Dillon walked out of the elevator and stopped. He looked around in awe over how the hospital hadn't changed since his childhood in Port Charles. Looking over toward the nurses' station, he saw Elizabeth Webber behind it working on the computer. He took a deep breath and walked up to the desk.

"Excuse me?" he asked, his voice quiet.

Elizabeth looked up. "Yes?—Dillon!" She stopped what she was doing and came around to give him a hug. After all, she'd been Emily's best friend and he'd been Emily's cousin, so they'd known each other in passing a long time ago.

"Hey," he said awkwardly returning her hug. She pulled back and smiled.

"What can I do for you?" she went back behind the desk just as the phone rang. Holding a finger up as a signal, she picked up the phone and spoke in her most cheerful voice. "Fifth floor nurses station…this is Nurse Webber." She listened for a moment. Nodding, she punched another button on the phone. "Yes, I'll transfer you…Dr. Drake…would that be Patrick Drake or Mattie Drake? Yes, yes, one moment please."

She looked back at Dillon, who wore a confused look on his face. "Mattie Drake, Robin and Patrick's daughter," she explained, understanding his confusion. For someone who was away from Port Charles for any long period of time, getting back into the swing of things could take a while. "Did you want something?"

He sucked in a breath and nodded. "Uh, yeah. I was hoping to find out if Maxie Jones was somewhere in the hospital. She asked me to meet her here, but didn't tell me where."

Elizabeth frowned in surprise. She wasn't sure what to say to that. "Um…I'll page her. If you want to wait over there." She pointed to the circle of chairs in the waiting area. Picking up the phone, she watched him walk to the chairs. "Maxie Jones to the fifth floor nurses' station. Maxie Jones to the nurses' station, please." She replaced the phone and studied that man that sat by the elevator. Elizabeth wondered how Dillon would react to seeing his first love alive. He'd helped bury her thirty years ago and now…to find her alive; it would surely alter his world. She was jolted out of her musings by Maxie's frantic voice.

"What's wrong?" she asked, hurrying out of the elevator and up to the desk. Saying nothing, Elizabeth motioned to Dillon who was halfheartedly thumbing through a two week old issue of People magazine. Maxie's eyes widened, but she took a deep breath and a step forward.

"Dillon?"

He looked up and when he saw her, stood up. "Maxie."

She smiled. "Hi, thanks for coming so soon. Um, how are you?" she smoothed down her blouse nervously.

Dillon shook his head. "No small talk, Maxie. Why am I here?"

Pursing her lips, she nodded. "Okay, no small talk. Well in that case, why don't you come with me?" she turned sharply and walked down the hallway toward Georgie's room.

"Where are we going?" Dillon inquired impatiently. He hurried along to keep up with her. Despite her small stature, Maxie had quite a stride.

Maxie turned around and glared at him. "Can't you just be patient?"

Without waiting for answer, she led him around one last corner and stopped in front of a closed door. Dillon looked at her quizzically, unsure of what to say. He still didn't know why she'd brought him here. Finally, she broke the silence.

"Dillon, this is going to shock you—I know it did me. But you just have to go with it and listen to the explanation," Maxie said quietly, opening the door and waiting for him to enter. She closed the door behind him and leaned against it. Lord, she hoped that she'd done the right thing, because this could potentially backfire and come back to hurt her. Shaking her head, she turned around and watched the scene unfold inside her sister's hospital room.

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Dillon couldn't believe his eyes. She wasn't here, couldn't be here. There was no way. He'd seen her, dead, and he'd been to her funeral. That had happened thirty years ago, but now…it couldn't be her. Could it?

The woman who lay in the standard hospital bed looked like her. She had Georgie's face, her hair…and he imagined her eyes, if they were open. But still, it wasn't possible.

Shaking his head, Dillon walked up to the side of the bed and reached a hand out. He had to know if he was seeing things or if this was real. He brushed his hand down her silky cheek, taking in her smell. She smelled like his Georgie, but was it?

Was this what Maxie was talking about? That Georgie was really alive, after all this time? As much as some part of his wanted that to be true, another part wanted to scream at her for staying away.

A small rustling jolted him out of his musings. Dillon yanked his hand away and stared down at the petite brunette with a colorful cascading of bruises on her porcelain face. She opened her eyes and he was startled to see Georgie's eyes staring back at him.

"Dillon?"

It was said so quietly that he would have missed it if he hadn't been staring right at her. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. What did you say to the woman who was supposed to be dead?

Georgie blinked her eyes and tried to focus. She'd been dreaming about him and then he was here. It was weird, but comforting. She wasn't sure how to explain everything that had happened in the last twenty-nine years though. She wasn't sure if Dillon would understand it…or want to understand it.

"Georgie," he whispered, still not quite sure if she was real.

She smiled and reached a hand out. He grasped it for a brief moment, and then dropped it. "Why?" it was so simple a question, but they both knew that the answer was anything but simple.

She looked down. "It's complicated."

