Disclaimer…..I do not own GH or the characters…..No copy write infringement intended…..Entertainment purposes only…
Chapter Thirty-Eight
"They make a beautiful picture, don't they?" Rudy Zacchara joined his nephew at the large window in his kitchen that overlooked the expansive backyard. "You've been blessed, John. Georgianna is an extraordinary young woman and young Baylor is the perfect picture of a happy and loved child."
Watching as Georgie kneeled near the small pond with Baylor standing in front of her, his lips twitched when Baylor clapped excitedly when the ducks waddled toward mother and daughter who were tossing pieces of bread their way. "I never allowed myself to entertain the idea of having a family. Not after growing up with my father and Trevor."
The older man's face grew stony. "You escaped being drug into their madness and need for power. You are nothing like Anthony, John. The only thing you inherited from that man is half your DNA." Pausing at the sight of the young toddler squealing and chasing after one of the ducks, Rudy shook his head, delighted at the childish innocence.
"Why didn't you mention knowing Georgie when I told you I was marrying her?"
"Her past is just that. Hers. She told you when she was ready to."
"She still won't talk about what happened. The only reason she confessed to knowing you was because I wanted to introduce you."
Clasping Johnny's shoulder, Rudy kept his face impassive. "Give Georgianna time and whatever you do, John, do not push. She's still facing so much upheaval. Just be there," he advised. Remembering why he'd went searching for the younger man, Rudy took a drink of his wine. "The men I assigned to shadow Alcazar reported in."
Johnny tensed but kept his eyes on his family. "And?"
"He landed in Florence and met up with a man I am familiar with. One Alexandro Vega, also known as Alex to Georgianna. He was her…."
"Guard," Johnny finished for him, recalling the name. "He's who went after her in Prague."
"Exactly. The men know to stay on him, but it looks like he's keeping his distance right now." He didn't need to elaborate the suspected reason why. Anyone connected to the business knew Rudy Zacchara controlled this part of Italy. "You'll have to come to an understanding with him eventually, John. Like it or not, he's Baylor's biological birth father and will want to be a part of her life."
"I know that!" he grumbled. "I just want to be sure he's not a danger to her or Georgie."
"That's all well and good. But don't invent problems," he warned. "He's probable just as wary of you as you are of him, John. You are both young, have possessive personalities, and are dominate by nature because of the lifestyle you grew up in. And while he was kidnapped and God knows what, Georgianna eventually found her way into your life. She's your wife and he's probably still in love with her. Then you consider that you are the male figure in his daughter's life. Yes, you should take precautions were Diego Alcazar is concerned, but you also need to think how you would react if you were him. Do not make this harder than it already will be. There's only a thin line separating being protective and being controlling."
Growling in frustration at the truth in his warning Johnny rubbed his jaw.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
"Now I see why you said I would love it."
"You like it then?" he asked, hoping she did.
"No, I love it!" She squeezed his hand where their fingers were intertwined as they explored the property.
"Good, because it's ours."
Georgie stumbled at that statement and swallowed uncomfortably. "Johnny, you can't just buy this place."
Her unease with his wealth confused him. Most women were impressed by money but not Georgie. Lightly prodding her to resume their walk, he had to wonder if she really even accepted how wealthy she was. Bernie's astonishment at the funds Lorenzo Alcazar left to her and his granddaughter had peaked his curiosity when they had been signing the properties over. Even before their marriage, Georgie had been rich enough that her grandkids wouldn't have needed to work if they didn't want to.
"I don't have to purchase the estate, Georgie. I already own it. This was my mother's childhood home."
Her face softened and she leaned into him. Johnny's voice took on a lost quality whenever he spoke of his mother. "Growing up here must have been wonderful."
"She spoke fondly of her childhood," he agreed. He chuckled when Baylor skipped past them with a fistful of wild flowers clutched in her tiny hands. "Bay's enjoying the freedom of roaming."
"Between your uncle spoiling her and now exploring these grounds, she should fall asleep as soon her head hits the pillow tonight."
"That'll work out perfectly. Once she's down for the night I want to take you out."
"To explore some more?" she asked.
Keeping Baylor in his peripheral vision Johnny stopped and tugged on Georgie's hip until she was flush against him. "No. With all the craziness we haven't really had the time to just have a night out. I guess I want to take my wife on a date."
Surprise flickered across her face. Warmth spread throughout her body. Georgie didn't expect Johnny to buy her things or even romance her. Yes, their mutual feelings had matured into love but they were already married so she hadn't expected him to be so considerate. "Johnny, you don't have to. I don't need lavish gifts or night out to be happy."
