A/N – Wow, GH has been really good! Brandon was amazing today! I can't wait until Jolu is back together and I am hoping it will be soon! Anyway, in honor of Brandon's fantastic performance, I am updating this, Bleeding Love and Destiny tonight! Enjoy and drop me a review!
2pm
The biggest and worst secrets have a way of coming out in the biggest and worst ways. Truth is the only redemption.
Johnny was glaring at Claudia and her mouth was hanging open. She was actually speechless.
"Do you have anything to say?" Johnny asked.
"I can't believe you blame me for your mistakes with Lulu," Claudia said, shaking her head.
"If I hadn't lied to her for you, we would still be together," Johnny yelled.
"No, you wouldn't be," Claudia laughed. "You're so innocent and I don't know how that's possible. Love doesn't last in this business."
"You don't know what love is," Johnny scoffed.
"Why are you bringing this up now?" Claudia wondered.
"Because I decided to tell Lulu everything," Johnny answered.
"You can't do that," Claudia begged. "She'll go straight to Sonny and Jason."
"I don't care," Johnny shrugged. "We deserve whatever happens to us."
"We've made it this far," Claudia cried. "Why ruin it now?"
"Because the longer it takes for the truth to come out, the worse the fallout will be," Johnny replied. "I'm tired of waiting on it. Even if telling the truth gets me killed at least I can die with a little self-respect."
"What if you lived and I died?" Claudia questioned. "Could you live with my death on your conscience?"
"You're not going to guilt me into anything ever again, so you might as well stop trying," Johnny advised.
Johnny watched Claudia's eyes fill with tears. She was a great actress. For the longest time he believed her when she fed him all of the lies about love. About how she loved him. Or how falling in love would kill him. None of it was true and he was sick of being fooled by her.
"So you really don't care if I live?" Claudia asked softly.
"There's only so much caring can do, Claudia," Johnny responded. "I don't want you dead, but I can't stop it from happening forever. I have to make things right for me and you should do the same. After everything you've been through, maybe if you're just honest, Sonny will let you live."
"I can't take that chance," Claudia said, shaking her head.
"I have to," Johnny whispered. "The truth will come out and I would rather have it blow up in my face than have it explode behind behind my back."
"Are you going to tell Sonny and Jason or just Lulu?" Claudia wondered.
"I haven't decided," Johnny answered. "If Lulu is willing to forgive me, then I will talk about it with her and ask her what she thinks I should do."
"And if she doesn't?" Claudia pressed.
"I'm trying not to think of that option," Johnny replied.
"You have more courage than me," Claudia said with a small smile. "And you were always a better person. I never really liked Lulu, but if she's the one you want to pin all your hopes and dreams on, then I hope it works out."
"It feels a little like you're saying goodbye," Johnny noted.
"You're thinking of admitting the truth," Claudia countered. "Staying is asking to be killed."
"Where will you go?" Johnny asked.
"I think I'll just wing it," Claudia laughed. "I liked my life better when I didn't plan things out all the time."
Johnny laughed lightly. They were nothing alike. Johnny wanted all of the plans he had made with Lulu to come true. He craved to sit around and plan their days together the way they used to. He had tried to live without thinking of a future and it had been the worst time of his life.
"Maybe I'll see you one day," Johnny remarked.
"Maybe," Claudia nodded. "Take care, little brother."
"You too," Johnny agreed.
He watched Claudia leave his garage and presumably walk out of his life forever. He wasn't happy or sad. He knew it was best for everyone that she left, but she was the only family he had ever known. He smiled and shook his head. Johnny didn't want that kind of family anymore, anyway. He wanted a new family that was based on real love and trust. With Lulu. He wanted to marry her, have children with her and ride off into the sunset with her. She was everything he needed.
Now all he had to do was gather enough courage to talk to her.
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Lulu and Maxie had fallen into silence after their discussion about Johnny. Lulu was thinking about everything Maxie and Olivia had said and trying to find the common sense that she used to have that kept her from following their advice. But she couldn't find it. She wanted to see Johnny and ask him all of the questions that had been on her mind for months. She just wasn't sure if she wanted the answers.
"Greetings Cohabiting Blonde Ones," Spinelli said, getting off the elevator. "Does the Jackal find you busy at work?"
"I'm working," Maxie smiled. "Lulu's thinking about Johnny."
"Maxie," Lulu said in shock. "Do you keep any conversations private?"
"Not from Spinelli," Maxie answered. "We're getting married. We can't have secrets."
"Fear not, Original Blonde One," Spinelli offered. "The Jackal shall keep Maximista's comments to himself. Unless the Fair One would like to discuss them further."
"I don't," Lulu replied.
"Perhaps we should," Spinelli suggested. "The Jackal is eager to know how matched the thoughts of Fair Lulu are with those of the Mob Prince."
"What is Johnny thinking?" Lulu asked.
"The Jackal really shouldn't overtly diverge his innermost thoughts," Spinelli responded.
"Is he thinking about Lulu?" Maxie pressed.
"The Jackal really shouldn't overtly diverge his innermost thoughts," Spinelli repeated, this time with a smile on his face.
"Lulu, do you need anymore signs?" Maxie wondered. "Johnny is thinking about you. You are thinking about him. All you need to do is talk and at least figure out where you two stand with each other."
