Whew! It's been a while, but I needed a little romance and angst after the last chapter, so I took my time with this one ;) Thanks to everyone that's sticking with me on this - please keep reading and reviewing! ENJOY!
Side note: I was thinking about making the chapters shorter, but the story would be much much longer...any thoughts?
Chapter 9
Brook Lyn burst through the Scorpios home and headed straight for Georgie's room. Without knocking, she opened the door to find Georgie on her bed, listening to headphones while tackling her history homework.
"Georgie? Hello?" Brook pulled the headphone slightly away from Georgie's ear, enough to get her attention.
"Hey," Georgie said nonchalantly. She hadn't exactly made up with Brook about their previous fights and she wasn't in the mood to get into another one. She put on a brave face and hoped today would be different.
"Yeah, sorry, but I tried knocking and stuff but I guess no one could hear me," Brook sat down next to Georgie and glanced at her homework. "Look, you can tell me to get out if you want."
"Brook, I'm not mad if you're not, and I really don't like fighting with you," Georgie turned to her friend. "Truce?"
Brook shook Georgie's extended hand and sighed. "Cool, cuz I need to ask you something, seriously." Brook looked around nervously.
"Yeah, anything," Georgie couldn't tell what was on Brook's mind. Please God, just don't let it be about Diego, she thought, but tried to hide her rolling eyes at the thought of his name.
"It's about Lucas," Brook started. "He ran into me and Diego, like literally, and he apologized. But then Diego got all in his face about still wanting me back."
Georgie didn't bother to hide rolling her eyes this time, but she checked her reaction quickly and waited for Brook to continue.
"But here's the thing...Lucas was just cold, you know, distant. He got defensive because Diego got in his face, but when it came to me, he said he wasn't interested in me at all. Just like that – I mean he said it dead to my face, like he was trying to make a point."
Georgie got up and went to her dresser to brush her hair. She hesitated, but put the brush back down and turned to Brook. "Brook, do you still want him to want you?"
Brook shot off the bed. "No, I mean, seriously – I want Lucas to be happy you know. It's just the way he said it bothered me, that's all." She looked down, so Georgie couldn't see the half-lie dancing in her eyes. "I mean, who doesn't want someone to want them, right?"
"Yeah, but you did dump him for Diego," Georgie walked back toward Brook. "I'm glad Lucas' moved on, and maybe he needed to tell you to your face...cut the last string."
"So you don't care that he said it to hurt my feelings?" Brook could feel her ears burning with anger.
"I don't think he said it to hurt you Brook, because as far as Lucas knows, you don't have any feelings about what he says or does!" Georgie replied, feeling the tension filling the room. "Lucas would never say anything to intentionally hurt you, just like you claim not to have intentionally dumped him to chase after Diego." Georgie went back to her dresser and began brushing her hair furiously.
"So now I claimed to not have hurt him? You know what? Whatever, Georgie, I should have known better than to come to you!" She started for the door, but Georgie blocked her way.
"Fine! Get mad at everyone that doesn't agree with you," Georgie retorted, louder than even she expected. "You're setting yourself up Brook – you can't take one criticism or one person not agreeing with you and the profound love you have with Diego. You keep pushing everyone else away, until you end up with no one but him! Some prize," she brushed past Brook's hurt eyes and defiant stance, "and when you two fall out of love as quickly as you fell in, you'll have no one else to run to!"
Brook stormed out of Georgie's room as soon as she had gotten out of her way, but she heard everything she said. Her hot tears fell fast and she didn't notice bumping into Maxie and Felicia, who had come to see what all the fuss as about. Maxie quickly turned back down the stairs after hearing Georgie's door slam, while Felicia went back to her room to pick out her outfit for the following evening.
Georgie knew Brook well enough, and she immediately called Dillon.
"Hey, this is Dillon, leave a message…"
"Dillon, your cousin should be by soon to spew her venom... oh, you know I'm sorry. Look, Brook and I just got into another fight, so when you get this, call me. I love you." She hung up the phone, and sunk into her bed, kicking her history homework on the floor in frustration.
Liz walked back happily into Lucky's room to find him trying to stay awake.
"You're as bad as Cameron," she laughed and began to read his chart and check his monitors. "Is that just a guy thing I'm going to have to get used to?"
