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Young Edward Quartermaine (Wally Kurth) Born Sept. 2, 1918 – Age 45 Founder, Chairman, CEO and principal shareholder of ELQ. Industries. He and his wife are considered the wealthiest individuals in Port Charles. He likes to think he has taught everyone around him to be ruthless. But is there another softer side to him? And how far will he go for his Family?
Older Edward Quartermaine (John Ingle)
Young Lila Quartermaine (Anna Lee) Born April 29, 1918 – Age 45
Saintly wife and loving mother, beloved by all in Port Charles. The Matriarch of the Quartermaine family dispensing advice and intervening in conflicts when necessary. She does have a mind of her own and when she puts her foot down her family is quick to submit.
Alan James Quartermaine (Stuart Damon) Born July 4, 1945 – Age 18
born child of Edward and Lila, raised with every advantage money can buy. Alan is one month away from his high school graduation and will be starting Port Charles University in the fall where he will study medicine much to the chagrin of his father, who is adamant he study business. Where will Alan fit in when his mother brings two orphans from the wrong side of the track home?
Young Lucas Spencer "Luke" (Jonathan Jackson) Born May 29,1948 – Age 15
Born to a low income family, adventurous and street smart. Luke sat with his younger sister and watched while their alcoholic abusive father did nothing while their mother died of appendicitis. Overly protective of those he loves but always looking to make a quick buck. How will this adolescent with a chip on his shoulder fit into life at the mansion?
Adult Luke Spencer (Anthony Geary)
Young Tracy Quartermaine (Allison Miller) Born April 6, 1948 – Age 14
Beautiful, spoiled, rich and very badly behaved daughter of Edward and Lila Quartermaine. Tracy could be both merciless and gentle as well as hateful and kind depending on who you are and what she wants. She is determined to make it in what is still considered a mans world. When her mother brings home the two orphans no one is more affected than she is... at least in her own mind. Will this little rich girl cope by snubbing both or divide and conquer? Befriending one while alienating the other.
Adult Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot)
Young Barbara Jean Spencer "Bobbie" (Francesca Capaldi) Born July 8,1958- Age 5
Youngest child of alcoholic and abusive father Tim and Loving mother Lena. Held onto her big brother for dear life as she watched her mother die. But will she be able to hold onto that bond forever? How will one shy, abused, neglected, scared little girl fit into this new family? Will we see her rise to become as ruthless and cut throat as most of them are or will she form her own alliances out of love, compassion and grace?
Adult Bobbie Spencer (Jackie Zeman)
Chapter 1
Port Charles, NY. April 1963*
Harbor View Park*
"How come people can still look at you when their dead but they don't talk? Do dead people need to eat? Do they just stay where they die forever? When am I going to die? Are you going to die before me because your older? Luke? Luke? Luke?"
"WHAT??" Luke said somewhat louder than he meant to and startled his five year old little sister, when he looked down her big brown orbs stared up at him and her lower lip quivered. He stopped in his tracks and knelt down so they were face to face. He promised himself a long time ago his little sister would never be afraid of him the way she was, the way they both were of their father. "Awe Barbara Jean don't look at me like that, I didn't mean to scare you, but I have been answering all your questions about death for three days now. I told you moms in heaven. Now lets keep walking we are almost to the park."
Bobbie almost opened her mouth to ask about heaven but decided it could wait. "I still don't know why we can't just go to the park by our house, my legs are tired and my feet hurt."
Luke shook his head they'd been through this a dozen times already "I told you the parks uptown are better, rich people go there. It'll be easier to find some food" and pick a wallet or two he added silently.
"What are rich people" Bobbie asked innocently
"They have lots of money, fancy houses, fancy cars, and way more food than they can eat." Luke tossed over his shoulder than added "But they are different than us, they don't like to share they would rather throw there extras in the trash than share, so we have to play it smart."
"More food than you can eat?" Bobbie smiled and licked her lips "I'm so hungry I bet I could eat all the food they have. What's play smart" Bobbie asked
"Jeez Bobbie I will pay you to stop asking questions already" Luke said flatly clearly annoyed.
