Chapter 17- Rule of Three

"Thanks Lainey," Sam said after hearing about Danny's session.

"I'll go get the kids," Lainey said. "They're playing with the toys. It's hard pulling Scout away from that doll set."

Lainey re-entered her office and Alexis turned to Sam. "Dr. Dostal wants us to do a family therapy."

Sam raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"You, myself, and your father," Alexis said. "Would you be open to that?"

Sam shrugged. "I guess."

"Well, I'll talk to your father about it. Dr. Dostal thinks it'll be good for all of us."

Sam turned just as Elizabeth and Chase walked up to the nurse's station.

"Monica, have you heard how Hayden's surgery is going?" Elizabeth asked.

"I haven't, Elizabeth," Monica said.

"She hemorrhaged again today. Patrick should have let me assist the surgery."

"Elizabeth, you know it's a conflict of interest," Monica said.

Elizabeth groaned.

"Any update on Finn?" Chase asked. "Why isn't he waking up?"

"Finn?" Alexis walked closer the nurse's station, Sam following behind. "What's going on?"

Monica cleared her throat. "When Finn hit his head, the swelling caused his brain to push down on his brain stem, causing him to slip into a coma."

"What caused the car accident?" Alexis asked.

Monica took a deep breath. "I can't even fathom it… a twelve-year-old child was driving the other car."

Sam's eyes grew wide. "A twelve-year-old?"

The elevators opened and Jason stepped out.

"Whose kid was this?" Alexis asked.

"That would be mine." Sam turned to the voice and Alessandro Marchesi had his hands on Matteo's shoulders. Matteo had his right arm in a sling. Jordan stood next to them.

Jason crossed his arms and glared at Alessandro.

Sam's mouth dropped slightly. "Matteo did this? Why am I surprised?"

"As I explained to the commissioner," Alessandro said. "Boys will be boys."

"Your son not only shot a man in the head, almost killing him, but he also caused a serious car accident which caused minor injuries to a little girl and put her parents in critical condition," Jordan said. "I am transporting him to the Port Charles Juvenile Detention Centre to await a hearing."

Alessandro smiled. "For now."

"Father, no!" Matteo's eyes welled with tears.

"Go with the nice commissioner, son. It won't be for long."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Elizabeth asked.

The elevators opened again, and the paramedics pushed in a stretcher followed by Lulu. "Help! Please help! Something's wrong with my mom!"

Monica and Nurse Amy rushed over. "What happened?" Monica asked.

"She was complaining of a severe headache and stomach cramps. Then she started losing her hair!" Lulu said. "And just now she started convulsing!"

"All right. Amy, go get Kevin. Let's get her examined," Monica said as they wheeled Laura away.

"Goodbye, Madam mayor!" Alessandro smiled and waved at a scowling Lulu as they hurried down the hall.

Amy hurried towards Kevin's office.

A scream pierced the air and Sam turned to see Scout clinging to Danny.

"I have no dress! I have no dress!" Scout sobbed. "No dress!"

"Stay away from us!" Danny shouted.

Sam and Alexis hurried over to them. "Scout, it's okay. Is this the boy that took your dress?"

Scout buried her face into Danny's side.

"It is," Danny responded for her, then shouted at Matteo, "Go away!"

"What about the man?" Alexis asked.

"He looks like him… but he had a mustache…"

The elevators opened again. The paramedics wheeled in Robert on a stretcher. Anna and Robin trailed behind.

Felix walked over to the nurse's station, but then hurried over to Robert when he noticed them.

"Felix, Dad had a seizure… he was sweating and vomiting before that with a severe headache," Robin said as they wheeled him away.

Alessandro smiled again. "Goodbye, Mr. District Attorney."

Sam scooped up Scout in her arms and rubbed her back.

Jason squinted his eyes watching Alessandro.

"Come along," Jordan said. "I need to take Matteo now." She led them onto the elevator.

Chase sighed. "I should get back to Finn." He disappeared down the hallway.

"Jason, what are you doing here?" Elizabeth asked.

Jason cleared his throat. "I know you have a lot going on here… but I'm worried about the boys."

Elizabeth sighed. "Jason, they're fine with Ric."

"Cameron doesn't think so. They stayed with him last night, but I want to offer to take all three to stay with me until you can go home."

"Violet's home now too. Once Hayden is through surgery I'm going home for the night."

He nodded. "Okay, good to know."

Elizabeth exhaled deeply. "Thank you for offering though."

"Are you guys ready to go now?" Sam asked Danny.

"Yeah," Danny said, frowning at Jason.

"Let's go get some ice cream," Alexis said. "How does that sound, Cookie?"

Patrick walked over to Elizabeth and removed his surgeon's mask. He swallowed hard and shook his head.

"Patrick?" Elizabeth said. "What happened?"

"I-I'm sorry, Elizabeth…" Tears formed at the corner of his eyes.

Elizabeth's face paled.

"I couldn't save her. She bled too much," Patrick choked up. "Hayden died on the table."

Elizabeth shook her head. "No." Tears streamed down her cheeks and she cupped her face in her hands. "No…"

She turned and Jason wrapped her arms around as she cried into his chest.

Sam whipped her head around when the elevator doors opened once more, and Danny screamed. Sam held Scout close to her chest so she wouldn't see, and Alexis pulled Danny close to her. Jordan was sprawled out on the floor of the elevator, blood gushing out from a hole in the middle of her forehead, eyes wide open and still as ever.