"I think it's just a 'you' thing," Lucky smiled playfully. "Cam's a smart kid. He knows that looking at you is time well spent." Lucky grabbed for Liz's hand away from her chart and pulled her to sit next to him on the bed.
"I think I like this whole post-coma thing," Liz said. She couldn't stop smiling at Lucky, she was too grateful to have him smiling back. "I wish every patient was a pleasant as you."
"Well, here comes the typical patient in me," Lucky began and gathered Liz's hands in his own. "When do I get out of her, Nurse Webber?" His mocking tone and puppy dog eyes were enough to send Liz sprawling on the floor with laughter, and even Lucky couldn't hold the face for too long. "Seriously, I want to get moving, and preferably out of this hospital."
"Lucky, I don't want you to push yourself," Liz stated matter-of-factly. "You still have to do physical therapy and completely heal."
"Yeah, ok," Lucky pouted slightly and for real this time. "I can't imagine climbing up the stairs of Kelly's would suffice."
"Sorry, it doesn't," Liz said thoughtfully. "Lucky, I'm not sure you should go back there anyway…at least not for a while, until you're completely ok." She had been dancing around the idea of asking him to come home with her and Cam since she saw them together that afternoon, but didn't want to mention it in front of Lesley.
"And where would you suggest I stay?" Lucky said, surprised at Elizabeth's tone. He thought he knew what she was getting at, but he couldn't allow himself to be excited until he was sure.
"Sorry to interrupt," Skye said, just as Liz was about to answer. Lucky looked disappointedly at Skye but instantly became aware of the fear in her eyes.
"What did he do now?"
"Yes, I have that file right in front of me, and I still need to speak with the judge about a continuance," Alexis flipped through her calendar while her opposing counsel rattled on. "Judge Steinberg is very fair, he just happens to be fair in my favor."
Ric, Viola, and Kristina came through the door, arms full. Ric placed his briefcase down near Alexis' desk and immediately took the groceries to the kitchen counter. Viola followed with the other bag, while Kristina ran into her mother's lap.
Viola looked anxiously at Ric. "I thought Alexis was supposed to be resting?"
"Yeah, well," Ric unloaded the milk and Kristina's favorite cereal, "that would take a strong sedative, and unfortunately my jobrequires stoppingillegal drug use, not perpetuating it."
Viola laughed and shook her head. They fought like they were auditioning for Grumpy Old Men, but she knew how much they loved each other. "Actually, I needed to ask Mrs. Lansing about something."
Mrs. Lansing, Ric thought to himself but turned toward Viola instead. "What is it?"
"I was wondering if I could have the night off tomorrow," Viola began to blush.
"Now this wouldn't happen to have anything to do with a certain officer I know, would it?" Ric gently teased her. He knew Officer Murphy had gotten Viola's phone number at his encouragement, but didn't want to let on he was the informant about her single status.
"Um, yeah," she said slowly. "Do you mind?"
"Not at all," Ric lowered his voice, "consider it payback for helping me with my surprise."
"It's in Kristina's music box, behind the stuffed animals," Viola whispered back and quickly straightened up as Alexis got off the phone and walked toward them with Kristina.
"What are you two whispering about? What are they whispering about, my angel?" Alexis' face lit up as she looked at Kristina.
"Don't know!" Kristina exclaimed and shook her head.
Alexis laughed, and Ric just stood there mesmerized. He had only seen Alexis' sarcastic half-smile before they got married, and after the months of pain and worry, she was radiant when she laughed.
"Nothing, but I did give Viola the night off tomorrow," Ric answered quickly, as Viola made her way toward the door. "Thanks, and we'll see you later." He winked again, and turned back to Alexis' curious face. "What? So I did a little matchmaking and Viola has a good officer taking her to dinner," Ric smiled innocently, taking Kristina out of his mother's arms and kissing Alexis softly. "Now you, go sit down, put your feet up, and I'm going to get her ready for a nap."
Alexis watched as Ric played in Kristina's curls and walked into Kristina's room. She looked around at all the groceries and as she put them away, she snapped her fingers at her idea, and rushed to her cell phone. "Yes, hi, what are your specials?"
