"So?" Lulu questioned Matt as he stepped through the door. Her heart was sinking thinking about the possibilities.

"She's fine." He confirmed for her. "My brother, fresh off of saving your cousin decided he needed to show boat and save the day again, but no matter how I think we can all take solace in the result."

Lulu wrapped her arms around his neck enough that he was afraid she would choke him. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She cried.

"Wow; does this mean I get that surprise you promised?"

"Anything you want." Lulu promised him.

"Are you going to hate me if I tell you all I want is take in and a movie while we cuddle on the couch and call it early?"

"You must be exhausted, huh?"

He nodded. "But do I get a rain check on the extra special evening?"

"I think we can arrange something. What movie?"

"I don't know I'm kind of in the mood for something along the lines of Shaun of the Dead."

"You're kidding, right?"

Matt shrugged. "Army of Darkness."

"Eh…" Lulu let out a high pitched squeal. "Please, no zombies."

"I thought you liked the undead?" He teased her.

"No; I like Vampires, preferably the really pretty ones. If you want horror I'm okay with 'Interview'." She conceded; at least in that case there was something for her to stare at.

"Go ahead, put it in. What do you think; Chinese, Mexican, Jamaican?"

"Oooh enchiladas."

"Mexican it is." Matt smirked as he picked up the phone to place an order. As he did Lulu went into the kitchen to pull out another pill from her purse.

"Lulu, were you putting the movie in?" Matt yelled out when put on hold.

"Yeah, I'm getting something to drink you want something?"

"Sure, I'll take a beer, grab yourself one too."

She opened the fridge to find a few bottles inside the door, and shrugged. 'Can't hurt too much, right?' She posed to herself.

XXXXXX

"Mommy, when do we get to see daddy again?" Cameron asked Liz as she laid him down for bedtime.

"Soon honey. Sam has been really sick and daddy's been taking care of her, but she's starting to feel better now." Liz explained.

"Did she get the same bug that Jake got?" Cameron asked her. Zander hung back watching her tuck him in.

"No; this was something else."

"That's good 'cause it was really gross; Jake was spitting up and everything."

"That's…. cute." Zander said with wide eyes.

"Welcome to the joys of parenthood." Liz smiled at him. "Okay, honey, time to close those eyes of yours. Nighty night."

"Don't let the bed bugs bite." Cam quoted back to her. "Night night, daddy."

"Night, bud."

Liz slid his covers up to his neck and kissed him on the cheek. Cam wiped it off and closed his eyes allowing Liz and Zander to slip out. Outside of Cam's room Zander put his arms to either side of Liz pinning her to the wall as he kissed her. She gratefully kissed back before inquiring about the motivation.

"I guess just something about the moonlight shining in your hair and creating that sparkle in your eye made me have to have you." He explained.

"I'm not sure that was the moonlight." Liz responded with a kiss of her own.

"Oh?" Zander posed.

She gave an innocent smile initiating him to go for it. Zander picked her up and cradled her in his arms as he brought her to the bedroom.

XXXXXX

"Mom, really, I think you should go home and let Krissy and Molly know that everything is alright and they can visit me in the morning." Sam insisted.

"Sam?"

"I'm fine. Monica ran all the tests; everything is fine, just go home and take of yourself."

"Okay." Alexis submitted. "But I will be back first thing tomorrow."

"She was starting to drive you crazy, wasn't she?" Lucky observed.

"Yeah, a little bit." Sam confessed. "You can invite Nikolas and Mischa in."

She noticed the two standing right outside the door waiting for a prompt which Lucky gladly offered.

"Before you guys say anything." Sam started. "Can I apologize right now for anything my mother or this guy may have said to you?"

"Don't worry about it; I'm just glad to see you're okay." Mischa replied.

"That makes two of us." Nikolas said kissing his cousin's hand.

"How is living in the castle going?" Lucky asked her.