"You may not need them, but you do deserve them. Georgie, you expect too little." His fingers deftly tucked back a lock of her hair. Not missing the small shiver at the brief contact, his grin contained traces off the arrogant bad boy smirk she knew so well. "Come on, let me show off my gorgeous wife."
"Hmm. I think a night out with the sexiest man I know won't be too much of a hardship."
"Trust me, it's hard more often than not," he whispered with a naughty wink before releasing her to join Baylor at the tire swing she'd found.
Her mouth dropped open in shock and her body hummed at the sex infused tone. The man certainly liked to keep her off balance with all the different sides of his personality she was still learning.
"Momma! Johnny says we cans visit the place where they haves water in the streets before goings home!" Baylor announced with excitement as the man in question carefully pushed her on the swing. "Aunt Liz even said they use boats insteads of cars there! But Uncle Jasons said only pantsies rides in the boats."
Choking back a laugh as Baylor repeated Jason's mutterings about tourist traps and gondolas, Johnny caught Georgie's laughing brown eyes and grinned at her flustered appearance. Taking his uncle's advice, he was going to enjoy this time with his family and let the men assigned to Diego track is movements. Unless he got close to Georgie and Baylor, Johnny wasn't going to let him ruin their time away. Once they returned to Port Charles trouble would be knocking at their door soon enough. Wasting this opportunity to just enjoy time with his girls would've meant letting others control him and that wasn't about to happen.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
Elizabeth knocked on Monica's office door before moving forward to give her hug. The older woman appeared to have aged overnight.
"What a nice surprise! What brings you by, Elizabeth?"
Pointing to the door where Sarah stood quietly with a smile, Elizabeth grinned cheekily. "I rounded up another doctor for GH. Do I get a bonus since she's related to the founders?"
"Sarah, how wonderful to see you!" Monica stepped around the desk and ignored maintain professionalism by hugging the younger blond. "How have you been? It's been so long since I last saw you!"
"I've been good, Dr. Quartermaine." Taking the empty seat by her sister, she lowered her voice in respect. "I'm so sorry for your recent losses. Alan was a tremendous doctor and Emily a lovely young woman with untapped potential."
Monica swallowed hard. If it wasn't for gaining the boys and Elizabeth she didn't know how she would have made it through all the tragedy. "Thank you. I still miss them horribly but I know they wouldn't want me to dwell on the past." Forcing the depressing thoughts to the back of her mind, she studied the oldest Webber sister. "You look great. Married life must be treating you well, but with Johnny O'Brien it certainly can't be dull."
A twinkle sparked in her eyes as she nodded to her side. "I can't comment. Lizzie here gets nauseated if she even thinks of us in the same thought."
Monica snorted. She missed having the younger set around. Sarah coming home would definitely shake things up. "Audrey never mentioned your specialty. What type of doctor are you?"
"That's because Gram didn't approve of my choice. She implied I wasted my talent and let down the Hardy name. I'm an obstetrician specializing in high risk pregnancies. I'm aware Dr. Lee is already on staff and she has a wonderful reputation. I didn't know if she needed help. If you are fully staffed I had an offer from Mercy so don't feel obligated to find me a position on staff."
"Quite the opposite, Sarah. Kelly is overbooked as is. I'm positive she'd appreciate the extra help, especially your expertise. Our other OB/GYN recently went on maternity and leave and Dr. Meadows retired a few months back. We have a few others but they aren't as experienced yet." Relieved to have found a talented doctor before even starting a search, Monica detailed the position and how on call hours would be split. After all the necessities had been explained, she lifted a brow. "Do you need time to think it over or discuss it with Johnny?"
"Not at all," she cheerfully replied. "Thank you so much for the opportunity."
"GH welcomes you onto staff, Dr. Webber." Pausing, she blinked uncertainly. "Or is it O'Brien?"
"Webber. I never changed it when Johnny and I got married. Too much of a headache with all the extra forms needing sent to the boards and DEA."
"I understand about that," she admitted, earning a chuckle from the girls. Monica's numerous marriages and divorces were common knowledge. "Since you just arrived yesterday, take this week to relax and settle in. Can you start next Monday?"
"Absolutely!" Sarah nudged Elizabeth's foot. "I'll be starting on the same day Kelly cleared you to return. No repeats of high school please."
The devilish glint in Elizabeth's eyes caused the two doctors to exchanged worried glances.
"Even if you are the mother of my grandsons, Elizabeth, it won't protect you from Epiphany," the chief of staff warned.
"I'd never cause any problems," she innocently defended. "You both are paranoid."