"Well, I don't see why any assumptions about your role in Mr. Quartermaine's death would affect the foundation, Ms. Matthews," Mr. Blake, the foundation's legal counsel stated. "I'm sure if you address the board at the next meeting regarding the matter, all worries will be dismissed easily."
'Listen up, I'm not one to be dismissed.'
Courtney shook Rachel's words from her thoughts, and met Mr. Blake's expectant face. "Good, we'll move ahead with plans for the next fundraiser then."
"Ms. Matthews, are you alright? You've been distracted the entire meeting."
"Fine, fine, don't worry about it Mr. Blake," Courtney shrugged off his concerns, hoping he was not a shrewd enough attorney to read through her.
"She's thinking of color patterns and place settings, don't mind her," Jax called out from the door, carrying two huge bags of what looked like lunch.
"That's right," Courtney said, her face immediately brightening. She jumped up to meet Jax and kissed him lightly.
"Well, I can see I'm no longer needed here," Mr. Blake smiled at the couple. "We'll discuss the fundraiser details later, if you're still here." He knew when Jax came to the office, the two of them were apt to jet off to a foreign country for dessert.
"We will, I promise," Courtney replied, wondering how many people at the foundation discussed her absence from the office. "Thank you again, Mr. Blake." She escorted him to the door, and turned back to Jax after shutting the door. "So what's in the bag?"
Jax playfully shifted the bags behind his back as Courtney advanced toward him, and then set them on the glass table. "In bag number one, we have ravioli stuffed with sea bass with wild fennel, and bag number two is maltalgiati noodles in duck and truffle ragu. Which would you like?"
"Hmmm, ravioli please," Courtney said, retrieving the first bag from Jax. "Only because I have no idea was duck and 'truffle ragu' is. Where did you get this? Something new at Metro Court?"
"Unfortunately, no," Jax answered, as he sat down to open his lunch, "I couldn't pry the chef to move to New York from Venice – he really loves La Cuisina." Jax took a bite of his noodles and moaned. "He never ceases to amaze me."
"Well, you never cease to amaze me," Courtney said, kissing the sauce off Jax's lower lip. "I can't believe you went all the way to Venice for lunch." She ate some of her own lunch, and then looked back at Jax with her mouth full. "On second thought, now I can!"
Jax laughed and put down his plate. He loved surprising Courtney with food she had never tasted before – watching her cheeks fill up and the glitter in her eyes. He moved closer to her and began trailing kisses from her still stuffed cheeks down her neck. Courtney swallowed her food, and sighed into Jax's arms, though she had not totally forgotten why his lips met with such tense shoulders.
Tracy walked from the foyer into the family room, eyes flitting around carefully. "Goodness, Daddy you scared me," she exclaimed as Edward suddenly turned toward her from the corner desk. He had been sitting there for an hour, looking at the picture of Emily when she was 14. She had just come to live with the family a few years earlier, but she had shed her apprehension about being a Quartermaine by then. Her smile brightened the whole picture, as she tilted her head back full of laughter.
"What is it, Tracy?" Edward said soft but stern. He never let his guard down completely with her, though he longed to now.
"Daddy, why were you sitting in here, alone in a corner?" She moved to the desk and looked down at his feathery gray hair. "You were thinking of Emily." Her voice lowered, as she slid down to meet his sad eyes. "Please, please, just tell me what happened. Tell the family, and we'll all deal with it together."
Tracy tried to place a reassuring hand on her father's arm but he snatched it away, quickly standing to cross the room. "For the last time, no! I'm not going to betray Emily's trust." He poured some brandy in a glass and sipped it thoughtfully. "She's going to handle this her way, and I'm going to help her on my own."
"And who's going to help you, huh?" Tracy walked over to her father. "You expect the rest of us to just walk around you, pretend we don't see you hurting or shutting yourself off in your room for hours at a time." She sighed as he continued to sip his drink. "Daddy, you have been hurt so many times in the past year, just let someone else take the burden for once."
"Mother, please let it go," Ned said, entering the room in search of some papers for L&B he misplaced. He walked between Edward and faced Tracy. "Grandfather is doing what Emily asked of him, that's it. Maybe if she had been able to trust the rest of us, this would have never happened in the first place." He poured a drink and sat down, abandoning his search.
