Chapter 13

It was only 8:00 in the morning, but Harry was already up and dressed. He was much too excited about the day to sleep in. He was eating his eggs while his dad was getting ready when Francis leaned in to announce a visitor. Harry was curious to see who this "Alexis Davis" was, so he quickly wheeled into the living room.

A dark haired woman came bustling into the room with a briefcase in her hand. She was dressed in a pants suit and heels. The lawyer was startled when she saw Harry come into the room. "Oh! You must be Harry." She greeted him with a nod and harried smile.

"Yes Ma'am." Harry replied uneasily.

"Excellent! Now, where's your father?" She demanded.

"I'm here." Jason answered as he came down the stairs.

"I just want to point out that I'm charging you triple because of the holiday." Alexis greeted him as she pulled a file out of her briefcase and handed it to Jason, who walked over to his desk with it.

Alexis stood next to him as he pulled a pen out of the drawer and opened the file.

"I've marked the places that you sign." The lawyer explained.

Jason just nodded and began writing his name on the appropriate lines. When he had finished all the pages, Alexis closed the folder and stuffed it back into her briefcase. "I'll file these as soon as I leave here. I know a clerk who never takes holidays…much like me." The woman grumbled. "At least you called during business hours a few days ago."

"Thank you Alexis." Jason said softly and sincerely.

Alexis stopped and stared at the man. She couldn't remember a time when he had ever thanked her like that. She glanced over at Harry, who was watching them curiously, and then her face softened. She smiled at Harry and then Jason. "You're welcome. Happy Independence Day. Harry, welcome to America."

Harry smiled sweetly. "Thank you. Happy Independence Day to you as well."

Alexis shot Jason a look of respect and then let herself out.

Jason turned to face his son and grinned. "I'll bet you're curious about those papers I just signed." He began.

Harry shrugged. "Yes, but I assumed it was business."

"Not this time." Jason crossed the room and knelt next to the wheelchair. "Those were papers that made you an American citizen. Now if Voldemort were to attack you, he would have to face charges from the United States – not just Britain."

Harry's eyes got wide. "I'm an American?"

"Yes, in both the muggle and magical world. Turns out Alexis knew all about magic. It's how Helena got away with so much. Apparently she really was a witch." Jason chuckled, remembering the evil woman.

Jason suddenly wondered if this was even something that Harry wanted. "I'm sorry Harry, I should have asked you, but I just thought this would be a nice surprise for the holiday."

"No! I'm very excited to be a citizen! It means that I belong here! I've never really belonged anywhere before." Harry protested.

"That's not true anymore." Jason said, laying his hand on his son's knee. "You belong with me."

Harry smiled and nodded happily before leaning forward and initiating a hug from his father.

A knock at the door broke up the affectionate moment. Both of the Morgans looked up to see Michael burst into the room with Sonny and Carly shuffling in behind him. Carly waddled over to Harry, planted a quick kiss on his head and then made her way to the couch where she collapsed with a weary sigh.

"Did we just see Alexis leave?" Sonny asked as he watched his wife make herself as comfortable as possible.

"Yeah, she brought by some papers for me to sign." Jason nodded. He looked down at his son and grinned. "Do you want to tell them?"

"Tell us what?" Michael piped up excitedly.

"I am now an American citizen." Harry announced proudly.

"Wow! That's great! Now you really can celebrate the Fourth of July!" Michael exclaimed, dancing from foot to foot.

"I thought Harry became a citizen when he got adopted." Carly stated, confused.

"He could claim citizenship. That's what he did today – or rather I did as his guardian. I wanted his holiday to be special." Jason explained.

Sonny shot Jason a look. He understood that there was more to this than celebrating a holiday, but he kept quiet about it. Jason rarely did anything without several reasons. It was why they had remained untouchable in the organization.

"So are we ready to go?" Sonny asked, changing the subject.

"Yes!" Harry exclaimed, his green eyes shining.

Jason chuckled and nodded. "Let me grab our bag." He declared. "David will meet us in the garage."

"You're going to make me get up aren't you?" Carly grumbled as Sonny crossed the room and helped his very pregnant wife up from the couch.

