The rest of the dinner was spent attempting to answer Alyssa's question about how babies are made.
Later while the kids were getting ready for bed, Kellie went to the study to make a call.
"Shouldn't you be spending time with your kids?" Robert asked when he realized Kellie had called him.
"They're getting ready for bed," Kellie said, "I wanted to ask you something before it got too late."
"Ask away," Robert said.
"What exactly happened to Dante in Turkey?" Kellie asked.
"He infiltrated Raj's organization," Robert replied, ""When Sonny and I showed up that put an end to Raj's operations."
"I know that part," Kellie said, "The Dante I saw at the airport is not the Dante that I know. He's saying and doing all the right things. Something seems off. I can't put my finger on it."
"Maybe you should be having this conversation with your brother," Robert said, "Or your father?"
"Do you really think Dante or my father will answer those questions?" Kellie said, "They're more like to evade or tell me not to worry about it. Even more so since I was kidnapped and it turns out I have a bun in the oven. So I'm asking you."
"You know what deep cover work is like," Robert said, "You did it in South America years ago."
"You're not answering the question," Kellie said, "If my brother's going to need help, I need to know what happened to him. Like you said, I did deep cover work. I might be one of the few people Dante could talk to."
"He won't talk to you,' Robert said, "Look I'm not supposed to tell you this. But when he was debriefed before leaving Turkey, the doctors also did a physical examination. His back was covered with scars."
"He was tortured," Kellie said, "And god knows what else?"
"It's the what else that concerns me," Robert said.
"So it's not just me," Kellie said, "You think there's something off with Dante too."
"Unfortunately, yes," Robert said, "It seems like something I've seen before. But I'm coming up empty right now."
"If you do figure it out, will you let me know," Kellie said, "I'll do the same."
"I will," Robert said, "Dante's really lucky to have you in his corner."
Jason came looking for Kellie, "Alyssa wants you to read her a bed time story and tuck her in."
"You can't do anything for your brother tonight," Robert said, "So go be with your family and hopefully Dante will reach out."
"Thanks Robert," Kellie said, "I'll be in touch if anything comes up."
"What were you calling Robert about?" Jason asked.
"I had a question about Dante," Kellie asked "We can talk about it after I finish putting the kids to bed."
Upstairs, Alyssa was trying not to nod off as Kellie finished the second story.
"Will you sing the rainbow song again, Mommy," Alyssa asked.
Kellie kissed Alyssa's forehead, "Yeah."
Alyssa was still fighting sleep when Kellie finished the song.
"What about another story?" Alyssa asked.
"Sorry, kiddo," Kellie said, "It is bedtime."
"But what if I dream about the spider man taking you," Alyssa asked.
"The spider man is in prison," Kellie said, "And he's going to stay there for a very long time. He can't come anywhere near our family. So you just need to focus on happy things like rainbows and kittens."
"And my new baby brother," Alyssa said.
"or sister," Kellie said.
"Nope," Alyssa yawned as she finally drifted off, "I'd have to share toys and clothes with a sister. The baby has to be boy."
Alyssa was fast sleep before Kellie could respond. She tucked Alyssa in a little tighter, turned off her bedside lamp and left the room.
She stopped by Jared's room and saw that he had fallen asleep looking up court cases. She realized he was trying to figure out how Garrett's sentencing would fall. She pulled the iPad from the bed and set it on the nightstand. Then she pulled the blankets over him.
In Jamie's room, she found him wide awake.
"Are you doing alright?" Kellie asked, sitting on the bed with him.
"I'm just really glad you're home," Jamie said, "and I'm sorry for not keeping better track of Alyssa on the playground."
"You were probably on the baseball field right and not the monkey bars or swings with Alyssa right," Kellie said, "You're only nine. You do the best you can when you can to look out for your siblings. But you are still a kid. You did what you were supposed to do and follow the teacher's instructions and get away from danger."
"Do you think Uncle Dante could teach me some things about keeping people safe now that he's home?" Jamie asked, "He is a cop and he protects people for a living."