"Oh, I see," Tracy spun to face Ned, "you meant if I hadn't teamed up with Helena? Why don't you just blame me outright – it's your favorite thing to do anyway!"
"No, Mother, but it is the one constant thing in my life when it comes to you," Ned retorted angrily. "And how often am I wrong?"
Tracy stomped out of the room before Ned could see her fight back hot tears. She almost knocked Lois, who had entered the room looking for Ned.
"Grandfather, I know you don't trust my mother – neither do I most of the time," Ned shifted toward the old man, who had taken his usual seat in the large antique chair facing the terrace. "She did have a point. You carrying Emily's burden is weighing on you, and I think if you want to remain her only confidant, that's fine, but you should convince her that the family wants to be there for her too."
Edward slightly nodded, and briefly acknowledged Lois' presence before going to his room to wait for Emily's call.
"Well," Lois finally said behind the couch, causing Ned to look back at her, "you're just full of surprises." Her tone was more telling than she realized, and Ned knew the discussion was more than what Lois just overheard.
Maria sat at the bar of the Metro Court, sipping her cocktail casually. Her thoughts were all over the place – Diego, Lorenzo, and most of all, Ned. She couldn't stop imagining his leaning toward her, brushing her face and then kissing her cheek. She didn't even care if it was for Lorenzo and Carly's benefit, but she knew that it wasn't. Throughout their entire conversation, Ned looked at her surprised and delighted. She wasn't Diego's mother, or Lorenzo's former lover, or a woman with a shady past and drug habit. He hung on to her every word, and vice versa. She sighed again, lifting her glass, but stopped short upon seeing Lorenzo walking into the dining area with an attractive blonde woman. She finished her drink fast, and ordered another, watching them intently.
Lorenzo pulled out Rachel's chair, and pushed it in gently as she sat down. He walked over and sat down across from her as the waiter came to take their drink order.
"Glass of chardonnay, please," Rachel said, not even looking at the menu. She winked at Lorenzo, who just smiled broadly.
"Make it two," he said, never taking his eyes off Rachel. She was still as beautiful as the day – and night – they met 6 years ago. She was ruthless and detached behind her pristine appearance. He had done a background check on her as soon as Luis called, and had tried to use the Steven Webber thing to his advantage. The mere mention of his name made her fight the deal even harder, and he admired her passion and ability to rein it in and use it for business. "Chardonnay for business…"
"Tequila for pleasure," Rachel laughingly responded. "God that was some night. But Lorenzo," she looked at him seriously, "you knew then that I was going to ruin Steven. Besides Carly, why would you try to stop me?"
"Ruin is one thing, killing is another," Lorenzo said, sliding back in his seat. "At first I didn't believe it was really you, that you carried the grudge for that long."
"Admit it – you're just happy our deal went so well," Rachel smiled and reached for the chardonnay that just arrived.
"Well, yeah, I certainly don't want to make your grudge list," Lorenzo huffed and sipped his own glass.
"Trust me, mine is short compared to A – a few people I know…" Rachel quickly set her glass down, and silently cursed herself. She was thisclose to giving AJ's name, but recovered after a moment and looked down at her menu. "Lorenzo, I just want this one thing taken care of, that's all. Now, should I have the salmon or the chicken?"
Lorenzo could not be fooled, though. He saw the alarm in Rachel's eyes when she almost said someone's name. He decided to pretend he hadn't noticed, but made a mental note to press the matter further later. "Chicken, definitely." He looked at her again, smiling, but as she lowered her head again to the menu, he noticed Maria at the bar – staring at their table.
His face flushed as he nodded at her, and quickly looked down at his menu as Maria downed her drink in acknowledgement. Rachel caught on to the exchange, and eyed Lorenzo curiously. "I thought Carly was the only woman that could catch your eye. So tell me, is she a past or present bed warmer?"
"She's the mother of my child," Lorenzo looked up, his tone shutting down Rachel's inquisitive smile.
"Oh, sorry," Rachel abruptly replied. "Seems I have a knack for sticking my foot in my mouth."
"Why don't we stick to a more relevant subject then, shall we? Why Courtney?" Lorenzo hoped pushing Rachel for more information would get her closer to spilling who he suspected was helping in her plot. "How is it you picked her to be your tool in this masterful ploy?"