"The Jackal agrees with the beautiful Maximista," Spinelli beamed.
"I don't know," Lulu protested. "You two don't understand how hard this is. I know you saw Johnny and I fall apart, but you didn't see us when we were happy. You don't know what we lost."
"You're right," Maxie shrugged. "The only person who may have an idea about how you feel is Johnny. So go talk to him."
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Johnny was once again staring at his work. He didn't have any desire to finish it. The only thing he wanted to do was find Lulu and talk to her. He knew she was probably still at Crimson, so he was trying to force himself to wait until she went home. He heard his door open and he looked up to see Sonny in the doorway.
"Can I help you?" Johnny asked.
"Business isn't so good," Sonny noted.
"My business or your business?" Johnny wondered.
"Your business," Sonny answered. "Milo says you hardly ever have a car in here."
"Why would Milo know?" Johnny questioned.
"Just one of his jobs," Sonny replied and Johnny rolled his eyes.
"So you're just checking up on me?" Johnny asked.
"Actually I was wondering if you had seen your sister," Sonny responded.
"I saw her earlier actually," Johnny said quietly. "She left about an hour ago."
"Did she say where she was going?" Sonny prodded.
"No," Johnny said honestly. "I don't think she knew."
"That's a little strange," Sonny noted. "She's usually home this time of day."
"Did you try calling her?" Johnny wondered.
"No," Sonny shook his head. "I don't have any reason to."
"Then why did you really come here?" Johnny questioned. "You obviously didn't want to ask about Claudia. There's only one other thing I can think of and that's Olivia and since you're married to my sister I don't know why I would give you any information about another woman."
"I didn't ask," Sonny pointed out. "This is all speculation on your part."
"But I'm right," Johnny smirked. "Don't worry, Sonny. Olivia and I are through. You're free to do whatever you want with her."
"I thought you wanted me to be faithful to your sister," Sonny reminded him.
"What happens between you and Claudia is none of my business," Johnny replied. "I should have never gotten in the middle of it."
"What brought on this revelation?" Sonny asked.
"I've had a lot of revelations lately," Johnny shrugged.
"Care to share anymore?" Sonny asked.
"Not right now," Johnny answered.
"Well, I'll let you get back to not working," Sonny said softly.
"Did Jason talk to you about the shipment?" Johnny wondered.
"He did," Sonny nodded.
"And you're not angry?" Johnny asked in surprise.
"He said you had a valid reason for not being able to run it," Sonny replied. "I trust Jason."
"Well, thank you," Johnny said slowly.
"Don't make a habit of it," Sonny advised.
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Maxie finished off her work and turned to look at Lulu's empty desk. Then she looked at Spinelli who was waiting patiently for her so they could leave. He smiled at her and she forced one in return. She was nervous for her friend. Lulu had refused to go see Johnny even though Maxie and Spinelli had encouraged her to. Lulu was so stubborn and so was Johnny. Maxie desperately hoped they would find their way back to each other but she was wondering if they would or even could.
"What plagues the Fair Maximista's heart?" Spinelli asked.
"I'm just thinking about Johnny and Lulu," Maxie replied. "If they will ever get back together or not."
"Maximista is not to blame for their parting," Spinelli said sweetly. "The problems between the Previously Bonded Souls were present before the forbidden garage incident."
"But if I hadn't kissed Johnny, maybe they would have worked it out," Maxie argued. "I should have just told him to tell Lulu the truth about whatever stupid secret he had. I should have told him that she would understand and forgive him."
"The past is set in stone," Spinelli responded. "The future is determined by the choices of the Blonde One and the Mob Prince. There is nothing more Maximista can do to reunite them."
"I wish there was," Maxie sighed. "Maybe I should call Johnny and tell him that Lulu needs work done on her car."
"Fair Lulu would be disgruntled with Maximista should she go behind her back," Spinelli replied.
"Do you think they'll work it out?" Maxie wondered.
"The Jackal believes that the truest loves survive all," Spinelli answered.
"I hope you're right," Maxie smiled. "I really hope you're right."
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Lulu couldn't believe where she was. How had she gotten to Johnny's garage? She had intended on going straight home and taking a bath to clear her mind, but that hadn't happened. She had gone home and gotten in her car and driven to Johnny's garage. She found herself getting out of the car and approaching the door to the garage. She opened the door and looked around. Johnny wasn't in the main room, but she heard him in the office.
"I'll be right there," Johnny called.
Lulu's heart beat sped up as she heard him coming. What was she doing? Thinking? She almost turned and ran out the door, but Johnny came into the room before she could. His eyes were wide and he seemed completely shocked by her presence. Lulu was just as surprised to be there standing in front of him.
Johnny couldn't get his breath. He had been thinking of Lulu all day and suddenly she was standing in front of him. This was his chance and he knew it. He just had no idea where to begin.
"Lulu," Johnny exhaled slowly.
"Hi," Lulu muttered.
"I'm glad you're here," Johnny breathed.
"Really?" Lulu asked and Johnny nodded.
"Really," Johnny smiled.
He didn't know where to start, but he knew where to end. He had to tell Lulu the truth.
The redemption offered by truth does not compare to the redemption offered by forgiveness from the one you love. But is love really enough? Can love exist without complete truth?