A/N – Thanks for the comments. I'm glad you're pleased with the progression. It's going to be quite a while before Sonny is dealt with.

Chapter 20

Frank strode into Crimson Point. His son had already laid down the law and he is a little nervous that he'll screw up. When he hears laughter coming from the living room, he peeks inside. Elizabeth is lying on the floor, holding the baby above her body as Nicole sat next to them watching.

Liz squealed as drool hit her cheek and Nicole can't stop laughing, so the baby follows suit.

He chuckles, drawing their attention and Liz sits up. "You don't have to move on my account."

"It's okay. I need to go do some sketching anyway." Liz hands the baby over and stands before using her left hand to wipe her face. "Excuse the drool…"

He smiled as he shook her other hand. "I'm Frank, Nicole and Francis's father."

"Hi. I'm Liz, the roommate. I'll see you later."

As she left the room, Nicole stood as he stared at Alaina.

"She's beautiful."

"I think so."

"She has Johnny's eyes."

"Yeah. Do you want to hold her?"

He nodded, unable to speak because of all the emotions swirling inside of him.

Nicole hands her over and the toddler stares at him curiously.

"Hi. I'm your grandpa."

Alaina touched his face and gurgled. "Dada."

Nicole groaned. "Everyone is dada right now. Frankly, it's pissing me off."

He grinned and then focused on his daughter. "I'm sure that Johnny loves it."

Her eyes rolled. "I swear she's not saying mama on purpose." Her vocabulary is small, but she's starting to say more.

He chuckled and then grew serious. "I owe you a lot of apologies. I may not be perfect, but I'll try to do better."

"Why now?"

"I think when major changes happen, you start to reassess your life and with Francis taking over, I spent many hours thinking about my choices and legacy and you were my biggest regret."

She wiped a tear away. "I can't go back to the way it was. My life and choices were toxic. I know I remind you of her, but can you separate your feelings?"

"Yes. I was wrong and I'm sorry that my actions caused you pain."

Her bottom lip quivered.

"I know you've been through a lot and it kills me that you had too. Alaina is a beautiful gift and helped you heal."

"She's everything to me."

"And Johnny?"

"We're trying. It will be a challenge for me to get beyond what happened and fully trust what we have, but I'm going to try."

Before, he would have fought against that relationship, but now he realizes that her happiness has to come first and if that means she's with Johnny, then he'll learn to live with it. It's not that he doesn't like Johnny, but he wishes things would have worked out in Ireland so his daughter and granddaughter would still be there and a lot safer.

"Good."

Her brows rose. "Really?"

He kissed Alaina on the head. "Yes. You deserve some happiness."

"Thank you." Maybe there is hope for him after all. "I know you had a hard time when my mom bolted, and as I got older, I wasn't easy to handle. It hurt that you were so critical because you and Francis were all I had. If I couldn't please you, I decided I would hurt you. There were times that I just didn't feel I was good enough and I especially don't feel that way now." She wiped a tear away as Alaina studied her, not happy that she is upset.

"I'm sorry. I feel like I failed you and I don't tolerate failure well."

"Don't I know it…"

He reached out and touched her hand. "I was mad at her and I pushed you away and closed myself off and I have to answer to that. All I can do is try to be a good dad to you now and a grandpa to Alaina. I can't go back. I was wrong and you'll never know how truly sorry I am. You know that I seldom ever apologize." Nicole's mother was a lot younger than him and her lack of maturity didn't help her adapt to their lifestyle.

She chuckled as she cried. "I know."

"Can we try to work through this, please?"

"Okay. I love you, daddy."

Tears pricked his eyes as he pulled her against him. "I love you too, baby."

She cried harder and then Alaina started to as well.

Nicole pulled back. "It's okay, sweetie. Mommy is fine."

Alaina's bottom lip quivered as her mommy embraced her.

"You are killing me," Frank said. "I don't think I could have resisted that pout which looks suspiciously familiar."

"She gets it from Johnny," Nicole said trying not to laugh.

"Uh-huh."

He stayed with them for another hour as he got to know his granddaughter and reconnected with his daughter. It is a good start.