"You mean the mausoleum?" Mischa kidded. "It's fine; it's just kind of weird me being the one that is waited on."

"Are you comfortable there, because if not we can find something…" Sam offered.

"No, it's fine, Master Nikolas, here, is making sure all my needs are met."

"Nice." Lucky laughed to the Alfred impersonation.

Nikolas simply shook his head attempting not to crack a smile instead he proceeded with conversation. "Have the doctor's been able to check you out for any side effects from the drug Grandmother gave you?"

"Done, and done. I have to take something for awhile to make sure my heart stays strong, but I'm exactly worried about that." She replied as she grabbed onto Lucky's hand.

"If there's one trait the Spencer's and Scorpio's share it's heart." Nikolas observed.

"Honestly I'm still trying to wrap my head around the paternity secret." Sam admitted. "Was it coincidence or some kind of cosmic pull that brought my mom and Laertes together without even knowing they shared that same 'dark secret'?"

"I don't know, but Alexis is taking it hard that Laertes is dead because she didn't say anything." Lucky replied. He had spent enough time with Alexis in the last couple of days to understand her motivation.

"It would have been nice to have met him." Sam confessed. "Of course it also gives a whole new understanding to why mom has continually gone after the psychopaths. Speaking of which, Jerry Jacks is dead, right?"

Nikolas looked to Lucky questionably unaware of the current development.

"I haven't heard the confirmation of that, but yeah, I'm assuming he's dead." Lucky shook his head.

"What is the PCPD going to do about that?" Sam asked.

"Not much they can do besides gain a copy of the statement from the AFP and maybe ask Jason and Carly some questions when they get back. Unless Jason confesses, I don't really see it going anywhere."

"Whoa, hold up? Jason and Carly get back?" Nikolas questioned.

Lucky nodded his head. "How are you doing?" He looked directly to Mischa.

"I…I'm fine. Nikolas has an appointment scheduled for next week, it's probably too early to tell anything, but the sooner we know the sooner we can figure out…"

"If you are pregnant would you be willing to carry it to term for us?" Sam requested the hopeful tear in her eye made it impossible for Mischa to turn her down.

"Of course, yeah, but we don't know anything…"

"I do." Sam nodded her head; she was sure of it.

"What do you mean Carly?" Nikolas whispered to Lucky.

XXXXXX

"Sonny, this pasta is incredible." Claudia said as she finished her last bite. He spent the better part of the day making and stuffing the pasta from scratch. When Claudia offered to help he finally conceded to letting her fix the cream sauce and chop the veggies.

"There's more." He offered her.

"Ah… no, we're full." She groaned.

"Hopefully not too full I have some gelato in the freezer for dessert."

"Yum… what flavor?"

"Mocha." He grinned knowing it was her favorite.

"You know, a better person would tell you that you didn't need to spoil me."

"Then I don't want a 'better' person." Sonny smiled. "I want a woman that knows what she wants and will set out to achieve it."

"At all costs? Well, maybe not all." She replied.

"How about we go on a walk of the grounds to let that stomach of yours settle before dessert?" Sonny suggested. He stood over her holding her hand.

"I'd like that." She knew it was the closest she was going to get to being 'out' in a long time. Sonny went to get her coat for her and slip it on. As they passed through the patio exit the on duty guards patted them down before one followed them on the trail. Claudia looked up to the clear sky and Sonny wrapped his arms around her. "God this is beautiful, you can see everything!"

"There's Ursa Major and Minor, Draco, Cepheus, Cassiopeia and their daughter Andromeda." She pointed out.

"Whoa, hold up, where?" Sonny asked trying to follow her finger.

"Do you see the big dipper?" She questioned trying to use his hand to direct him.

"Oh yeah, I see it!"

"Okay, now if you follow the edge of the cup it direct you right to the North Star which is the end of the handle of Ursa Minor or the little dipper."

"Uh huh…" He followed.

