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AN: I have notes, they're in a different fic. So you'll see them later this week, or maybe next because I'm in a good mood.

I now have a working keyboard (it went from 1 lost to 3, to 4 with 2 more going) thanks to a good friend that saved my butt by fixing my darling beloved laptop.

I was working on this earlier tonight (finishing it up since it had been written ages ago [okay a month]) and I got COMPLETELY distracted by the joyous news. If you haven't read the casting news for GH yet I won't spoil it, but geez happy is an understatement. I'm not even going to complain about the Sam baby thing or Sonny and Brenda in general. I will save that for next week. :-P I'm going to ride my bliss high.

Um seriously joyous joyous day! Thanks for reading folks! No Brazen this chapter, but there is at least Jason. I'm thinking next chapter will be the zoo and our little trio together again. I think I might do all them with a splash of Spinelli to make up for the lack of Brazen.

Part Seven

"Oh man," Lucky said following Brenda into what had quickly evolved into Charlie's playroom, "what's this?" Lucky questioned seeing the children's sized musical instruments.

"Spite," she smirked as Charlie, Cameron, Jake and Spencer whooped it up as they ran to the new toys.

"There's a skull on that drum set."

"I know," she smirked again.

"Dad's going to start having to take lessons from you," Lucky laughed.

She turned with a smile, "Earplugs?"

"Oh definitely," he said extending his hand as Cameron was already banging away on the drums, Jake's hands were crashing onto the piano and Charlie with a guitar strapped across him was demonstrating a tambourine to Spencer.

-o-o-o-

"What on Earth is that racket," Edward said as the playroom door swung open to expose Jake on the maracas, Cameron on the small piano, Charlie on the drums, Jake on the recorder and the most damning of all Lucky on the child sized guitar as Brenda held the microphone belting out her heart to the song on the karaoke machine they were playing along with. They were all flushed with exertion, Brenda and Lucky more so since they had danced along like lunatics until they finally joined in.

"Hey Edward, we're just getting in our musical education," Brenda said slightly breathless as she turned off the karaoke machine and the kids stopped banging away.

"Education? That sounded more like blasphemy," he was outraged.

"I thought we sounded pretty good," Brenda turned to Lucky.

"Yea dude," he nodded, "we totally rocked. Right guys?" he looked at the kids.

A sea of "Yeas" greeted him.

"We should get back to practice, if we're going to be rockstars and go on tour, we need to practice," Brenda informed Edward.

He left the room muttering as soon as she hit play on the machine.

-o-o-o-

"Um," followed Liz's greeting as she realized her sons and husband now had a guitar in their possession as they walked in the house, when they had left the house empty handed this morning aside from their book bags for school, she continued to stare at it.

"Cameron wants to learn how to play the guitar," Lucky smiled as he walked over to her.

She forced herself to stay still and not betray her thoughts and flinch as he kissed her, despite the fact that Nikolas had done so himself and more on her lunch break. "So you just bought him a guitar?" Disapproval was evident in her voice, they might not be struggling as they had been when Cam was just a baby, but still…

"Boys why don't you go put away your stuff and wash up for dinner," Lucky told his sons.

Liz waited until they reached the top of the stairs. "How much did it cost?"

"Calm down, it wasn't that bad."

"I asked how much," she bluntly repeated her question.

"It was seventy dollars," he supplied.

A lot lower than she expected. "And the case?"

"About twenty."

"So you just spent 100 bucks on a toy, when it was just Christmas, without asking me?"

"I really didn't think it was that big of a deal."

"A hundred dollars could feed the boys for a week and a guitar isn't exactly quiet. What were you thinking getting that for Cam without even asking me?"

"I was thinking it was something Cameron and I could do together," his words slowed, apologies no longer evident.

She was instantly apologetic, realizing that she had snapped over something that wasn't really a big deal anymore. "It's just that I wish, you would have asked me first. We could have sat down with Cameron and seen if he's actually serious about wanting to play. I mean what brought this on. When did Cam even mention this?"

"I was dropping the boys off for their playdate and Brenda bought Charlie this whole band setup, guitar, drums, piano, everything. The boys and I had a blast playing."

"So you spent a hundred dollars because of one playdate? And I thought you were just dropping them off?"

