A/N: OK. Here's more Quinn and Billie. Back to Katlin and GC (LOL!) next chapter. ;)
Until 14! xox-G
Chapter Thirteen
"What is this?" Cam asked as he stood over Quinn's desk.
"What?" His son replied, with an innocent expression and a mouth full of donut.
"Don't give me what. Let me explain journalism to you big shot. You can't write something like this." Cameron threw the copy down on his desk.
Laughing, Quinn swallowed and took a sip of his coffee. "Oh Dad, c'mon. There's a new little league coach and her name is "Belinda"." Quinn laughed out loud. "Can you see her now? I see her with long blond hair and a French manicure telling kids to skip around the bases."
Cameron rolled his eyes. "No wonder you're single. It's clear you learned nothing growing up with your sisters."
"Of course I did. I'm just saying it'll be interesting to watch." Quinn said with a smile. "And – actually I'm thrilled. It'll be so easy to beat her."
His father could already see it coming. Quinn was in for a rude awakening. He had already decided that teaching his son a lesson would be worth the fallout. "Did you even do any research? Find out her background or why she's coaching?" Cam asked then.
"Dad. It's not an in-depth getting to know you piece. It's a paragraph about little league."
"Then the answer is no." Cam sighed. "Make me happy. Do the right thing and make a few calls. If you still want to print it afterwards – we will."
"OK." Quinn laughed as he reached for the phone. "I'll start with the nail salon. They'll probably know her best."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Which one you want El?" Aidan said as he pulled a book from the shelves. "How 'bout this?"
She looked at his selection and shook her head. "Nah. She read that one last week."
It was the afternoon story hour at Abby and Alison's bookshop. Just like they had every day since they could talk, Aidan and Ella argued over what book to read."
Billie and Ty stood near the front of the shop. Her feet ached from pounding the pavement all day. She looked much different today with her hair done and her expensive looking suit and heels. Even though her clothes were a few years old she still looked lovely.
Ty clutched her hand and looked at her with terror in his eyes. "I don't want to stay here, Billie. Can't I come with you? I promise I'll be good."
"Ty. I've been dragging you around for hours. Wouldn't you rather have some cookies and hear a story?"
He gripped her hand tighter and looked towards the back of the shop, where a small group of kids were milling around. "I don't know anyone 'cause I can't start school until after the summer. They all know each other already."
She loved him with all her heart, but every once in a while Billie just wished she could get a few minutes alone. When she saw the sign advertising the afternoon story hour she though it was a chance. But the little guy beside her wasn't cooperating. "Tyler – please." She sighed as she eyed a big cushy chair near the coffee counter. How she wished she could just take a seat. Lost in her daydream, it was only then that she noticed a petite female police officer standing in line in front of her.
"Mom?" Lia asked Abby as she waited for her coffee. "Have you talked to Lynnie?"
Abby's hands shook a bit, having seen for herself what Lynnie had. She knew there was a problem with Kate. She knew she wouldn't reveal anything to Lia. There was no use worrying everyone at this point.
Abby forced a smile and said, "Yes. I have. Everything's OK, honey."
Lia gave her mother a look. "I might not have made detective yet but I know there's something going on. I know it and trust me, I'll figure it out." She promised.
Billie thought the voice sounded familiar. Her suspicions were confirmed as Lia turned to face her.
Her old friend's eyes opened wide, her voice full of shock as she gasped, "Belinda!?!"
"Hi Lia. How are you?" Billie said with a smile.
Lia placed her coffee down and pulled a startled Billie into a hug. "Oh my God! What are you doing here?"
"We just moved to town..." Billie began as she felt Tyler clutching her skirt and trying to hide.
'We?" Lia looked confused and then realized who she was referring to. "Oh yeah." Lia said with a smile as she crouched down to look into the little boys eyes. "You must be Tyler. I'm Lia Donovan. Nice to meet you. Your aunt and I went to college together."
"I know. She told me. She didn't think you'd remember her." Ty said, completely intrigued. He had never met a lady police officer before.
Lia looked up at Billie, her eyes soft. "Of course I remember. So what are you up to?"
"Looking for a job." She admitted, staring at her feet.
"Oh come on Belinda. A job? What's the matter? The Larson millions not good enough for you?" Lia asked with a laugh.
"The Larson millions are gone. I need a job. And it's not going well." Billie replied sharply before she could stop herself.
"Belinda." Lia whispered, guilt washing over her. There must be a story there. "I'm so sorry."
