A/N – Thanks for the comments! I'm glad you're still with me. I will be posting tomorrow.

Chapter 42

Epiphany is looking forward to the party. It will be an excuse to buy a new dress. "You need help?"

"I think Diane has it under control. She likes all this stuff."

"I'm having dinner at your house with the girls. We have wedding plans to make."

"I'll stay clear until you text me."

She chuckled. "Coward…"

"When it comes to all that girlie stuff I am."

"Are you telling me if we make it that far and seal the deal, you're not going to help plan anything?"

"How about I just whisk you away from here and we elope."

"I wouldn't hate it. We could have a party later. Now, I think your sister might kill you, but I'll just take out extra insurance."

He grinned. The thought of marrying her actually pleases him. "Then we have a deal then?"

She smiled. "Our hypothetical nuptials are now planned."

"See how easy that was?"

"You're a mess."

"I have to go, baby."

She shivers at the tone of his voice. "Francis, one more thing."

"What?"

"Everyone else has sealed the deal except for Evangeline and I swear if she gets a piece of Manny before I get a piece of you, there will be hell to pay."

He laughed. "Alright, I can't let that happen. You'll get no arguments from me."

"I'm glad you see things my way."

"I have a feeling that is going to be happening a lot more."

"You can count on it." She ended the call and did a little dance. Her dry spell is almost over.

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Eva groaned as she read a message and then feverishly typed back.

"I feel sorry for that keyboard."

Her head jerked up and then she smiled. "Hey."

Manny moved forward and set a vase with flowers on her desk.

"They are gorgeous."

"Just like their owner…"

She got up and gave him a hug and kiss. "Besides spoiling me, what brings you by?"

"I want to talk to you about my job."

She folded her hands and gazed at him. "Okay."

"You know what I do, right?"

"Yes."

He dramatically paused. "I was filling in for Johnny while he was undercover. Once Sonny is gone, Johnny will run that organization with Jason as his enforcer. I will be Francis's enforcer."

"I see."

She didn't respond how he thought she would.

"Did you think I'd run?"

"Honestly? I wasn't sure. My job can be the kiss of death."

"Well, I knew who you were before I agreed to date you. I would have never allowed you to pursue me if I couldn't handle it."

He averted his gaze. "I guess I've been told."

She got up and surprised him by sitting on his lap. "Do you promise to do everything you can to protect me?"

"Without a doubt…"

"Then, we're good."

"Thank you." He's just so grateful that she is so accepting. They kiss sensuously until a shocked Diane interrupts.

"I knew you'd be hot together."

Eva pulled back. "You have bad timing."

She grinned. "Nice flowers… I'm going to run to the courthouse. Do you need anything delivered?"

"Nope, I'm good."

Diane smiled at Manny and then winked, making him laugh.

"She's too much," he said.

"She's the best. Do you have to go?"

"I have a few minutes."

She hopped off his lap and then shut the door and locked it before sitting again. "Where were we?"

He gazes at her lovingly. "If anyone sees the way I look at you, I won't have a reputation left."

She touches her forehead against his. "I'm interested to see if you have a different reputation." Her brows go up and down making him laugh.

"I can assure you that you will be very well taken care of."

"That sounds really good."

They kissed again as Eva took the lead and Manny could barely see straight when she pulled back.

"Is there anything you're bad at?"

She smiled and shook her head. "I'm not the greatest at sports. Did you play any?"

"Soccer and baseball."

"Cool."

For the next ten minutes, they made out until Manny had to leave. She sat in her chair with a big smile on her face. The more time she spends with him, the more she can see how well they fit.

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Everyone had gotten word about Francis's party being moved up and were excited. With the weekend looming closer, it had left them scrambling to change their plans and find something to wear.

Ronnie had heard and immediately made some travel arrangements.

Sonny is busy putting out fires. Suddenly, shipments were being hijacked and someone had hacked into their network. It seemed like once something is dealt with, another problem would pop up and he's exhausted. He entered his house around lunchtime to find his wife is already two sheets to the wind. "Carly, this ends now!"

"Fuck you, Sonny." She spilled a little of her drink and then lapsed into a fit of giggles and he just stood there blinking at her.

"I mean it! Enough! I will send you away."

He heard a sniffle to find Michael standing in the dining room. "Where is the nanny?"

"She didn't come in today. It's just me and the little man."

Sonny sighed. He didn't have time for this shit. Spotting an envelope, he strode towards the table and grabbed it. "Carly, what is this?"