"That hurts," Rachel feigned being wounded by Lorenzo's tone. "You mean she didn't fill you in? Doesn't surprise me – only a truly dim bulb would tell someone their whole life story on a plane." Rachel sipped her wine and looked off thoughtfully, but set her eyes back on Lorenzo determined. "I can't kill him, because everyone would suspect me."
"So take me up on my offer instead," Lorenzo moved closer to the table, partially to avoid Maria's stare. "You don't need Courtney, Rachel. I'm a professional – Steven can be taken care of today if you want."
Rachel sat back, as the waiter approached with their food. "This looks great!" She tried to deflect Lorenzo's offer and began eating right away. "You were so right... about the chicken." Rachel couldn't deny, in her mind, that Lorenzo would be better at getting rid of Steven than Courtney. He could handle it and not get caught, which she wasn't sure about with the current plan she had going with AJ.
"Hmm, well, glad you enjoy it," Lorenzo began to stand up, as he wanted to catch Maria before she left.
"Wait, what about your food?" Rachel wasn't ready to let go of this new option.
"Lunch was a pretense, and as it seems, to nothing," Lorenzo stated flatly. "Good to see you again, Rachel."
"Wait," Rachel groaned and grabbed Lorenzo's suit jacket, pulling herself up to face him. "I know you would be better, obviously. But you have motive, Lorenzo."
"No, I don't. You said yourself," Lorenzo said seriously, "he's no threat to me."
Rachel chuckled and kissed his cheek. "Can't argue with that. Fine, Lorenzo, fine. Courtney is off the hook – and so are you. Now go catch up with her," Rachel motioned to Maria's empty chair.
"I'll be in touch," Lorenzo said quickly and darted off after Maria. Rachel sat back down to her chicken, contemplating the most delicate way to break a deal.
Alan sat in the 4th floor hub with Monica for almost thirty minutes after his outburst. He stopped talking, because he just found more comfort in rubbing her hand, as she did caressing his face and smoothing his hair. This had been their first quiet moment together since the turmoil began, and Monica wanted it to last.
"Monica…" Alan finally looked away from her face, "I don't know if I should go back to my office, or the house, or what. You know I still have our family photo on my desk."
"Me, too," Monica sighed. She stared at the photo every free moment she had at the end of the day – her and Alan with genuine smiles, AJ's classic smirk, Emily's childishly lovable grin, and Jason's bright... "Oh goodness!" Monica nervously fumbled for her watch, which showed slightly after 12:45. "Alan, I forgot!"
"Forgot what, Monica? You're not scheduled for surgery today," Alan said, not wanting her to go just yet.
"I know, but I have to go check on Jason. I was supposed to be there this morning," Monica searched frantically in her coat for her keys, so as not to meet Alan's suddenly accusatory eyes.
"And we know you can't leave your precious Jason," Alan said, anger rising in his voice. "Forget about the rest of your family!"
"Alan, he is family! Look," Monica said exasperated that their progress had diminished at the mere mention of Jason, "I want to help our son, the way I couldn't help AJ. Can't you try that? Go find Emily, try again with her, please!" Monica rushed to the elevator, and Alan watched her go, dejected once again.
"NO!"
Helena and Emily's screams echoed one another's as Emily yanked swiftly at Helena's feet. The sudden move knocked Luke backwards into the table. Still holding the poker, he was unable to catch his fall, and hit his head on the solid wood table. The poker flailed over the couch, out of reach.
Helena was stunned, but tried to move without using her hands. "Ugh!" Her hands ached mercilessly, and she dared not roll on them anymore.
Emily stood shakily, but was surprised that Helena had not fled yet. "You…evil…BITCH!" Emily grabbed the only remaining gargoyle statue in the room, right above the desk on the mantle, and threw it over Helena's shoulder blades, knocking her unconscious. After checking to make sure she was still breathing, Emily steadied her hands over the phone, and called Mac.
"He went back after Helena, Lucky," Skye walked closer to he and Liz. "He told me not to say anything, but Lucky – I'm worried. He's out for revenge, and he's not even trying to be careful!"
