Drew woke up to the feel of the morning sun on his face. As he opened his eyes and stretched out his arms he looked over at the window to see the sun gleaming in through the blinds. Today he was one step closer to being whole. Today he was finally the one making choices about his own life and not Just reacting to the choices that others had made about his life. As he laid in bed a few minutes longer he thought about Susan Moore and her choice to keep him hidden from Alan Quartermaine, about Betsy Frank and Jim Harvey and how their choices had affected his life. He thought about Jason and his choice to be in the mob and how that choice made Drew an unwilling participant in some sick game of Faison's and put him on the course to lose all the memories of his past. Then of course, there was Helena Cassadine and her choice to want her own personal soldier at her disposal, what a sick twisted woman she was. After that there was choice after choice of different women who decided to lie about various things regarding Drew's life. "Man, I really need to rely on my instincts a little more when it comes to women. I am way too trusting and always want to give the benefit of the doubt." Drew chuckled to himself. "But, enough of that wallowing, I'm not going to focus on all that I have lost. It's time to focus on getting my memories back and truly becoming Chief Andrew Cain!" Drew exclaimed to himself. He shot up in bed with a little more pep, swung his legs off the side of the bed and stepped his feet onto the cold hospital floor. He walked over to the window and looked out over the grounds. There were trees and bushes everwhere and concrete pathways where he saw people walking and jogging. That gave Drew an idea. "Time to get some fresh air," he announces to himself as he goes over to the drawers to find a t-shirt and track pants.
As Drew heads to the bathroom to change he hears the door open and a women's voice quietly ask, "Mr. Cain?" It was a petite woman with blonde hair dressed in scrubs. Drew surmised she must be a nurse.
"Please, call me Drew." He says with wink.
The nurse chuckled, "uh, okay, Drew, I need to take your vitals this morning."
"Oh, okay, let the poking and prodding begin I guess." He sat back down on the bed and let the nurse do her work, taking his blood pressure, temperature and pulse readings. As she worked Drew made polite chit chat and silly jokes with her to lighten the mood. After the nurse left he once again headed to the bathroom to change into his workout gear.
Drew made his way outside into the cool morning air. It was a bit brisker outside than he had thought, but he knew once he started moving his blood would start pumping and he'd be more than warm enough. After a quick stretch he got underway with his run. As he ran his mind recalls the latest "choices" that others made that affected him.
Flashback…
Drew sat quietly in the stark gray courtroom. He had gotten there a bit earlier than anyone else and was enjoying just sitting peacefully. He started thinking about the conversation he had with Oscar the night before and the decision he had made. Oscar may only be 16 but he was facing a life-threatening disease. That kind of thing makes you grow up fast. You have to think about your life in the short term and that is what Oscar was facing. Drew had never wanted to keep his health a secret, he had never wanted to FORCE Oscar into the trial, or at least he was willing to listen to Oscar further about his point of view. I was too influenced by what Kim wanted to do that I let that affect what I knew was right, Drew thought to himself. "Well, that changes today," he whispers softly. Just as he did that, he saw Kim standing in the doorway looking at him.
"What changes today?" she asks. Kim was ready to do whatever she had to do to make sure Oscar did not win his emancipation suit. She had to get him to do that medical trial, no matter what.
"Oh hey, Kim." Drew replies dryly. He wasn't looking to forward to letting her know his decision but he knew the right thing was to stand by his son and let him have the CHOICES that had been so often taken away from Drew.
"So, what was that you were saying? What's changing?" she asks abruptly.
"Look, there's no easy way for me to tell you this. You aren't going to like it, but, I've, I've decided to side with Oscar in the emancipation suit." Drew blurts out. "I think he should have a right to choose how he spends his remaining time."
"WHAT?!" Kim screeches. "How can you do that? Don't you love Oscar don't you want to see him live?" she says in a harsh and scolding tone.
"How can you ask me that?" Drew spews coldly. "Of course, I love him, I want him to live a long and adventure filled life, but that doesn't seem to be how the cards were dealt for him. Oscar has a life-threatening, most likely fatal disease. That changes you, that makes you grow up fast and I have always believed Oscar should have a say in this." Drew explains. As he goes on, he puts his hands up to his face and rubs them across the bridge of his nose and over his eyes. "I was trying to defer to your judgement, because I felt guilty that I haven't been there for Oscar all these years, but I was wrong. Oscar deserves a say and I am done trying to do anything but help my son make the choices HE wants to make. I know what it's like to have other people make choices that affect your life and there's nothing you can do about it," Drew ends sharply.
"I can't believe you are doing this! How could you not tell me this until right now, until the morning, no, the MOMENT the hearing is starting?" Kim angrily growls.
