Holly was crying as Scott hurriedly heated up her dinner.
"Not long now, Hol!" he called; just as the microwave pinged.
"Whoa! Have we come at a bad time!" exclaimed a voice from the door way.
Scott turned to see his dad and Marion standing there.
"You're back from Llanview." he exclaimed, giving his dad a welcome home hug.
"We are, and we wanted to see you and my grand-baby." said Stuart grinning.
Holly was red faced and screaming in her high chair.
"She's just waiting for her dinner." said Scott trying to explain away his daughter's crying, as he hurriedly stirred the heat out of her vegetable stew.
"I'll get it." said Marion, patting Scott on the back and taking the bowl from him. "You two catch up."
"You don't…" began Scott not really wanting to leave his fussing baby to someone else.
"I can handle a hungry baby." said Marion. "Don't worry. Take a break when it's offered."
…
"So," said Stuart, sitting on a chair in the lounge as Scott settled on the couch, "Adam mentioned you came looking for me."
"Adam..?" said Scott. "Yeah I wanted some advice a few days ago."
"Well I'm here now." said Stuart. "What do you need, son?"
Scott looked down.
"I… um…"
"Yeah?"
"Holly is my world and I don't want to lose her."
"Of course."
"I'm worried about Madison. The doctors say she could be home in a few weeks and I don't know if I can trust her."
"Well surely the doctors wouldn't let her home if she was a risk."
Scott sighed and pulled his hands through his hair.
"I don't know."
"What's the real issue here?" Stuart asked sensing that Scott had more to say than he was saying.
"When she first attached me… I knew I would stand by her and bring her back. But the more time that's past, the more I…"
Scott looked down again and sighed.
"Son?" said Stuart quietly.
"I don't want her back. I don't want her ruining what I've got with Holly…" Scott blurted out.
There was a gasp.
Both men turned to see Marion standing in the doorway with a much calmer Holly in her arms.
"How could you say that!?" Marion exclaimed. "Have you thought of Madison for one moment in all this selfishness?"
"I'm not saying this to be selfish." said Scott.
"Do you know what it's like to lose your mind; to be locked up?"
"I know what it's like to be locked up." said Scott briskly. Jail had been one of the worst experiences in his life.
Stuart, recognising the tension, got up.
"Why don't I take the baby?" he suggested taking Holly from Marion's arms.
Marion let the baby go and rounded on Scott.
"Then let me tell you that losing yourself is so much worse. Madison is not blame here. It was not her fault that this happened to her. She lost one child already and she's so young. Now you want to take her other baby from her? How..? How are you your father's son?"
"You don't think I know all that!" responded Scott.
Then much to Stuart and Marion's surprise he burst into tears.
"Scott?" whispered Stuart.
"I just want something for myself for a change… I've been seeing a shrink," said Scott quietly, "Even before Madison got sick, because of stress at work. I've been taking care of Holly on my own and I'm coping but I know…" Scott gave a deep sob. "… I just know I can't do all that's expected of me and take care of Madison too. I just… I just can't."
Scott sniffed and wiped his eyes, embarrassed now at making a scene.
"Hey!" said Stuart, handing his granddaughter back to Marion and sitting down beside his son. "You're not alone. If you need help, ask. What else is your old dad for?"
"I don't know how you could." muttered Scott.
"Why don't you move back to the mansion." suggested Marion all of a sudden. "Then you really won't be alone."
"What?" said Scott sitting up.
"Sure," said Stuart, "Why didn't we think of this sooner. Brook won't mind. There'll be plenty of room for the three of you..!"
"…And you won't be doing it alone." finished Marion.
"I don't…" began Scott.
"If you want to do what's best for Holly and Madison… and yourself," said Marion, "It's the only way."
…
…