"Are you sure that it's safe for you to come?" Harry asked in concern.

Carly winked as she finally gained her balance. "Don't you worry about me Sweetie. I'll be fine."

"Okay." Harry nodded uneasily.

"We'll keep an eye on her." Jason whispered in his ear so that Carly couldn't hear it.

*****

The park was overflowing with people, and Harry couldn't help but feel a bit self-conscious when he saw so many of them take notice of him in his wheelchair. Jason and David moved them through the worst of the crowd as quickly as possible. Sonny's men had already set up a tented area near the pond so that Carly would be out of the worst of the sun. Everyone gave a small sigh of relief when they reached it.

"Fancy meeting you here." A familiar voice greeted them cheerfully.

Harry's eyes lit up as well as Jason's. "Elizabeth!" The teen exclaimed happily. He was more than glad to accept a quick hug from his favorite waitress right before she greeted his father with a thorough kiss.

Jason smiled down at the woman in his arms. "I thought we were going to meet at the Quartermaine tent."

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow playfully. "The Q's are right next door." She informed him.

Jason groaned and put his forehead against her shoulder. "That means that Edward is going to be nearby all day, doesn't it?"

Elizabeth chuckled. "Afraid so." She leaned forward and whispered softly in his ear. "But you have a gun."

Jason started laughing. "Don't tempt me!"

"Okay, break it up you two! Some of us are still planning to eat today!"

Jason and Elizabeth looked up to see Emily standing in the doorway of their tent with her hands on her hips.

"Now, where's my nephew? I have instructions to present him to Grandmother immediately."

Harry's soft laughter could be heard from the side. Emily grinned, since that was her goal all along. "Ah! There's my little heartbreaker! Come along mister, you don't want to keep your great-grandmother waiting!"

Emily didn't even give him a chance to move his wheelchair towards her; she went to stand behind him and wheeled him out herself. David gave Jason a quick nod and followed them out.

Harry's eyes widened when he saw the size of the Quartermaine tent. Emily didn't even hesitate before pushing his chair through the open flaps and into the cooler interior. A portable air conditioner hummed softly in the corner, and there were tables and chairs set up throughout the large room. To one side Harry saw a few family members that he recognized such as Ned and Alan. His eyes widened to see another familiar face.

"Hello Ms. Davis!" Harry greeted the much more casually dressed lawyer.

Alexis smiled at the young teen and nodded. "How are you enjoying your first Fourth?"

"It's brilliant! Though we did just get here." Harry admitted sheepishly.

"Harry dear! I see you know Alexis?" Lila greeted her grandson.

"Hello Grandmother!" Harry exclaimed as he directed his chair away from Emily and closer to the older woman. He reached out and grasped her soft hand in his own. "I met Ms. Davis this morning when she brought some papers for Dad to sign."

"Some sort of mob business I'm sure." Huffed Edward Quartermaine.

Harry's emerald eyes shined angrily. "Actually, he was signing paperwork that made me an American citizen. It was my special present for the holiday."

Edward raised his eyebrows at the tone of voice the teen used. "Now you listen here young man. You better learn some respect." He scolded angrily as he moved to stand over Harry.

Harry sat up tall in his chair. "Then you should set an example for me by respecting my father!"

"He's quite right Edward." Lila agreed, giving her great-grandson a wink.

"Humph!" Edward scoffed. "Mark my words, no good will come of this one." He glared down at the crippled boy before moving away.

"Edward!" Lila exclaimed angrily.

Harry seemed to deflate before their eyes and he stared down into his lap blinking rapidly. "If you'll excuse me, I believe I'll go back to my dad." He whispered before hurrying his chair out of the tent.

"What just happened?" Emily asked, staring after her nephew. "I've never seen Harry talk to anyone like that before. I can't believe that he just stood up to Grandfather."

Lila shook her head sadly. "He loves your brother very much, and obviously couldn't stand to hear him criticized. He doesn't see himself as important enough to defend I'm afraid; that poor boy."

"I'm going to make sure he's okay." Emily murmured.

"Please give Harry my love." Lila asked as her granddaughter left the tent.

Lila turned to look at Edward and narrowed her eyes angrily. She needed to have a stern talk with her husband.