"Because," Drew begins calmly. "I knew you would react like this and because there wasn't time. I just decided last night."
Kim starts to lay into Drew some more but at that moment Diane arrives in the courtroom.
"I hope you are prepared for a challenging fight today?" Diane quips coolly.
"Well, I AM, but Drew has decided to give up on Oscar!" Kim barks as she walks over to the other side of the courtroom and sits down at her assigned table.
"What is going on?" Diane blurts out quietly. As she moves in closer to Drew and points over to Kim.
"Diane, I appreciate you taking on this case for me, but I have decided to support Oscar in his decision to become emancipated." Drew informs her. "Any opposition Oscar has at this point, comes only from his mother."
"Oh, I see," Diane says calmly. "Well, I am sure you are doing what you think is best. I better go confer with my client now though. Good luck to you." Diane whispers. She quickly makes her way over to the table where Kim is seated andthey begin to talk quietly. As Kim and Diane discuss last minute strategy Oscar arrives with Alexis and comes bounding over to Drew.
"Dad!" Oscar exclaims. Oscar looked tired and a bit pale, Drew noticed but wasn't going to say anything. The last thing Oscar needed was to be reminded he was sick. Drew had decided he was going to make the most of what time was left and that's what he intended to do.
"Hey buddy," Drew replies excitedly, "How you doing today?"
"I'm good, I'm great, now that I know you are on my side." Oscar says happily.
"Oscar informed me of your change of heart this morning," Alexis chimes in.
"Yeah, I just decided that I want to help my son make the choices he wants to make," Drew looks over at Oscar with a smile and puts both his hands on his shoulders.
"Thanks, Dad. You have no idea what this means to me," Oscar beams. Just then Oscar felt a bit dizzy and some weakness in his left leg. He stood strong and worked hard not to let it show so that he wouldn't worry his Dad, but mostly, so his Mom would not notice either.
"We should go find our seats," Alexis says as she ushers her clients further into the courtroom and to the opposite table from where Diane and Kim were sitting.
"Drew, now that you agree with Oscars claim for emancipation, I would like to call you to speak on his behalf, is that okay with you?" Alexis inquires as they all sit down.
"Yes, of course, if that will help my son then I am more than happy to testify." Drew states confidently. Just then the bailiff came in and with his booming voice exclaims, "All rise, the honorable Sheryl Butler, residing!" From a door on the right side of the courtroom a petite woman with dark hair came out from her chambers and made her way to the bench.
"Please be seated," the judge requestedof all the participants. Quickly she began the legal procedures necessary to start the hearing. Drew was a bit nervous and still had a small sliver of doubt, wondering if he was doing the right thing. All that went away though when Oscar looked over at him with his beaming face, just so sure he was now going to win. Drew would not take that away from him. He only ever wanted his kids to be happy and he would do whatever he could to make that happen.
"Your honor, I would like to call Andrew Cain, the petitioner's father to the stand," Alexis states plainly. Drew stood up and scooted his chair back as he began to walk up to take the stand. Suddenly, Kim stood up and started shouting.
"Wait! Wait, your honor I have vital information that must be heard now!" Kim's screams echoed through the entire room.
"Your honor, the petitioner's mother is just trying to stall this proceeding, especially now that she sees Oscars father is on his side." Alexis states annoyed.
"Counselor, you need to get your client under control," the judge instructs sternly.
"Yes, your honor, just give me one moment please," Diane pleads sweetly.
"You may have a moment."
Drew continues standing in the middle of the courtroom halfway between his seat at and the witness stand. He could hear Diane speaking to Kim quietly and pleading with her to calm down and sit down. Drew starts heading toward the witness stand when he heard Kim's voice again.
"Stop, I swear I have important information!" Kim insists loudly.
"Counselor," the judge implores again for Diane to get the situation under control. Just as Diane is getting ready to again plead with Kim to be quiet Drew hears the words that would change his life, yet again….
"He's not Oscar's father!" Kim cries out. Drew turns around and looks at Kim confused.
"Kim, what are you doing?" Drew asks intently. "Look, I know you are upset about me testifying for Oscar, but this is not the way to handle it." Drew steps in closer to Kim and lowers his voice.
"I have proof," Kim retorts. "I have proof of who Oscar's biological father is and it can be verified," she states not being able to look Drew in the eyes.
"What?" Drew asks in disbelief. "So, this whole time, this whole YEAR that I have gotten to know Oscar and been a father to him, it's all been a lie?" Drew took a couple steps back and looks at Kim with such disdain. He couldn't believe it, another person making choices that affect him. Just when Drew thought he had his life on track and moving forward, here comes yet another blow to derail it. As he stood there in the middle of the courtroom, he looked around and saw Oscar. His face showed such devastation. The kid who only ½ hour ago was so excited and hopeful for his future was now completely devastated by 4 little words….