"But you don't have any money... Do you? How much will you pay me? Can we buy candy with it? Or French fries?" Or"
"Enough can you just stop talking? Please? Look there's the park" Luke said
Bobbies eyes lit up as she looked at the park they didn't have anything like this near Elm Street, the aisles of flowers and trees the fountains, the playground. She darted off before Luke could grab her. By the time he caught up to her she had her shoes and socks off and was following a group of ducks around a pond. He shook his head and collapsed on a bench trying to put into prospective the events of the last three days, at least as much prospective as his 15 year old mind could.
Luke sat as still as a statue he couldn't get his mom out of his mind, her loud breathing, the distant look in her eyes the soft whimpers and cries... and than the silence. His father woke up from his drunk collapse at the kitchen table he didn't even bother to shower or change his cloths just walked out the door and hasn't been back, Luke new he had no intention of coming back. How long could he keep taking care of Bobbie in their tiny home?
As he sat there going over endless impossible ideas coupled with horrific countless memories, he failed to notice the stunning blond who had taken an extreme fascination to his little sister.
Lila Quartermaine sat on the brick half wall of an elaborate fountain looking as if she could have been a modern 1960s painting that would adorn the finest of mansions. She could not believe her eyes, twice she threw a handful of popcorn to the ducks and twice the little girl with the long red spirals raced and fought with all her might for first dibs of the salty buttered snack. She was about to get up and go to her when she first heard him speak.
"It doesn't surprise me you know" Luke said
"Excuse me?!" Lila said more of a statement than a question. She gave the teenager a very quick once over as to not offended him and smiled.
Luke pointed to Bobbie "she's always been kind of an odd duck, it doesn't surprise me that she would wonder to them instead of the playground." The softness in her smile was not lost on him.
"It's not that unusual for someone so young to flock to animals. I think they have an awareness to the innocence in them. What is she four? Perhaps three?"
Luke sat on the stonewall next to her, he sensed a calmness in her, the gentleness of a mother, one he's longed for since his own mama passed three days ago. Has it really only been three days? Three days of endless questions about death, three days of raiding the cupboards for what? Nothing!! There was nothing to raid. Three days of promises to his baby sister that everything will be okay. A single tear slid down his cheek he looked down hoping she wouldn't notice he softly said "Five"
Lila did notice the tear and she also noticed the enormous amount of grief and the heavy burden emitting from him, a grief and burden far to large for such a young boy to carry. She placed her hand on his gently and smiled. There was so much she wanted to ask about what she sensed but was not willing to scare him off. "She's incredibly small for her age."
Luke looked at her hand on his and felt an overwhelming sense of security what a safe hand. He looked up at her and grinned "Don't let her size full you, Barbara Jean is all fire. She's probably one of the shyest kids ever when you first meet her but once she gets to know you, Watch Out because she NEVER stops asking questions, EVER, she wont sit still for five seconds, and she definitely doesn't know what it means to pick your battles, she's like a crazy wild honey badger."
Lila laughed and was about to respond when she looked up and shook her head in amusement at the sight in front of her, about a half dozen ducks and one little red head with dark brown eyes all stared at her as if asking why in the world she suddenly decided not to throw anymore of the delicious popcorn she had sitting on her lap.
Luke laughed at the amusement on her face and said "I told you she was an odd duck."
The two new friends sat and talked for several hours as Lila's "butler" Darlinton, a tall, muscular well kept bald English man with beautiful hazel/green eyes who wore a perfectly tailored black suit and black tie, kept a close eye on the little red head and her new flock. At some point Lila purchased hot dogs, chips and sodas for everyone and was extremely surprised at not only how much but how fast the two youngsters ate. During lunch Lila and Luke continued to talk while Bobbie just watched with little to no input, until Lila said something about not wanting to upset their parents by spoiling dinner.
Before Luke could respond Bobbie stated flatly "Daddy ran off and mama is dead. Luke said she is in heaven, but I think he has to be wrong because she is still laying on our couch staring at us. How could a person be in heaven and laying on the couch at the same time?" She looked at Lila as if she expected an answer.
Lila immediately locked eyes with Darlinton whose face masked her own in shock.