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Alice pushed Lila up a ramp and into the house that Edward had purchased for her which is about an hour away from Port Charles close to the river. Once she was settled inside, they waited about ten minutes before there was a knock on the door.

Alice opened it and directed the man inside.

"Judge Rand, I'm so glad that you can make it."

He shook his head. "Lila, I think we know each other well enough that you can call me Barry."

She grinned. "Please have a seat, Barry."

He sat on the couch and then Alice handed him some water. "Thank you."

"I'm calling in my favor."

His brow rose. "I'm scared to ask." Lila helped him become a judge and he had always said that he'd do anything to repay her and this is the first time she has ever mentioned it. He usually didn't work in this part of New York but had recently moved back. A long time ago, Lila's foundation had helped his mother through some hard times and Lila took an interest in him and encouraged him, even giving him a scholarship to law school.

"You sentenced my grandson and now, he's appealing."

"I don't recall a Quartermaine on my docket."

"It was Jason Morgan."

He sat his glass on a coaster. "Lila…"

"He's not guilty. We have a slew of new evidence proving otherwise. His lawyer is filing papers today to reverse his plea and I need you to put aside any misgivings and judge them fairly."

"Are you asking me to overturn it no matter what?"

"Since his accident, my grandson has not gotten a fair shake from the police or any government official. His best friend was gunned down and he was under emotional distress, blaming himself for it. His lawyer didn't represent him adequately and a lot of evidence has come to light. I just want you to leave any bias aside and do what is right. He should have never pled guilty and wouldn't have if the key evidence had come to light. There were issues with the witness that the prosecution and defense knew, but my grandson was not told. Please, can you give him a fair chance?"

He sighed. That conviction had never sat right with him in the first place and Lila is right. It's easy to judge Jason due to his reputation and the fact that he has never gotten caught for his criminal activities. "Okay, I'll be fair. Thank you for not asking me to compromise my integrity."

"It's your integrity that gives me hope. I know you'll do the right thing."

He took a sip of water.

"So, how is your mother?"

Barry smiled. "She's trouble, as usual."

Lila clapped her hands together. "Tell me everything…"

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Manny stared at a perplexed Jason before sitting on his bunk "What happened?"

"My family showed up."

"Who's your family?"

"The Quartermaines…"

Manny made a long whistling sounds. He's very much aware of ELQ. "How did that go?"

"I think I'm still traumatized."

Manny smirked. "Why?"

"They want me in their lives and I have no idea how that is going to work." He still won't be able to be near them when he gets out because of Sonny. It's good that his boss thinks he's on the outs with most of his family because then he won't target them.

"Go on…"

"I've spent years pushing them away and writing them off except for my sister and grandmother who I didn't see a lot. Honestly, I have no idea how to be a son or whatever."

"You just hang out and just be yourself."

Jason made a tortured sound. "They are loud and obnoxious on a good day and I prefer quiet."

"Well, sometimes, you have to put up with shit, but in the end, it's good to know that you're loved and people have your back."

Jason knows a little about Manny's family. "Are you close with your dad?"

"Yes and no. He's a bit ornery and opinionated, but he's my pops. In the end, we can share a beer and bullshit. What about your dad?"

"He's a doctor and the Jason before the accident was following in his footsteps. I don't think we have a lot in common and he hates that I'm in the mob. For the longest time, they wanted me to be my old self, but he's dead and I always felt I wouldn't be good enough."

"Do you still?"

"I think they want me to be, but I don't know if they can truly handle my job."

"Are you willing to try?"

Jason sighed. "I guess. I just hate everyone being in pain. If a few dinners will make them happy, then I'll guess I'll suffer and learn to like pizza more."

Manny frowned. "They eat a lot of pizza?"

Jason slightly chuckled. "No, but somehow their meals always seem to get ruined and they have to order out."

Manny smiled. "I tell you what. Let's start some shit. I'll come to dinner one night. One look at my tattoos and they'll be so speechless that you'll get your wish and have a nice, quiet night."

Jason laughed, surprising Manny who is happy to finally hear it.

"You're on."

"This is going to be great. Can I bring a date?"

"You have a girl?"

"No, but they don't have to know that. Do you have a sister?"

Jason laughed so hard, Manny stood to look at him. Normally, he would kill anyone for asking about Emily, but just thinking about the look on Edward's face is doing him in.

