Shadow- Yes, Bobbie/Damian developing more of a relationship was indeed
fun, The whole mob past on his mothers side was planned since the
beginning, but I had to give it big build up, 39 chapters enough for build
up? It is a good thing that Sonny told the truth, too bad his credibility
is shot to hell and back.
Story-
Kelly's-
Ric smiled from the window of the diner where his ex-wife worked. A big part of him hated that she felt that she needed to work in order to support herself. She was an artist, her hands were supposed to be used in order to make beautiful paintings that would stun the world. Instead she spent her days washing dishes, cleaning tables, waiting on the common people. Ric would have gladly paid her living expenses in order to give her the time that she deserved to dedicate on her artwork. He had made the offer before, even after the divorce, even when they weren't on the best of terms. She never took him up on the offer, though. Elizabeth was a proud woman, she wouldn't just up and take charity from Ric. He respected that part of her. In fact, he loved that part of her. He loved every part of her, except for the part that hated him. But he accepted that part of her, knowing full well that he had done plenty to deserve her scorn, and he had done nothing to gain her forgiveness. Yet, he had that, and he would constantly say thanks to whomever it was that orchestrated the turnabout in her attitude towards him. When she was obviously taking a few minutes for a break he walked in. Elizabeth heard the bell chime. She looked up and grinned, "I was wondering when you were going to stop staring at me and come in."
Ric laughed, "You saw me?"
"More like felt you," Elizabeth commented, "Let's just say that I've grown accustomed to the feeling that you give off when you're watching me from afar."
"I'd do anything to feel that I didn't have to constantly watch you from a distance," Ric grabbed her hand. "Anything at all."
"Ric," She spoke softly. "You don't need to keep doing this to yourself."
"I'll never be worthy of your love."
Elizabeth turned her eyes onto him, "I beg to differ on that opinion."
"Elizabeth," He moved his head towards hers and gave her a brief kiss on the lips.
She blushed a bit as he pulled away, "Did you come all this way just to give me a kiss?"
"You didn't like it?"
"I didn't say that," She joked. "I loved it. But, I'm just wondering if there was another reason that you came."
"Would you be hurt if I said there was?" Ric asked.
She shook her head, "I'm not your life, Ric."
Ric disagreed, "You're wrong, Elizabeth. You are my life. You're my reason for getting up in the morning and going on with my life. But, you're right, I didn't just come here to see you. I'm actually looking for that nephew of mine."
"Damian?"
Ric nodded, "We got the autopsy on Kyle's body back recently, it proves that he didn't have anything to do with Kyle's death."
"I told you that he wouldn't," Elizabeth remarked.
"And I believed you," Ric reminded her. "But at least this way he knows that he doesn't have to worry about anybody from the Police Station harassing him about it anymore. We know that Sonny had nothing to do with it, which puts his son in the clear as well."
"They're two entirely different people, Ric," Elizabeth quickly pointed out.
"I know that," Ric stopped himself. "Wait, did you change your mind?"
"Of course not," Elizabeth answered. "I'm just saying that they're not alike at all. Damian does things that Sonny would never fathom."
"Like helping people," Ric commented bitterly.
"Ric, don't start."
"Sorry," Ric closed his eyes, "Old habits die hard, I guess."
"But they do die," Elizabeth patted his hand. "At some point, they do die."
"I'd still like to tell Damian the news."
"I wish you could," Elizabeth stated. "He's not here right now, though."
He could tell that there was a certain sadness in her voice. "Do you know where he is?"
"The hospital."
"Is he okay?" Ric asked.
"Yeah, he is. But Michael's not."
"Little Michael?" Ric had an idea that it was the youngest Michael, but there was still Sonny and his father who shared the name. Granted, Sonny almost never used his birth name unless he was being arrested and put on trial for something, but it was still his. When Elizabeth made a sound that confirmed his guess Ric pressed on for information, "What's wrong with him?"
"I wish I knew, but it doesn't really seem like anyone knows what's wrong. Not even Sonny and Carly."