Luke tried to cover but not before Lila and Darlinton caught the fear on his face. "BARBARA JEAN SPENCER!!! You stop making up such stupid ridiculous lies."
And before he could get another word out she jumped up stomped her little foot and clinched her little hands into fist and demanded "I am not a liar, mama is dead and she isn't in heaven. She is lying on the couch with her eyes open, and she smells awful."
Luke stood up fast and while thanking Lila and Darlinton he grabbed Bobbie by her had and dragged her away. Lila tried to protest the departure but Luke picked his little sister up and increased his speed. As they approached the Spencer home he was still scolding her for having such a big mouth. Neither of the children noticed the big back limousine that followed them..
The Spencer House, Elm Street*
Luke sat staring at Lila in disbelief, he trusted her, he thought he made a friend formed a connection in the few short hours they spent together. Perhaps his father was right, you can't trust the rich man, they really are poison, they really don't care who they hurt. His thoughts were interrupted by the soft sob of his little sister burying her face in his chest. He whispered softly to her that everything would be okay and rubbed her back until she calmed down, In his anger he had refused to talk to anyone to give any information or listen to the reassurances they tried to offer but now weariness had overtaken anger and all he felt was numb.
He counted at least 9 police officers rummaging through their home, two men in white jackets with blue gloves were examining their mom, a well dressed man in a charcoal suit with dark hair and a very serious look on his face stood close to Lila and Darlinton, while a tall blonde with beautiful blue eyes and a soft smile frequently flashed in his direction walked from group to group whispering quietly and writing in a notebook never taking her eyes off him for to long.
"Hello Luke, I want to try an introduce myself again." She said calmly hoping he was finally out of fight.
My name is Andrea... Andrea Hall but my friends call me Andrea, and I hope we can be friends." When Luke looked at her and did not explode like earlier she continued. "I am The Director at the Department of Social Services here in Port Charles, your friend Lila Quartermaine is a very close friend of mine as well and she is concerned for you and your sister." She saw the look in Lukes eyes and paused waiting for the response she knew was coming.
"She's not my friend." Luke stated matter of factly as he looked around her to Lila. "If she were she wouldn't have done this to us." He wrapped his arms tighter around Bobbie and waited for Andrea to continue.
"I can certainly understand why you think that way." She continued in a different direction hoping not to upset him any further. "Tell me Luke do you and Bobbie have any other brothers or sisters?"
Luke just shook his head no as he stared into her eyes.
"How about Grandparents? Or Aunts and Uncles?"
Before Luke could think Bobbie said "Our Papa and Gram died" showing her face for the first time since this started her sudden fascination with everything dead since watching her own mama die in front of her three days ago was really starting to bother Luke.
"I am sorry" was the quick soft reply Andrea offered as she took her first glimpse into the face of the little red head.
"It's okay, daddy said they were good for nothing bastards, he said I was a good for nothing bastard too, but mama was sad and so was I, we always had the best sleepovers with them... What's a good for nothing bastard? Where are they taking mama?" She asked as she pointed to the stretcher her mother was being placed on. "Are they taking her to heaven? Can I visit her in heaven? How far is heaven? Is it as far as Florida? Aunt Ruby Lives in Florida, she visits us at Christmas, but we can't visit her because mama says it's not proper. What's proper?"
Luke looked at the overwhelming expression on Andreas face and sat quietly, finally there was someone else to answer all his sisters questions lord knows he had been trying to for days with no success.
"Well proper means suitable or appropriate." avoiding the other half dozen questions the little girl asked her. "Do you know why your mom would think your aunts is inappropriate?" Andrea asked Bobbie as she knelt down to look into her eyes.
"What's pr-op-tiate mean?" Bobbie looked seriously into Andreas eyes trying to figure out why mama didn't want her to go to Aunt Rubys.
"That's a tough one, for some reason your mama thought Aunt Rubys wasn't the 'Right' place to take you. Do you know why she might think that?" Andrea asked in a way that made it sound unimportant.
Again Luke just looked at her not willing to help any of them out in anyway, so she looked again at Bobbie.
