Chapter 77- What Happened to Nelle

Nina placed her hands on Willow's pale cheeks and started to sob. "Oh gosh Sonny, what is going on? Is she alive?"

Sonny bent next to them and checked Willow's pulse. "She's still alive. I'll call an ambulance." He pulled out his phone.

"Please Willow, honey, wake up," Nina said. "I'm home now. Your mother's home and everything's going to be okay."

Sonny slipped his phone away. "The ambulance is on its way."

Nina stroked Willow's hair. "Can you go check on Nelle and the kids? I don't want to leave Willow right now."

"Sure. But I should move Willow out of the elevator first."

GHGHGH

Anna suggested that Julian meet her down by the docks since the cabin in the woods had become a crime scene.

"Good evening," Julian said. "How's your head?"

"I got a few stitches," Anna said. "But I'm fine."

Julian nodded. "When do you think this will be over so I can reunite with my family?" He frowned. "If anyone wants to reunite with me that is…. I don't even know that Ava will want to see me at this point."

"The WSB is going to continue to work with you. That's not changing. We've helped mobsters get out with a deal before, so if you help us, we'll help you."

GHGHGH

"Thanks for coming, Mom," Sam said and hugged Alexis when she came in. "Danny won't leave his room and he'll only talk to Rocco and Scout. I'm worried about him. He needs to open up to someone. I thought maybe he'd want to see his other grandma."

"He was very close to Monica," Alexis said. "It's natural that he'd respond this way. How's Scout doing?"

"She's very sad and has been crying a lot. But she'll at least leave her room and is open to distraction. She's not shutting anyone out."

Alexis made her way to Danny's room and knocked on the door.

"Go away…." Danny mumbled.

Alexis slowly opened the door. "Hey Danny. Up for a visit with Grandma?"

Danny rose from his bed and made his way over to her. He hugged her and began sobbing.

"Oh, Danny, I'm so sorry. You loved your Grandma Monica so much and she loved you."

"More than that. She practically raised us for several years. Mom would leave us there for weeks at a time… and then when she was in jail. Grandma Monica was there for us. Dad wasn't."

Alexis cupped his face. "But your mom is here for you now and wants to help you."

"But it's the stupid mob that killed Grandma Monica! The same mob that kept Dad away from us and that destroyed out family. I'm sick of it!"

Alexis cleared her throat. "Your parents love you and that's what really matters. And your mom chose you and Scout over the mob. She loves you very much."

Danny sniffled. "I guess. Yeah, I guess she did. As much as I wish things were different, Dante is a good guy. He's good for her."

"Yes, and the five of you have formed a beautiful family."

"I guess I can stop shutting Mom out. But I'm still furious with Dad!"

GHGHGH

Jake's Yoshi won the 12th race in a row. Elizabeth's Peach came 4th, Jason's Mario 5th, and Violet's Toadette came last.

"I want to do Rainbow Road again!" Violet said, even though her Toadette kept falling off the road.

"Are you sure you don't want to do an easier course?" Elizabeth asked.

"I like Rainbow Road. It's so pretty."

Jake groaned. "I want to do DK Mountain this time."

"Let's switch it up and do DK Mountain," Elizabeth said, then winked at Violet. "But we can come back to Rainbow Road later."

They started the next course and Jason nudged Elizabeth. "How's Aiden?"

"Much better," Elizabeth said. "He's doing physiotherapy and has started walking again with crutches. Lucas thinks he'll be able to come home this weekend."

Jason smiled. "That's great to hear."

"Can we bake cookies with Aiden when he comes home?" Violet asked as her Toadette got hit by a boulder and fell off the mountain.

"When he feels up to it," Elizabeth said. "He might not for a while, but you can ask him."

"Will you come bake cookies with us too, Jason?" Violet asked.

"If you guys would like me to," Jason said. "I'm not very good at baking though…."

"Can I sit on your lap, Jason?"

Jason shrugged. "Sure."

