Chapter 28- Amelia Grace

Willow finally returned from her tests just as Carly and Michael got off the elevator. Michael's arm hung in a sling.

Nina was about to approach Willow's stretcher, but Michael and Carly got to her first.

Willow smiled. "Michael…."

He kissed her. "I'm sorry I couldn't get back sooner. "How are you feeling? How's the baby?"

"We should really get Willow back to her room," Bobbie said. "Michael, you can come with us."

When Bobbie took them to Willow's room, Nina approached. "Hey, I need to talk to you."

"Can it wait?" Carly shook her head. "We just got back from Denver."

"That's what I need to speak to you about. Your time in Denver."

Carly rolled her eyes. "What about it?"

"Aunt Liesl and Britt are concerned that Willow received the wrong cells," Nina explained. "That your blood results were switched by someone else's."

"You'd like that, wouldn't you? Just accept it, Nina. I was Willow's match, and you weren't."

"You think that is the issue here?" Nina scoffed. "We're worried that the transplant won't work. That Willow's life is still at risk."

"Trust me, it's not," Carly said.

"Aunt Liesl called the clinic in Denver."

Carly's face paled. "She did what?"

"They said there was anonymous person who got tested the same day as you. Did you notice anyone else there who got tested?"

"It's a medical clinic, Nina, there's people who come and go. How would I notice some anonymous person—"

"Did you see Nelle?" Nina cut to the chase. "We suspect it might be Nelle because your bloodwork is apparently too close of a match to be non-related."

Nina glanced over Carly's shoulder as Drew got off the elevator.

Carly shook her head. "This is ridiculous. Nelle is dead—"

"I saw her," Nina said. "I thought I imagined it, but I saw her just after we rescued the babies."

GHGHGH

Bobbie lifted the baby and placed her in Michael's good arm. She smiled at them and left the room.

"It's so good to be home," Michael said, smiling down at the baby.

"It's so good to see you holding her," Willow said. "I want to talk to you about a few things."

He kissed the baby's head.

"I want you to take her home," Willow said. "Take her home to Wiley. I want the three of you together."

"Yeah, and pretty soon the four of us will be together."

"And I want to marry you," Willow added.

"Me too, but we're already engaged."

"Michael…. I'm not well at all."

He frowned. "You just had the transplant. The recovery takes time."

"I can't even hold our baby."

"You will. You just need to build your strength back."

"I know," she said. "I just… I want something to look forward to. I want to marry you once I'm released."

"Well, I'm down for that," Michael agreed. "I don't want to wait any longer."

"And I want the ceremony to be in the Quartermaine living room again. Like our first wedding."

"Grandma Monica will be all over that," Michael said.

"And I want to invite Nina."

There was a long pause. Michael bit his lip and stared at the wall.

"I want to invite Nina and Sonny, and also Liesl and Britt," she added.

He nodded. "I still have reservations about Nina. But she did help save our daughter's life. So, if it means that much to you to have both Sonny and Nina there… I'll agree. Just as long as they don't cause drama."

"And finally, I want to officially name our daughter. I already knew the moment I saw her."

GHGHGH

Once Esme was released from the hospital, she stuck around to find her father. She passed by Sonny, Olivia, and Sam in the waiting area and found Ryan's room.

She crept inside to find him handcuffed to the bed. She crossed her arms. "You don't look surprised to see me, Daddy. But why would you be surprised after you abducted me and trapped me in the trunk of a car."

"I did it for your own good," Ryan said calmly. "So you could be with your daughter."

"And you couldn't, you know, ask me nicely to go with you?"

He shook his head. "No. You had to look like the victim so the Cassadines wouldn't accuse you of taking your own baby."

She let her arms loose. "Go on."

"It was planned all along. Your mother and brother would go ahead with the baby, and I would follow with you."

Her mouth dropped slightly, and her breathing sped up. "My mother?"

The door opened and Heather walked in. "Oh! Esme!" She wrapped her in a big hug.

GHGHGH

"I don't know who or what you thought you saw, but it couldn't have been Nelle," Carly said.

"It had to have been," Nina said. "Now think, did you see anyone who could've even looked like Nelle while you were at the clinic?"

Carly crossed her arms. "Nope."

They turned when Michael came out carrying the baby. "Hey, so I'm taking the baby home. Willow just fell asleep." He looked over at Drew. "Hey, Drew! You can come hear this too."

Drew walked over.

"So, a couple of things," Michael said. "I want you guys to meet Amelia Grace."

Carly's face lit up. "That's beautiful!"

Nina smiled and placed a hand over her heart. "Amelia…."

Drew patted his back. "Congratulations, Michael."

"Next, you're all invited to our wedding," Michael said. "Once Willow is released from the hospital."

Nina started to tear up and Carly looked over at Nina, shaking her head.

GHGHGH

Esme shrugged Heather off. "Get off me! Not you again, you took my baby!"

Heather frowned. "I tried to. But Dex took the wrong baby! Then they all came and took the baby away."

Esme looked back at Ryan. "This woman has been harassing me for weeks now and then she took my baby!"

"This woman," Ryan said. "Is your mother."

Esme looked disgusted.

Heather beamed at her. "And Dex is your brother. We're going to be the all-American family we were always meant to be."

Esme stared at Ryan and pointed at Heather. "This is my mother?"

"And don't you worry," Heather said and started stroking Esme's hair. "Dex is going to get the right baby this time and he will meet us at the new location."

Esme shoved her hand away.

"Esme," Ryan said. "Go with your mother. I am in no shape to travel yet. I will catch up as soon as my leg heals."

"I'm not going anywhere with her!" Esme said. "I need to get home to my baby."

"Dex will bring your baby," Ryan said.

"This is the only way we can all be together," Heather said. "The Cassadines are a threat."

Ryan locked eyes with Esme. "Go with her."

"No," Esme said.

"It'll only be the two of you temporarily, until Dex and I catch up."

"I'm not going."

Ryan groaned. "All right, Heather. You know what to do."

Heather wrapped a cloth over Esme's mouth and she passed out in her arms.

GHGHGH

After Nina walked away, Drew grabbed Carly's arm before she left.

Carly sighed. "What, Drew?"

"I waited until you got back and I wanted to make sure Michael and the baby are okay. They're both fine. So, tell me… did you tell Nina and Willow?"

"Willow, yes," Carly said. "She's not happy with me."

"And Nina?"

"I'm not telling Nina. And I honestly don't care if you do. It was only Willow's reaction that I cared about."

GHGHGH

Nina stared through the window at Willow sleeping. "I found you, Willow. Now it's time to find your sister." She pulled out her phone. "Hi, Curtis? I need your help."