"I believe cautious is more apt, and trust me, I have every right." She stopped at the loud growling and laughed. "Come on, I think my niece or nephew needs nourishment. And I've missed Kelly's."
Monica watched the sibling leave and wondered if Jason had any clue how those two were going to turn his world upside down. A glimmer of the old Lizzie appeared when Georgie returned and she and Elizabeth became good friends. But the glimmer was now shining bright and fully on display. She'd lay money on the three of them having the guys pulling their hair out within a few months. Taking a deep breath she closed the office door and lowered her head. Moments like these intensified how much Emily had been cheated.
Wincing when she heard her name, Elizabeth cursed under her breath for not remembering to avoid this hallway. Slowly turning, she hesitantly entered Maxie's room with Sarah following. "Hi, Maxie. How are you feeling?"
"I'd be better if my self-centered sister bothered to come home when her family needs her," the petite blond waspishly tossed out. "You need to call her or Johnny."
Counting to ten did nothing to quell the urge to slap the selfish brat lying in the bed. "Jason spoke with Johnny, several times in fact since Robin was injured and the news broke." Sighing when she flinched, Elizabeth softened her voice. "You're dealing with a lot right now, Maxie, but so is Georgie. Baylor's parentage made front page news as well as Georgie's knowledge of Diego's being alive while presumed dead. She was still trying to adjust to being back home and then this. She loves you, Maxie. But she needs this time away for her and her daughter."
"Oh spare me!" she sneered hatefully. "Perfect Georgie should be elated. The bastard that she was stupid enough to fuck was cleared of being a killer and poor Coop thrown under the bus so it could happen. And her life isn't all that bad. She needs to suck it up and stop being a selfish bitch. My life is in shambles! Coop is dead! She's married to a rich man that looks like wild sex on two legs. She needs to get over what happened because she's certainly living the high life now." Ignoring the wide eyed looks of disbelief, Maxie continued her self-absorbed rant. "Not only is Johnny keeping her away when Robin and I need her, but he must've set Coop up! I know he did! Awful fucking convenient he married Georgie and now Baylor's no longer the child of a serial killer. He even took Logan away with them. Who's supposed to help me, Elizabeth? Huh? What about what I need?"
Words failed to form. Stunned at the garbage spewing from the pregnant blond Elizabeth just blinked while her mouth hung open in shock.
Sarah narrowed her eyes. Memories of Maxie filtered through her mind while she also recalled all the hell she'd put Elizabeth through when she was pregnant with Jake. "You really are a piece of work. Georgie's a mother, something you are about to become. And as a mother, your first priority is your children, Maxie. Grow up and accept life isn't always fair. Your sister has a family of her own now and they should be first. I'm sure she will support you when she returns from Italy, unless you are spouting that same filth to her that you just ranted at us. And why would her husband frame your boyfriend? Did he gain anything by supposedly doing as you say? Because from what I heard Johnny Zacchara is rich and powerful, neither thing he could steal from Cooper Barrett. Use this time Georgie is gone and accept that you aren't the center of her universe. You'll never comprehend the hell she faced and came out of relatively whole. With the attitude you just showed I doubt you would have survived let alone still be sane."
"Who in the hell do you think you are?" Maxie demanded, glowering at the witch.
"I'm Elizabeth's sister Sarah. I'm also a friend of your sister's." Pointedly looking at the other woman's still flat stomach, she shook her head sorrowfully. "Nobody owes you a damn thing, Maxie. Your sister is an adult who's making a life with her husband and child. Deal with it."
Crocodile tears formed in the calculating blue eyes. "I'm really trying. But I need her. Coop was always there for her. She owes it to me and him to clear his name for the sake of our baby."
Elizabeth sadly sighed. "Manipulating Georgie isn't a smart move, especially not using your baby as an excuse. Baylor's entire life it was believed Diego was the TMK and Georgie never once used that as an excuse for anything. None of us ever looked down on Baylor because he was her father either. That baby you're carrying will be an innocent just like Bay is. Your sister's purpose in life is not to wipe your ass. That's your job, Maxie." Stalking out the door, she fought not to smack the daylights out of the whiny brat.
Sarah stopped and saw the tears coursing down her pale face. "Georgie's always supported you in the past, Maxie. But if you push her for more than she give right now, you will lose your sister. Think on that and then decide if it's a risk you're willing to take."
OoOoOoOoOoOo
Lucky hid in the shadows while savoring the buzz of the hydrocodone. He'd seen Elizabeth entering GH earlier with her sister and was waiting for them to reappear. He needed to know who their guards were so he could make a plan on snatching the faithless bitch back. As the high reached its peak he also started to wonder if grabbing Sarah was possible without getting caught. She'd been a fun piece of ass back in the day. With a little coaxing and smooth talking, Lucky was certain she'd jump right back into his bed. Sarah never passed up a chance to stick it to Elizabeth in the past. She'd probably jump at the chance.
