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Chapter Five

Diane took the seat closest to the conference room door. After dealing with the dregs of society, she wasn't sure what her news would garner but she wanted a quick exit strategy.

"I am sure you all have questions but I have limited answers and honestly, what is needed to be said and your desire for more information is at different ends of the spectrum.

"Diane, what is it that you have to tell us?" Monica asked. She'd love to say more but saw the determined look in the lawyer's eyes and knew that any shenanigans would most likely seal the woman's lips.

"Now, I want to make this clear, I only have information from Jason, so anything said will be on his say. Elizabeth didn't know what he had planned. Jason was hopeful that she would agree to the proposal but after all these years of miscommunication and whatnot, he wasn't sure. In a week, you and Mr. Quartermaine will receive an invitation to the wedding but and I must stress this, you both need to understand that Jason isn't a Quartermaine, he is a Morgan and any subterfuge about heirs and whatnot will not be accepted. He understands that his actions have done just as much damage to your relationship with him as what your actions did." Diane paused to take a sip of water, wishing she had the power to turn the paltry liquid into something much more appetizing to her palette.

"That's all very well and good but why do I need to hear the rehashing of this?" Asked Mac curiously.

Diane almost sighed but understood why he was asking, his job wasn't an easy one, especially when the proverbial bad guys almost always stayed a step ahead. "You are here because I want to kibosh everyone's idea that they can press charges in some form or another."

"Charges, what charges could that lot possibly think about pressing?" Mac asked, completely drawing a blank.

"Well, let's see…there is kidnapping charges, possible taking a minor across state lines that come to mind, just in Elizabeth and Cameron's case, plus there is little Jake Morgan, whose name has been legal changed from Spencer, what the other yokel's are liable to try to charge Elizabeth with, I haven't the foggiest, since I am neither mentally unsound or a raving obsessive compulsive." Diane offered.

"You think quickly on your feet." Mac offered with a smirk.

"Yes, yes, it is one of my best assets…nevertheless, I want you here because I don't like repeating myself and unfortunately, my two clients tend to attract the most demented of stalkers. Elizabeth left of her own free will; Cameron has never been adopted and wasn't born while she was married to Lucky. Jason has thought of everything and if he didn't, I did. I have dotted and crossed my I's and T's. Jason has scheduled the wedding to take place a week from today at Saint Mary's of the Admiral. I have no idea how he pulled this off but I am impressed. When he allows himself, his ability to know Elizabeth, is just awe inspiring. He mentioned that he had to have it there; because it had the most history and the art history in the place…it will be her wet dream when she sees it. Now, as far as I know, they have no intentions of ever coming back here."

Frustrated that things were not following the line her thoughts were in, Diane took a deep breath and tried to get everything flowing in the right direction again. "Now, as I was saying, Monica and Edward, you will be invited to the wedding but you are going to have to act like adults. Jason doesn't want anyone pitting his children against one another. He loves Cam as if he was his own and has already started the adoption proceedings. Any and all other children, which I am sure there will be many, are all to be made to feel the same. Either you love them or you want an heir, you can't have both. Your family has been divided long enough, don't you think?"

Monica could understand where the attorney was coming from and even see her wayward son's point of view but it felt like it always did, like he was putting conditions on her and the family, like they had to do all the dancing while he got away with his actions.

Edward watched the emotions rapidly move over Monica's face and understood what she was thinking but what he was sure she was missing, was the fact that if they hadn't pushed so hard in the beginning, Jason probably wouldn't have dug his heels in so deeply. Edward was an old man and since losing Lila, he could admit with, albeit, great difficulty, that he done irreparable damage to his family. Always trying to make them better, while in his mind, was a good thing, had also caused most of their issues. When they should have been a close-knit family, the animosity and competitive nature of all the Q's, bred nothing but contempt and the desire to one-up.

It was a hard thing, getting older and seeing your mistakes being repeated and reaped. Hindsight really was a bitch. In trying to make his children and grandchildren achieve their absolute best, he bred such dissent that there were very few family members left alive and those that did live, had mostly fled his long reach.

"Diane, you need not say anything more. I would be more than happy to play by the rules." Edward said, trying to discreetly wipe away the tear in his eye. It had been two years since his beloved wife died but even the thought of her was enough to still bring the old curmudgeon to his proverbial knees.

Monica's head whipped in his direction. "How can you say that Edward? She might as well have a legally binding list of rules we have to follow or we'll not be allowed near them or their children. I am his mother, I deserve his respect. I have waited many long years for him to pull his head from his ass and this is how he now chooses to disrespect me?"

Diane was about to say something when Edward interrupted her attempt.

