(Author's Note- Hey guys. Thanks for the reviews!! Here's the next chapter!! -E.B.F.R.)

Chapter #5 – Suggestions, Disagreements, Love, and Decisions.

Emily's Apartment –

The next morning, Emily set the cup of coffee down in front of her boyfriend. It was a little early in the morning for both of them, but neither minded too much. "I have something important to ask you."

"Like you said on the phone last night." Zander confirmed. "What is it? Are you okay?" He asked, seeing the unexplained certainly in his girlfriend's voice.

"I'm fine. But I want to ask you…well what do you think about having children?"

Zander gave Emily a strange look. "Emily, you're not pregnant. You can't be, we've never gotten that far in our relationship and you would never cheat on me. Besides, you know I want kids, I always have, and we have talked about the issue. Just not yet since we've both decided that kids should come after marriage, and we're not even close to that ultimate commitment."

"No, I know. I know. And no way am I saying I cheated on you, because you're right I'm not pregnant, and would never cheat. I was thinking more along the lines of adoption. There's this little girl named Maddie that I'm thinking of adopting."

"You're serious?" Zander asked both shocked and incredulously.

"Yes, of course I'm serious. Do I look like I'm joking?"

"No, of course your not joking, you of all people wouldn't be making a joke out of this…I can do adoption sure, one day, but now? Have you really thought about this? I mean think about it. We're barley in our mid 20s, you're barely out of school and we both just started our careers. This is a rare few days off for both of us and we're barely home anyway. How can we take care of a child? How can we be there when we're working non-stop? I mean, we're not even living together. We both have places on the complete opposite part of town. How stable is that for a child?"

"I know, and you bring up good points, but I've really been thinking about this for the past few days. I swear–"

"Days? That's it? Emily, come on. You can't be this serious! Look, on top of everything, I really don't think we can afford it anyway."

"Of course we can Zander." Emily insisted.

"No, Emily. We can't. And I thought we agreed that we weren't going to use your family's money–" Zander said, getting frustrated.

"I'm not–"

"Okay, so we both agreed that we'd use our own money, and may I point out as of now, we have very little. But as I said, we just started our careers." Zander shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I just can't see us taking care of a child right now."

"Zander, please, I really want this and I want your support."

"Emily, you have my support, you know that. But now is not the time for a child. Can't this wait, where we can discuss this in a few years or so, when we're married?"

Marriage wasn't a word that was a surprise to the two. They both knew that they were eventually going to be married. This was without a doubt in the world, for they knew there was no one else for the other.

"No, it can't. I really, really have a good feeling about this all. This will end up being good or bad depending on what we do now…Look, you love me I know that–

"NO!" He barked as his hand slapped the table, only to get his point across, Emily didn't seem to be listening to a word he was saying, although he did make her jump. "You are not in any way using the 'if you love me you'll do this…' tactic. I won't let you do that! We both agreed never to use that kind of leverage on each other. I'm sorry, but I'm not ready for a child right now. Maybe in a few years, but not yet and certainly not now. You only thought about this for a few days, are so ready to jump at it, and you're only consulting me now. You're only getting my opinion, yet you're just about ready to sign the adoption papers regardless of that opinion or my decision. That isn't fair, and you damn well know it!"

Emily had a look of angry determination on her face, and she did look ready to cry, but held her tears in. Zander sighed as he closed his eyes in frustration and a minor pang of guilt at making the girl he loves cry.

Emily looked hesitant to speak at first, but proceeded. "I know I'm pushing it, but trust me on this. You can even meet Maddie if you'd like. Just come to the park, by the playground around 11am tomorrow. I just want you to have an open mind about this. Something about this girl is screaming at me and I just can't let it go. "

Zander proceeded to think for a few moments before speaking. Emily certainly seemed sincere and passionate about this. He still thought it completely and utterly ridiculous, but he could at least give it a chance. Nothing was definite, no real decisions made yet (which was good in his opinion). "Okay. I'll be there. I'll see you later alright? I've got to get to work."

"Zander…thank you." Emily said softly. The man she loved nodded his head. "Just remember my opinion on this." He said quietly as he left her apartment.

Throughout the day both Emily and Zander thought of their argument this morning. Emily was bombarded with thoughts of Maddie. What if they helped her in time…what if they didn't? She understood Zander's side of things, but his side couldn't sway her. Emily couldn't let this go, she just couldn't.

