Lucy had been pacing for what seemed like hours. Ian warned her that she was going to wear a hole in the carpet if she didn't calm down. However, Ian was just as excited as Lucy. Patrick, Marty and their children were due to arrive any time, but their flight had been delayed in New York. As usual, Lucy wasn't handling the waiting very well—and everyone was staying out of her way except Ian.
"Why did we let them insist on getting their own car?" Lucy asked Ian for what seemed like the thousandth time.
"Because they'll be here for a few weeks and need to be able to get around on their own," Ian answered her. "And because that's what they wanted. Don't worry, love, we gave them good directions, and they'll call if they get lost."
"I know, I know, you're right. I just hate that they're going to be in the guesthouse. We had so much fun last summer all staying together, it won't be the same with them out there."
"Aye, it was a good time. But they'll have some privacy, and that's a good thing. Just imagine having the house to ourselves with no children to interrupt us?" Ian said with a grin.
"Well…when you put it that way—how soon can we ask them to baby-sit?" Lucy said eagerly.
"Now hold your horses! We have to let them settle in first. I imagine we'll be sitting for their wee ones before they watch ours!" Ian laughed.
Lucy laughed with him and started to sit down on the couch. Ian had succeeded in making her relax a little. Caroline started to fuss in her father's arms and Lucy realized it was time to feed her, "Do you think its okay to do it here? Or should I take her upstairs… I don't want to embarrass your brother."
"I don't think Patrick or Margaret would have a problem, but I seriously doubt they'll be here before she's done with her supper," Ian replied. "You just go where you're both comfortable and don't worry about anything else. Okay?"
"Okay. Come here sweet pea, mama's all ready for her pumpkinhead," Lucy crooned to the baby.
"You'd think we were raising a family of vegetables the way you talk to those kids," Ian laughed.
They sat in companionable silence, punctuated only by the sounds of the baby and Lucy cooing tenderly to their daughter. Ian never tired of watching Lucy and Caroline together; she was such a natural mother and he felt such quiet stillness and tranquility in those moments. Ian relaxed and thought back to his last conversation with Patrick. Right after the baby's birth, he had asked Patrick to arrange for a special present that he wanted to give Lucy for Christmas. Lucy deserved her own little piece of Ireland, since she had loved it so much. Patrick had been able to get exactly what he required, plus a little something extra. Ian was so excited about the gift, he didn't know if he could wait until Christmas.
Lucy sensed Ian's excitement, but put its cause down to having his family with them for the Christmas season. It had been nice having Rafe visit for a few days, but she was very glad that he had left by the weekend. As much as she loved her cousin, he still had a lot of growing up to do. Alison's continued absence frayed his temper and he was sullen and morose for the last few days of his visit. Ian had commented that he was going to personally escort him onto the plane just to make sure he was gone for good. The Book was returned to the safety deposit box, never having been opened by Lucy or Ian. Once they realized what Rafe was up to, they agreed that they could do without a new tradition. They also realized that they wanted to have Caroline christened while Ian's family was in Port Charles, and scheduled it for Christmas Eve.
About an hour later, their babysitter Carmen returned from the park with Christina and Danny. The little girl bounded into the living room, "Where's Aisling? Is she here yet? Can I go see her in the guesthouse? I can't wait 'til she sees my room!"
Ian grabbed her around the waist and lifted her up into the air, "Sorry, Christina, she's not here yet. But we expect them to get here real soon."
Christina groaned in disappointment while Danny pulled on his father's pant leg, "Unca Pat, want Unca Pat!" was his repeated cry.
Ian gave Lucy a questioning look, "And does he actually remember who 'Unca Pat' is, love?"
Lucy pulled out the picture book that she'd been using to remind Daniel of his aunt, uncle and cousins, "Sorry… but won't he and Marty love it when he recognizes them!"
Ian laughed heartily as he put down Christina and gave Danny a ride of his own. "Well, lookee there! I believe that we've finally got some company!" Ian said as he saw a car pull into the driveway. He boosted Danny onto his shoulders while Lucy carried Caroline and held Christina's hand to go onto the front porch and greet their guests.
They gaped in surprise as the visitors arrived—not the guests they were expecting at all. Instead it was Agents Heckart and Limm, and the latter had a gruesomely happy look on his face.
"Dr. Ian Thornhart?" Agent Limm stated as he stepped directly in front of Ian.
"Aye, Agent Limm. What can I be doing for you today?" Ian answered politely. He didn't dare look at Lucy; she was so quiet that he knew she was in shock.
"Dr. Thornhart," the agent said again. "We have come to take you into custody pending a deportation hearing." The agent pulled out a pair of handcuffs, "Please place the boy on the ground and put your hands behind your back."
Lucy stifled a sob, while Ian demanded, "What about my rights? You can't just take a man out of his home for no good reason—especially not in front of his wife and children!"
"You have no rights, Thornhart, and as you are considered a threat to national security, we must take you into custody immediately," Agent Limm replied.
If the events weren't so alarming, Ian might have laughed out loud. All he had ever wanted in life was to heal the sick and love his family—no one could seriously consider him a threat to anyone.
"What… what are you… accusing my… my husband… of… doing?" stammered Lucy as she tried to control her tears. "How can you do this in front of his children?"
"Mrs. Thornhart, consider yourself fortunate that you and your children are not joining your husband. Turn around, Thornhart," Agent Limm said with a sneer.
The only emotion that Ian could feel at that moment was fear, pure unadulterated terror that he would never see his family or hold Lucy in his arms again. Lucy, though, moved into action after the initial shock had worn off.
Unfortunately, her first reaction was to try and intimidate the agents, "You are not taking my husband anywhere, you hear me! I am friends with the mayor, and the district attorney, and for that matter, the head of the local mafia. It's you who will be in serious trouble if you don't unhand my husband this very minute."
"Lucy… Lucy… that's not going to solve anything," Ian said softly but firmly. He turned to the agents, "May I please say goodbye to my family? You don't need to cuff me; I'll come away with you quietly."
"Sorry, Thornhart, we don't let terrorists keep their hands free; too dangerous. Let's go," Agent Limm said curtly as he snapped on the handcuffs.
Lucy tried to kiss Ian, but the agent rudely jerked him backwards and dragged him to their car. Ian bellowed, "Lucy… I love you… Lucy!" over and over again until the car pulled out of the driveway.
Sobbing, Lucy ran into the house, handed the baby to the babysitter, Carmen, and then looked up the number for the immigration attorney and dialed the phone. She had remembered to contact the attorney after their first visit from the INS, but had not pursued it beyond that point. As she was unaware of the continued investigation, she had only made contact with the attorney one time. She had to leave a message with his service, and did so before completely falling apart.
She sat down on a chair, laid her head in her arms and sobbed. Carmen cautiously started to ask what she could do to help, but decided that Lucy needed a few minutes. She put Caroline down in her crib and left Christina and Daniel to comfort Lucy while she made some phone calls. She contacted Kevin and Scott and asked them to come over right away, telling them that the children were fine but Lucy needed them. She then went back into the living room to stay with Lucy until the men arrived.