He shook his head violently. "No. what's complicated is the fact that you are here, when you are supposed to be dead."

"Dillon—"

"Don't."

"I'd like to explain, if you'll let me," she whispered. Her voice wavered and she willed herself not to cry.

"I can't do this right now. I'm sorry, I just can't," he turned away from her and left the room in a hurry. She watched him disappear down the hall and closed her eyes. She didn't stop the tears now. There was no use. Just like she'd lost Dillon twenty-nine years ago, she'd lost him again. And that broke her heart more than anything she'd experienced in that time.

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Bree burst through the door breathless. She and her mother had been all over town. They'd spent the better part of the day shopping in downtown Llanview. Now she was ready to fall down with fatigue. She dropped her bags on the table and stripped off her coat. Jessica had talked her into a new dress by declaring that it went great with Bree's eyes. She laughed as she practically crawled into the living room and dropped onto the couch. Sometimes her mother was hard to resist. She would pick up a shirt or dress and demand that Bree try it on. Bree had managed to get away with only buying the dress and a pair of heels because Jess had said that Bree hadn't even thought to bring any with her. They'd finally left only after Bree had claimed exhaustion.

While Bree closed her eyes and willed the tension away, Jess practically skipped inside and set her myriad of shopping bags near the stairs. She disposed of her coat and scarf and reached up to set the kettle to heat on the stove. The house was quiet so she assumed that Viki and Charlie were out.

When she had fixed the tea and placed it along with scones on a tray, she walked into the living room. Bree was lying awkwardly on the couch sound asleep. Jessica smiled and set the tray down. Walking over to her daughter, she draped a throw over her and placed a gentle kiss on her brow.

It was hard to believe that Bree was all grown up. When she was away, Jess forgot that her baby was a woman. But now, that she was back for a visit, Jess wished for just a little more time with her daughter.

Bree looked so much like the father she didn't remember. Nash would have been proud of their daughter…of both their daughters. Jess felt shame wash over her briefly. It was rare that she thought of her dark days when Bree had been a little girl and after Chloe had died—the real Chloe. The one she'd never known because she hadn't been well when she'd given birth to her still-born daughter. Her alter, Bess, had switched the baby with her cousin's baby. When the secret had finally come out, Jess had been forced to give up the baby that had become hers. And she still regretted her decision…or rather Bess' decision.

Shaking her head, Jessica let go of her memories and focused on the child she did have. Part of her wished that she wouldn't have to say goodbye, but she knew that Bree was an adult and had her own life. Jessica wished that Bree didn't lead such a dangerous life, but knew that her daughter was strong.

Getting to her feet, she poured herself a cup of tea. She walked to the window and looked out at the snow covered ground. Christmas was nearly here and she had her daughter home. She needed to let go of the past and celebrate with Bree. It was what Nash would have wanted and she had to learn to live with her past, no matter how sordid and troubled it was. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Mattie tugged her shirt over her head, careful to not mess with her hair. She was in a hurry to get home and get ready for dinner. She and Morgan were meeting Patrick at the Metrocourt to tell him their news. She wondered how he would take it. Hopefully, he'd be happy for them. When she'd told her father that she loved Morgan at the charity ball, he'd seemed happy for her. But now that they were officially engaged, would it be the same?

She reached for her slacks and slipped them on. Finished with her short brown boots, she fluffed her hair in the mirror. Suddenly Kelly appeared behind her. Mattie whipped around and smiled.

"Hey, I heard that you were off. I haven't seen you all day. And I heard a little bird say something about a ring," she smiled and reached for Mattie's hand.

Mattie narrowed her eyes. "Would that little bird happen to be a petite brunette wearing purple scrubs?"

"So what it if it was. Don't get mad at Elizabeth, she's just excited for you—we all are. Have you told your dad yet?" Kelly dropped Mattie' hand after gawking at the ring.

Mattie shook her head and glanced at the clock. "No, not yet. Actually, we're having dinner tonight at the Metrocourt. We'll tell him then. I think he'll be okay with it though. The other night at the ball, when we danced together, he didn't seem too surprised when I said that I loved Morgan." She picked up her coat and, slipping it on, she buttoned it before tying her scarf. Kelly picked up her purse and gave it to her and together they walked out of the locker room.

"Good luck," Kelly said, leaning in for a hug. She'd always been close to Robin and after Robin's death, had acted as a confidante for Mattie, in addition to being her aunt by marriage.

Mattie stepped onto the elevator and gave a thumbs up sign. "Thanks," she replied as the door closed.

Kelly watched her go and smiled. Mattie was growing up. She knew that Robin would be proud of her little girl. She only hoped that Mattie was proud of herself and all she'd accomplished. Turning back to the desk, Kelly waved at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth replaced the phone and looked at her friend. "Did she go?"

Kelly nodded. "Yeah, she had to go home and get ready for dinner. She and Morgan are telling Patrick tonight."

Elizabeth grinned. "Oh I can't wait to see how that turns out. Patrick has never been fond of Morgan and he's pretty attached to the idea that Mattie's still a little girl."