Violet climbed onto Jason's lap and in his distraction Elizabeth's Peach hit Jason's Mario with a green shell and passed him.

Jake laughed. "Nice one, Mom."

Elizabeth looked at Jason and sniggered.

GHGHGH

Cameron stirred his hot chocolate. "I hope Emma will remember everyone again soon."

Azami reached for his hand and gave it a soft squeeze. "You don't need to worry about her, she's surrounded by family."

"Well, I'm her friend… and maybe more… so I want to be there for her too."

"I understand. But it might be confusing for her to be overwhelmed with too many people trying to get her to remember. She might even resent that."

Cam raised an eyebrow. "So, you think I should stay away from her?"

Azami nodded. "I think it would be what's best for her. Let her family slowly help her to remember."

Cam sighed. "I don't think I can do that. If anything, I think she needs a friend right now."

They looked up when the doors opened, and Spencer and Josslyn walked in.

GHGHGH

Nina paced the waiting room as she waited for news about Willow. But she looked up when Sonny hopped off the elevator.

She rushed up to him. "Are Nelle and the kids okay?"

Sonny sighed. "Try not to panic. But they weren't in your apartment."

Nina's face paled. "What happened while I was gone?"

Sonny rubbed her arms. "Nina, please don't take offence to this question… but do you think there's a chance Nelle remembered her past and took off with the kids? Maybe Willow tried to go after them and that's when she collapsed?"

Nina pulled away from him. "No! Nelle wouldn't do that. She just… she couldn't. I know in my heart she didn't."

"Okay. Okay, I'm sorry. But don't worry, we'll find them. You said Sasha wasn't at the hospital. We can start by calling her."

"But what if something happened to them?"

"Focus on Willow right now," Sonny said. "I'll call Sasha. Won't hurt to call Liesl or Britt either."

He pulled out his phone and stepped away for a bit.

Finally, Lucas came out of Willow's room holding a chart.

"Is Willow okay?" Nina asked. "The cancer hasn't regressed, has it?"

"No," Lucas assured. "In fact, her blood cell count has improved again."

Nina's eyes widened. "That's wonderful. But why did she collapse?"

"I think she overdid it. That and maybe stress. Even though she's improving, her blood cell count still has a ways to go. When she over does it, she's going to feel dizzy and will probably faint. If she collapses again, I recommend just lying her down, putting a cold cloth on her forehead, and giving her something to eat. You only need to bring her in if she doesn't wake up quickly or has trouble breathing. But of course, she still needs to come in for her regular appointments so we can monitor her. I just mean you don't need to rush her in if she faints again. Because she probably will."

Nina smiled. "Thank you."

"You can go see her," Lucas said. "She's awake. I need her to eat and drink something. I'll come check on her again in another hour. If she's good, she can return home."

Lucas walked away and Sonny returned. "Is Willow okay?"

Nina nodded. "He thinks she just over did it, and she should be able to return home in a while."

He smiled. "That's good. So, I have good news and bad news. Sasha has the kids. Willow asked her to take them for a few nights. She didn't want them under the same roof as Nelle. Apparently, Ryan hypnotized her into wanting to live with Nelle. But since that's worn off, she's back to not trusting Nelle."

"Oh no, Sonny. I should've known all of us being together would be too good to be true."

"But the strange thing is, Sasha said Willow wanted to stay with Nelle because she was worried about her being on her own. To me it sounds like she's conflicted over Nelle."

Nina nodded. "I guess that makes sense. But where is Nelle?"

"That's the bad news. Sasha doesn't know. Maybe Willow can tell you where she is."

"What if something happened to her? Maybe Willow was trying to save her."

"Let's not jump to conclusions," Sonny said calmly. "Just go ask Willow and see what she knows."

Nina nodded. "Can you call Aunt Liesl to give Sasha a break from the kids?"

"Of course."

Nina smiled and headed into Willow's room.

Willow sat up a bit, and her eyes filled with tears. "Sonny found you…."

Nina made her way over and slipped her arms around Willow. "Yes, he did. With Jax's help. Are you okay?"