"Daddy said Aunt Rubys a selfish overpriced whore. What's a whore?" Bobbie asked innocently
That was all Luke could take he jumped up and Bobbie fell smack on her bottom on the floor he bent down glared at her and whispered just loud enough for Andrea to hear "Aunt Ruby is not a whore, and you Barbara Jean Spencer have a big mouth. This all your fault because you NEVER know when to shut up. Can you Please just Shut UP." With that said he stood up and walked over to the small dining room table and flopped in a chair. Ignoring the crocodile tears that started to fall down his sisters cheeks.
Darlinton who along with Lila and Lee the gentleman in the suit Luke spotted earlier had been listening to the exchange between Andrea and the kids, quickly walked over to the little red head and picked her up with ease. She laid her head on his shoulder and wrapped her little arms around his neck as tight as she could. He squeezed her enough to give her comfort but not to tight as to hurt her. "Everything is going to be okay little copper top, Mrs.Lila is only here to help." He whispered and he could here her tiny sobs escape as she cried.
After such an emotionally eventful day it wasn't long before Bobbie was sound asleep still clinging to Darlinton, he was walking around slowly as if to rock her. The officer in charge had informed Andrea they were finished in the house and Lena's body had been taken to a funeral home in upper Port Charles at Lila's request and assurance of financial responsibility. Andrea, Lila and Lee walked over to Luke after much discussion amongst themselves.
Lukes look was grave, he already knew what was coming. He would be taken to some boys home and Bobbie would be thrown into some girls home. Separated, torn apart, and all his promises to her would be broken. He would be made to be the same looser liar his father was, and he buried his head in his hands and began to cry, for the first time since his mom died he cried. He cried for his mother, the beautiful soul trapped in an abusive loveless marriage, whose smile made all the fear off a lifetime of brutality at his fathers hands bearable. He cried for the moments they shared and the moments they never will. He cried for his little sister, for all the moments she will never share with her mama, for the brutality she's endured at her fathers hands. He Cried and once the tears began they couldn't be stopped.
Lila pulled a chair next to his so that they were face to face and pulled him to her. She didn't offer this broken teenager any words of platitudes or unwanted apologies, she just wrapped her arms around him and held him while he grieved a loss she couldn't possibly understand.
After about twenty minutes Luke gently pulled away and looked so deep into her eyes he swore he could see her soul, she moved her hand to his cheek gave him a weak smile and softly said. "It's time to go home."
Quartermaine Mansion*
Edward had been pacing the foyer for over an hour, what could possibly be keeping Lila? She should have been home from the park hours ago. When the door opened he was more than a little surprised to see the brigade she had with her. He nodded at Lee who was not just his family lawyer but one of his closest friends, than walked over to Lila and enveloped her in a warm embrace and told her how worried he was. He said hello to Andrea who he knew only through Lila's charitable events and gave Darlinton a skeptical glance noticing not for the first time the little figure cradled and sleeping in his arms. His eyes than drifted to the sullen slender teenage boy standing sheepishly close to his wife. "If this" he started to say but was immediately silenced by the look on his wife's face.
She motioned at Darlinton who took his cue and whispered to Luke to come with him. But Luke stood frozen awed at the sight in front of him. He'd never seen anything like this place, this is a palace not a mansion he thought to himself as he looked up the curved staircase. Darlinton cleared his throat and Luke quickly followed him up the stairs.
Once the children were out of earshot Lila smiled her most seductive smile at Edward and before he could give her any of his nonsense she stated coolly "I have asked Lee to draw up two sets of documents, one will give us temporary custody of the two children and allow us to adopt them permanently if no suitable relative is willing or able to take them in, the other will give ME temporary custody of the two children and allow ME to adopt them permanently if no suitable relative is willing to take them in. Which shall I sign? And before you answer Edward Louis Quartermaine I suggest You take a moment to think about it, And Choose wisely."
Edward stared at his wife in shock, two children, they already had two children... two Children he had lost control of long ago and he certainly wasn't sure about adding two more to the mix. He looked at the steadfast determination on his wife's face. Her beautiful crystal blue eyes, eyes that never asked him for anything and gave him everything. He knew the two little orphans were there to stay whether he wanted it or not, so why not make it easier on himself and his Lila. "He looked at Lee and grumpily ask "Where do I sign?"