"They would be justified. Monica, I understand that the last few years have been hard on you but you are looking at this in the wrong way. Jason is finally standing up for himself and those he loves. Yes, he wants people to do things the way he wants but he is justified. Look at what we did to those two boys. I often blather on about the disappointments that my family are but the fact of the matter is, I pushed everyone so hard, so they would live up to their potential. I started the wrongs that brought nothing but heartache to this family but I refuse to continue to be the problem. I am old, I want to know my daughter-in-law, I want to know my greatgrandchildren. If following some simple rules gives Jason peace of mind, I can and will do that. I love him and…when I reach heaven, if I am lucky enough to be granted entrance, then I want to tell Lila that I understand, finally, what she has been telling me, had been telling me, all these years. You can continue to push, to force his hand, hoping he'll right the wrongs you feel he has done but in your arrogance, you'll push him away forever."

"That's very astute of you Mr. Quartermaine. I have to agree, Jason isn't telling you these things for his own good but for everyone's. There is a lifetime of regrets sitting on all of your shoulders but if you continue to remain angry, ever unchanging, you'll never get to experience the joys that are just a plane ride away. Jason and Elizabeth can't remain in Port Charles, when they are together, even if it is just as friends, the people in this city, lose their minds. I don't know what it is precisely, but I think the selfish people know they won't stand a chance at coming between such a great love, when it has a chance to flourish without outside deterrents."

Tracy, finally having enough of the Kumbuya bullshit, had to have her say. "I've been quit, longer than I thought possible but come on. You can't be buying this shit. Jason is, as always, dictating how things are going to be and you are just going to fall all over yourself to give him what he wants? He isn't now, nor has he ever been the golden child. I am sick of seeing him and his holier than thou attitude."

"Tracy, no one is asking for you to make peace with him, I am sure he and Elizabeth would prefer we didn't subject you to the kids. You are one of my greatest joys but you are also the worst side of me and your mother. Lila was a lot of things, strong, determined, fierce, and obstinate but she was also loving and kind, loyal, passionate and able to see and speak up, when she was wrong. You took my worst attributes and use them as a shield to protect yourself. You are still fighting for position in a predominately male driven field. I understand you needed to toughen your spine but in doing so, you've lost what was fundamentally at the core of you…your mother. I know I don't say it enough, never have and probably never will but I am proud of you and I do love you. I just don't like who you've come, while trying to prove you are just as good as any man, when you were always head and shoulders above." Edward said softly but with great feeling.

Never hearing her father talk about feelings or anything else he had said, left her speechless. Unable to understand how this meeting turned on her, when she prided herself to be on the top, she simply stood up and left the room.

Monica and Edward watched Tracy go, a contemplative look marring her features.

"Well, I would have said that was impossible…Is there anything else you would like to discuss before I go, which must be soon. I have a new job waiting for me and a shoe store to make fat on its profits." Diane said, standing and replacing her chair.

"No, I think everything that has needed to be said, has been. Thank you for doing this for Jason, I am sure his bonus will reflect his appreciation but thank you. Thank you for making an old man see and understand. Lila would call you a miracle worker." Edward said with a small laugh. His emotions were too close at the moment and if he wasn't careful, he could see his last remaining child committing him for being senile…

Diane smiled at the old codger and in a moment of…stupidity or something even worse, feeling, Diane hugged him. "Think nothing of it. I am not allowed to show a bias for people in this line of business but your grandson…there is something special about him. I'm sure I'll be seeing you again soon. Good Night. Mac, walk me out?"

Diane heard Monica's bitching but it was thankfully cut off with the door closing. She could understand the woman's plight but no one was in the right, so trying to force someone into a certain mold or make some feel something they did, would do no one any good.

"Was there something else?" Mac asked as they walked towards the entrance.

Stopping just before she could touch the door, Diane turned. "Not anything that needs to be said, per se…" With that, Diane gently placed her arms over his shoulders and fused her lips to his. Plundering his mouth for all that she was worth. She was nothing if not brazen. She saw something she wanted, within reason and took it, if it was indeed available.

It took him awhile to catch on but what started as one sided, quickly became heated and there in front of God and everybody Diane and Mac created a homage to one of the greatest kisses on earth.

"Have any holiday time?" Diane asked with a smirk. To be honest, she was lucky she was able to say that much. The man, who always looked like a stuffed shirt, could practically make her panties melt with a simple, yet debaucherous kiss.

"Why do you ask?" Mac questioned, barley finding enough air to breathe.

"If you kiss like that…I need to know and…feel, the rest." My plane leaves in two hours, want to join me in a little adventure?"

Curious about the abilities of the attorney, Mac grabbed his phone and dialed, once it was answered he barked into the phone, "I'm taking an emergency leave, I'll let you know how long it will be as soon as possible." With that he hung up the phone and began to lead Diane to her car. Yes, he was a foolish man, always had been in love and lust, but this was not something he was going to miss.

"Let's go!"

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