"Well, I was," he frowned, he had meant to be productive and run errands. "I was just going to listen for a few minutes, but they were having so much fun…"

"I'm going to assume the boys haven't even started their homework?"

"They were having a playdate, they know that they're doing it after-"

"Fine Lucky, I'll just take care of it like I take care of everything else-" she stormed towards the kitchen.

-o-o-o-

Thursday Night:

"Come on Cowboy," Luke guided over the phone, "it'll be great." He tried not to frown at the scene before him. Tracy, as in Spanky of all people, was sitting on the couch and reading a book to Charlie.

The book was massive and Luke had no idea what it was about, he'd been trying to block it out since his wife started. What kind of kid wanted to read instead of watch tv anyway? More importantly, why had Tracy offered to read to the kid?

Brenda had her laptop open doing work, Edward was reading some report and there was Spanky, dryly reading the book aloud.

Disgustingly domestic.

Luke was starting to worry, especially regarding Alan's will.

"Everyone's coming out," continued his attempt at talking his son into going to the Haunted Star on Friday, not like he made any money off his kid, but he was still nice to have around.

"It'll be awesome," Brenda randomly called out.

"Endorsed by an international super model, how can you say no…"

-o-o-o-

Friday (Haunted Star):

"Oh look who's here, Brenda, gee, what a coincidence," Carly kept the obviously false upbeat tone to her voice.

"Carly don't start," Jax sighed.

"Is this why you wanted to come?" she accused.

"You're the one that asked me," he couldn't help, but laugh.

"Oh," she said with awareness dawning in her eyes, "this is Jason."

Jax frowned over at his wife.

"I wonder why Jason's following Brenda around?" She frowned. "Oh never mind," she said seeing Sonny come onto the boat. "Seriously he's pathetic." Jason was obviously on babysitter duty.

"I'm going to go say hello to Brenda and Robin, would you like to come?"

She glared at him.

"You know it would be nice if you started making an effort to coexist since neither of you are going anywhere."

"It's my town," she muttered under her breath as she walked away.

-o-o-o-

"Are you skipping?" Patrick asked his brother as they headed towards the boat.

Matt denied the accusation, "I'm not skipping, it's cold. Can we hurry up before we catch pneumonia? However, by the way, you are aware you and Robin are really starting to get annoying."

"You're the one that been acting like a giddy school girl for weeks."

"Yea good sex," Matt said never slowing, "puts you in a good mood. Might want to try it." He hurried towards the entrance.

"Hey don't worry about my sex life, it's just fine," Patrick said upping his steps to keep up with his little brother.

-o-o-o-

"How are they drunk already?" Patrick questioned as they walked into the main room to see Brenda and Robin cracking up while holding champagne flutes as Jax amused them.

"How is every single one of her exes here?" Matt looked at the room wearily.

Patrick chuckled and headed towards the jovial group, and made note of how Sonny and Carly kept a suspicious gaze on them as Jason looked pained to be on the boat.

-o-o-o-

"Matt Hunter? I mean seriously, she's old enough to be his mother," Carly commented as Brenda accepted a kiss on the cheek from Matt.

"You're old enough to be Matt's mother?" Jason quickly commented.

"Oh don't start Jason, you know what I mean. Why don't you go talk to her Sonny, we all know you want to." She wanted her husband away from her now, did they laugh like that?

"I'm having such a wonderful time with you, Carly," her ex retorted.

"Jax isn't even worried about me over here with you."

"Don't Carly," Jason threatened.

"Don't what?" she innocently asked.

"Use me to make Jax jealous," Sonny informed her they were onto her plan.

"Why? She's using Matt to make Jax jealous."

"Where's Max?" Sonny asked suddenly looking around the room.

"He went off with Diane ten minutes ago," Sam answered walking over after leaving Alexis, who had forgotten all about her when Mac showed up.

"You told him it was fine," Jason added.

"Drink?" Sam asked her boyfriend.

Jason threw back the rest of his scotch and nodded with thankful eyes.

"So they're insane," Sam spoke under her breath as they approached the bar.

"I told you."

