***Thanks to SonnyAngel and to all the others who have replied so far. It is very appreciated.***

** DISCLAIMER I do not own any character appearing on "General Hospital".

*words* = thoughts "words" = talking/speaking ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CHAPTER 10: Zander Finally Meets His Daughter

As Zander closed the door of Emily's room, he noticed that Lucky was still in the hallway. Zander, a little paranoid that Nikolas was still lurking around somewhere, looked to his left and to his right.

"He left as soon as you walked into Emily's room.", said Lucky.

"Oh good, because I told Emily everything about Beth and I.", said Zander.

"How did she take it?"

"She is upset but she told me not to come back until she is ready to be released."

"So I take it that Beth told you that the child was yours?"

"Yup. Even my dad laid the guilt on me because my mother died from breast cancer when Erin was born. I guess my mom's dying wish was for me to be there for my daughter. So I have decided to call Beth in an hour and see what we can do."

"Are you sure you want to do this Zander? How are you so sure that it's going to go well when you finally meet your daughter?"

"I don't know Lucky, but if I don't go then I would feel like I was running away from my problems again. I have a responsibility now to go and see her, to go and see what kind of relationship I can have with her. Lucky I feel really, really guilty because I haven't been able to know her or know of her. You know?"

"Yeah, I do kind of. I wish that my dad would actually go and see Lesley Lu. She really misses him and my mom. Just seeing me, Grandma Lesley, Aunt Bobbie and Nikolas, just isn't the same."

"When I do go and see my daughter what should I bring her?"

"When Lulu was seven she really liked stuffed animals and dolls. But don't worry too much about it Zander. I'm sure whatever you will get her will be okay."

"Thanks man. I appreciate you being here to talk to. I'll tell you how it goes."

"No problem Zander. Just don't do anything like this again to Emily."

"I can't promise that. You know that."

"Yeah I know, but still that doesn't mean that you should still keep secrets from her."

"I know. Anyway I got to get going and call Beth. I'll see you later man.", said Zander as he started to walk away.

"Yeah, good luck.", said Lucky as he headed to Emily's room.

Zander saw Lucky head for Emily's room. That didn't bother him *Lucky's her friend, he knows what she knows. Now I should go and see if Beth's still here.* Zander thought.

Zander then walked to the nurse's station. He saw Amy Vining, so he asked here if she knew if Beth was done her shift.

"Dr. Beth Smith?", asked Amy as she was looking it up on the computer. "Let's see… Her shift will be over in half an hour."

"Thanks Amy. Do you know where she usually goes after her shift?", asked Zander.

"She usually goes home."

"Thanks for you help."

"No problem Zander."

Zander looked at his watch. It was 4:30pm. He then pulled out the piece of paper with Beth's phone number and address on it. He looked at it then decided he should go to Port Charles' best toy store T. J. Toywinkles. After all his daughter deserved the best.

____At the store___

Zander stood in front of the massive display of toys meant for girls.

"Can I help you sir?", asked a thirty something male employee.

"Yes. I'm looking for something for my seven-year-old daughter.", replied Zander.

"Well what does she like?"

"I don't know."

"Well what's really popular with seven-year olds are these Barbie type dolls. Where you can dress them up like….."

"No, I don't think so. What about stuffed animals? What's popular there?"

"Well what's popular are these unicorns."

"What else do seven-year olds usually like?"

"Let's see there are personal organizers, journals, dress up sets….."

"I'll take the unicorn."

"Good choice sir. Did you want this wrapped?"

"Yes, thanks."

Zander and the employee walked over to the cash register. He carefully watched as the employee wrapped the large white unicorn up in pink wrapping paper. Zander still couldn't believe that he has a daughter, let alone a seven year old one. He looked at his watch, it was 5:00. *I'll call Beth as soon as I leave the store*, Zander decided.

"That'll be $32.50, sir.", said the store employee.

"Here you go.", said Zander as he handed the employee the exact change.

"And, here you go.", said the employee as he handed Zander the bag with the stuffed unicorn in it.

"Thanks.", said Zander.

"Thank you for shopping at T.J Toywinkles, sir. Have a nice day."

"You too.", replied Zander as he left the store.