Willow nodded. "I missed you."

"Oh, honey, I missed you too." Nina sat on the edge of her bed. "And I'm so sorry for what Ryan did to you. I didn't know that Dr. Collins was actually his evil twin."

Willow cried. "No, I'm the one who needs to be sorry. I accused Sonny and that ruined your relationship."

Nina shook her head. "No, that is not your fault. Ryan hypnotized you. And he was messing with Nelle and Wiley's heads too. And Sonny and I will be fine."

Willow stared at her lap. "You believed us over Sonny."

Nina shrugged. "Well… yeah. I will always choose you girls before Sonny."

Willow buried her face in her hands and sobbed.

Nina rubbed her arm. "Willow… it's okay."

"No, it's not. Nothing is okay."

"What's wrong?"

"Harmony always chose the leaders over me. Commune leader after spiritual leader… to Shiloh."

Tears fell down Nina's cheeks. "I'm so sorry she did that to you. I hate her. But I hurt you too, so I guess I'm not one to talk."

"You chose me and Nelle over Sonny… and I turn around and scare Nelle away."

Nina scrunched her face. "What?"

"I think I turned her against you."

Nina sat back a bit. "What do you mean?"

"She kept referring to us as kids and you raising us. I told her you were in a coma and Madeline separated us. She was devastated and wondered why you lied to her. I tried to tell her you were going to tell her when she's stronger. But I blew it, Mom. She's gone."

Nina opened her mouth to respond. Her leapt and sank at the same time. "You… you called me Mom."

"You're a way better mom than Harmony ever was. I wish I saw it before. And now I turn around and turn Nelle against you."

Nina took a deep breath. "It was going to be a shock for Nelle no matter what. She's just very fragile, that's why I wanted to wait. But I should've told her sooner. I'm no worse than Morgan and Madeline not telling her the truth."

"So… you're not mad?"

"No!" Nina reached for her hand. "I don't think I can ever be mad at either of you again. I'm not mad. But I'm really worried about Nelle. Please tell me everything. Do you have any idea where she might have gone?"

Willow shrugged. "I don't know. She started by asking about our dad. I told her his name and she said she wants to meet him. I told her he's dead and neither of you raised us. I got into your coma and how she went to the Bensons and I went to Harmony. I mentioned that Madeline gave you pills and that put you in a coma. So, then she freaked out and thinks Josiah was right all along that medicine is evil. And she wanted to know why you lied."

Nina took a deep breath. "I think she's in one of three places… or at least trying to get there. She doesn't know her way around on her own, so she's probably lost. Unless she asked for someone's help."

"What three places?"

"Either she's trying to get back to the Friends of Peace and Love, or she's trying to get to Morgan, or she's trying to find your father's grave."

GHGHGH

While Wiley played in the bedroom, Sasha tried rocking a screaming Amelia to sleep. "It's okay, Amelia. You'll be with your mommy soon." Her mind drifted and it wasn't Amelia she was holding, it was Liam and he wasn't crying—he was smiling and touching her face. Liam…." She cried. "It's okay baby."

Soon enough the baby fell asleep and it was Amelia again. She laid her in the crib in the living room. "I know you're not Liam. I just wish you were…."

She broke from her thoughts when there was a knock on the door. She found Liesl standing there.

"Sasha, dear, you've been crying," Liesl said.

Sasha pushed away her tears. "Oh, it's nothing."

"It's obviously not nothing. What's wrong?"

"I just get sentimental sometimes. It's nice to see you. But isn't Britt still in the hospital?"

"She was just released and is home," Liesl said. "Just stubborn as ever. Sonny called me and suggested I relieve you of the kids."

"Oh, they're no trouble at all," Sasha said.

"I can bring them home and they can return to Nina's tomorrow."

"But Amelia just fell asleep and Wiley's playing."

"Amelia can sleep on the way and Wiley can bring his toys. I think you deserve a break."

Sasha sighed. "Okay, thank you."

