Kellie woke up some time the next morning to find herself curled up against Jason.
"Jason," Kellie whispered
"I'm awake," Jason replied.
"Please tell me that Cyrus and the shooting in the court yard was just a nightmare?" Kellie asked, half-heartedly, already knowing the answer, "And Charles didn't die and.."
Jason shook his head, "I'm sorry. You don't how much I wish I could tell you this was just one of your nightmares."
"He took a bullet for me, Jason," Kellie said, tearfully, "It's not like I didn't know that Charles could be hurt or…or worse being part of my life. But it never occurred to me that he'd put himself in the line of fire for me. I was supposed to protect him from this…I didn't…it's my fault he's gone."
Jason wiped tears from Kellie's face, "Hey, listen to me. This is not your fault. It's the fault of Cyrus, that sniper, and anyone else who might have helped them. I'm sure Charles would tell you not to waste time blaming yourself."
"He was always better to me than I ever deserved," Kellie said, "He didn't just stop at getting me out of the foster system. He helped me find a job to support myself and a place to live to do it. I know that he did that or similar things for a lot of the foster kids helped depending on their situation. But then when he found out about Ethan stalking me and he tried to keep an eye on me and help me with that. When he found out wasn't really dead after we thought his son, Tyler, was dead, he never judged me when he realized what happened, never hated me for breaking Tyler's heart and possibly getting him killed for his proximity to me and by extension well you and Dad and Uncle Lo. Not many people would let that go."
"Charles wasn't most people," Jason said, "And think because he didn't miss much, he could understand where people were coming from. He wanted the best for people, especially for you and Tyler. I know it wasn't easy for him to see us move on together as fast we did. His first concern was that you were happy and had the protection you needed."
"He's done so much for me and the kids that he didn't have to," Kellie said, "He even treats… treated our daughter every bit as much as a grandchild as the boys and Alyssa are. I don't know what to do without him, Jason."
"You mourn him and grieve that loss," Jason said, stroking Kellie's hair, "We'll figure out the rest as we go along."
"I just don't understand," Kellie said, "That he's gone like this. He had so much to look forward to. He and your mom were going to get married. I was honestly never sure he'd get married again. Tyler's mom did a number on him. He had the occasional girlfriend, but never anyone serious as long as I knew him until Monica. Your poor mom. Jason, I don't know how I'm going to face her. It's my fault that Charles died the way he did. And your dad, didn't he…."
"He had a heart attack during the hostage situation at the MetroCourt," Jason said.
"And your mom was a hostage?" Kellie asked.
"No, but she was in the operating room trying to save him.." Jason replied softly.
"Jason, no," Kellie said, "I should have been able to…
"Hey, listen to me," Jason said, "You did everything you could."
"Jason, if I'd done everything I could, Charles would have made it to the hospital at least," Kellie said…"
"How much do you know about Charles's injury?" Jason asked.
"There was a lot of blood and Monica thought one of the bullets hit his lungs," Kellie said, "It was bad but…"
"Monica and the paramedics don't think he would have made it to the hospital even if Cyrus hadn't delayed the emergency response," Jason said.
"He's just gone, Jason," Kellie said, "I don't know how to begin to understand that. How am I going to explain this to the kids? I still haven't even told them. What am I doing Jason? My kids just lost their grandfather in a shoot out they were in and…"
"The kids already know that Charles died saving their life and yours," Jason said, "They'd seen enough and had too many questions. There was no way to wait for you to be able to tell them."
"I get it," Kellie said, "They needed the truth and I don't know. I just went numb last night,."
"You don't have to explain anything," Jason said as Kellie just let him hold her for a while longer.
"I'm glad you're here," Kellie finally said.
"I wouldn't be anywhere else right now," Jason said.
"Is it even okay that you're here?" Kellie said, "Given how tenuous things have been in Port Charles, I was surprised to wake up in your arms."
"Sonny's not happy I left," Jason said, "It's dicey. But it's been dicey for so long. I haven't seen since you got out of the hospital after Peter August shot you. I couldn't leave you to handle this on your own. I needed to see that you and the kids were okay."
They were interrupted by a knock at the door.
"I'll get it," Jason said.
"I'm going to duck into the bathroom and change," Kellie said, "Then can go see the kids."
"Okay," Jason said, kissing Kellie's forehead. Kellie grabbed the clothes that been left for her and went into the bathroom while Jason answered the door.
"I hate to interrupt," Diane said, "But is Kellie up to giving her statement yet? Law enforcement is pushing."
"I'll let her know," Jason said, "She's getting changed and was going to see the kids."
"I think I can hold them off a little bit longer," Diane said.
"I think she'd appreciate that," Jason said.
"How's she doing?" Diane asked.
"Still trying to wrap her head around it," Jason said, "Blaming herself, trying to make sense of…"
"Something she's never going to make sense of," Diane said, "Charles was a good man. Even though we all know the risks, Charles included, it doesn't make understanding this one any easier, at his engagement party with Monica…that's got to be a hard one. But I do have something for Kellie, maybe it'll help her come to terms with this."
Kellie opened the bathroom door before Jason could reply.
"Diane?" Kellie questioned.
"I asked Diane to come to the island to asset with any legal representation we might need with regards to yesterday," Jason said.
"Right," Kellie said, "That makes sense I guess. I'm surprised. I assumed you'd be with Max right now. Charles was his uncle, even if they didn't know until the last few years."
"And Charles was your father-in-law," Diane said, "and the probably first person to ever give you any sense of family. Max knows that. He and all of us just want you and the kids taken care of. Right now that means smoothing over any bumps with law enforcement and handling Charles's estate. You and I will have to meet about that eventually since you're the executor of his estate."
"Wait, I'm still the executor," Kellie asked, "I thought maybe that might have changed with him and Monica moving into together and planning to get married."
"The will and documents you and Charles signed after Tyler's death are his last will and testament to my knowledge," Diane said, "But again not something we have to discuss just yet except for this."
Diane pulled an envelope out of her purse and held it out to Kellie, "Charles left specific instructions about giving you this letter upon his death."
"Specific instructions?" Kellie asked, slowly taking the envelope from Diane.
"This particular letter was only to be given to you under certain circumstances," Diane said, "specifically, circumstances in which he saved your life."
Kellie gasped. Jason moved closer to her and put his arm around her shoulder.
"I don't think there's anything that man didn't think of," Diane said, "Now if you'll excuse, I'll let law enforcement know you'll be ready to give your statement in a few hours after you've taken care of you kids."
"Just call me with the details," Jason said, "We'll be there."
"Of course," Diane said, "My condolences for your loss."
"Thank you," Kellie said as Diane left.
"Kellie looked at the letter and then at Jason.
"Do you need a few minutes alone?" Jason asked.
Kellie shook her head, "I'm not ready to read it."
"Then don't until you're ready," Jason said.
Kellie nodded and moved towards the room safe. She opened it and put the letter inside. Then closed and locked the safe
"Let's go," Kellie said, heading towards the door.
Jason got to the door first and opened it for her.
In the hallway, he grabbed her hand and brushed Kellie's hair back with her free hand.
"You'll get through this, I promise," Jason said.