"He never is," Lucky muttered angrily. "Skye, don't waste your time worrying, alright? He's not going to thank you for it later, if there is a later." Lucky blinked back the tears, and looked away from both Skye and Liz.
"Lucky, he's doing it to avenge you!" Liz surprised herself with the passion in her voice. "I was mad at him, too – I was, but your dad always showed he loved you in his way. You taught me that," Liz said as she turned Lucky's face back towards her. "He may not be able to explain why he did what he did, but he's acting on what we all started this for – saving Nikolas." Liz turned back to Skye. "What can we do?"
"Nothing, nothing," Skye looked gratefully at Liz. "I just wanted to let you know, in case he calls or something with news – and I'll let you know if I hear anything." Skye gave Lucky a half-smile and walked out with her head down. She had nowhere else to go, no one else to tell. Her tears fell faster than she could wipe them away, and she couldn't hide her feelings from Alan, who walked toward her looking similarly lost and crushed.
"Skye, what's wrong?" Though Alan's concern for Skye was genuine, he was thankful for a distraction.
"Oh, Alan, there's nothing to do about it now," Skye looked at him helplessly. "I'd rather help you, do something positive. How are you? What can I do for you?"
"Actually, you could do something," Alan said surprised. "Have you seen or talked to Emily? Maybe she would contact you."
"What do you mean? She's not staying at the house?" Skye had seen Emily's shaken state since she left the safe house, but had been pulled in so many different directions she ignored her suspicions.
"She left this morning," Alan said sadly. "After her outburst last night, she'll only talk to Father. I'm surprised she stayed the night."
"What happened? What outburst?" Skye's anxiety began to numb her limbs.
"Emily... she was raped, Skye," Alan said hurriedly. "Liz told Monica, and Monica and I have informed Nikolas. We all want to support her right now, but she feels betrayed."
Skye's blood rushed to her head, and the numbness took full affect of her arms, so that she looked as stiff as a statue. "My God! I should have never left her there... oh... I'm glad she killed the bastard. What he did," Skye could feel the hair stand on the back of her neck, "it's vile and unforgivable. All rapists deserve what Connor got." She spat out her last sentence like sour milk, and was shocked that Alan teetered back on his heels and looked away from her.
Alan looked through the window at Lucky and Liz, seemingly in a serious discussion. "Skye," he said slowly, "how can you feel this way, and still be with Luke?"
He turned back to her, and her confused and then horrified expression made Alan cringe with regret. Skye didn't even feel the last tear that fell from her eye.
"It was my pleasure to confer with you, Mr. Jacks," Rachel smiled and mockingly bowed.
"Pleasure was all mine," Jax laughed.
Rachel pulled out her cell phone and dialed AJ's number, with a slightly heavy heart. She didn't really want to break their deal, because she wanted to help AJ get his retribution. She empathized with his need for appropriate justice and revenge, his deep seeded hurt and anguish from broken trust and shattered dreams.
"All that and a decent lover too," Rachel said to herself as the phone rang.
"Yep, what's up?" AJ's voice was cheerful, making Rachel's task that much more uncomfortable.
"We need to talk," Rachel said softly, looking around the pier. "The plan's not going to work."
"What the hell are you talking about, Rachel? You assured me Courtney could be persuaded…"
"That was before she got Lorenzo Alcazar involved," Rachel said, annoyed. "That's who she went to see the other night. You said she would go to Sonny and Jason, but she went to their enemy instead – who happens to also be a former business associate of mine."
"Did he threaten you?" AJ was unhappy but he didn't want Rachel to be hurt.
"Actually, he offered to take care of the situation instead. Look, I got in this because we both could get rid of the people that hurt us, but it's not going as planned – and it never will. Face it, AJ, you're gonna have to settle your scores face to face, just like I am."
"No, no, NO! I gave you a million dollars for your services, and I expect them to be rendered. You don't want to mess with me, Rachel." AJ's voice was frantic, but deadly.
"Or what, you're gonna sue me? I'd like to see you pull that off for a dead man," Rachel yelled back into the phone. "Just come back to Port Charles, AJ. We can handle these people together, I pro…" Rachel was cut off by the dial tone ringing in her ear. She sighed and turned – right into Steven's arms.
"What the hell have you done, Rachel?"
