Chapter Twelve

Sitting straight up on the couch, Johnny listened carefully, trying to decide what had woke him. Seeing the clock that read just after four in the morning, he slid from the couch and slowly made his way to the window. Catching sight of Randall standing on the porch, he released a breath that he didn't realize that he had been holding. Still unable to place his finger on what had disturbed him, he silently made his way upstairs. Cracking the door to Baylor's room, he could see that she was curled into a small ball and sleeping peacefully. Going to the only other bedroom, he stopped abruptly before his hand had even touched the knob to the door.

The muffled sound of Georgie's voice was light enough that he could not make out what she was saying. Easing the door open, he saw that she was still asleep but caught in the middle of a dream. It was when she shifted and the light filtering through the curtains from the moon caught her face that he saw the tear tracks staining her cheeks. Crossing the room hesitantly, Johnny sat on the edge of the bed and lightly touched her shoulder. "Georgie," he whispered, determined to wake her from whatever she was dreaming of.

Cursing when her right hand lashed out with force, he barely caught her arm before her palm would have connected with his nose. Eyes narrowing, he watched as she struggled to catch her breath and then stilled at recognizing him as the haze of sleep cleared from her eyes.

"Johnny?" she whispered in confusion as he released her wrist after feeling the tension drain from her body.

"You were talking in your sleep," he explained slowly. "I heard you downstairs."

Pushing herself into a sitting position, she looked at the clock and winced. "Sorry I woke you."

Ignoring the apology, he waited until she glanced back at him. Seeing that her face was slightly pale and that she was trembling, he wished that she would open up to him but knew that she wouldn't. "It's no big deal. I'm a light sleeper most of the time. You sure you're okay?"

"Yeah. Must have been a bad dream," she answered evasively.

Letting it slide because he could sense her embaressment, he started to stand but stopped as she curled her fingers around his forearm.

"Wait!" Swallowing thickly at the thought of being alone after that particular memory, she looked at him through half lowered lashes. Pushing aside her own misgivings, she released his arm. "C-could you stay with me?"

Surprised, Johnny nodded. He knew that she was trying her best to keep him at a distance, so his concern doubled at hearing her ask him to stay. "Yeah." Moving over to the other side of the bed, he slid under the comforter and turned on his side so that he was facing her and pulled her unresisting body closer and wrapped his arms around her. "Go back to sleep, Georgie. It's okay."

Hating that she was showing any sign of weakness, she just closed her eyes and listened to the steady rythem of his heartbeat as she felt a peacefulness settle over her. "Thank you," she murmured as she felt herself starting to drift off.

Feeling her body relax completely, he lightly kissed her forehead and closed his own eyes. Unfortunately he was anything but sleepy. Having trouble controlling his body's reaction to having her sleeping in his arms, snuggled against his chest, Johnny turned his focus to their evening.

While dinner had been filled with a small amount of ackwardness, Baylor had lightened the mood considerably. The little girl had been a chatterbox and taken most of their attention. When Georgie had refused his help in loading the dishwasher, he had played numerous games of Chutes and Ladders with Baylor. But it was after her bath that she had stunned him and Georgie by asking Johnny to read her the nightly bedtime story as she was rocked to sleep. Witnessing her daughter already at ease with him had helped Georgie to relax also. Once Baylor was down for the night, they had settled on the couch and watched a couple of movies together. As it got later, she had started to try and hide her exhaution, but eventually she had fell asleep with her head resting on his shoulder. The normal family activities had made him wish that his own upbringing had consisted of the normalcy that Georgie was providing for her child andd seemed to crave for herself.

Opening his eyes and studying the woman that he had married just hours before, Johnny couldn't help but think of how right she felt in his arms. From the moment that he had saw her exit the elevator at GH, he had felt an instant connection to her, one that he was determined to explore. Letting a smile curve his lips, he closed his eyes and wondered how long Georgie was prepared to fight the attraction that she felt as well. Because just from what he had seen from her since they had been reaquainted, Georgie's resolve was already starting to weaken. When she would notice that she was leaning on him for any type of support, Georgie would pull back. Being patient was something that Johnny had always struggled with, but he had a suspicion that it would be worth it in the long run this time.

