spencer was playing with the twins on the floor. Jax and Ms. Spencer came in just behind me. Let the games begin.
Mr. Spencer looked up, "Barbara Jean, you didn't need to bring Lurch home. It will do the kids good not to have a butler for a day or so."
"Luke, I think we need to talk," Jax responded. I could practically hear Jax's armor banging. Was there anyone who actually liked Mr. Spencer?
Michael handed me a soda and settled on the arm of the couch. He was obviously not going to miss this floorshow.
"Go ahead," Mr. Spencer graciously allowed.
Jax looked at Michael and me. I knew he was trying to think of a way to chew out Mr. Spencer for taking advantage of crazy Mom and her young daughter without upsetting me. He also didn't want Michael realizing what was going on.
I could have told him it was hopeless. I knew him too well. As for Michael, he may be a pretty-boy male chauvinistic pig, but he didn't strike me as dumb.
Mr. Spencer was having a ball, "You do remember how to talk don't you?"
Jax just glared at Mr. Spencer, "I understand you invited Alexis and Kristina over for the weekend."
Mr. Spencer smiled and said, "I thought that after so much time with Count Vlad they might want to spend some time in the sun. I thought you would be in favor of that."
"I am in favor of them getting a relaxing vacation," Jax responded.
"Oh, what could be more relaxing then time spent with the Spencers?" Luke asked.
"Perhaps they should spend some time with friends and family," Jax responded.
"You may find the Slavic Sociopath relaxing, but I am not sure Natasha agrees," Luke said.
It was like watching a tennis game. So far I think Mr. Spencer was ahead. Michael was enjoying the game immensely. Ms. Spencer just seemed resigned to the fact that this match was going to continue in her family room.
"Are you going to be staying for dinner Michael?" Ms. Spencer asked.
"No, I promised Mom and Dad that I would be home for dinner tonight," Michael responded. He did take the hint, stood up, and gave his grandmother a hug.
He turned to me, "Nice to meet you."
"Yes, it was nice for you," I responded.
"Natasha, back me up here," Luke called out.
Sure enough, there in the doorway was my mother. "Not if I can help it," she told Mr. Spencer.
Well that did it. Jax looked like he was having a stroke. Mr. Spencer was insufferably pleased. Ms. Spencer was staying above the fray by beginning dinner. Michael was trying to decide between introducing himself and just sneaking out.
Mom looked at him, "Michael?"
How did she know Ms. Spencer's grandson? Michael's face had the same question written all over it. He nodded.
"You're alive? Kristina isn't. Sonny doesn't come anywhere near her." Mom said.
This was the mother I had become accustom to. I saw the looks of pity on Jax and Ms. Spencer's faces. Mr. Spencer actually looked like he was just figuring out a puzzle. Michael though, well I had seen that look in the mirror too many times not to recognize it.
Then Mr. Spencer broke the mood, "Come on Princess, you know you love me."
They were off to the races. Mr. Spencer was baiting Mother, Jax was defending her, and Mother was watching the entire show with a look that said she wanted to smack them both upside the head. Michael snuck out the door.
It took me a second to decide that while possibly entertaining I was not going to find out anything too useful from the second tennis match. So I followed Michael out.
When I got outside I barely caught a glimpse of him turning the corner and heading into a nearby park. I caught up with him on a park bench just inside the park. For a minute I stood at the entrance. What was I doing? I didn't comfort people. Dad always said I was my Mother's daughter. I made plans, worried about the unexpected, and fixed problems with logic. Dad was the one who knew what to say when anyone felt bad. Still, I knew what it was like to love a parent no one else got. How you didn't care that they were different. They were still your parent.
I didn't say a word or even look at him when I sat down on his bench. I just stared straight ahead into the park.
"Aren't you worried that you might get killed sitting next to me?" Michael bitterly asked.
"Aren't you afraid you might go crazy sitting next to me?" I returned.
I had his attention now. He was looking at me, but I was still starring straight ahead.
"My father was murdered 6 years ago. Since then I have heard my mother speak coherently exactly five times. Most of the time she doesn't say anything at all," I explained.