"That creep stole our money and now we live here. Billie's going to get a job and I'm playing little league." Ty said then. "And she's Billie now – not Belinda. I made it up because I couldn't say Belinda so good."
"That's right – but I'm still Belinda, too Ty." She said with a smile.
Lia tried desperately to process what was going on. Someone had taken Belinda's money? What happened? Her curious nature was beginning to sort it all out and as Lia did, Abby had two thoughts of her own as she watched Billie closely. They could use a new store manager and Tyler could use a friend.
"Lia?" Abby called out.
"Oh Mom!" Lia turned and grabbed Billie's free hand. "This is Belinda Larson. You remember her – Kate and I went to Worthington with her freshman year."
Abby remembered the story well. She couldn't help but notice what a great job she had seemed to have done raising her nephew. "Hi Belinda – or Billie is it?" She said with a smile. "I'm Abby."
"Either one." Billie smiled back. "Nice to meet you."
Abby gave Ty a smile. "Hi, Tyler. Nice to meet you too. Why don't you go to the back of the store? My son and his cousin are back there."
"Your son? Hey - wait. Are you Quinn's mom?" Ty asked.
"Yes I am." Abby laughed. "Why? Do you know him?"
Ty nodded and grinned, his face beaming. "Uh huh. We met at the park. He's the coolest."
"He certainly thinks so." Lia said rolling her eyes.
Abby smiled as she clarified. "I actually have two sons. Quinn and Aidan. Aidan's just about your age, Ty. Maybe you'd like to stay for story hour and you can meet him too."
Just then Aidan and Ella ran up to the front.
"Hey Aunt Abby. Mom needs more cookies." Ella called out. "The chocolate chip kind." She looked over at Ty and gave him a grin. "They're the best ones."
Aidan gave Ty a smile himself. He noticed Ty's t-shirt. "You like the Yankees? Cool. My big brother played for them." He said proudly, boasting a bit.
Ty was amazed that Quinn had a brother his age. "I know." He said shyly. "I met him the other day. He's great."
Within seconds Ella, Aidan and Ty were laughing and joking around. They became fast friends in the way only real small children could.
Overhearing the children's conversation Lia rolled her eyes. "God. It's the Quinn Donovan fan club." Her radio crackled and she knew her little break was over. "I have to run. Belin...Billie." She said with a laugh. "Give my mom your number so you, Kate and I can get together. My sister will come too. You'll love her – she's the exact opposite of me." Lia laughed louder and said, her voice sincere. "It's so good to have you here."
"Thanks." Billie said as she watched her go. She looked longingly at the chair again. Abby noticed that the poor girl looked like she was about to collapse on her feet.
"Billie? Why don't you leave Ty here for an hour and give yourself a break. Leave your address and I can drop him off on my way home."
So used to doing things on her own she began to protest, "I couldn't..."
Ty's little voice interrupted her. "Hey Billie! Aidan said they need help picking a book for today. Can I go and help him out?"
A smile bloomed across his face as he raised hopeful eyes to hers. "Sure sweetie. You can stay." What a change from when they first walked in, Billie thought with a smile. "Listen to me buddy," She said as she crouched down. "I'm going to run some errands and Mrs. Donovan's going to drive you home. Behave yourself."
"'Kay. I will." He said as he ran towards the back of the shop with his two new best friends.
"Thank you." Billie said gratefully as she turned to Abby again. "I've been dragging him around all day."
"Finding a job is tough, huh?" Abby asked her then.
Billie nodded, a bit ashamed to admit the truth. "I never finished college – you know - because of Ty – so my options are pretty limited."
Abby grinned widely as she said. "Well. You can stop looking. You're hired."
"W-w-what?" She stammered.
"I need a store manager – you need a job – Ty needs new friends. I think we've accomplished the list for today don't you think?"
Tears formed in Billie's eyes. "Mrs. Donovan..."
"It's Abby. And as your new boss I am now ordering you to take the next hour off." Abby tried to sound stern as she handed Billie a pad and pen. "Tell me where you live. Ty will be delivered safe and sound and – my apologies - full of sugar."
"Do you mean it?" Billie wiped at her eyes.
"About the sugar?" Abby laughed. "Yes. My sister Alison makes a mean cookie."
Billie shook her head – still in shock. "No – the other..."
"Yes I mean it. Now go. We'll talk about your hours in the morning. Stop by at 10."
"I..." Billie began again.
"GO." Abby ordered as she waved her away. "Take some time for yourself. You deserve it."
