Chapter 19

Correction: I was informed that Luke and Laura's wedding was in 1981, not in 1983-thank you to Barbie

Despite objections from Diane, Jason makes a statement to the Invader: He appeals to Esme.

Diane worries about the mention of Alcazar's name since Jason was acquitted of his murder/disappearance. "Jason, I renew my objection; your name and Alcazer's name should not be uttered in the same sentence."

Elizabeth also voices her concerns. "Maybe Diane has a point. Is it necessary to make this statement?"

Jason replies, "you know I don't usually willingly make statements, but I want Esme's focus off of you, and I want her to turn herself in before Jerry turns his revenge on her."

Jason, Diane, and Elizabeth meet with Alexis. Jason tells his story. Jason explains, "I recently found out my ex-wife Courtney Matthews 19 years ago had my baby. International Arms Dealer Lorenzo Alcazar made Courtney believe she had a miscarriage, but she gave birth to a baby girl. DNA results verify Courtney and I are Esme Prince's parents. As most of Port Charles knows, Courtney died in 2006. Helena Cassidine kidnapped Esme and raised her to believe Elizabeth Baldwin was her mother. She wanted Esme to despise Elizabeth. Esme kidnapped Elizabeth and is suspected of the fire at Kelly's Diner that caused a concussion to Cameron Webber. I do not blame my daughter for her actions. Helena and whomever she has been working with since Helena's death are to blame."

Jason finishes by saying, "Esme, if you are reading this, if you want to blame someone, turn your anger to the person who manipulated you. Or take your anger out on me. Please turn yourself in, and I promise I will get you the help you need."

Esme confronts Jerry:

Esme reads the media release and is outraged. Not only is she pissed at what Helena did to her to make her despise Elizabeth and her family, but she is furious at Jerry for continuing the lies.

Esme tracks down Jerry. She throws the paper on the table and yells, "is this true? Is Jason Morgan my father? Why did you and Helena tell me Elizabeth was my mother and didn't want me?"

Jerry laughs and replies, "In a nutshell, most of it is true. Alcazar wanted to punish Morgan and sold you to Helena. From what she told me, her daughter Irina raised you. You thought Irina was your mother until Helena told you otherwise. Helena used a device similar to the one she and Faison used to condition Lucky Spencer. Why do you think you hate Elizabeth so much? Elizabeth Baldwin is not your mother. Sweet 'Baby's Breath Elizabeth' would never knowingly or willingly give up a child."

Esme replies, "but Elizabeth remembers having twins. What happened to the girl?"

Jerry says, "that is not your concern. You still have a job to do. You can go after Morgan and Elizabeth. If they had known you existed, you would have had a better life than the one Helena gave you."

Esme gasps, "is that why I was told I couldn't sleep with Spencer Cassidine? He is my half-brother?"

Jerry replies, "yes, even Helena wouldn't condone incest. I might find it amusing, but Helena was specific. Spencer has a 50% Royal bloodline. You have the bloodline of a stripper and a mobster."

Esme scoffs and leaves. She is seething with all kinds of emotions and wants everyone to pay for her deprived life, starting with Jerry Jacks. Due to years of training from Helena and Jerry, Esme knows how to hide. Until she gets her revenge, she will lay low.

Spinelli has news for Elizabeth:

Spinelli has news about Elizabeth's daughter and Cam's twin. He calls Elizabeth and says he has information about her daughter. Elizabeth wants Jason and Cameron to hear the news and tells Spinelli to come to her house after dinner. (due to Cameron's birthdate changed from 2004 to 2003, I have considered this as that is his current date of birth)

Spinelli says, "Elizabeth, your daughter is alive. I tracked birth records, and Cameron and a baby girl were born within minutes of each other. The OB nurse took meticulous records and hid them from Helena. Helena took the baby girl and was going to name her Esme. I believe she intended to raise her to hate you and return one day to wreak havoc on your life; if Lucky were in your life, Helena would have dealt a double blow. She would have re-triggered Lucky's conditioning and triggered your daughter."

Spinelli turns his attention to Jason. "Instead, she used your daughter Stone-Cold. Everything we learned about Courtney's giving birth is accurate. Alcazar did sell Esme to Helena. Helena decided taking your child would be more revenge than using Elizabeth's baby. She would raise Esme to hate Elizabeth and one day reveal she raised your child too."

Spinelli continues, "for a brief time, the two girls were raised by Irina. After Zander was killed and his father died in the Port Charles Hotel fire, Helena contacted Jerry Jacks. He forged papers revealing Zander was the baby's father and the mother was too young to take care of her. She signed over rights to Zander."

Cameron holds his mother's hand. Elizabeth exclaims, "I did no such thing. I would never do that!"

Spinelli replies, "I know, but that is what the forged papers stated. I tracked down a half-sister of Cameron Lewis, and since both Cameron and Zander were dead, she was the closest living relative. She adopted your daughter Elizabeth. The sister's name is Marie. She never knew your last name but found out your first name. The adoption papers list her name as Beth Lewis Aaron. She is happy and healthy and would like to meet you."