Later that Day –

The Park –

It was slowly turning to dusk as Nikolas Cassadine enjoyed the last moments of the warm day. There was no one in the park nor the playground today except a lonely girl. Catching up with his brother, and his best friends a few days ago he knew of the little girl Maddie.

He guessed that this child was her. Emily and Lucky told him of how quickly they've grown attached to her, just simply by their observations. He had noticed it was starting to get dark, and wondered if she had anywhere to go or anyone to go to. Despite knowing very little of her, Nikolas himself had found that he has grown attached too.

You can't help it when a child warms your heart.

He was about to say hello, when he saw Zander approaching, with less than a happy look on his face. Zander mumbled a quick "Hey" to Nikolas, while he sat down on the bench.

"Bad day my good man?"

"Ha, it only got worse. My meeting this morning went horrible."

"I hate those. I know what that's like, yet something else is bothering you isn't it?" Nikolas asked. He, Lucky and Zander ended up becoming really good friends after the whole Dead Ted debacle and trial.

"Women…" Zander muttered.

"Trouble in paradise?" Nikolas joked.

"Oh yeah…Em wants to adopt."

"A child? Like, now?"

Zander only nodded.

"Are you serious?" Nikolas asked, quite shocked.
"I wish I was only joking. But she's dead on serious."

"Do you know why?"

"Not a clue! All she says is she has this 'feeling' about this child. And okay…for the most part I'm all for trusting your instincts but…"

"But you're not sure this time around because neither Emily nor my brother has any proof of anything being wrong. That is, assuming there is any proof to be found." Nikolas guessed.

"Wait, you're telling me she asked Lucky to–" Zander started, again incredulous. "How far did you already take this Emily?" Zander thought angrily to himself.

"Excuse me?" A tentative voice quietly interrupted. Zander looked down to see the little girl who sat by herself. When he passed her at the time, he had hadn't even glanced in her direction, bee-lining it towards Nikolas. He was unaware the girl Emily spoke of was her, nor did he realize she was even here.

"Hi. What do you need little one?" Nikolas asked.

Zander had a genuine smile on his face looking at the young girl. Just because Zander wasn't ready for children right now, didn't mean he loved them any less. Children always brightened his day.

"Um…I know I'm not supposed to talk to strangers but I think my friend dropped this, and I think you might know her." Maddie said, holding a picture in her hands. She held out a picture of Zander and Emily. Zander's eyes went wide as he realized this was the little girl Emily was talking about.

Although neither Maddie, Emily, or Lucky exchanged words to each other, Maddie and Emily glances would usually lock before both looked away so Maddie's teacher wouldn't suspect anything. Because both Lucky and Emily looked out for Maddie, even silently, Maddie considered them her only friends. She only knew Emily's name from Lucky saying it, however never heard Emily call Lucky by his name, so she didn't know his.

"Are you Zander?" Maddie asked, as Zander realized the picture had been dated as "Zander and Emily, Prom 2001.

"Yes I am." Zander replied.

"Maddie, there you are." A soft voice called. Maddie, Nikolas, and Zander turned their heads to see a tall man, with dark blonde hair, gentle green eyes, and a warm smile upon his face.

"Daddy!" The little girl cried as she ran to him as he scooped his daughter up in his arms. "Maddie, you know you're not supposed to talk to strangers."

"I know, but they know my friend and I was just giving them something she dropped. Are you going to stay Daddy?"

"Oh, okay. You still need to be careful though. But I promise, I'm not going to leave you." Said the girl's father. He turned to Zander and Nikolas.

"Thanks for sort of watching over her."

"Not a problem. She was very quiet anyway." Nikolas replied kindly. "Yeah, she's very adorable." Zander added, the wheels turning in his head.

"Thank you. My name's Mark by the way and this is Maddie."

"I'm Nikolas."

"I'm Zander." The guys both replied, shaking Mark and Maddie's hand. "Well Maddie, we have to get going kiddo. It's just you and me for the rest of the day, or well night as it's becoming. How about we get something to eat."

"Yay, I'm hungry! Thanks Zander, thanks Nikolas. Say hi to Emily for me!" Maddie called as she and her father started to walk away.

"Bye Maddie. We hope to see you around again." Nikolas said.

"I will!" Zander called back.