"Thank you." Billie said softly, still in shock as she made her way to the door.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Three hours later, Billie was still sound asleep on the couch. It seemed like she was always running lately, either doing things for Ty or away from her problems. She was exhausted but too concerned with keeping things together to ever let go.
The doorbell woke her. She scrambled up and shuffled to the door, not bothering to smooth down her hair or the wrinkles in her clothes.
She opened the door and her face fell in horror.
"Hey." Quinn said with a smile. "I think this belongs to you." He said as he walked in the door, carrying Ty piggybacked, and a small pizza box in front of him.
Mortified, Billie desperately tried to straighten herself. She focused on Ty and gave him a smile as he slid to the ground. "Did you have a good time sweetie?"
Ty was happier than she'd seen him in forever. His face beamed as he spoke quickly. "It was great. We heard two stories and then had cookies that were so good. They were like – the best ones I ever tasted!!!! And when Quinn came to say hi to his mom he said he'd take me and Aidan and Ella for pizza – so I already ate dinner. But we brought you some and some cookies too. I'll go get you a plate." He shrugged off his backpack and ran towards the kitchen.
"Thank you for bringing him home." She said, trying desperately to get Quinn to leave. She took the box he offered. "And thanks for the pizza."
"You're welcome. Next time you'll have to join us." He said with a grin. She was adorable, he couldn't help but think, in her seriously looking blouse and skirt and stocking feet. Her eyes were heavy with sleep and her cheeks flushed with color. Her hair was curling softly around her face. The last time he'd seen her he thought she was pretty. Today he realized he was wrong.
She was absolutely beautiful.
Billie looked at him quizzically. Was he asking her out? Her heart began to pound. She was not at all ready for this.
She looked like a deer caught in headlights. "Next time?"
Quinn didn't even realize he was calming her down as he spoke again. "Next time I take the kids out to eat." He clarified. "It looks like they'll all be great friends."
Billie's features softened as she heard him say that. "I'm so glad. I was kind of worried about that. I feel like sometimes he spends too much time with me."
"He's a great kid." Quinn said with a grin. He looked down at her, noticing how exhausted she looked. She took great care of Ty but who took care of her? He wondered.
Ty had filled him in on a lot of details. Billie wasn't his mother – she was his aunt. His parents died tragically and she'd raised him from the time he was a baby. She had been barely old enough to take care of herself at the time. Learning this news made him more intrigued than before, wanting to know exactly what made her tick. Realizing that she'd be working at the bookshop told him he'd have some time to figure her out.
"So. I hear my mom coerced you into working for her." He said with a laugh.
Billie nodded, still in shock about it all. "Yeah. I guess so."
A silence fell between them, thankfully broken by Ty. He ran back over and tugged on Billie's sleeve. "Billie? I set the table for you. I didn't give you a fork because..." He said as he grinned widely. "...well...it's pizza. You're allowed to use your hands."
"Thanks sweetie." She said with a yawn as she ruffled his hair.
He could tell she was still half asleep and completely overwhelmed. He decided to leave her to her dinner in peace. He took a step back as he said, "The bookshop is a great little place. I'm sure you'll love it there."
"I hope so." She said praying it would be true.
Quinn stared into her eyes for a long minute, unaware that his gaze was making her extremely uncomfortable. He tore his glance from hers and turned to Ty.
"I'd better go. Take care Slugger." Quinn said as he moved towards the door. He looked into her eyes again as he said softly. "You too Billie."
"Thank you." She whispered back, wondering why she suddenly had butterflies in her stomach. When she finally found her voice she added. "And thank you for dinner."
"You're welcome." Quinn smiled as he made his way into the hallway. "See you both soon."
As the door clicked closed Ty grabbed Billie's hand. "C'mon eat your dinner." He said, dragging her towards the kitchen.
Billie let him lead her to the table and sat down in her chair.
"I love Port Charles. This is the best place, Billie. I have friends and you know what? Quinn is the best too. Did you hear him? He called me Slugger and he doesn't even know yet how great I can hit. He's really cool, Bill - he's not like – well – you know..." Ty knew just hearing the creep's name made Billie cry. He didn't want to make her sad.
Even without him saying it, Billie was reminded of how letting someone get too close before had hurt them both. She took a bite of her pizza and sighed. "I'm glad you like it sweetie." She could tell that the fact that she didn't sound enthusiastic had disappointed him. She looked over at Ty and smiled. "But you know what I think is the best?"
"What?" He looked up at her and grinned back.
"YOU." She said, leaning down kissing the tip of his nose.
