This chapter takes a place a couple of months later.
I finally started my job with the New York Times Magazine and its so much work but its so rewarding. Not many people know after Georgie died I decided to go to school part-time and get a degree in English. Most people expect me to be dumb forever but the joke is on them. Coming up with stories about next hits in fashion and how they translate into everyday life is so much fun. This job is so much better than my job at Crimson because my work is recognized under my name and my name alone. I feel so accomplished all these years I worked to this point and its finally a reality. This is going to be my everyday life. I have the court date coming up in a week hopefully I can have my daughter back instead of only interacting with her on Skype.
I have to feed Sofia soon but I really have to finish this article while I am in the zone or else it won't be as good as it can be. Someone is knocking at the door ugh! Why are people trying to mess with my mojo? I wonder who it could be its the middle of the day and Britt and Sam are both at their jobs.
I open the door before I realize I am still in my pajamas and I haven't passed a brush through my hair.
"Awe look at you I wouldn't pass this up for the world." I see a flash and now there is picture of me with the crust still in my eye.
"Dante ugh I can't deal with you right now I'm working and its very important!" What is he doing here?
"I can tell its so important you didn't even brush your teeth yet and its 12:30 in the afternoon." What?! I forgot to brush my teeth. Is that why Sofia made that face at me?! I run to the bathroom and brush my teeth that is so gross. I look in the mirror and my hair looks so limp I need a blow dryer but that will have to wait because this story needs to be finished and sent to my editor-in-chief for approval.
I come back to living room and I see Dante playing with Sofia and I remember I have to feed her soon. She always makes an event out of feeding time. It takes her forever to eat and she loves to create a mess. I swear its because she knows I have important work to do and does what she cans to deter me.
"Dante could you like come back later when I am not so pressed for time?" Doesn't he have a job of like investigating crime in PC.
"I thought I would come and hang out with the prettiest girl in Port Charles for lunch?"
"Not that I am not flattered but I have work to do." That's sweet he said that even when I am looking the way I do.
"I was talking to Sofia." I narrow my eyes and Sofia just giggles and drools. They can have each other I go back to my laptop and start typing away.
"I'm serious Maxie I came for lunch. I can feed her if you really need to get this done and I will order us something. You both have to eat." I know Dante is right but its really annoying to hear people tell me what I need to do.
"Fine you do that then."
"Maxie you should relax more its Saturday I'm sure the article can wait."
"Its not Saturday Dante its Sunday that's why I need to get this done now and plus my creativity is at its peak right now." Its not Saturday right?!
"Maxie the day after Friday is Saturday look at what my phone says." He holds up the screen and sure enough it says Saturday and I feel like punching a wall. I thought it was Sunday and that my deadline was pressing closer and closer. I feel a breathe release within me but I still want this story done and over with since I am only about a half hour from being done.
"Maxie calm down you look like a frazzled cat. Just take a couple of breaths. I am going to feed the baby and order us some food okay." I don't even listen I just turn back and keep typing away.
Dante and Sofia leave me be and I get my work done and sent to my boss and I feel the tension in my shoulders evaporate. I feel like I could just fall in my bed and sleep forever after finishing the article. It is one of the more important articles because with summer issues we see a spike in readership. Hopefully they will want to subscribe instead of just grabbing an issue on the stands. My phone vibrates and its a text alert.
Its Britt asking if I am free today. She wants to do something after she gets off of work. I tell her we should watch a movie at my apartment. The baby is obviously not old enough to go and enjoy a movie outdoors and while Britt and I watch a movie Ben and Sofia can play in their playpen.