"No, I mean everyone told me about Sonny and Brenda, I mean they actually say, 'SonnyandBrenda,' I mean I seriously thought they were exaggerating, they weren't." Sam looked up at her boyfriend in astonishment, "He's obsessed with her." Sonny, who discarded women with a greater ease than she could do with a pair of shoes.

Jason sighed.

"And Carly…I think she might be worse than Sonny. I'm pretty sure I've heard Brenda's name every time I've seen Carly since Brenda came to town and that day that she and Jax had lunch. I actually thought Carly's head would explode."

Jason downed his next drink.

"I wonder why nothing's going on with Brenda and Sonny," Sam pondered as she looked over at Brenda with Jax as Jason remained staring at the bar.

"Brenda's grown up. She has a son."

"So you think she's going to make a move on Jax?" Sam frowned slightly, Carly might not be a good friend anymore, but…

"I don't know."

"She hasn't said anything to you?"

"Thankfully no."

"I mean Matt's cute, but he's no Sonny or Jax and Jax is a great father. Not that Sonny doesn't love his kids, but…" She shook her head. "You should ask her what's going on," Sam decided.

Jason turned in appall.

Sam frowned, "Fine. I bet Brenda could really use a girls' night out. I can ask Maxie-"

"No," Jason ordered.

"Why not? You're friends with her."

"I didn't have a say in the matter."

She laughed lightly at him.

"Seriously Sam, just stay out of it. Trust me, I know, the last thing you want to be is caught up in that."

-o-o-o-

Brenda had no concept of time by the time she was finally alone. She had long since stopped noticing how awkward the room was. Groups of people, studying and avoiding each other. Most were happy now, aka buzzed, and content with focusing their attention and attitudes to whatever table game they were playing. Brenda had left the brothers and Robin at the craps table as she'd gone in search of another drink, when another didn't magically appear in her hand courtesy of a waitress.

She smiled as she approached the bar and Sonny, who was sipping his drink and talking to Max and Diane.

Brenda didn't notice how Diane forcibly pulled Max away after a quick greeting.

"Having fun?" Sonny asked.

She held up her empty glass with a smile.

He chuckled, "I'll get you another," he signaled for the bartender and pointed at her glass.

"Thank you," she said just as the bartender picked up the flute. "What about you? Win big?"

"Moderately, Luke's rigged the place."

"Sure it's Luke?" she countered as she looked over at Tracy, micromanaging the bartender.

"Good point," he nodded. "Enjoying being back in Port Charles?" He had seen her twice before tonight and both times had been fleeting exchanges with her always on the run somewhere.

"Yea, it's been good so far. I'm still a little lost when Charlie's at school, but it hasn't been bad."

"He's going to Brenton Woods right?"

"Yea," she nodded. "He loves it."

"That's great, I hear it's a great school."

"Yea his teacher's fantastic. Michael goes to," she nodded.

"Madison Prep. All three of them go actually."

"I've met Morgan a couple times, he's really smart isn't he?"

"Too smart for his own good," Sonny smiled, "just like Michael at that age."

"I'm sure not at all like his father."

"Me? Nah," the dimples came out.

"Uh huh."

"Michael and Morgan told me they spent some time with Charlie."

"Yea," Brenda nodded, "they came over after school last week. Met the puppy."

"You got a dog?"

She laughed, "We got a demon."

"That bad huh?"

"You have-"

"Okay," Patrick said coming over, "we need to go."

Brenda laughed, "What happened?"

"She tried to bet the house."

Brenda turned to see Matt trying to get his sister-in-law away from Ethan.

"Oh god," Brenda covered her mouth with her hand, it wasn't funny…it wasn't funny…

" I can give you a ride home," Sonny offered.

She turned with wide eyes, "Oh no that's-"

"It's no problem, no reason why you should cut your night early," Sonny smiled.

"Thanks, but I'm fine. I'm actually more than ready to go, it's been a long day."

"Yes, towards Brenda. Focus on Brenda, you want brunch-" everyone turned as they heard Matt steering Robin towards them.

"I don't want brunch," she turned back just as she reached them, "I want diner food." She turned to Brenda, "We need diner food."

"Told you not to let her mix," Patrick nodded at Brenda.

Robin ignored her husband, "I need fries…And pancakes…Oooh mozzarella sticks. Ooh hi Sonny," she startled as she noticed him suddenly. "Want to go to the diner?"