They collected Wiley and Amelia's belongings, and Sasha helped them to Liesl's car.

Sasha waved to Wiley as they drove away, and she made her way back inside. She couldn't stand the void inside her. She couldn't take the pain.

She opened the cupboard in the bathroom and reached for the pills. She had to numb the pain.

GHGHGH

Josslyn walked over to Cameron and Azami's table. Spencer followed.

"Cameron," Josslyn said. "How are you?"

"I'm all right," Cam said. "We're really not supposed to associate before your court case…."

Josslyn rolled her eyes. "I don't care about that."

Cam scrunched his face. "So, you don't care if Spencer, Trina, or I get penalized because of it?"

"I'm saying friendships should be worth more than that." She looped her arm through Spencer's. "And Spencer seems to be the only one who realizes that."

"And Spencer is the only one of us three who can afford a high fine," Cameron said.

Spencer cleared his throat. "Azami, I didn't realize you and Cam started hanging out."

Azami smiled and gazed at Cam. "We have."

"And we should get going." Cam put some cash on the table. "Come on, Azami." He eyed Spencer suspiciously, then left with Azami.

Josslyn shook her head. "I don't even recognize Cameron anymore."

Spencer ran his hand through his hair. "Uh yeah. Me neither."

Josslyn ran her fingers up his chest. "You're the only one who gets me. Who understands me. Who cares about me."

Spencer grinned. "Seems that way."

GHGHGH

Liesl brought Wiley and Amelia home to Scott. The children went right to bed. Liesl wanted to go to bed too but Scott convinced her to sit on the couch for a bit.

"Something was up with Sasha tonight," Liesl said.

Scott rubbed his chin. "You're worried about her."

"Well, yes. I was very angry with her for deceiving Nina into thinking she was her daughter. But Nina forgave her transgressions and she's been helping Britta and I in helping Nina and her girls lately. I don't wish her any harm."

"I think you care about her. Britt does too. You've all come together to help Nina, Willow, and Nelle."

Liesl nodded. "I would do anything for Nina."

"I know you would. And that's one of the many reasons I love you so much." He reached in his pocket and pulled out a diamond ring. "Mein schnitzel…. Lady love…. My dove…. Would you do me the greatest honour in becoming Mrs. Scott Baldwin?"

Liesl tears up, then pinched his cheek. "Mein Schatz…. Liebchen…. The honour would be mine."

GHGHGH

"All right, I will call Dante," Sonny said after Nina told him what Willow said and where she thinks Nelle might be. "He's been staying with Morgan since I've been in jail. Morgan won't answer if I call him directly. But Dante should know if Nelle went to see Morgan. You call the airport and see if they see any sign of Nelle."

"Okay," Nina said. "I guess it's worth a shot. But I still think she's lost somewhere. Sonny, we have to find her."

GHGHGH

After wandering around aimlessly and unable to stop sobbing, Nelle sat on a park bench. Did she make another mistake by leaving so hastily? She didn't know her way around at all. In fact, she didn't know her way with anything in life. Now she wouldn't be able to find her way back home to her mom and sister.

"Oh, could things get any worse!?" Carly groaned as she walked up to Nelle. "I can't even take a nice leisurely walk without running into someone like you."

Nelle frowned. "Sister Bertha…."

"I am not Sister Bertha. That was a cover up. I'm Carly."

"You're Luke's mother," Nelle commented.

"His name is Morgan."

"Please, Sister Bertha… please help me. I wanted to find my father's grave, but I don't know where I am. I just want to go home now."

Carly rolled her eyes and huffed. "I don't have time to help you. I'm trying to figure out how to get my life back on track."

"Oh. Are you lost too?"

"No," Carly scoffed. "I'm not lost."

"I don't know where I am." Nelle's eyes welled with fresh tears. "I just want to go home and see my mom again."

Carly tapped her foot against the ground. "I can't help you get home. But… I can take you to your father's grave."

Nelle sat up straighter. "Oh, thank you!"