He didn't know quite what to say, but I could tell he understood.
I pulled my legs up onto the bench seat and wrapped my arms around them. "My cousin and his wife disappeared two days ago apparently, my Uncle seems to have gotten himself lost looking for them, and then your crazy Uncle shows up and gets the first response anyone has gotten out of my Mother for years. Since last night everything she has said made sense."
"You're not dead," Michael said.
"No," I agreed. "But my Aunt Kristina is. So is my Grandmother Bergmann. The death rate is high enough."
"It's not my Dad's fault," Michael said. "He is a good guy."
"And my Mom is the best lawyer money can buy," I said.
Michael put his arm along the back of the bench. I leaned my head towards him. Not resting on him, I don't need any support. Just letting him know that I was in the club too.
"For better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do we part. They are ours, Spencer," I told him.
He nodded his head, "It's Corinthos by the way."
I put my feet back on the ground, leaned against the back of the bench, and faced him for the fist time since I sat down. I couldn't resist asking, "Is that the sane branch?"
The new vice-president of the Kids of Ostracized Parents club smiled. "No, Mom just married sane."
"Lucky. I've got crazy on both sides, Cassadine and Quartermaine," I told him. Both sides, UH OH! I shot up off the bench and dug in my pocket for my phone.
As I was scrambling for my phone Michael gave me a weird look, "You're a Quartermaine?"
I didn't even bother to answer, it was late and I figured I had about two seconds before Great-Grandfather Edward called in the CIA and had the new maid I left my message with arrested for conspiracy in my kidnapping.
The phone rung three times before Reggie picked up. Not a good sign. "Quartermaine residence," he said.
Yup, I could hear Great-Grandfather yelling in the background. "Hi Reggie. How much trouble am I in?" I asked.
"Not much, he's just blowing off steam. Nothing has been going on lately. Who do you want to talk with?" Reginald responded.
Good question. In days gone by I would have asked for Great-Grandmother Lila and trusted her to get things straightened out. She had died about a year before Dad, which considering what had happened since was a good thing. Technically Reginald had been her butler. I sometimes wondered why he stayed after Great-Grandmother died. I guess he felt that someone had to take over her role of trying to keep Great-Grandfather out of trouble.
I was still pondering whom to ask for when Great-Grandfather gave me my answer, "You hoodlum!"
All right, Great-Grandfather only called Uncle Zander 'hoodlum' and since Uncle Zander never went anywhere near Great-Grandfather without Aunt Emily I am saved. "Can I speak to Aunt Emily?" I asked.
"Smart move, I'll get her," Reggie said.
While Reggie got Aunt Emily, and I got the standard Q hold music of a family yelling match in full gear, a man a little younger then Jax came up to Michael. I caught Michael calling him Jason before Aunt Emily got to the phone.
"Hello?" Aunt Emily asked.
"Hey Auntie Em. Sorry I took so long calling back," I apologized.
"Kristina! How is everything?" Aunt Emily sounded relieved.
She also sounded loud. Yup, I could hear the fight moving closer to the phone. Before I could get a chance to respond, Great-Grandfather was all over Aunt Emily. I could hear him demanding the phone and answers at the same time. Aunt Emily was trying to stave Great-Grandfather off, but her patience was running out.
I think Michael could hear the yelling coming from my phone because he seemed to lose all interest in his friend and just stared at me. I was used to that reaction when I was with the Qs. I decided to give Michael another lesson in the power of women. I raised one hand and started a count down while taking an exaggerated deep breath.
Five.Four.Three.Two.One.
"STUFF IT GRANDFATHER!" Aunt Emily and I yelled at the same time.
In the brief silence that followed I gave Aunt Emily my message, "I am fine. Mom is fine. We are in Port Charles. I will call you later to set up a time when we can meet and explain everything. Say hi to everyone for me." I hung up my cell phone with a snap.
"You're a Quartermaine alright," Michael said.
I disagreed, "No, I'm worse. I'm Kristina Lila Davis-Ashton. I eat Quartermaines for breakfast."