November 17, 1989

Port Charles, NY

Julian Jerome stood alone amongst the crowd in Delafield's on opening night and contemplated how early he could leave. He was only in attendance because Katherine Delafield was a client and his absence would have been noted. Even with legitimate professions, there were certain obligations, expectations, and social graces that just came with the territory. So, he stood, nursed a flute of overpriced champagne, and watched the citizens of Port Charles mingle, dance, and even chat above the strains of Beethoven on the piano.

On the dance floor, the Doctors Quartermaine waltzed in elegant synchrony. Apparently, they had managed to coordinate their call schedules, snare a babysitter, and take advantage of an evening out. This was a rare feat for them between their obligations to their young family and their patients. Or at least that was what Dr. Monica Quartermaine had remarked to her good friend, Lorena Sharpe Barrington, when they had arrived.

While Alan and Monica waltzed, Julian's thoughts returned to Alexis. He wanted, actually he needed, to believe that someday all of the past might be behind him and he could bring Alexis to his drudging nighttime social obligations. Perhaps that would remove some of their drudgery. He didn't envision them dancing up a storm, that had never been Alexis's forte in the past and he doubted that had changed. Honestly, he wasn't sure he envisioned them doing anything. Sometimes just being with the woman you loved was distinctively underrated.

"Hello, Julian," the crisply cool voice of Tiffany Hill Donnelly pulled Julian away from his thoughts.

"Tiffany," Julian said. He offered her name as a form of acknowledgement. It saved him from extending the white lie that he was pleased to see her. He wasn't, especially not if she intended to interrogate him regarding her sister's whereabouts, as she had after his father's funeral two weeks earlier.

Although Tiffany clearly would never believe him, he had no idea where her sister was. He had last seen Cheryl on February 3, 1989-the day they had buried her son. In her grief, Cheryl had pushed him away. He had let her and returned to Port Charles where he had accepted his fate as the head of the Jerome Crime Family.

"I'm covering the opening for WPLC," Tiffany volunteered. "I understand that you are one Ms. Delafield's partners," she added.

"Actually, you misunderstand. I am her accountant."

"Aaah, and you were Duke Lavery's accountant when he owned this club weren't you?"

"I don't appreciate your insinuation, Mrs. Donnelly," Julian said. Then he turned away and practically collided with Anna Devane Scorpio Devane Lavery Scorpio. "Excuse me," he offered hastily as he stepped out of her path.

"Actually, Julian, do you have a moment?" Anna asked.

Julian would always have a moment for Anna. He owed Duke at least that much. "For you, always, what is on your mind?"

"I've been going through some of the boxes from Duke's Office. I think I've found some receipts you probably need to file the final tax returns. Perhaps you could come over on Monday, help me go through the rest of the boxes, and take the papers you need. Robert will be at work and Robin will be at school so we can work uninterrupted," Anna said.

"That presumes that Mr. Jerome didn't already file those returns, Love," Police Chief Robert Scorpio said when he joined them.

Julian knew that Duke and Robert's relationship had always been contentious at best. Both men had grudgingly, and only grudgingly, accepted the role the other held in Anna and Robin's life. Ironically, as much as Julian personally disliked Robert Scorpio he did understand his concern that his child was being raised in the mob. Truly that world was no place for a child. At best they would grow up with their fate and future predetermined. At worst, they might be caught in the crossfire and never grow up.

"I will have some time on Monday after lunch. I could come then. I went ahead and filed the wage and withholding, and estimated payments for the second quarter and third quarter but haven't actually closed out the business. I also haven't fully probated Duke's estate there are some things we should discuss before I do that," Julian said as they were joined by one of the wait staff holding a cordless phone.

"Chief Scorpio there is a call for you," the waiter said as he extended the phone.

"Scorpio," Robert barked.

"She did what?" Robert asked.

"I heard you, I was just trying to wrap my mind around it. I'm on my way." Robert said. He handed the phone back to the waiter and turned to his wife. "I'm needed at the station, Love, Lucy Coe has apparently stripped off her clothes in protest of her arrest."

Julian stifled a chuckle at Lucy's antics. The woman had some definite issues.

Anna rolled her eyes and shook her head. "So, no one else in the PCPD can tell the woman to put her clothes back on?" she asked.

Robert had already turned away from them by the time she spoke and either did not hear his wife's question or chose to not respond. He just kept taking long strides towards the exit.

Julian tended to believe it was the latter. "Can I buy you a drink?" he asked.

"Sure, as long as you don't share your disappointment that I married Robert so soon after Duke's death. I already heard that more than enough from Angel."

Outwardly Julian supposed he agreed with Angel but he also knew that Duke had loved Anna enough that he would want her to be happy, even if her happiness depended on her marrying a man he despised. "I believe that Duke would want you and Robin to be happy."

Anna smiled as they sat back down at the table she had occupied with Robert earlier. "I know you're right and I really believe that remarrying Robert was the right decision, at least for Robin, and I think in time it will be what is right for me as well."

Julian wanted to believe she was right. Later, as they toasted to Duke with glasses of Drambuie, his thoughts drifted again to Alexis. He had always wanted Alexis to be happy. He wanted that enough to set her free. Their chance, or perhaps not so chance, meeting two weeks ago had called all of that into question. That had brought him to a place where he accepted that Alexis's happiness would be best served by him extricating himself from the mob and integrating himself back into her life.