Even at his worst, Ric's quest to destroy Sonny didn't necessarily pass to the young boy. He had traumatized Michael enough when the boy saw him kidnap his mother, and it only heightened his grief when no one would believe him, save Jason. Ric still found himself concerned for the health of Michael. He wouldn't dare go over and check for himself, though. That would cause more hostility than anything. Sonny, Carly, Jason, Courtney, Bobbie, Mike. All the people that were close to Michael absolutely hated Ric, they likely wouldn't let him anywhere near the boy. He'd have to find his own way of keeping updated with his adopted nephew's condition. He knew ways, although he wasn't all that happy to admit that he did. He turned to Elizabeth, "If you see Damian before I do, please give him the news." Ric started to walk out, but stopped, "And, tell him that I truly hope everything with Michael turns out for the best."
"I know you do, Ric," Elizabeth said. "And I will."
Children's Wing, General Hospital-
Damian walked back to the bedside, a genuine smile for Michael, despite his inner feelings towards Sonny and the revelation that he had just made, on his face. He was happy to see Michael's eyes open, happy to know that Michael knew that he was here for him. "Hey there, kid. You know, you're giving us all a really big scare right now. Try and get better as quickly as you can, okay?"
Michael nodded his head softly before turning to Sonny. Sonny grinned, "I told you that he'd come to see you."
"Don't ever think that I won't be here for you, Michael," Damian said. "No matter what's going on in our lives, don't forget that you can count on me for anything."
"Mommy's outside," Sonny told Michael. "You want to see her?"
When Damian saw Michael nod once more he started on his way out, "I'll tell her, I need some time alone anyway." It was quickly made apparent that the young boy didn't enjoy the idea of his older brother leaving so soon. It couldn't be helped, Damian really couldn't be around Sonny, and if Carly was in the room as well then the possible bickering that would likely ensue just wasn't worth anyone's time. But Damian wouldn't let Michael think that he was leaving again. This time he wanted to make sure that Michael knew he'd still be around. Damian brought his hand up behind his neck and unlatched a carefully concealed necklace. It was almost always hidden under his shirt, he doubted that Sonny even knew about it. For a second he looked at the clumped up chain in his hand and smiled. He stretched it out again and put it around Michael's neck, clipping it in the back. "If you ever think, even for a second, that I don't care, just feel that around your neck and know that I do."
Sonny looked at the chain, "What is that?"
"An heirloom passed on to me before," He stopped himself. Sonny got the implication. "It's been my good luck charm ever since, but I'm not the one that really needs it right now." Damian looked down at Michael, who was busy looking at the craftsmanship and the fact that it was very sparkly. "I'll be back later, Michael. I promise."
Outside, Carly was haunted by nightmares. Nightmares of her children hating her, of her failing as their mother. "Carly?"
She stirred, "Sonny?" When she opened her eyes and saw that it wasn't her husband she sighed, "Oh, it's you."
"He's awake now. He wants to see you."
"Where are you going?" Carly asked.
"I'll be around," Damian answered cryptically. "Carly, I know you have a very low opinion of me, and I won't even try and change that, but I want you to realize something. Michael loves you no matter what you do. He might be angry at you from time to time but it doesn't change the fact that you're his mother. Let him know that you love him more than anything and that he can come to you no matter what. Spend time with him, as much as you can."
"Michael knows how much I love him," Carly said.
"It never hurts to hear it over and over, Carly. Believe me," Damian said sadly, "I know. I'd give anything to hear my mother say it to me, even one last time. Don't throw this time away, Carly. It will only bring regret." Carly turned away and walked into the room. Damian walked down the hall, "Nothing but regret."
Carly smiled at Michael as she walked into the room, "Hey there, Michael. Did you have a nice nap?" She walked closer to him and grabbed him in her arms, breaking down as she felt the embrace returned, "I love you, Michael." She moved her hand up his back and felt the necklace around his neck. She turned to Sonny, "Did you give him this?"
"No, Damian did."
"Why?"
Sonny shrugged his shoulders, "His reasons for doing anything are his own, Carly. Michael likes it though."