She glanced at him. "I don't know."

"It's from the court. Don't you think you should open it?"

"I don't give a shit."

He ripped it open and then gulped. "This is serious."

She rolled her eyes. "You're so dramatic."

"Carly, the Quartermaines are in court right now trying to take Michael away from you."

"What!"

"They say you are unfit." He really couldn't argue.

"Those bastards can't take my baby."

Sonny rubbed his neck. "What do you want to do?" He cares about Michael, but right now, he's probably better off not under this roof. "I wonder if Jason had something to do with this."

"Jason would never take Michael away from me."

"Why not? You took him away from Jason."

"That was a long time ago." She pulled herself up and smoothed down her wrinkled dress and then her hair before grabbing her purse.

"Where are you going?"

"To court."

He shook his head. "You smell like a bar and you're slurring and couldn't walk a straight line to save your life."

"I'm going with or without you."

"I'm staying with Michael. We can't just leave him alone here." He really wants no part of her shit show even though he's tempted to fight to get back at Jason. The problem is that Carly is so messed up, he wouldn't win.

"Fine. Asshole…"

She storms outside where Max gets her into the car, threatening to quit under his breath.

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Alexis finished presenting her evidence to the job as the Quartermaines looked on.

Suddenly, Carly burst through the doorway. "I will die before I let you take my son!"

Monica rolled her eyes.

"Order!" the judge said before banging his gavel. "Who are you?"

"I'm Carly Benson Corinthos. Michael Corinthos is my son."

The judge frowned. "His name is listed as Michael Quartermaine on the records."

"Well, I'm married to Sonny so his name is Corinthos."

Alexis almost groaned.

"That doesn't automatically change his name. Where is your lawyer?"

Carly pouted. "I don't have one." She swayed and then lost her balance, forcing her to stumble closer to Alexis.

"Ugh, she smells like a brewery."

"Shut up, you uptight shrew."

"How long did it take for your pea brain to come up with that one?"

Tracy grinned.

"Silence! Mrs. Corinthos, you have shown up late to my courtroom and have disrupted these proceedings. Your behavior is abominable."

She frowned. "Huh?"

Alan glanced at his wife and they shared a knowing look.

"Temporary custody goes to the Alan and Monica Quartermaine."

Carly's mouth hung open.

"I suggest you get yourself together. You have thirty days to sober up and present your case or I'll give them full custody. Do you understand?"

Tears fall down her face. "I need my son."

"You should have thought about that before you put a bottle before him. I don't enjoy taking children away from their mothers or fathers, but you are not a safe place for him and he deserves better. Go home and say goodbye to him. A representative from child's services will pick him up in an hour and deliver him to the Quartermaine residence on file. You are not to come near him for thirty days. Do you understand?"

Carly sobbed. "Yes."

"Court is adjourned."

The judge left and a livid Carly turned to face them.

"You can all go to hell. You sit there and judge me like you've never had it rough and made mistakes."

"Get some help, Carly. If you show us that you are willing to get sober and take care of Michael, we'll back off. This isn't about punishing you. It's about what is right for my grandson," Lila said.

"Fuck you!"

Lila gasped.

"Listen, you inconsiderate mongrel," Edward said standing. "Jason will hear about what you just said and he will not be pleased. We know how alcohol can destroy a life. I gave AJ too many chances and he spat on all of them. You always want to blame everyone else after you lash out, but you made your own choice to dive into a bottle."

"Shut up!"

"Don't tell him that," Tracy said before moving forward. "You have been a one-woman wrecking ball since you came into town, sleeping with whoever you want damn the consequences. It's always someone else's fault with you. Man up and get your shit together for your son before you lose him."

Carly runs out of the room with Max on her heels.

"Take me to a bar."

"You're not going to say goodbye to Michael?"

She whimpered. "I can't. Just drive to Jake's, Max."

He shakes his head and drives to Jake's, but he's done. He'll quit before he guards her again.

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Sonny is blindsided by the CPS and quickly gives Michael a hug and assures him his mom will see him soon.

"Can I have my bear?"

"Go get him and come right back down."

"Okay."

Sonny turns to them. "What happens next?"

"Your wife needs to get sober and prove she's stable. If she does that, the judge will rescind the temporary order."

"And if not?"

"She'll probably lose custody permanently."

Sonny is livid, but maybe this is what Carly needs, to hit rock bottom and then get herself together.

Michael came downstairs with his backpack stuffed with some of his toys. "Bye, daddy."

"Bye, son."