Lorenzo approached Maria's door, apprehensively. He wasn't sure how to address what he thought she was feeling, but he didn't want to be rude to her either. He knocked softly. "Maria, it's me. I think we need to talk."
He heard a loud groan, and Maria's footsteps stomping toward the door. "There's nothing to talk about, Lorenzo," Maria stated as she swung open the door.
"May I come in?" Lorenzo's eyes softened, as Maria came into full view, and she stepped back to let him in.
"You paid for it, why not?" Maria's sarcasm was half-hearted. She had calmed herself down after leaving the Metro Court, got some coffee and came home to rest. "Lorenzo, I don't need you to come over here and explain who that woman was, or what you were doing today. It's none of my business." She down on the couch and looked at him.
Lorenzo sat next to her. "Yes, but you didn't look happy about it, and I don't want there to be tension between us."
"That's because I was disappointed in you," Maria said, looking down. She turned to face him. "You claim to have such profound feelings for Carly, and then I see you with some other woman. You haven't changed at all – no one will matter to you like Sophie. It made me regret coming back here."
"That's where you are wrong, and why we needed to talk," Lorenzo said between clinched teeth. He always became tense at the mention of Sophie's name. "That woman was a former business associate of mine, and we might be doing business again. Today bares no reflection on my feelings for Sophie or Carly...or you." He took her hand, and looked in her eyes. "Maria, we are not together, and I will not run my personal or professional life by you, but I don't want hurt you anymore either."
"I know that, Lorenzo," Maria softened the moment he touched her. "That's why I chose to let it go, and why I said we didn't need to talk about it. How about we keep our discussions to our son from now on?"
"So, then you won't have to explain what's going on between you and Ned Ashton?" Lorenzo said, only half joking.
"Yes, not that I would make you privy to that information anyway," Maria responded.
"Right, well, we all are going to deal with each other, Maria – since Diego and Brook have made it clear we're not to keep them apart," Lorenzo answered stiffly.
"Puppy love," Maria said, laughing. "I'm keeping a distant eye on him, but I trust him to make responsible decisions."
"Well, I'd like to chalk it all up to teenage infatuation too," Lorenzo said, heading for the door. "I just hope no one gets hurt, if and when the fairytale ends." With that, he nodded at Maria at the door and left.
"They always do," she said to herself, and leaned on the door.
"Yeah, ok, Brook... no, no..." Dillon sat exasperated on the phone, listening to Brook shriek angrily about her fight with Georgie. He caught a break in her voice a few times, but she denied it. "Listen, just give each other some space, ok?"
"Fine," Brook said, slamming down the phone. Georgie's last words to her kept ringing in her ears, and Dillon hadn't eased any of the tension. She threw open her notebook and began writing furiously.
Dillon listened to the dial tone, and hung up the phone slowly. He looked around the room, at the mood he had attempted to set to surprise Georgie and knew it would all be ruined by this fight between her and Brook. He sat down at his desk and tried to work until Georgie came.
Not two seconds later, he heard a soft knock on the door. "Is it safe?" Georgie peeped her head in.
"It's just me here," Dillon answered without looking up, "and I don't want to talk about Brook, so can we..."
"I don't either," Georgie said, sitting on his bed. "She's your niece, and you shouldn't be involved. I'm just so mad at what she said about Lucas, but I didn't mean to put you in it by calling you."
"It's cool, and thank you," Dillon said, hugging Georgie close to him. "I'm sure you'll work it out, but until then," he exclaimed, rushing to shut the door and dim the light, "let's forget about it. Close your eyes."
"Dillon, what are you up to?" Georgie said, excited. She closed her eyes, but she could hear him walking behind her.
Dillon pulled out the white rose he had hidden and began to tickle the side of Georgie's face with it. "Just a little surprise I thought of. You can open your eyes now."
Georgie looked at the most perfect rose she had ever seen. "Dillon, how could you have found this – in the middle of winter? It's so beautiful," she said, nuzzling her nose at his cheek, still staring at the delicate petals.
"I went to the flower shop, and it was like this one had a light on it like none of the other ones. It reminded me of you – it just jumped out at me when I was least expecting it." He pulled her close to him and they kissed softly, their lips dancing around each others.
"I love you, Dillon," Georgie said, looking into his eyes delightedly.