"Was I that funny?"

Jason tried to stop, but couldn't, making Manny laugh too.

"She's single and I will talk to her on your behalf. She would love to play a joke on them. Maybe you can wink at my Aunt Tracy a few times too. I never thought I'd ever look forward to having a meal with them. Thanks."

"My pleasure…"

"Oh and Manny?"

"Yeah?" He sat back on his bunk.

"If you do anything to hurt her, they won't find the pieces."

Manny snorted and they started laughing again, making a guard move closer.

"You two alright in there?"

"Yes," they said together.

"I was just about to call a psychologist. You're freaking me out."

Manny snickered and Jason couldn't stop smiling and it felt good.

"How old is she by the way?"

"She's only eighteen and in her first year of college. How old are you?"

"Thirty…"

"Oh yeah, I'll make sure Alice has my grandfather's heart pills on standby."

Manny cracked up. He can't wait to meet Jason's family.

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Diane dropped some forms on Claire's desk who threw off her glasses and tilted her head.

"What's that for?"

"It's an affidavit that I hope you will be honest about and sign."

Claire's eyes narrowed and then when she put her glasses back on and started to read, her mouth fell open. "Please tell me that you are not contesting his conviction."

"Oh, but I am."

"He's a criminal who has gotten away with far too much. The town is much safer without him shooting up the place."

Diane rolled her eyes. "Cut the bullshit. I know you've probably read the autopsy."

Claire averted her gaze.

"So, don't act like he deserves to lose twenty-five years when you know he didn't commit the crime. Your witness was a sham and you knew it and said nothing. That is just disgusting and swarmy."

"Says the woman in bed with the mob."

"The Corelli's have way more integrity and principles than you do."

Claire slightly growls. "That is a lie."

"Oh really? You didn't care about the evidence, you just wanted to put Jason away. Your job is not to be judge and jury and you failed miserably on this case. Sign the papers," she said pressing her finger against the desk.

"I'm not signing anything."

Diane leaned closer. "You will sign that paper or I will file a complaint for misuse of office and your lack of professional competence."

"You wouldn't."

"Try me…"

Claire stared her down for a minute and then read the affidavit. "How do you even know if this is true."

"Did you talk to Hugh about the witness?"

Claire rolled her eyes. "Yes."

"Did you realize at any point that he must not have shared that information with Jason?"

She sighed. "Yes."

"Then sign the damn paper and I'll go away, for now."

Claire rolled her eyes. "Why isn't your name on this?"

"If Sonny finds out I'm involved, innocent people will die, so I hope you can keep your mouth shut. My esteemed colleague will be my mouthpiece. She's really good and like me, has never lost. Sign and keep your mouth shut or the press will surely get wind of your interactions with the Corinthos organization. What's it going to be?" It would buy them some time before Sonny finds out and all hell breaks loose.

Claire's expression conveyed her position which is screwed six ways to Sunday. Hastily, she signed it.

"I know you won't back down regarding the trial because you have to try and save face, but I'm telling you right now, it's only going to make it worse if you continue this fight given all the evidence showing that he didn't do it. I'm not asking you to roll over, but you're going to look like an idiot if you try to make these charges stick. Cut your losses, Claire. You lost this one." Diane grinned as she picked up the papers and then sauntered into the hallway, only pausing when an object hit the wall in the office. "Diane one, Claire zero."

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Helena made her way through the tunnels at Windemere until she came to a door, pushing it open to reveal her protégé. "Lucky, it's good to see you again."

He rolled his eyes. "What do you want?"

"I'm quite pleased with your work. It has created a nice diversion."

"Whatever…"

"Don't pout, it doesn't become you. I know you are disappointed about Elizabeth, but you'll get your revenge soon."

He doesn't want to hurt her, but Jason, on the other hand, is expendable.

She moved behind him and put her hands on his shoulders. "You will obey your queen."

His body grew rigid as his eyes glazed over.

"Burn the Haunted Star tonight. If your father is in there, even better."

"Yes, my Queen."

She grinned as she watched him leave the room. "Oh Lucky, I have such plans for you. Hopefully, you won't be a disappointment like your father."