"If you follow that East you will come across the Milky Way Galaxy. Do you see how the sky brightens up in a crescent?"

Sonny nodded.

"And right within the Galaxy is Queen Cassiopeia."

"Queen of what?" He asked her.

"Ethiopia; her and King Cepheus ruled together there but her vanity got the better of her when Poseidon caught wind that she was boasting about her and her daughters beauty being greater than that of the sea maidens. Poseidon got angry and sent a sea serpent after the country of Ethiopia who would grab the women and children at the shoreline. The King and Queen went to an oracle to find out how to stop the monster who said the solution was to let Poseidon get revenge by taking their daughter, Andromeda." Claudia explained as she pointed out the family in the sky. "They didn't like it, but feeling it was the best thing for the country they tied Andromeda by the shore, who was fortunately rescued by Perseus, a great Greek hero who was used to killing off sea monsters. According to legend he rode on a Pegasus as he slew the serpent and they got married."

"I had no idea you were into Greek mythology." Sonny commented.

"There's a lot you don't know about me. I grew up in a fortress, but even then I felt completely caved in. So at night when I couldn't sleep I would go out on top balcony and look at the stars and drew out the constellations. During the day I would go the library and figure out what they were and read the stories. It was as though I could live in my own little world… and then Johnny came along and taking care of him became my next obsession."

Sonny just listened with her pressed up against him the sweet scent of her fragrant shampoo in his breath. "How old were you when your father started taking advantage…?"

"It wasn't my dad, although he knew about it and did nothing to stop it."

"Who?" Sonny asked her. Hearing her describe her distaste for being confined, knowing who she was and how she acted out; the abuse was lit up in neon signs.

"Trevor." She pushed down the tears. "I was only eight the first time he came into my room. The first couple times it was only touching. He…" Claudia took a breath. "He wanted me to hold his genitalia and…"

"You don't have to do this." Sonny said holding her closer.

"No; it's okay, I think I need to." She held onto him as she explained more.

XXXXXX

"Who wants some pizza?" Alexis asked coming into the Jacks' house.

"Mom, you're back, how's Sam?" Kristina rushed to her first.

"Sam is doing a lot better. Like I promised the doctor's figured out what was wrong and fixed it."

"See, I told you Robin wouldn't let us down." Molly said to her sister as they followed their mom into the kitchen.

"It was a team effort." Alexis responded. "And we definitely have the numbers on our side. So what have you guys been up to today?"

"Homework mostly." Kristina responded. Although not in school yet she was still keeping up on assignments.

"That's good; how about you Molly?"

"Is that pepperoni?" Morgan asked coming down to the smell of Italian take-out.

"I figured it was a general favorite." Alexis replied while setting up the table. "I don't suppose you know if Jax and Michael are here?"

"They are upstairs allowing mom to sing the baby to sleep." Morgan replied. "It's so cute; Britni smiles every time they put the phone to her ear."

"Was there a doubt in anyone's mind that she was a girl?" Alexis quipped.

"I think that's adorable." Molly responded.

"Well, I suppose, dig in." Alexis allowed them to eat before it got cold. Minutes later Jax and Michael came down with the baby monitor in Jax' hand. "How is Carly?"

"Anxious to get home. How about Sam?" Jax asked.

"Anxious to get me home." She nodded. "She's doing a lot better; it's nice to see some color in her face, but I do think she was trying to get rid of me."

"I don't think she meant to hurt…" Jax attempted to say.

"No, no, it's fine. She was right. I should get a good night's sleep so the girls and I can visit her in the morning."

"Really?" Molly's face lit up.

"Yeah." Alexis replied.

"Do you think she's going to stay with us in the Lakehouse when she gets out?" Molly pressed.

"Huh?"

"Jax was saying…" Kristina started.

"Girls." Jax cut them off. "I'm sorry this isn't how I wanted to bring this up."