Patrick sighed.

Brenda snorted.

"She's your wife," Matt said with a hand wave.

"We need to get going," Patrick nodded at Brenda.

"I'll get our coats; it was nice seeing you Sonny."

"You sure you don't want to stick around-"

"Why would you stick-" Robin's eyes went large, "OH." Her eyes danced around the group, specifically Matt, Sonny and Brenda.

"Yea, we're going," Patrick said turning his wife. "Nice seeing you Sonny."

-o-o-o-

Jacks residence:

"Do you think Sonny's okay?" Carly fretted in their bed as she played with Josslyn.

"You really want to talk about Sonny?"

"Did you see his face? He saw Matt kiss her as they got into the car."

"We're not 16 Carly. Brenda and Sonny have been over for quite some time."

"Fine were you upset when you saw Matt kiss her?" She turned on her husband.

"I was not upset because Matt does not have an arrest record and I have my own beautiful and wonderful family. Brenda is a good friend, whom I care about. Anything else is in the past."

"Do you really mean that?"

"I do," he solemnly swore.

She gazed adoringly at her husband, then broke the moment, "I really don't trust her."

He sighed in exasperation and turned away as his hands flung up and down.

"I didn't say I didn't trust you. I'm saying that Brenda has suddenly come to town with this kid-"

"I already told you Charlie isn't mine. Brenda and I have not been intimate since-"

"Eh," Carly covered Josslyn's ears. "Don't use those words together ever again."

Jax bit back a laugh.

"But I mean seriously, you can understand, why I would have to ask. Charlie is freakishly and disgustingly perfect. I don't even know how he belongs to Brenda. What was his father a Nobel Prize winning saint?"

He laughed again.

"Seriously who is his father?"

"She never told me."

"Did you try asking? Or do you prefer thinking of it as immaculate conception?'

He rolled his eyes, "I asked. She chose not to divulge."

"Wonder if she even knows."

"Carly," Jax scolded.

"Ugh," she let out a long breath, "I can't believe she moved back to Port Charles."

"You know I think if you tried, you and Brenda could become good friends."

She turned and simply gave her husband a look.

"What, I'm just saying-"

"I'm putting our daughter to bed. You can take this time to think of all the ways you're going to apologize."

-o-o-o-

Jason's Penthouse:

"Has Fair Samantha retired for the evening?" Spinelli asked as he arrived home.

"I dropped her off at her apartment; she's got things to do in the morning."

"You are aware that if Stone Cold were to request that Fair Samantha move-"

"Not now Spinelli," Jason shook his head.

"Was it not a fun filled night at the Haunted Star?"

"Brenda and Carly were both there."

"Ah say no more," Spinelli knowingly nodded. "It is zipped," he threw away the key.

"Can you me a favor?"

"Whatever the Jackal can do to aid Stone Cold, the Jackal will as always most willingly do."

"If Sam tries to get Maxie to do a girl's night with Brenda, don't let her."

"Might the Jackal enquire as to why Stone Cold is trying to keep Fair Samantha and Tatiania apart?" He frowned, "Perhaps old feelings have resurfaced between-"

"Nothing is going with me and Brenda."

Spinelli frowned again, "Are you sure? You certainly do spend a lot of time-"

"We're friends Spinelli."

"Mr. Sir and the Valkyrie claim to be friends and then they -"

Jason raised a hand in disgust stopping his friend. "Just friends, nothing more."

"So then why can Fair Samantha not be friends as well with Titiania? Stone Cold has forgiven her past misdeeds-"

"Sam and I are fine Spinelli."

"So then-"

"I just don't think it's a good idea Spinelli."

"Bu-"

"Why did you give Brenda that nickname," Jason prompted.

"Well there are many reasons, she-"

"The ass one Spinelli," Jason supplied.

"Ah that she has been quite successful in turning the men of Port Charles into asses, except for you, Stone Cold. Your immunity to her charms is quite astonishing."

"Jax has been completely devoted to Carly, but that hasn't stopped her from-"

"Acting like a raving lunatic," Spinelli finished the sentence.

"Exactly. I just think it would be for the best to keep Sam and Brenda from spending too much time together."

"Stone Cold is not worried that-"

"Spinelli."