Elizabeth asks, "does she know I didn't know about her, and it was all a lie forged by Jerry? Does she know about Cameron?"

Spinelli replies, "Marie knows the truth about the papers, and Beth knows she has a twin. She would like to meet you too, Cam."

Elizabeth looks to Cameron and says, "If you want to meet with her or if you don't, I will support whatever decision you decide."

Cam wants to meet her, and Spinelli gives Elizabeth the contact information and leaves.

Elizabeth looks at the number and location, and her eyes widen. She hands the piece of paper to Cameron, and he says, "wow! Seriously?" He hands the paper over to Jason.

Jason says, "it certainly is a small world. What are you going to do?"

Elizabeth replies, "I'll make a couple of calls after Thanksgiving. Maybe she knows Beth or her mother, Marie."

Thanksgiving:

Monica calls Elizabeth and invites the boys and her for Thanksgiving. She says, "I've invited Sam, Dante, Danny, and Scout. Please tell Jason we would love to have him there too. I should forwarn you; pizza is on the menu. It has been a Quartermaine tradition for more than 30 years. Every Turkey Cook has attempted to make been a failure or a catastrophe."

Elizabeth laughs and says, "I heard all the stories from Emily. Pizza will be fine, thank you."

Monica asks, "I read Jason's statement to the press; is it true I have another grandchild?"

Elizabeth replies, "yes, it is. There is more to the story than what Jason gave, but you will need to ask him if he wants to tell you everything."

Jason received an invite from Sonny and Carly, but he promised Jake he could spend it with his brothers and cousins. Elizabeth received an invite from Nikolas, Ava, and Spencer, but she gave the same excuse Jason gave for Jake. Jason is relieved Jake can be a part of his grandmother's life now that there aren't any more lies.

Dinner with the Q's is uneventful, with a variety of pizzas and finishing a selection of pies. Elizabeth's phone rings, and she excuses herself.

Elizabeth answers, "Nikolas, how was your Thanksgiving? What? Spencer is gone?"

Jason hears the panic in Elizabeth's voice, walks to her, and places his hand on the small of her back.

Elizabeth asks, "why do you think Esme did something to Spencer?" Elizabeth switches the phone to her other ear so Jason can listen too. She asks, "have you tried calling him? No, don't panic yet. Jason will call Spinelli and track Spencer's phone. We will call you when we find him."

Jason and Elizabeth excuse themselves. Jason promises Monica he will provide the details about Esme later. He asks Sam if she can drive the boys home later. Sam and Dante offer to help in the search, but Jason replies, "if Esme is involved, I don't want the cops. I will try to get her to turn herself in, but if you show up, it could scare her away and make things worse. Dante, don't follow us."

Jason calls Spinelli and asks him to track Spencer's phone.

Meanwhile…

Esme is upset that she's been duped for so many years. She Googled the location of her mother's grave. She sits beside the headstone quietly, lamenting her life choices. Esme hears rustling behind her, turns, and Spencer stares at her. He turns to run, and she stops him.

Esme says, "please don't go. I'm not going to hurt you. Helena and" Esme's voice trails off. "I've been used, and I've lied to you. I'm sorry. I didn't know you were my brother. Don't worry; we never had sex. I led you to believe we did. I guess that's where Helena drew the line. She left instructions we could never have sex."

Spencer calmly says, "that's a relief. Can you tell me why you did all those things? Cameron had a nasty bump on his head, and you terrorized Elizabeth. Who else other than Helena is involved?"

Esme replies, "I can't say, but can you tell me about our mother?"

Spencer says, "no, I'm sorry, she died soon after I was born. I never knew her other than what my father told me. Jason could tell you more. They were involved longer."

Esme replies, "no, Jason wants me to pay for what I've done to his girlfriend and her son under the guise of what is best for me. I don't believe him when he says he wants to help me if I turn myself in."

Spencer's phone rings and Esme says, "they must be looking for you. I need to go. Please tell everyone I'm sorry, and I will make him pay for what he's done to me and everyone else."

Spencer asks, "who?" But Esme has run off.

Spinelli calls Jason and says, "I located Spencer's phone. It is at the cemetery. I'll send you the GPS coordinates."

Jason surmises that Spencer must be visiting his mother's grave. Jason accelerates the car, and they find Courtney's grave. Spencer is on the phone, and Elizabeth runs to him. Spencer says, "yes, father, I'm okay. Elizabeth and Jason just arrived. I'll tell you everything when I get home."

Elizabeth hugs Spencer and says, "your father was worried. Are you sure you are okay? What happened? Nikolas was afraid Esme might try to find you."

Spencer replies, "I found her. Esme was visiting our mother's grave and had questions. She is working with someone and sounds afraid of him. She wouldn't say who he is."

Jason says, "as long as you are safe, we can fill you in later. Maybe you and your father can join us at our house tomorrow, and we can compare notes. Elizabeth and I will follow you to the launch and have Nikolas meet you there."

Jason and Elizabeth arrive home and tell Cameron what happened with Spencer, and everyone will compare notes tomorrow. They all head to bed.

Nikolas and Spencer visit, and everyone compares notes:

Elizabeth calls ….