"The subject of what's going to happen when Carly and Jason get back?" Alexis questioned. "It's okay, I've been thinking about it too, and Jax I would love it if you moved in with us. I know I would feel safer…"

"Me too." Molly chimed in. Kristina kept her mouth shut because she was hoping to wait for the right time to approach the subject of her transfer. Morgan sat quietly with his pizza feeling sad that the family unit they had going was tearing apart but thrilled that his mom was going to be back. Molly again asked. "Do you think Sam will stay with us?"

"Honey, I'm pretty sure Sam is going to want to stay with Lucky."

"He does really seem to love her." Molly commented. "I wonder when they are going to get married."

"What?" Alexis questioned. She still hadn't told the girls the part of Mischa possibly carrying a baby; Sam and Lucky's baby. She wanted to leave that up to Sam after confirming the implantation worked.

"Well, you have to admit they seem perfect for each other." Kristina interjected. "Actually, it seems like everyone is finding the person they were meant to share their life with. Now if people would just play their cards right we'll have a great spring wedding season."

"Yeah; when are you two going to tie the knot?" Morgan asked.

"Oh wow, you know. We've both tried the marriage thing before…" Alexis started. "I think it's best that we just not…"

"I agree." Jax shook his head. He was satisfied with where they were, and especially with him marriage always seemed to be the beginning of the end.

XXXXXX

Liz rested comfortably on Zander's chest as they both watched the movie showing on the lifetime channel.

"You can change it if you want." Elizabeth insisted as she traced her finger against his chest.

He shook his head no. "Nah, this is fine." He replied enjoying just being there.

"Mommy, daddy!" They heard a faint cry from Cam's room.

"I got it." Zander insisted before kissing the top of Liz' head and adjusting himself free. She smiled as she watched his parental instincts take over. He went to Cam's room to find him hunched in a ball. "Hey buddy, what's up?"

"I don't feel well." Cameron replied.

"You don't feel well?" Zander repeated.

"My tummy hurts." He stated. Zander transferred him over to his lap and put the back of his hand to the boy's forehead. "You do feel warm. Let's get a thermometer."

"Daddy." The boy started to cry. "I'm going to throw up."

"Can you wait until we get you to the bathroom?" Zander asked starting to pick him up.

Cam started nodded his head yes before thrashing it no and spitting up over Zander and his Thomas the Steam Engine sheets which caused him to cry harder. Zander sat back down on a clean spot and gently ran his hand through his son's hair. "Honey, it's okay." He kept repeating.

Hearing her son crying Liz came to see what was wrong. When she walked in and Cam looked at her and cried. "I got sick."

"Yeah, I see that. Do you want me to take him?" Liz asked.

"Can you just get me a damp towel?" Zander requested.

"Yeah." She complied. Zander picked up the boy to follow her into the restroom.

"Cam, can you sit down?" She patted on the toilet to take his temp putting the thermometer in his ear while Zander washed his chest off.

"How bad?" He asked after it was read.

"99.7, I think you got the bug, bud." She told him.

"What's going on?" Spencer asked standing outside the door after being woken up by the crying.

"Nothing, honey." Liz replied. "Here, why don't I take you back to bed? Cam can you stay here with dad until I can change your bedding?"

Cameron held out his arms for Zander to pick him up. The little boys head rested under his chin while Zander rubbed his back. "Daddy, will you stay with me tonight?"

"Yeah, I can do that." He assured him. "Anything you want."

Cam's eyes started to sink as Zander held him.

"You're a natural." Liz replied from the doorway taking in the sight of father and son bonding.

"So this is what parenting is all about?" She nodded to his question. "He wanted me to stay with him tonight."

"The bed is set, and I have a bucket in there if he needs it."

Zander reached over to kiss Liz before bringing a sleeping Cam back into his room. He sat on his bed with his legs stretched out and put a pillow against the wall to rest his head against. Every so often throughout the night he checked the boy's forehead to make sure the temperature wasn't rising.