His hands lifted, "Fair enough. You are the wise master, I am your lowly pupil and considering the current state of the Jackal's love life…" Spinelli's whole body moved in revulsion at the thought of Franco touching his beloved. "I shall abide by your wishes and suggest to Maximista that she should discourage such an outing."

"Thank you.

-o-o-o-

The Spencer Household:

"I doubt Brenda's serious about Matt," Lucky shook his head as they stood in their room. The babysitter had been paid, doors had been locked, lights turned off, the boys had been checked on and now it was just the couple in their room continuing the discussion that had started in the car. Lucky had been disappointed Nikolas had only stopped by for a drink and nothing more had transpired between him and Brenda other than a quick hello.

"They've been dating since New Years."

"What was that? Two weeks ago? Three?" Lucky shook his head again. "And I mean it's Matt."

"Why have you suddenly gotten it into your head that Brenda and Nikolas should get together, they barely know each other." This didn't bother her, it didn't.

"Nikolas needs someone, especially after Rebecca and Spencer needs a mother."

"You're suggesting your brother marry a total stranger so Spencer can have a mother?"

"No," another shake, "I'm saying that as his family, Nikolas sometimes needs us to look out for his best interests."

"And Brenda's in his best interest?"

"Come on, she's gorgeous and funny and talk about a free spirit. Nikolas needs someone to break him out of that shell he put up after Emily."

"Isn't that up to Nikolas?"

"You know I thought you'd be with me on this."

"And why exactly is that?"

"Emily loved Brenda. I mean Brenda's practically a Quartermaine. Em expected Spencer to be a part of her family forever."

"He is because he's a part of our family."

Lucky sighed, "It's not the same. Nikolas and Spencer need more than we can give them."

"I don't think your brother would appreciate you playing matchmaker."

"Nikolas hasn't known what's good for him since Emily died. I think Brenda and Charlie could be the best thing that could happen to them."

"I think you should leave Nikolas' love life to Nikolas," she nodded and then headed towards the bathroom.

-o-o-o-

Matt's Place:

"Oh come on," Matt half whined, half whimpered as he pulled in front of his place and discovered Brenda asleep next to him.

They had gone to the diner and the girls had ordered half the menu and proceeded to eat about 3 bites a piece.

Then somewhere in the last five minutes after dropping off Patrick and Robin, since the girls had gotten a ride over with Mac and he had driven his brother from the hospital, she had fallen asleep.

"Brenda," he whispered, "we're here."

Nothing.

He got out of the car and walked around to her side, opening her door and bending into the car. "Brenda come on, bed's inside."

Nothing.

"Bren?"

Nothing.

He sighed. Yea this was going to be a piece of cake. He undid her belt, hit lock on his remote and stared blindly at the keys in his hand. Not challenging at all. He hooked it onto his finger before he went to scoop her up, hoping he'd be able to shift them without dropping them once he had her in his arms. At least she was tiny.

She shifted in his arms perfectly and automatically wrapped her arms around his neck he smiled.

He was as proud as he'd been for any surgery or diagnosis as he laid her onto his bed minutes later without any serious mishaps. He went back out to lock his door and grab a glass of water.

He chuckled as he returned to find her already curled into the pillow and placed the water next to her as he tugged on his tie.

He undid her shoes and then softly laughed, "Easy access," as he moved onto the zipper of her dress now exposed since she had rolled. Getting it off her wasn't easy as he expected, form fitting had some serious drawbacks when it was trying to be accomplished without the wearer's cooperation.

He groaned as his task was completed and the expensive black dress removed and Brenda was sound asleep before him in the barest of undergarments.

He maneuvered her again so he could pull out the blanket from under and covered her so he could focus once more. He quickly stripped down and his exhausted body joined hers in bed. It had been a rough day at the hospital.

She curled into his side immediately.

He tried not to think of how good it felt.

Seriously, I'm beyond giddy! Yay GH! Good judgement call, they're sooo rare!

Thanks for reading guys. Up next will be part 1 of a Christmas fic that I was writing before the holidays. ::Sigh:: I had a whole twelve days of Xmas planned before the keyboard finally got too pissed at not being fixed for 4 months. I think that means I need to think of something for Valentines Day.