Trying not to wake him, Georgie carefully slid from Johnny's embrace and stood after looking at the clock and seeing that it was after seven. Already hearing movement from across the hall, she stretched her back to loosen her muscles and started toward the door just as it burst open and bounced off the door stopper.

"Momma!" Skidding to a halt, Baylor's eyes widened as she looked behind Georgie to see Johnny sitting up and running a hand through his sleep tousled, black hair. "Whys Johnny in your bed? Did yous have a sleepover?"

Muffling a groan, Georgie exchanged a quick look with Johnny before picking Baylor up and carrying her over to the bed. Sitting on the side as Johnny swung his legs around, she placed her in the middle of them. "Bay, we have something to tell you. We was going to wait until later, but I guess now is as good as time as any." Taking a deep breath, she felt Johnny rub her shoulder, trying to offer support. "Mommy and Johnny got married yesterday. He is going to be living here, with us, from now on."

"So we's a family, all of us?" she wondered.

"Yes," Johnny answered as Georgie hesitated. "We are a family now. Are you okay with that, Baylor?"

Breaking into a huge grin, she giggled. "Uh huh. You are nice and funny." Her nose wrinkled as she stopped talking and looked down. "Does that makes you my daddy now since you marrieds my mommy?"

Stealing a quick look at Georgie and seeing that she had closed her eyes and inhaled sharply, Johnny knew that this was the question that she had been dreading but expecting. Seeing that she was not going to look at him or offer any indication of how she wanted him to answer, he gave the little girl watching him with a hopeful look a big grin. "Do you want me to be?"

An excited nod met his question. "Yes! Momma said that my real daddys died befores I was born. So I've never had ones and I alweady knows you."

Johnny hugged her close and kissed the top of her head. "Good, because I would love to be your father and help your mommy take care of you, Baylor."

"Do I gets to call you Daddy?"

"You can call me Daddy or Johnny, baby girl. That's up to you."

"Now I can tell Alexis nots to worry that I will grows up without a daddys because she says mommy's got issues about letting peoples know her. She tells Mac that mommy probablys should be in therapys cause its oblious she needs it. But now I have a new daddy alweadys." Jumping down, she started toward the bedroom door. "I'ms going to gets a juice. Sees you downstairs."

Worried about Georgie's reaction to Baylor's comments, Johnny was startled to see hear her snort as soon as Baylor was out the room.

"Like any of her girls have fathers that give a damn. Lets see, there was the unknown moron that spawned Sam, Sonny, and then Ric. She really picked winners," she muttered as she stood. "And I do have issues with hypocritical bitches like her."

"Hey, calm down. Who cares what she says? You know that she is full of shit." Watching as she bent over to pick up Baylor's forgotten stuffed animal, he wished that she would look at him. "Are you unhappy with what I told Baylor? Because I'm sorry if I over.."

"Johnny, it's fine. We touched on this yesterday. I knew that she would ask. She's wanted a dad for a long time, especially seeing other kids with theirs. I just feel bad because you were basically put on the spot. But you better have meant what you said and do right by her. My daughter is the most important thing in my life. Don't hurt her, Johnny."

"I meant what I said, Georgie. I want to help you raise Baylor. She's amazing and I am honored to be a part of her life. I won't hurt her, I promise you that." Taking the elephant and tossing it on the bed, he added as she started to leave the room, "Just like I meant it when I said that I want us to be a family. A real family, Georgie."

"I gotta get downstairs before she makes a mess." Escaping out the door, she bit her lip as she practically ran from the room. Listening to him with her daughter had been harder than she had expected. But it was the sincerity that she had heard in his voice that had bothered her the most. While she knew that Baylor would flourish with him involved in their lives, she was scared the family dynamic would be too much for her to handle.

All thoughts fled as she entered the kitchen and grabbed the box that contained the leftover chocolate cake from Baylor's grip. "I don't think so, little missy. You know that you can't have that."

"But I had somes last night," she protested as she pouted. "Just a tiny piece?" she begged with pleading eyes.

"Sorry, Bay, but no. You had ice cream and cake last night." Stretching to place the cake box on top of the fridge, she looked over as Johnny took it from her and easily slid it onto the appliance without having to stretch. "Thanks."

"No problem. Why don't you and Baylor get ready and we will go to Kelly's."

"Sounds good. Bay, go get dressed and brush your teeth." Waiting until she had hurried upstairs, Georgie poured a cup of coffee and handed it to Johnny before getting her own. "We shouldn't be long."