"We'll see, okay," Kellie said, "And just let Uncle Dante relax. He was on a really hard assignment and he might not want to think about doing cop stuff right now."
"Oh, okay," Jamie said.
"Here's the deal," Kellie said, "If Uncle Dante isn't up to doing that soon, I'm sure we can figure something else out okay."
"Can we figure out it this week?" Jamie asked, "with you having a baby, you might need more help."
"You let me and Jason worry about that," Kellie said, "I can also promise that I won't be doing any rescue missions until after the baby's born okay."
"Did you know you were pregnant when you went to save Alyssa?" Jamie said.
"No, I didn't," Kellie said.
"But how come you still went after her thinking you were sick?" Jamie asked.
"Because there is nothing I wouldn't do to protect you and your siblings," Kellie said.
"Your mom was still pretty resourceful," Jason said, standing in the doorway, "She lit a fire to help us find her."
"Like a smoke signal?" Jamie asked, yawning.
"Yeah," Kellie said, "And it's time for lights out now. I'll see you in the morning."
Jamie hugged Kellie and burrowed under his covers, "Good night, mommy."
Kellie went with Jason back to their room where her tears for Dante and the kids finally spilled over.
"My kids don't feel safe, Jason," Kellie said, burying her head against Jason's chest, "I never wanted them to feel like that and I failed. Alyssa's afraid to go to sleep, Jamie wants Dante to teach him how to protect people, including me and the new baby, and Jared was looking up court cases I think to figure out how long Garrett would stay in prison. They're seven and nine years old, Jason. They shouldn't have any reason to be concerned about this stuff. I'm failing my kids."
Jason stepped back from Kellie and tilted her head up towards him to wipe the tears from her face.
"The last thing you have done is failed your kids," Jason said, "You've put your life on the line for them every time to keep them safe. I know you were speaking the truth when you told Jamie there wasn't anything you wouldn't do for them."
"That's just it. I haven't done everything," Kellie said, quietly, "And as much I reassure the kids that Garrett's going to prison for a really long time, it's not a done deal yet. He still has to go to trial and be found guilty. What if for some reason he gets out?"
"He's not going to get near you and the kids again," Jason said, "We'll make sure of it."
"But what if I don't want the what if hanging my head," Kellie said.
"Do you want Sonny and I to take care of him?" Jason asked, "All you have to do is say the word."
"You know what forget I said anything," Kellie said, "I don't know what I'm thinking."
"That you're scared and want your family safe," Jason said.
"Then I'm a hypocrite because I've been telling the kids that's not acceptable option," Kellie said, "Now I just seriously considered it twice now."
"I think it's understandable after what you just went through," Jason said, "I remember how you were when you first came to Port Charles in the aftermath of what Ethan did to you. Then to have his brother take you prisoner in the same cabin where that all happen, to realize you were pregnant in the same cabin where you lost your first child, I don't think any one would blame you for wanting Garrett dead."
Kellie tried to hold back the dam of emotions she'd been holding in from her ordeal.
"You can let that hurricane of emotions out," Jason said, pulling her back against him, "I can take it. So just let it out."
He felt Kellie relax against him as she let the full weight of her emotions out. Her tears completely soaking his shirt.
In the middle of this, Jason carried Kellie to bed and helped her change out of her clothes. He gave her his shirt to sleep in. Then crawled in bed with her, curling up against her from behind.
Eventually, Kellie's tears subsided, "I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to be sorry for," Jason said, "Sometimes you need a good cry. Then you kick ass and take names later."
Kellie tried to hold back a laugh.
"Now what's going on with your brother?" Jason asked, "Why did you feel the need to call Robert Scorpio about him?"
"Something in Dante's eyes," Kellie said, "I've seen that look somewhere before, just not Dante. I can't place it. I was hoping Scorpio would have answers. All I know is that Dante was tortured. There were scars all over this back. I want to help my brother, but I don't know if I can."
"I know that if Dante wants your help, he'll ask for it," Jason said, "You're going to have to let him sort this out in own time, in his own way."
"I know," Kellie said as she fell asleep in Jason's arm, "Doesn't mean I have like it."