Sure we can watch a movie or binge watch a show on Netflix. What time are you done today? -Maxie
I get off at 2 today and Spencer has a piano lesson and nerd stuff so Ben and I are going to be doing nothing for like three hours.- Britt
I just finished my stuff for work so I am good. Once you drop off Spencer just come to my apartment and bring some food with you. -Maxie
All right I will let you know when I am close. I will get us some good burgers and Lay's Salt and Vinegar chips. -Britt
I love those chips! Ooh I hope she brings a big bag. I look up from my phone and Sofia is perched up on Dante's lap just eating the food while looking at him. She isn't making no mess at all and I narrow my eyes. What is so special about Dante that she doesn't even dream about making a mess but she's ready to put pureed peas and drool on my hair? This baby is more calculating than anyone gives her credit for. I take in the scene and Sofia notices and turns her head at me and it causes Dante to follow suit.
"Maxie come over here and eat." I begrudgingly join the two on the couch and eat my food which tastes amazing. Sofia taps on Dante's arm he resumes feeding her and "Dante's little Miss" uses her chubby arms to move his cheek away from my direction and back to hers. Is this baby serious?! I could care less because this food taste incredible I wonder where Dante got this it isn't my normal takeout. I don't look up from the plate until I am done. When I finish I realize I am still in my pajamas. Its 1:30 in the afternoon and I am still in my pajamas.
"Dante I need to take a shower can you watch her?"
"Yeah its no problem we can watch some TV isn't that right Sofia?" Sofia just does her nod like she actually knows what she is agreeing too. He could say let's go into a burning building and she would just nod and giggle. I go to my bedroom and make a beeline for the bathroom. I take my shower and wash my hair. I take my time because this is time I can't for myself. I start to think about what I have to do this week and the meeting with the judge is the most important thing. I do have work to be done but the most pressing thing is the custody hearing.
I could potentially have my little girl back with me and Sofia could have her sister by her side. The judge has it in for me but I am doing well for myself and can provide a great home for my child. Not that Spinelli cannot but I can provide a home as well too. I don't like having Georgie across the country and I don't even know how that would work yet. Spinelli has been vague about future custody arrangements but he is adamant that I have physical custody of Georgie. I towel dry my hair until its just damp. I decide on a 60s inspired mod tunic and some black leggings. My hair is the longest its been in quite some time I could totally give myself a complete 60s look but nah too much work.
I come back to the living room and Dante is lying down on the couch watching TV with Sofia on lying on top of him sleeping. Its unbelievably cute that I want to take a picture of it. So I tip-toe to my phone and take a picture neither notice.
"What are you going to do today?" Dante finally acknowledges my presence when the commercial appears.
"Watch a movie with Britt while let Sofia and Ben have a play date what about you?" I am curious what does Dante do...
"Well I am going to spend time with my brothers. They are slowly trying to repair their bond and trying to forget the curse that is Kiki Jerome. Morgan is working through his issues. My cousin Molly may tag along as well. So I guess its a mini family reunion." That is awesome that they can spend time together. I want that for Dante most of his life he was an only child and now he gets to experience the power of love that comes with siblings. Its a beautiful bond like no other. I want everyone to be able to experience that.
"That's awesome Dante you should definitely have family time amongst your siblings and cousin. It is nice to have that relationship especially growing up as an only child."
"I'm sorry does it offend you when I talk about hanging out with my brothers. I totally forgot about Georgie. I wasn't trying to be insensitive to you."
"Can you stop apologizing Dante?! I love the fact that you have what you always wanted and its beautiful that you can spend time with them now. I relish all the memories of Georgie and no one can take them away from me ever. I don't feel offended because I want you to have what I had with her. A bond unlike any other. Most times in life family are your first best friends. BJ and Georgie were for me and I am glad you get the opportunity to have that even if its late in life. Don't forget Robin is my cousin and my surrogate sister. Don't apologize for getting a chance to have what you want. Its hurts no one and if they say it does they are assholes. I know Italian people are all about family Mexicans are too so I understand. Dante its time for you to allow yourself to be completely happy without wondering how it affects others. It will only give you more wrinkles and you simply can't afford that."
"Must you continue to insult my worry lines? They are there because I worry I'm a cop its my job to always have a furrowed face. I should get ready to go soon we all planned to meet up around 3:30 get some lunch and go play some pool."
"That sounds good when do you want to leave?"