As Zander was standing outside the store he reached into his pocket and brought out the piece of paper with Beth's phone number as well as his cell phone. He dialled her number and waited patiently as her phone rang. Someone picked up,

"Hello?" asked the woman on the other end.

"Is Beth there?"

"Yes, this is Beth speaking."

"Beth, it's Zander. I was wondering if I could see my daughter."

"Only on one condition Zander…"

"Yes?"

"You must promise not to run away again. I don't want you to be out of her life when finally gets to see you."

"I promise."

"How can I know that you won't break this promise?"

"Because I have changed since I met Emily, she has made me a better person and I hope that Erin will eventually get to meet Emily."

"How does 7:00 sound to you?"

"Sounds good to me, see you then."

__At Beth's__

Zander parked his car in Beth's driveway. He couldn't believe the size of the house that Beth lived in, it seemed like it was a mansion and then he noticed this guard standing at her front door. *What would a General Practioner need with a bodyguard?* wondered Zander. He walked up to the front door, he could see that the guard was staring at him.

"I'm here to see Beth and Erin." said Zander to the guard.

The guard pulled out a clipboard. "Name?" he asked.

"Zander Smith or did she say Alex Lewis?"

"Nope, Zander Smith. Just ring the doorbell."

Zander nervously rang the doorbell. *Take a deep breath, I still can't believe I have a daughter.* thought Zander.

The door opened, it was Beth. She was wearing jeans, a burgundy t-shirt and a green valour zip-up long sleeved hooded shirt. She motioned for him to come in. He was holding the gift he had just got for Erin. He couldn't help but look at the massive entrance hall/ living room area. And all of the vases of flowers that Beth had on practically every single table.

"I didn't realize that you liked flowers THAT much." said Zander.

"Actually I don't but for some reason bouquets are always sent to me for what seems everyday of the week. Just because my father's clients found out that I have a massive inheritance, they all decided to woo me into investing in their companies. But whenever I read who it's from on the card all it says is the initials." explained Beth. "For example who is J.J?"

"Jasper Jacks.", replied Zander.

"Oh, how about A.J.Q?"

"A.J. Quartermaine"

"And N.C?"

"Nikolas Cassadine." said Zander through gritted teeth.

"I take it these are some of Port Charles' most powerful people? Financially speaking?" asked Beth.

"Yup." replied Zander.

"I have no use for them. Seriously my inheritance stems back from when my grandfather Frank Smith was a powerful force here in Port Charles. You see Zander using the last name 'Smith' is very dangerous here, why do you think I have a guard?"

"I was wondering why you had a guard. Man I wished I knew how dangerous this name was before I started using it here."

"Yeah I know Zander, your father told me how you had some run ins with the local mobsters. But don't worry I'm sure that they are fighting with each other by now. Anyway Erin has been looking forward to seeing you since she said her first words. Are you sure you want to go through with this because I never told her you were coming."

"I'm sure Beth, I really want to get to know my daughter and I promise that I will never run away again."

"Be warned, after you two first meet, she'll want to spend everyday with you, are you sure you can handle it?"

"I'm sure of it Beth."

"Okay, ummm… she's upstairs playing so maybe we should go into the family room, it's more comfortable in there. It's through that door to your left."

"Thanks Beth, I'll be waiting in there."

As he was waiting in the family room Zander couldn't help but think of how his life is going to change from now on. He'll have his daughter depending on him to always be there for her, and then there's Emily… she and Nikolas have been spending too much time together. Emily had been his one true love and he wasn't ready to give her up to a Cassadine. His thoughts were then suddenly interrupted by….

"Daddy?", asked the seven year-old Erin.

"Yes.", replied Zander.

She then ran and gave him a BIG hug, he hugged her back.

"Mommy and Grandpa said you would come back. You won't leave again will you?"

"No sweetheart I won't. Look I even brought you a present.", said Zander as he pulled out the pink gift wrapped present.

"I love presents!" exclaimed Erin as she hopped on the sofa and starting tearing at the pink paper. "A Unicorn!!"

"Do you like it?", asked Zander.

"Yes!! Thank you daddy!!" said Erin as she gave him another big hug.

"You know Erin doesn't have that Unicorn.", Beth said to Zander quietly. "How did you know that she liked them?"

~~ next update will be soon (hopefully). Please review.