"That's fine. I have to let Logan know anyway. Take your time. I also need to grab some things from my place while we are out. Did you have anything that you needed or wanted to do today?"

"I don't think so. Saturdays are Mac's day with Bay. I usually drop her off after breakfast."

"We'll take her over after we leave Kelly's. Mac isn't going to shoot me, is he?" he jokingly asked as she moved toward the door.

Laughing, she lifted an eyebrow at him. "Not in front of witnessess. But I wouldn't get arrested anytime soon. He might take great pleasure in that."

OoOoOoOoOoOo

Feeling her mood shift as soon as they entered the diner, Johnny scanned the crowded room. Nodding to Jason where he sat with Elizabeth and the boys, he followed the other's man gaze as it flickered across the room. Mentally cursing, he spotted the problem. Robin, Patrick, Emma, and Anna all sat a table watching them. But it was Anna's and Robin's looks of disbelief that really caught his attention. Guiding Georgie to an empty table near Jason's family with his hand on the small of her back, he lowered Baylor from where she was sitting on his shoulders to the booster seat that Georgie had placed in a chair.

"I can't believe that you actually married him!" Robin exploded as she saw the wedding band on each of their hands. Shrugging off Patrick's hand as he grabbed for her as she stood, she stalked over to them. "Didn't you learn anything from the past?"

The silence in the diner was thick as Georgie put the menu down on the table. Her gaze zeroed in on Robin and she could see that she was shaking with anger. "I did," she admitted as she took her time getting to her feet. "I learned that life was too short to let others influence how I choose to live, Robin. You may not like my decisions, but they are just that, mine. You need to back off. Who I decided to marry was not up for debate, Robin."

"You married Johnny Zacchara, Georgie!" she yelled in exasperation.

"Yes, I did. And guess what, Robin. I didn't ask for your permission, or anyone else's." Georgie leaned in close enough so that no one else could hear what she said next. Her eyes went flat and caused Robin to shiver at deadness in them. "Why don't you just run back to mommy and tell her that the closeness that we once shared won't work this time, Robin. I learned my lesson by answering your text that night in December. I didn't forget that you were the reason that I went to the park, Robin, but I did try to give you the benefit of doubt. This right here shows that I was wrong to do that. Unlike back then, I now learn from my mistakes. So I would advise you to get the fuck away from me and my daughter and stay away before I tell Johnny everything that I know."

"Georgie! You can't.."

"I'm serious, Robin," she interrupted as she saw Logan start to move toward them. Holding up a hand in his direction, Georgie also motioned for Johnny to retake his seat. "I'm done with you and everybody else that was involved. Go to hell and take your self righteous attitude with you." Turning and flashing Johnny a reassuring smile, she shook her head slightly at his questioning look.

Making sure that Robin had went back to her table, Johnny saw that Jason and Elizabeth were whispering furiously back and forth, just as everyone else in Kelly's was. Placing his hand on her thigh under the table, he felt Georgie start at the contact before relaxing. "You want to leave?"

Making sure that Baylor was coloring with the crayons that she had brought with her, Georgie shook her head. "Not at all. You promised us breakfast, Johnny."

For once happy with the stubborn streak that she possessed, he lightly squeezed her leg before releasing it. "So I did. What are you getting, Bay?"

"Eggs with cheese and mushrooms!" she answered without looking up, concentrating on the picture that she creating.

"Um, that sounds.."

"Disgusting," Georgie finished for him with a laugh.

"I was going to say interesting," he defended as he saw the waitress approaching.

It wasn't until they had received their food that he became sidetracked again. Thinking over what he had been told yesterday, Johnny sighed, causing Georgie to look over at him as she took a bite of the fruit plate that she had ordered. "How would you feel about going to Milan for five or so days?" Seeing her look specifically at Baylor, he smirked, knowing what she was thinking. "I have to get my uncle to sign some papers and really don't want to leave you guys here with all the changes going on. I think you both would enjoy the estate that belonged to my mother. I took control of it after my father was put in Roselawn."

"When do you have to be there?"

"Anytime in the next couple weeks." Taking a drink of his coffee, he lifted an eyebrow at her hesitation. "Georgie, I have to go. Uncle Rudy won't deal with anyone but me on this. With Anthony out and," his eyes slid to Anna before returning to her, "others in town, I'm not comfortable with leaving you here with guards. Too many variable are out and about for my taste."