Michael smiled, a wide and warming smile. Carly returned the gesture, "Yeah, I guess he does."
Story-
Kelly's-
Ric smiled from the window of the diner where his ex-wife worked. A big part of him hated that she felt that she needed to work in order to support herself. She was an artist, her hands were supposed to be used in order to make beautiful paintings that would stun the world. Instead she spent her days washing dishes, cleaning tables, waiting on the common people. Ric would have gladly paid her living expenses in order to give her the time that she deserved to dedicate on her artwork. He had made the offer before, even after the divorce, even when they weren't on the best of terms. She never took him up on the offer, though. Elizabeth was a proud woman, she wouldn't just up and take charity from Ric. He respected that part of her. In fact, he loved that part of her. He loved every part of her, except for the part that hated him. But he accepted that part of her, knowing full well that he had done plenty to deserve her scorn, and he had done nothing to gain her forgiveness. Yet, he had that, and he would constantly say thanks to whomever it was that orchestrated the turnabout in her attitude towards him. When she was obviously taking a few minutes for a break he walked in. Elizabeth heard the bell chime. She looked up and grinned, "I was wondering when you were going to stop staring at me and come in."
Ric laughed, "You saw me?"
"More like felt you," Elizabeth commented, "Let's just say that I've grown accustomed to the feeling that you give off when you're watching me from afar."
"I'd do anything to feel that I didn't have to constantly watch you from a distance," Ric grabbed her hand. "Anything at all."
"Ric," She spoke softly. "You don't need to keep doing this to yourself."
"I'll never be worthy of your love."
Elizabeth turned her eyes onto him, "I beg to differ on that opinion."
"Elizabeth," He moved his head towards hers and gave her a brief kiss on the lips.
She blushed a bit as he pulled away, "Did you come all this way just to give me a kiss?"
"You didn't like it?"
"I didn't say that," She joked. "I loved it. But, I'm just wondering if there was another reason that you came."
"Would you be hurt if I said there was?" Ric asked.
She shook her head, "I'm not your life, Ric."
Ric disagreed, "You're wrong, Elizabeth. You are my life. You're my reason for getting up in the morning and going on with my life. But, you're right, I didn't just come here to see you. I'm actually looking for that nephew of mine."
"Damian?"
Ric nodded, "We got the autopsy on Kyle's body back recently, it proves that he didn't have anything to do with Kyle's death."
"I told you that he wouldn't," Elizabeth remarked.
"And I believed you," Ric reminded her. "But at least this way he knows that he doesn't have to worry about anybody from the Police Station harassing him about it anymore. We know that Sonny had nothing to do with it, which puts his son in the clear as well."
"They're two entirely different people, Ric," Elizabeth quickly pointed out.
"I know that," Ric stopped himself. "Wait, did you change your mind?"
"Of course not," Elizabeth answered. "I'm just saying that they're not alike at all. Damian does things that Sonny would never fathom."
"Like helping people," Ric commented bitterly.
"Ric, don't start."
"Sorry," Ric closed his eyes, "Old habits die hard, I guess."
"But they do die," Elizabeth patted his hand. "At some point, they do die."
"I'd still like to tell Damian the news."
"I wish you could," Elizabeth stated. "He's not here right now, though."
He could tell that there was a certain sadness in her voice. "Do you know where he is?"
"The hospital."
"Is he okay?" Ric asked.
"Yeah, he is. But Michael's not."
"Little Michael?" Ric had an idea that it was the youngest Michael, but there was still Sonny and his father who shared the name. Granted, Sonny almost never used his birth name unless he was being arrested and put on trial for something, but it was still his. When Elizabeth made a sound that confirmed his guess Ric pressed on for information, "What's wrong with him?"
"I wish I knew, but it doesn't really seem like anyone knows what's wrong. Not even Sonny and Carly."