"Daddy, can we come back to the park some time and play with them? You have to meet my friend Emily. Even though I haven't talked to her yet, she has a nice voice and is super nice to her friend and…" Maddie rattled off as she and her father disappeared in the distance.

Although both Zander and Nikolas saw the sadness in her eyes earlier, it completely vanished, without a trace left as she ran into her father's arms.

"Did Lucky look into Emily's suspicions?" Zander asked pointedly.

"Not that I'm aware of. I think he's struggling with the decision. I don't think he wants to for fear of uprooting a family for what may turn out to be no reason at all."

"Well, you can tell him to forget his search. Don't. Even. Bother." Zander said. He had an edge to his voice that Nikolas didn't quite expect.

He also had a dark glint in his eyes. "I've got to talk to Emily about this…I'll see you later." He said hollowly as he stood up, ready to walk.

"Let me know how everything goes."

"I will, thanks."

"You got it. See ya."

Emily's Apartment –

"Hey baby." Emily said as she saw Zander enter her apartment. Emily didn't like the look on his face. A mixture of confusion and anger were displayed, and his arms were crossed.

"What's wrong?" Emily asked.

Zander stood silent. He observed his girlfriend, the look in her eyes, the look on her face, her obvious confusion and concern.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth was on her way to knock on Emily's door when she heard Zander speak.

"I saw Maddie." Zander replied softly, yet very seriously.

"You did? That's great! What do you think?...Why are you looking at me like that?" Em asked.

"Well, like I said I'm all for adoption when the time comes. But it's not right now. And forgive me that I ask this, but are you crazy!?" Asked Zander, raising his voice slightly.

"What Zander? I want to adopt her, what's so wrong about that?" Emily countered, just as determined.

"Gee I don't know Emily, maybe that this little girl has a family that loves her?!" Zander said, very close to yelling.

From outside, Elizabeth decided that it would be best not to interfere and go see if Lucky was in his apartment, and maybe see if Nikolas was there too.

"Do they? I haven't seen any family around. Maddie's miserable at school–"

"So what? I'm not saying that it's okay to be miserable there, but she obviously has a loving family. And I know I said I'd support you, but I'm sorry not when it concerns this little girl. If you find another child that you'd like to adopt, let me know."

"Zander did you even listen to me?"

"Yes I did. But Maddie has a family, at least her father! And you know what? I refuse to support you when you want to rip a child away from her father." He said, leaving no room for argument (at least from his point of view.)

But Emily being Emily, (especially when she was passionate and determined on a subject,) she wanted to be the one who got the last word in this argument.

"How dare you…I of anyone would never rip a child away from a loving parent! Did you ever think that might have been for show?" Emily replied angrily.

"Number one: you weren't there. Number two: You mean to tell me that having Maddie run into her father's arms, like it was the greatest gift in the world, and the father loving his daughter just as much, a show? No I don't think it was for show at all. It was genuine. They love each other – I saw it in the man's eyes as well as Maddie's. Remember Emily, the eyes are a powerful window to one's soul. Maybe you need to look a little harder next time before you jump to conclusions."

"Maybe you need to believe me when I say there's something more that we're just not seeing yet."

"It has nothing to do with that. Look Emily, its not happening. I'm sorry, but I, I refuse to support you in this. I can't."

"Then I guess we're–"

"Don't! Do not go there! I know what you're thinking and I am telling you, STOP! Stop right now. This has nothing to do with 'us,' this has to do with you. You're making irrational decisions and conclusions without even getting the proper circumstances! You don't even know of any situation beyond this lonely girl by herself during recess! Emily, you have to sit down and think! Use your head! I won't let you rip Maddie away from her father."

"So you're against me." Emily yelled.

"Emily…" Zander took a deep breath, knowing what he was about to say would hurt them both.

"Emily…if I have to fight, if I have to warn the father that you're trying to take his daughter away, if I have to fight you far enough to where this ends up in court to prevent you from adopting this little girl…" Zander let his sentence trail, his eyes although lowered in emotional pain and exhaustion, still held a determined look within them while his heart was aching at the look in Emily's eyes. He quietly let himself out her door, headed to Kelly's and meet up with Nikolas.

Emily held her tears in, however she knew Zander was wrong…somehow she just knew. Shaking her head in frustration and exhaustion, Emily went to her bedroom to lie down.

(Author's Note- Please Review!! They feed my writing muse!!! Thanks! -E.B.F.R.)