Relenting, she nodded. "Okay. I'm sure that Bay will love it. She doesn't really remembering living there for the short time that we were there, so it will be an adventure for her." Not thrilled to see Lucky and Sam coming through the door, Georgie could tell that Johnny immediately went on edge as well. "I hope that he has enough sense to stay away from Liz and the boys."

Not taking his eyes off of the couple as they both stopped and glared at their table and Jason's, he hoped that Lucky was smart enough to stay far away from Georgie and Baylor as well as Elizabeth and the boys. Johnny had not forgotten the hit that the detective had landed to Georgie. And while she may have chalked it up to nothing but an annoyance, Johnny viewed it as much more. When the couple joined Lulu and Dante at a table and then started talking in hushed whispers while sneaking looks toward their side of the diner, he had to wonder about the Lulu's insistence that Elizabeth check on Nik. The whole situation was a confusing mess.

As Jason made his way to the counter to pay, Eizabeth and the boys stopped at their table. "I see you two survived and didn't kill one another," she teased.

"Johnny's my daddy nows," Baylor piped up with a large grin. "He and momma got marrieds and sleep in her beds now. His hair was sticking up like a birds this morning."

"Oh God," Georgie muttered, a light flush spreading across her cheeks as Johnny grinned at Baylor's outspoken announcement. Elizabeth just arched an eyebrow, saving her questions for another time when she could get Georgie alone. Bothered by the smug look, Georgie kicked him under the table before popping a piece of strawberry into her mouth to keep from saying anything.

Not wanting to embaress her friend anymore than her daughter already was, Elizabeth shoved her curiousity aside at their sleeping arrangements. With Georgie's determination to not allow herself to feel anything for Johnny, she had not expected to hear that they had shared a room already. "We are going to look at a few of the houses that we are interested in. But we were thinking of having a cookout tonight. Would you guys want to come over?"

"Good food, cold beer, and swimming," Jason added as he tugged on Baylor's ponytail before drapping an arm over Elizabeth's shoulders.

Jumping in her seat and clapping her hands, Baylor giggled as Cam and Jake gave Georgie pleading looks. Amused at their behavior, Johnny looked at Georgie to guage her response and saw that she was watching Anna as she left the diner. "Um, sounds good. Do you want us to bring anything?" she asked distractedly.

"Just swim suites and an appetite."

OoOoOoOoOoOo

Unlocking the penthouse door, Johnny ushered her inside and let the door close behind him as he watched her once again head straight for the balcony doors. Every since they had dropped Baylor off at Mac's, Georgie had been quiet and spoke only when he asked her a direct question. At first he had wrote it off as her being preoccupied by the run in with Robin this morning, but after catching her watching him from the corner of her eyes when she thought that he wasn't paying attention, he knew that was not the case. Wanting to get her talking before she closed herself off, he headed toward the stairs.

"I just have to get a some more clothes and personal items until I can get everything switched over. Come talk with me while I gather things up. You can also see if there is anything that you want to keep in the place."

Surprised, she looked around at the expensive furniture and extensive electronics. "I figured that you would keep this place, Johnny. Or at least store most of your things."

Starting up the stairs, he shook his head. "Why bother? There are a few bigger objects that I will have stored, like my piano, but I have no need for this place. And your house isn't big enough for all the furniture. I'll donate it to a charity or a shelter."

Sliding her flip flops off and sitting with her legs crossed on his bed as he pulled the closet doors open, she reached over and picked up the framed photo that sat on bedside table. So far it was the only picture that she had seen in his place. "Is this your mother?" she asked after seeing the resemblence that the slender brunette in the snapshot shared with him.

Joining her on the bed, he looked over her shoulder. "Yes, that's Maria. That was taken about a month before she married my father."

Hearing the change in his voice, Georgie glanced over to see his lips curved upwards just a bit and his eyes softer than she had ever seen them. "She was lovely."

"Inside and out," he agreed as he leaned back, supporting most of upper body weight with his arms. "She was gentle and caring, nothing like Anthony. My memories of her are hazy, but I remember that she was a great mother. She never screamed or lost her temper."