Once they are gone, Sonny threw a few glasses and cursed. "Jason fucking Morgan is going down."

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When the CPS arrives at the mansion, Jason is waiting and Michael runs into his arms. "Uncle Jason!"

Jason smiled. "You're getting big."

"I'm this many." He held up three fingers.

"You'll be four soon." He's growing so fast.

Michael nodded.

"Michael, this is my mom and dad and they are your grandma and grandpop."

Michael shyly smiled. "Hi."

Monica knelt. "How would you like some milk and cookies?"

His eyes lit up. "Can I?" he asked Jason.

"Michael, you're going to stay here with them for a while."

"Mommy is sick."

"Yeah."

"Is it okay if you stay here with us?" Monica asked.

He nodded. "Okay." They seemed nice enough.

Alan held out his hand and Michael took it. As he led the little boy to the kitchen, Monica's eyes teared.

"I can't believe he's here."

Edward rubbed his back. "It's a miracle."

"I'm going to work. I hope we're not having chicken McNuggets for dinner," Tracy said.

Lila giggled. "That sounds like fun."

Tracy kissed her on the cheek. "You are the only one I'd eat that toxic fake meat for."

"I love you too."

She left and when Jason could tell Michael is getting comfortable, he said goodbye and headed back to the warehouse.

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The morning of the party, the girls met at a bridal salon.

Francis had reserved their time so that only they were in the store.

Mimosas are passed out and everyone gets comfortable.

When Nicole came out with the most outlandish dress she had ever seen, Diane almost choked.

"Hell no! The dress should never wear the bride."

"Amen," Piph said.

"Ditto," Eva replied.

Liz just shook her head while Nicole did the walk of shame back to the dressing room.

Emily rushed in. "Sorry that I'm late."

"Trust me, you missed nothing. I may never get the image of that monstrosity out of my mind. I've never felt so insulted by a piece of clothing," Diane said.

Emily grinned. "That bad."

"It was awful," Eva said.

A few minutes later, Nicole returned.

"Hmmm, that's much better, but I'm not totally feeling it," Diane said before tapping her lip.

Nicole put her hands on her hips. It is a mermaid type dress that hugs her curves and she does like the idea of it.

"Nicole is tall, beautiful, with a big personality, either go more subdued and angelic or something with a lot of flair. The middle ground won't do her any favors," Elizabeth said.

"Nice advice," Diane said.

"Thank you."

"Let's try more angelic first."

When Nicole returned, Diane smiles. "Wow. It softens you a bit. It's beautiful."

"Very nice," Eva said.

"I'm in love with it," Emily adds.

"I think we all feel the same way," Liz said.

Liz took a picture and then Nicole went to get changed.

"That was definitely an improvement," Diane said.

She returned, clad in another beautiful dress.

"Wow, that is totally different," Emily said. The dress has a little cleavage and a lacy sheath. It's form fitting down to the hip.

"You look gorgeous," Piph said.

"Stunning…," Diane said.

"We like it," Eva said.

Nicole grabbed Liz's drink and took a sip before heading off.

"Alright, Nicole, one more for today and then you can think about the styles for a few days," Diane said.

"Okay."

When she reappeared, it was another winner.

"It took three dresses to cleanse my eyes from that hideous initial dress which should be burned. I'm thinking of having it legally condemned."

Nicole laughed.

"This one is beautiful too. You have a lot to think about," Eva said.

"Yeah."

Liz took another picture. "Alright, you can mull these over for a bit."

"You guys are the best."

"We've got your back. You are going to look to die for on your big day," Diane said.

Nicole grinned and then left them alone.

"Is this making you want to try one on?" Diane asked Elizabeth who smiled.

"Eventually I will."

"I need to find a boyfriend first," Emily said.

"Are you asking for help?" Piph asked.

Emily almost choked on her drink. "No. I don't trust any of you."

Diane pretended to look affronted.

"I'm too busy to have a boyfriend."

"Said the girl who doesn't have one," Diane quipped.

"When the time is right, it will happen."

"Is that Lila Q advice?" Piph asked.

"Yup."

Nicole joined them and they headed to another store to find Emily and Piph a new dress for the evening. After two hours, a delighted Piph who is several sizes down found a dress she adored and Emily found the perfect cocktail dress so they got some lunch.

A/N – Alright, next chapter is over the top soapiness. Prepared to be shocked and wonder what I've been smoking lol. If you want to see Nicole's dress, you'll have to go to my site and look at the chapter to do it.