As soon as Emily and Harry left, Carly asked Johnny to take Michael for an ice cream.

"Have there been any more updates on the investigation?" Sonny asked Jason as soon as Johnny and Michael left the tent.

"No, all David has found out is that someone who pretended to be the personal bodyguard for the Minister of Magic walked into Umbridge's house and spelled her to kill herself. David is beginning to believe that it might not have actually been Umbridge who cast the magic blocking spell on Harry. He's beginning to think that this is outside the realm of the Minister and his personal vendetta." Jason informed his partner.

"What about Voldemort?" Elizabeth asked softly. "Could it have been his men?"

Jason shrugged. "It's possible, but David thinks that Voldemort is more interested in proving his power against Harry by killing him personally. It would cheapen his victory if everyone knew that Harry no longer had access to his magic. No, both David and I think that there may be a third party involved. We just haven't figured out who that could be."

Carly, who had been let in on the secret of magic was angry that so many people were trying to hurt the young teen who had come to mean so much to her.

Carly and Elizabeth nodded and sighed. While they were both grateful that Sonny and Jason were allowing them full disclosure to the situation surrounding Harry, it was frustrating that they couldn't be more help. Both women had convinced their significant others that since the situation had nothing to do with "business" that they should not be kept in the dark. After a long discussion, both Sonny and Jason had reluctantly agreed.

The adults all looked up when Harry came rolling into the tent. Jason was immediately alert when he saw the way Harry was fighting back tears.

"What happened?" He demanded softly.

Harry shrugged and shook his head, refusing to answer.

"Harry?" A soft voice called. Emily appeared a moment later.

Jason looked at his sister expectantly. Emily sighed and gave the one-word answer that seemed to explain the entire situation. "Grandfather."

Jason growled and clenched his fist – of course.

Emily perked up a bit and forced a grin. "You should have seen him Jas. Grandfather started into one of his normal rants about how you're a criminal, yadda, yadda, yadda, blah, blah, blah, and then Harry informed him that you gave him a special present for his first American holiday. So Grandfather – being Grandfather – starts talking about Harry should learn respect. And then – you'll love this!" Emily laughed. "And then Harry replies that Grandfather could teach it to him by respecting you! The look on Grandfather's face was priceless! I wish I had a camera."

Jason's lips twitched at the thought of his small son telling the old man off before his eyes narrowed. "Then what did the old man say?" He grumbled.

Emily's smile disappeared and she glanced at Harry sympathetically.

"He said that no good would come of me." Harry whispered as he stared down at his hands.

"Jason, I need to borrow your gun." Elizabeth growled.

"No, let me." Carly volunteered. "I can get off on a hormone plea." She dramatically tried to get up out of the stuffed chair she was sitting in. "As soon as I can get up!"

Harry's lips twitched and he sniffled softly before chuckling at the picture Carly was making.

"No, I'm okay. I shouldn't let him get to me." Harry stated.

"You should never listen to anything Edward Quartermaine says." Sonny declared, eyeing his wife to make sure that she was just kidding – these days he couldn't be positive.

"Sonny's right." Emily agreed. "I love my Grandfather because I have to – but that doesn't mean I like him – or listen to a word that comes out of his mouth. He's an old man who's had his way too long. He's forgotten that other people have feelings. Of course, I'm sure that Grandmother is reminding him right this minute."

Harry's eyes widened. "Oh no! I forgot to tell Grandmother 'good-bye'!"

"She understood. She even asked me to tell you that she loved you." Emily smiled gently. She still couldn't understand how anyone could ever hurt this kid. He was just too sweet.

"Still, I shouldn't have just left her like that. And I didn't even get to talk to Grandmum Monica." Harry disagreed. "I should go back."

"You can go back soon, but first, it's time to eat." Sonny declared, uncovering the trays of food he had been arranging.

"Thank God!" Carly declared hungrily.

Harry's eyes sparkled mischievously. "Are you sure you should be eating all that? Perhaps you should just have some fruit." He teased.

Carly's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Listen mister. Never get between a pregnant woman and the food she's craving. You can have the fruit. Me and junior here are having bar-b-que!"

TBC…l