Kelly smiled. "Well I hope that he's ready for a shock, because the Mattie that just walked out of here is not a little girl."

"I hope that Patrick will see that." Elizabeth shrugged and went back to her filing. If she was lucky, she'd be out of here within the next hour or so. Kelly walked back to the locker room and began to change her own clothes. She wanted to get home. Matt was off today and he was cooking dinner for her. She smiled as she thought of her own love life. As tumultuous as it had once been, she'd found her lifeline with Matt Hunter…of all people.

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Mattie finished powdering her nose just as the doorbell rang. She could hear Sarah opening it and welcoming Morgan inside. Running a brush through her hair one last time, she sighed and walked out of the bathroom. It was as good as it was going to get.

Morgan looked up as Mattie walked calmly into the living room. She managed to maintain the calm exterior, even though her stomach felt as though it were filled with a dozen high-jumping frogs. He walked up to her and pulled her toward him. She closed her eyes and smiled to herself. He'd seen though her façade right away.

"It's going to be okay," he murmured in her hair.

She pulled back and nodded sharply. "I know, but it is my father…"

"It will be fine. Your dad will be so happy for you," Sarah cut in, grinning. She folded her arms over her chest and frowned. "Now, you guys better get going or you'll be late." She handed Mattie her coat and leaned in to kiss her cheek. "You'll be great!"

Mattie sighed and followed Morgan out the door and down the hall toward the elevator. Morgan gripped her hand as they waited for the elevator to descend to the lobby. Together, they walked out of the building and down the street toward the Metrocourt.

The hotel lobby was abuzz with activity when they walked inside. Morgan led the way toward the restaurant without stopping at the front desk. He wasn't in the mood for a confrontation with his mother right now, especially with Mattie so nervous over telling her father about their engagement.

As they walked inside the restaurant, they spotted Patrick seated at a table by the window. Mattie took a deep breath and pulled her hand from Morgan's. She'd rather not give her father any clues, not yet anyway.

Patrick stood up when he spotted them. "Hi guys!" He kissed Mattie's cheek and pulled her chair out for her. She took a seat as her father shook Morgan's hand. When they were all seated, a waitress appeared and took their drink orders. Morgan spoke for all of them.

"I'll have your most expensive wine," he said, pointing to a name on the wine list that Mattie couldn't pronounce, let alone afford. "A bottle," he added as the waitress walked away.

Patrick eyed Morgan suspiciously. "Are we celebrating something?"

Mattie's eyes widened and she looked at Morgan worriedly. Under the table she was wringing her hands. Morgan shook his head and reached for her hand beneath the table. He couldn't figure out why she was so worried about telling her dad.

"Well?" Patrick inquired. He picked up his water glass and sipped it, eyeing his daughter over the rim.

"We are celebrating something," Morgan began, hoping that Mattie would have the courage to jump in.

Lucky for him, she did. "Dad, Morgan and I are…engaged to be married," she finished breathlessly, like a runner at the end of the race.

Patrick choked slightly on his water, but to his credit, didn't look too surprised. "Really? Well that's great," he said, getting to his feet and drawing Mattie to hers. He drew her into a hug and held her tight for a moment. Pulling back, he took his seat again and waited for Mattie to sit down. He looked at Morgan and shook his hand. "Congratulations to you both. I'm really happy for you."

Mattie breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm glad that you say that dad." She picked up her water glass and took a long drink.

Patrick frowned. "Why were you so worried? I respect you and I trust your judgment. After all, you are your mother's daughter."

Mattie shook her head. "It doesn't matter now."

Morgan nodded. "No, it doesn't. And I can promise you, Dr. Drake, I love your daughter and I respect her as well. She and I will have a good life together."

Patrick smiled. "I know you do, Morgan. As much as your mother hated Robin, I'm glad that you too are together." He turned to Mattie. "So, are we going to be planning a big wedding?"

Mattie sighed. "I don't know. I figured that I'd leave the planning to Maxie. After all, she did plan both of your weddings. But I don't want a huge wedding, the problem is that we have too many close friends and family. Between the hospital and…" she looked at Morgan. "I-I mean, I'm sure that there are important people of your father's that you want to invite."

Morgan shook his head. "I only want people who I care about at the wedding. Most of Jax's business associates are only acquaintances. Although, you will have to deal with my mother."

"I'll let Maxie deal with her for the wedding. She will be here for the rest of our lives, why not wait?"

Morgan grinned as the waitress appeared with their wine and glasses. "Yeah that is how most people feel…"

After those first awkward moments, all three settled in for their meal. This was the beginnings of a good family.

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Okay, so this update has taken a little while. For that I'm sorry, but I've been busy with finals. Now that college is finished, I hope to have several more chapters up in the coming weeks. Please review (I love reading them both negative and positive). I'm having a little trouble with Dillon and Georgie. I want them to experience turmoil after their reunion. But I am having trouble with the angst part of it. Let me know if you have any suggestions. Please review! Thanks for reading!