Forgetting how many pills he'd already snorted in the gas station bathroom, he tossed another handful into his mouth. His eyes were just starting to get heavy when he caught sight of the sisters leaving. Scanning the large group they were mixed in with, Lucky spotted three guys he was pretty sure worked for Jason. He rolled his eyes and sneered. Why he wasted their time and his money Lucky didn't know. She sure wasn't worth the extra protection. He snickered, picturing Morgan's face when he learned Elizabeth was gone.
Hanging back far enough not to be seen, he trailed after them as they strolled in the direction of Kelly's. Deciding to grab the slut when she left, Lucky patted his trusty gun before slouching against the wall to wait. His plan was so simple that he proudly applauded himself. No brain damaged mobster got the best of Lucky Spencer.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
Francis tossed the computer generated forms on the table with a disgusted groan. The damn code had given him a crushing headache and they were still no closer to deciphering the encrypted files. "Jesus! Who in their right mind could find meaning in this crap?"
"My crazy ass sure can't," Johnny remarked, his accent more pronounced as his frustration grew. "Did Patrick have any ideas?"
"No. He found them on Anna's computer that she left at their house under a file with Georgie and Baylor listed above it. I got the new tech guy taking apart the computer and trying to crack this code too. Cody is searching their house after Patrick gave his permission." Jason pinched his nose. "I don't get it. Ninety percent of the files weren't password protected. Only the ones related to Georgie in some way."
"She has to know something that they desperately need, Jason. It's the only thing that makes sense."
"She would've said so if that was the case, Francis."
"Not if she doesn't realize it's important," Jason responded slowly, thinking over the possibilities. "But it still doesn't explain their unwavering belief Jerome would rescue her."
"The only people who can answer the questions are the agents involved. Do we have to wait on Zacchara? I could grab Frisco tonight and get our answers."
"Do you really want to step on his toes, O'Brien?" Francis asked with a serious look. "He's been downright ruthless in going after those that hurt Georgie. He may be taking his time, but that only makes it worse because the ones still untouched know he's responsible for their cohort's deaths and scared he's coming for them too."
"Leave Frisco alone, O'Brien. Specific plans are in place for him. John put a lot of thought into how to deal with the man Georgie believed was her father all those years. Any info from your contact, Francis?"
He poured another cup of coffee before propping his feet on an empty chair. The warehouse explosion investigation was practically nonexistent. No matter how much the searched, nothing came to light. "Not a damn word. With all the possibilities it is slow going."
Pacing the length of the room, Johnny scowled. "Right now the main worries are Spencer for Lizbits and Anthony for Georgie. Although Alcazar's right up there until he makes his motive known." The urge to just put a bullet in the first two's heads was tempting.
"I though Sarah arriving might calm your ass down."
"Fuck off, Francis. Being idle isn't solving any of this mess. Waiting for the next attack is stupid."
"And starting an out and out war will end with is behind bars."
Cody knocked on the door and then entered. "Max just reported in. Nik and Jerry found Spinelli's body. Based on their actions Sam's is still undisturbed in the maze of tunnels. They were too laid back to have discovered her body."
"Good. That should force one of them to…" Jason trailed off and answered the ringing phone. "Are you kidding me?" he demanded with laugh after listening to the caller say something.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
Disabling the alarm and slipping into the house, he slowly examined the pictures proudly displayed. They both were beautiful and had a light in their eyes you rarely found. If things had been different, Julian would have raised his children together and had an active role in their childhoods. And while he hated her biological father and her adoptive one, his granddaughter had her mother's warmth and innocence.
He still didn't understand what had happened at the Scorpio-Drake house after he left. Both Robin and Donley had been unharmed last he knew. The next morning he was shocked to hear about their injuries on the news. His first thought was Zacchara but now he doubted it after thinking things through. No one he'd retaliated against had survived so far. And to leave Robin alive after the hell inflicted showed whoever it was wanted her to suffer. Zacchara tended to just eliminate enemies and not waste the time on dragging out the punishment.
Hurrying into the office, he tried to focus on the reason he'd came. Picking the lock on the safe and searching the numerous files, Julian wanted to scream. It wasn't there. He had no idea where Georgie might have hidden it but he needed to find right away. If the others located it before him, well, it didn't even bear thinking on.
Thank you for all the amazing reviews! I love reading your thoughts!