End Flashback
Drew suddenly realized he was running so fast that his chest was hurting with the cold air being breathed in so rapidly. He brought himself back to reality quickly. He checked around at his surroundings to get his bearings and saw the main hospital building in the faroff distance. Drew was breathing so heavily he had to stop and lean over to catch his breath for a second. He needed to get his mind back into the present, back into getting this procedure done. Soon enough he would have his memories, that would make him whole, that would make him himself again fully. He needed this, he couldn't stand to let one more person lie to him or let one more person's choices change his life without his knowledge. Drew stood up and began walking back toward the hospital. Tomorrow was the day, his past would stop being a mystery.
Kim woke up and could feel strong arms around her, holding her tightly. She opened her eyes and looked up to see Julian still sleeping. She smiled slightly and let out a deep sigh as she carefully pulls the sheet up around her chest. He had stayed last night. He hadn't left when he found out what she had done. He understood. Kim began recounting the events of the previous night in her head. How she explained to Julian that she knew Peter from years ago in San Diego. Julian had been shocked but continued to listen intently. Peter began to get anxious because he knew all the history, he just wanted to know the one thing he came for. Was Oscar his son? As Kim continued to speak Julian began to understand the full picture. Kim had lied about Drew being Oscar's father. Kim had blurted out the truth in the middle of the courtroom at the emancipation hearing. Kim could still hear Peter's words ringing in her head.
"Why, why did you lie?" Peter implored her to answer.
"Because Peter, because of Faison." Kim said emphatically. "I couldn't risk letting Faison be ANY part of Oscar's life," she continued sternly. "I knew what he had done to you and the way he had treated you growing up and I could not risk any thing like that touching Oscar."
"But after he died, you could have come forward with the truth." Peter scolds.
"I still couldn't risk it. I wasn't sure if you had anything to do with Nathan's death, there was that whole Heinrick investigation and then after that you went missing." Kim says defensively. "Oscar was happily getting to know Drew and they were bonding as father and son. I saw no reason to take that away from him, if you weren't even going to be around, I thought you had left town, I didn't know you were held captive. I didn't think Oscar had much time left anyway, so I saw no problem in letting him keep a relationship with the father he had come to love." She says as she picks up the picture of Oscar and holds it to her chest.
"Does he know I am his father?" Peter asks apprehensively.
"Yes, I told him the whole truth of who his biological father really is." Kim replies quietly. As Kim places the picture back onto the desk Julian stands up, walks over and stands behind Kim, placing his hands on her shoulders tenderly.
"Look, I think you have gotten what you came for here." Julian tells Peter abruptly. "Kim's been through enough today, you need to leave."
"Fine, I will leave for now, but we aren't finished," Peter seethes as he turns to leave. "You and I have a lot more to talk about," he snorts and walks out the door.
Kim still lost in her thoughts feels Julian stir just a bit and she looks up to see him staring at her.
"Good morning beautiful," Julian says sweetly as he kisses her forehead and holds her tighter.
"Good morning." Kim purrs. She was so happy in this moment, just laying here in bed with Julian. He had understood so much, could he understand even more? She was pretty sure and it didn't matter, because she had to try. Kim sat up in bed and pushed the hair out of her face, "Last night was wonderful, thanks for staying and for not judging me." she says calmly and quietly while stroking Julian's chest.
Julian sat up next to her and let the sheet fall down around his waist, exposing his bare chest. "Come on, I told you I am in no position to judge you, after my past." He places his hand on her hip and gives it a few gentle pats.
"I'm so glad to hear you say that." Kim replies, relieved, "because there is more." She had her head down fidgeting with her hands as she spoke. Julian took his finger and placed it under Kim's chin gently raising it up to look him in the eyes.
"Sweetheart, I'm willing to hear whatever you have to tell me, I'm not going anywhere." Julian says, calmly, reassuringly and sweetly. He gave Kim another kiss on forehead before shifting in the bed and swinging his legs over the side preparing to get up. "But," he continues, "first breakfast, I'm starving." Julian cracks a sly half smile as he winks at Kim while putting on his pants. Kim lowered her head down as she lets out a little sigh and lightly taps the bed with her fist. As Julian walks away, she raises her head up and sweeps the hair out of her face with her hand, smiling shyly. "I guess it will have to wait," she says to herself quietly, "we're having breakfast first," she says in a voice mimicking Julian.
"Come on lazy bones, get up! We need breakfast!" Julian shouts from the other room.
"Okay, okay, I'm coming!" Kim replies with a giggle. The rest of her revelations would have to wait, but that was okay, she finally realized that no matter what "Charlie," was going to stand by her.