Even at his worst, Ric's quest to destroy Sonny didn't necessarily pass to the young boy. He had traumatized Michael enough when the boy saw him kidnap his mother, and it only heightened his grief when no one would believe him, save Jason. Ric still found himself concerned for the health of Michael. He wouldn't dare go over and check for himself, though. That would cause more hostility than anything. Sonny, Carly, Jason, Courtney, Bobbie, Mike. All the people that were close to Michael absolutely hated Ric, they likely wouldn't let him anywhere near the boy. He'd have to find his own way of keeping updated with his adopted nephew's condition. He knew ways, although he wasn't all that happy to admit that he did. He turned to Elizabeth, "If you see Damian before I do, please give him the news." Ric started to walk out, but stopped, "And, tell him that I truly hope everything with Michael turns out for the best."
"I know you do, Ric," Elizabeth said. "And I will."
Children's Wing, General Hospital-
Damian walked back to the bedside, a genuine smile for Michael, despite his inner feelings towards Sonny and the revelation that he had just made, on his face. He was happy to see Michael's eyes open, happy to know that Michael knew that he was here for him. "Hey there, kid. You know, you're giving us all a really big scare right now. Try and get better as quickly as you can, okay?"
Michael nodded his head softly before turning to Sonny. Sonny grinned, "I told you that he'd come to see you."
"Don't ever think that I won't be here for you, Michael," Damian said. "No matter what's going on in our lives, don't forget that you can count on me for anything."
"Mommy's outside," Sonny told Michael. "You want to see her?"
When Damian saw Michael nod once more he started on his way out, "I'll tell her, I need some time alone anyway." It was quickly made apparent that the young boy didn't enjoy the idea of his older brother leaving so soon. It couldn't be helped, Damian really couldn't be around Sonny, and if Carly was in the room as well then the possible bickering that would likely ensue just wasn't worth anyone's time. But Damian wouldn't let Michael think that he was leaving again. This time he wanted to make sure that Michael knew he'd still be around. Damian brought his hand up behind his neck and unlatched a carefully concealed necklace. It was almost always hidden under his shirt, he doubted that Sonny even knew about it. For a second he looked at the clumped up chain in his hand and smiled. He stretched it out again and put it around Michael's neck, clipping it in the back. "If you ever think, even for a second, that I don't care, just feel that around your neck and know that I do."
Sonny looked at the chain, "What is that?"
"An heirloom passed on to me before," He stopped himself. Sonny got the implication. "It's been my good luck charm ever since, but I'm not the one that really needs it right now." Damian looked down at Michael, who was busy looking at the craftsmanship and the fact that it was very sparkly. "I'll be back later, Michael. I promise."
Outside, Carly was haunted by nightmares. Nightmares of her children hating her, of her failing as their mother. "Carly?"
She stirred, "Sonny?" When she opened her eyes and saw that it wasn't her husband she sighed, "Oh, it's you."
"He's awake now. He wants to see you."
"Where are you going?" Carly asked.
"I'll be around," Damian answered cryptically. "Carly, I know you have a very low opinion of me, and I won't even try and change that, but I want you to realize something. Michael loves you no matter what you do. He might be angry at you from time to time but it doesn't change the fact that you're his mother. Let him know that you love him more than anything and that he can come to you no matter what. Spend time with him, as much as you can."
"Michael knows how much I love him," Carly said.
"It never hurts to hear it over and over, Carly. Believe me," Damian said sadly, "I know. I'd give anything to hear my mother say it to me, even one last time. Don't throw this time away, Carly. It will only bring regret." Carly turned away and walked into the room. Damian walked down the hall, "Nothing but regret."
Carly smiled at Michael as she walked into the room, "Hey there, Michael. Did you have a nice nap?" She walked closer to him and grabbed him in her arms, breaking down as she felt the embrace returned, "I love you, Michael." She moved her hand up his back and felt the necklace around his neck. She turned to Sonny, "Did you give him this?"
"No, Damian did."
"Why?"
Sonny shrugged his shoulders, "His reasons for doing anything are his own, Carly. Michael likes it though."
Michael smiled, a wide and warming smile. Carly returned the gesture, "Yeah, I guess he does."