The pain in his words tugged at her compassionate nature that she had never lost. Returning the frame to the stand, she rested her hand over top of his. "I'm sure that she would have been proud of you, Johnny."

"You're thinking as a mother, Georgie. I appreciate the gesture, but I'm not so sure." Starting to get up, he paused when curled her fingers around his.

"Why wouldn't she?" she countered while shifting so that she was looking into his eyes. "You are nothing like Anthony. You have a conscious. You've went out of your way to help Jason protect Elizabeth, knowing that your father takes betrayal as the ultimate sin. Then you stepped in to help me and Baylor when I have done nothing but try and push you away because you make me feel alive again. But how you are with Bay, it's more than I could have asked for, Johnny. Stop being so hard on yourself. All any parent wants is for their child to be the best person that they can and to find happiness. I'm sure that Maria would have agreed that you are not a bad person and have been proud of the man that you are."

Listening to her, he had to wonder if she realized exactly what she had revealed while talking. He seriously doubted it. When she trailed off, he watched as she blinked before standing and suddenly moving away from him. "Georgie."

"I'm gonna wait for you downstairs. Take your time."

Moving quickly, Johnny had her back pressed against the wall before she had even made it to the door. When she closed her eyes to avoid looking at him, he cupped her face and let his fingertips trail down her cheek, just barely touching her silky skin. "Do you have any idea how much I just wish you would give this a real chance to develop? I know you've been hurt in the past, Georgie. We can go as slow as you need, but you have to be willing to give this an honest try." Resting his forehead against hers, he sighed when a tear slipped from beneath her closed lashes. "Georgie, I knew as soon I saw you at GH the night that Baylor was sick. The more that I am around you, the stronger the pull becomes, not weaker. Just stop fighting it and see what happens. All I am asking for from you is a chance, to lower those walls that you have built, and to stop refusing to accept that you feel it too. I know you do."

"And what happens when it falls apart?" she asked as she finally looked at him. "Because nothing good ever lasts, Johnny. Then what? We got married because I needed a way to keep my daughter safe. I don't want to live in a house where there is nothing but tension and regrets. I can't do that to her or myself."

"You don't know that it will fall apart," he answered with conviction. "And if it would, nothing would ever cause me to change how I treat you and Baylor. Whether this, our relationship, changes or not, you and Baylor are my family now. Marriage is not something that I take lightly, Georgie. I knew when I said 'I do' that there was no going back. As for tension, do you think that Bay won't eventually pick up on the tension building between us now?" When she just shrugged weakly, he knew that he was finally starting to reach her on some level. "Look me in the eye and tell me that you don't want this, Georgie. If you really don't want anything to change because you aren't attracted to me, then I will not bring it up again. Can you look at me and do that?" he whispered when she remained silent.

"I can't," she admitted, her voice wavering. "I know there is something here, something that I have never felt before. But..."

Capturing her mouth with his, he cut off the rest of her sentence. Placing his hands behind her, he pulled her to him as she moaned before giving in, opening her mouth for him. As their kiss became heated, Georgie wound her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, wanting more. Breaking away for air, he nipped at her bottom lip before leaving a trail of light kisses along her neck until he reached the nape of her neck. Feeling her tremble, Johnny gently bit her before soothing the slight sting with his tongue. "So freakin amazing," he murmured as his hands slid down to cup her butt.

Heart racing, she let her head fall back against the wall and whimpered as he rocked his pelvis forward. "Johnny," she breathed, fisting her hands in his hair.

Smirking at her immediate response to him, buried his face into her neck before once again placing another kiss on her swollen lip. Only this time it was light and filled with a tenderness that left each of them stunned. When she met his stare shyly, he was amazed at the desire that was unleashed in her dark brown eyes. "We're gonna be fine, baby. Never doubt that."

A/N: I know that this chapter is kind of shorter than the rest. But I just wanted to get an update out there for all those that are reading the story and was waiting for one. I had intended to have more liason in this chapter, but I am holding off on that until chapter 13. They will have a couple of run ins that needed to be seperate from this one. Anthony will also make his first appearance, but definitely not his last.

I just wanted to thank all those that are reading and those reviewing. I appreciate all the great encouragement. Please ignore any major errors in grammer or spelling for the next few chapters. I lost a member of my family unexpectantly and my mind is scattered. But writing is helping me to stay sane at the moment and not to dwell on the loss, so please be patient.