Dante mumbles something but I can't hear what he said but it makes Sofia smile but I can feel the calm before the storm rapidly approaching. She is okay for now but Dante gets up and walks to the door and hands her over to me to put on his coat.
Cue the ear piercing scream and of course she does this when she mouth is next to my ears. She always does this and it always gets old! He reaches over and he starts talking to her and telling her he will be back and she calms down. She doesn't really know how to kiss yet so she brings her lips to his cheek and presses them. The two are back in their own world and soon enough Dante is closing the door and its just me and the little one.
"We are going to have fun today. Guess who's coming to play with you? Its Benjamin! He is coming to play with you isn't that great Sofia?" I go to put her in her play pen and text Britt. She texts back saying she just dropped off Spencer and is ordering the food now.
Ugh I can't wait to have my Salt and Vinegar chips. I get my Netflix ready.
My locks are sliding open please God let this be Britt being Britt and not someone else.
"You are supposed to knock you know. You can only use for the key for emergencies!"
"Maxie shut up it was an emergency. I didn't feel like waiting for you to take five years to open a door when I have lots of crap and Ben. So get up and take some bags or you get nothing."
"Ugh!"
"Whatever you love me so save the grunts when you are fucking Dante..."
"Oh my goodness I am not fucking... I mean I am not having sex with him."
"You might as well be come on you know you want too."
"Dante just got a divorce I doubt he is looking for anybody and we are just friends and it would look weird as hell for us to be an item considering months ago he sued me. Also his ex-wife is my former best friend." I couldn't imagine what she would say.
"As weird as me being with a real prince so what!? I can tell he likes you and you like him so go for it. Lulu should be a non-factor. Why allow her any control over your life? You said you aren't friends and it sucks to prioritize your happiness over someone who is a jerk. Maxie you don't have to be lonely because you think so. If you don't like Dante then we won't ever have this conversation again. But don't come crying if he dates someone else."
"I can't think about stuff like that. I have my custody case coming up for Georgie and I have work and Sofia to think of. Dante doesn't fit in my set of priorities so its no use." I have so much on my plate I don't want to be sucked into a relationship.
Britt goes over and puts Ben in the playpen and picks up Sofia and sniffs her. I thought maybe she would be nice enough to change her if she is ripe.
"So that's why the baby smells like him? You are already in a pseudo-relationship with him the only things you guys don't do is fuck." Is she really cursing with the baby right next to her I give her a face.
"Whatever Maxie they don't know what that means you are just like Nik he does the same thing. But seriously think about it... Hey Sofia, don't you just love Dante?" Sofia eyes get bigger and giggles at the mention of Dante. It doesn't count she always does that. Or maybe it does count since she always does that. Britt puts her back in the playpen. Am I in a pseudo-relationship?
"I have to focus on getting Georgie back and on my work. Dante doesn't fit into my life right now no one does." Can we just drop the subject.
"Dante already fits quite comfortably in your life. Don't make this an excuse to try to hold back now it will disrupt the flow. It will assuredly make Sofia pissed at you and I am pretty sure she will make you notice. About the Georgie thing I can speak on your behalf on the kind of mother you are and I am sure would do the same for you."
"I will cross that bridge when it comes to it and it would be great to have character witnesses. Hopefully the judge doesn't make it hard for me to get her back or I will appeal the decision. I am getting tired of people having any control over me."
"Ditto! Let's just enjoy eating and watching the movie while the little one play with their toys."
I start in on my burger and try to focus on the movie but all I can focus on is Dante and his presence in my life. It was wanted and probably needed but I was oblivious to the effect it would have on Sofia and Dante. I want Dante but that's Lulu's ex-husband. That kind of decision will have to wait until I get this custody thing out of the way.
When Maxie asks the question "... so when do you have to leave?" and Dante mumbles "hopefully never" but only Sofia was able to hear it. Who knows if she can decipher what that means but both characters like the relationship they have and don't want it to stop. Maxie is unsure of how she should proceed because she is worrying about Lulu's feeling which shows she still cares. But something will have to give sooner or later right?