"I love you, too," Dillon whispered back, and they kissed again, rolling slightly until Dillon winced. "Ah!"
"What?" Georgie sat up quickly.
"Nothing, I just rolled onto these," Dillon pulled several DVDs from behind his back and rubbed the tender spot.
"What are they?" Georgie looked at the anime films but couldn't read the Japanese titles.
"Japanese versions of fairy tales," Dillon said, his cheeks flushed. "I was thinking about a new project – creating Greek tragedies in anime, but I could only find fairy tales at the video store."
"Can we watch one?" Georgie said, trying to lessen Dillon's embarrassment. "Is it all in Japanese?"
"They have subtitles," Dillon said, a little surprised. "But Georgie, we don't have to, you know. I just want to spend this time with you."
"We still are," she answered him, smiling. "C'mon, which one is Cinderella? It's my favorite."
Dillon put in the DVD, which turned out to be A Thousand and One Nights, and he and Georgie lay back on his bed, watching the movie absently. Georgie twirled the rose over Dillon's face to distract him, and he began kissing her cheek, then her neck. They both looked at each other, eyes wide, but Georgie pulled Dillon's face loser and kissed him passionately. Their hearts began beating faster, but neither one stopped – knowing this was their moment.
"Goodnight, angel," Ric said, kissing Kristina's forehead as she breathed deeply. He crossed over to her stuffed animals, quietly feeling around for the box Viola said was stashed there. He almost dropped it when he heard the front door of the apartment shut. Oh, no, he thought, and rushed out of Kristina's room.
"Alexis, was that the..." Ric stopped, to see Alexis in a stunning black wrap dress and heels, lighting two candles on the table.
"Damn, I thought she's stay up for at least another 10 minutes," Alexis said jokingly, and crossed the room to kiss Ric on the cheek. "How did you get her to sleep so fast?"
"I have my ways with women of this house," Ric said seductively, wrapping his arms tightly around his wife, kissing her fervently, but stepping back after a moment. "What brought this on, exactly?"
"Well, besides the fact that I adore you," Alexis said, still smiling that she had been able to surprise Ric, "I'd rather spend my time with you, instead of you cooking whatever healthy meal you Googled for pregnant women."
Ric laughed and opened the take out that Alexis had delivered. They sat down and he began fixing both their plates.
"Um, Ric, besides the fact this is me trying to spoil you," Alexis looked down at her plate, "I'm eating for two, not ten."
"Sorry," Ric said nervously. "I just want you...and the baby...to have anything you want," he said, alternately kissing her cheek and stomach while he talked.
"I do," Alexis said, staring lovingly at Ric's adorable eyes, and rubbing his face with her hand.
"Actually, you don't," Ric said quickly, putting his plate down. He took Alexis' plate from her, just as she was about to eat a forkful of eggplant parmigiana.
"What?" Alexis was miffed at her food being dragged away, but managed to stuff her face with just enough before she got angry. Must be the hormones, she thought.
"You don't have what I want you to want, to have," Ric said, more nervous than before. He got off the couch and bent down on one knee, putting a finger to Alexis' now empty and gapping mouth. "I want you to have all the love and happiness in the world, Alexis, because that is exactly what you have given me."
He took the small ring box out of his pocket, slightly fumbling, and stopped before opening it. He grabbed her hand. "You have given me a family, a home, and most of all, you give me peace. I love coming home to you, to what we have, and I want you to know I never take a second of it for granted. Sometimes I wish I had said all this at our wedding," he laughed, and Alexis did to, through her tears. "But now I know the full meaning of it. Now it's right to say it to you. I love you, Alexis Davis, and I'm asking you to be my wife."
He opened the box, displaying the two-carat round diamond engagement ring and diamond eternity band. Alexis' breathing became short and rapid, and she had to remind herself to use both her nose and mouth. Ric smiled at her reaction and placed the eternity band on first, followed by the engagement ring, and kissed her hand.
Alexis finally let out one long deep breath, and wiped the tear from face. "Sorry, Ric, but you only got part of that right."
He looked at her disappointed, and then looked away, but Alexis cupped his face towards hers.
"It's Alexis Davis Lansing," she said, and pulled him to her, kissing him softly and running her fingers through his hair.