Lee smiled for the first time since receiving Lila's call, The smell of Lenas dead body along with the little red heads confessions and questions followed by the tears shed by both children was not something he would be able to move past anytime soon. After what he witnessed he knew if Edward fought Lila and she lost, which was not a big if at all, he would be dragging two little orphans home to Gail. He handed Edward the documents and showed him where to sign and he did followed by Lila. He could never deny her heart not when he knew she would never deny him his.
After the papers were signed the four adults went into the family sitting room Edward poured Lila a glass of wine and gave Lee and Andrea each a glass of water as they requested. Andrea explained to them that she would try to get in touch with "Aunt Ruby" and have her background checked, if she was interested in taking the children to Florida. She also informed them of the paperwork that needed to be done as soon as possible which Lee would review. As the director she was able to bypass the family meetings and approve the placement.
Once all the formalities were finished Andrea turned to Lila and smiled sadly "As your friend not as the Director of DSS I want you to know that I think what you are doing for those children is the most precious and priceless gift they could ever receive, I have a feeling they haven't been given much of anything in a very long time. And as the Director of DSS I won't order counseling but after what I witnessed tonight I suspect long term physical as well as emotional abuse, it might be a good idea.
Lee spoke up "I can talk to Gail as soon as I get home, I am sure she would be happy to help in any way possible."
Lila smiled and thanked him "I think that would be best, Gail has the gentleness of a mother and the compassion of a saint, I couldn't ask for anyone better."
Lee smiled with pride. "If you don't think you need me for anything else tonight, It has been a long day and an even longer evening, I should probably get home to Gail, Monica and Scotty."
"I will walk out with you." Andrea smiled.
"Wait for me" Edward said to Lila and walked Lee and Andrea to the door. He turned to Lee "I am not convinced this is a good idea, but I am glad you were with Lila this evening. Thank you."
"All you can do is give it a chance, trust me, I had my own apprehensions when Monica and Scotty came to live with me." Lee smiled, he thought about how much his own life had changed since Gail along with her adopted daughter teenage daughter Monica and her young son Scotty moved in. They still had there moments, Monica was a sassy and sometimes moody 17 year old and Scotty was a head strong, curious, sometimes mischievous five year old, but they definitely brought life to Lee's quite home.
Edward gave him an anxious nod and said goodnight.
Lila was staring out the French doors that led to the patio when Edward walked up to her and placed his hand on her shoulder. "I know you must think I have completely lost my mind, but after what I saw, what I heard, I couldn't walk away from them." She turned to look in his eyes "I could not walk away from them and look at myself in the mirror. I do hope you can understand." She said
Edward gently took her hand and brought it to his lips. "I know you think we can make aa difference in their lives my dear, but I am am just not so sure. Think about Alan and Tracy, I don't believe they are going to be very receptive to this."
"Edward those children have nothing and we have so much to give. Alan will be starting college in a few short months making a whole new exciting life for himself, and Tracy... Well Tracy God Bless her heart, has been given the world and is not content. I am not sure if she ever will be, but I do know her attitude will not sway my decision."
Edward raised an eyebrow "I suppose this is my punishment for ignoring your hints about that little Pomeranian you wanted for your birthday."
Lila laughed, oh Edward put on a good show that's for sure but deep down he was such a softie. "Where are Alan and Tracy? She asked
"Alan is at the drive in with that good for nothing what's her name? You know that girl who wears pants. Why he would run around with a girl like that is beyond me. There are plenty of suitable young ladies who I might add know how to properly dress."
Lila cut in before he really started in on his rant "Oh Edward, Rae is a perfectly nice young lady, fashion is changing you are just going to have to get used to it. And Tracy?"
"Tracy is spending the night at Claire's house, which I might add she called and informed me. Notice I said informed not asked? I had half a mind to drive over there and pick her up, if I hadn't been so worried about you I would have." Edward grumbled
"It's probably best she wasn't here tonight anyway." Lila said apologetically