Chapter 7

Thank you for the reviews. They encourage me to continue writing.

To the guest reviewer who praised my story and said I never disappoint, thank you. Stay tuned for an entirely new story.

To Trini, thank you for your continual reviews; they mean a lot to me.

Cam, Emma, and Spencer rose early, drove to Hyannis, and caught the first ferry to Nantucket. Emma texted Trina when they boarded the ferry and attached a grocery wish list with several please/begging emoji to shop for them. Emma rested sitting against Cam and absently listened to Cam and Spencer's conversation.

Cam says, "What does Nikolas expect you to do during your one-month trial here?"

Spencer replies, "He wants me to apply myself. Father expects me to find something that inspires me. Soon after the builders broke the ground at the resort site, I lost interest. We worked on plans, but that stalled. I dropped off the basics and blueprints at Trina's work-study for some partners to look at, and I hope they pick up the project. Father expects me to pull my weight while I stay with you, in his words, 'to earn my keep.' He doesn't want me keeping you, Emma, and Trina from your coursework."

Cam says, "Enjoy the weekend. Reconnect with Trina, and when we return to Boston, I'll brainstorm with you on what you want to do. Nikolas did tell you you could go back to school if that is what you want."

Emma stirs and says, "Cam is right. Spencer, get your head out of Port Charles for a while, and after this weekend, stop procrastinating and decide what you want to do with your life."

Trina waves as the ferry pulls up to port and embraces Spencer when he exits the boat. She points to the SUV nearby and says, "It's gassed and loaded with your select groceries. Are you ready for a fun weekend? Spencer, I promise we will talk after we are settled in our rooms."

Spencer raises an eyebrow and replies, "Our rooms?"

Trina kisses him and says, "Yes. Cam's and Emma's room and our room together."

The group settles in and enjoys their weekend in Nantucket. Spencer meets some of Trina's colleagues and recognizes the two guys from her work that waved goodbye to Mark as they were leaving when he arrived for his meeting. Later in their room, Trina apologizes for her distance, and they make up for the lost time of forced separation.

Ava leaves a message for Nikolas that she is permanently staying at the Metro Court until the resort is complete. She can't stand the dingy little cottage Jason called a Safe House. The so-called 'love-nest' he had with Elizabeth when they were secretly involved. It may be suited for Elizabeth or Jason, but it was beneath her. Her style was more the Metro Court, a pool, and martinis on demand. She sits on a chaise lounge by the pool with a martini in one hand and her phone in the other. Ava reaches Scott Baldwin and needs his legal expertise. She pleads with him, saying he owes her due to her friendship with Franco. Ava knows that Sonny is the Teflon dimpled don, and he got his pardon for killing AJ, but she is not as lucky. The last thing she needs is for AJ's kids to investigate her criminal activities. Ava doesn't have dirt on either of them to protect herself. She orders another martini with three olives. Scott tells her to chill, get drunk, and he will get back with her.

Scott and Obrect have been back for several months since their retreat avoiding the asteroid by visiting Britt and Austin. Scott wants nothing to do with Ava.

Ava wants to see Avery and calls Sonny to get approval for an unscheduled visitation. She is on her 4th martini and slurs her words. Sonny is livid and refuses access until she is sober.

Ava curses and orders another martini. She takes the elevator to her room. She stumbles as she changes into her dress clothes. She takes the elevator to the lobby and asks for her car to be brought around. The valet refuses, saying she is too drunk to drive. Ava screams that she is not only a Cassidine but a Jerome and always gets what she wants. The valet offers her an Uber, and Ava shoves him, grabs the first key she can find, clicks on the alarm until she hears the beep, and storms towards the car. As she is crossing to the car, another car pulls up and hits Ava squarely in the right hip. Ava falls backward, hitting her head on the concrete driveway.

Ava is unconscious; the ambulance pulls up, loads her on the stretcher, and heads to General Hospital with sirens.

Scott receives another call from someone he has not heard from since his father passed away. Smiling, he answers and says, "Serena, how are you?"

Serena replies, "Daddy, Christina, and I are arriving in Port Charles tomorrow and want to see you and Lucy." After her incident with the arrest for confronting Dolphin hunters, she moved with her sister Christina to France. Serena became an environmental attorney, and Christina finished an advanced degree as a French professor. Serena says, "If you and Lucy want us back, we hope to find work in Port Charles."

Scott says, "Lucy and I would love to see you. We will help you in any way we can, though I wonder if there is more to your visit than you are letting on."

Serena replies, "I met someone and have news to share. Christina has news of her own, but I'll let her tell you. I'm emailing you our itinerary. I love you. See you tomorrow."

Before Scott can reply, the phone call ends. Scott calls Lucy to tell her the news.

Nikolas finishes reading the letter from Gia Campbell, a former Port Charles resident, Taggert's half-sister, and his ex-fiancee from the early 2000s. Gia is moving back to Port Charles. For the last several years, she has been an immigration and criminal defense attorney. Gia said in her letter that her mother had retired and was jaunting around the country with a younger man her mother met recently. Gia's cell number is printed below her name on the letterhead of her soon-to-be former firm. Nikolas listens to the voice message from Ava and shakes his head. He picks up the letter and his phone and dials the number of a lover from his past.

Nikolas catches up with Gia, and memories flood from 20 years ago of his time with Elizabeth, Emily, Lucky, and Zander. Nikolas selects the date on his calendar when Gia will arrive in Port Charles. He clicks on another date for dinner at the Port Charles Grill. He smiles and ends the conversation by saying, "I look forward to seeing you again after all these years; we have a lot to catch up on."

His phone rings; he checks the caller ID and says, "Hello?"….

Monica sits behind her desk at General Hospital. She is crafting her letter to the entire staff announcing her retirement after forty-eight years of service. She already told the board and her family, but now she is telling her General Hospital family. Monica types: "Friends, colleagues, and all staff of General Hospital, after much consideration, I am retiring and stepping away from my tenure in the place I've called a second home. I arrived here in 1976 and was raised under the tutelage of the great Dr. Steve Hardy. I fell in love here. I got married and raised my children here. During my almost 50-year tenure, I had the privilege to serve ten years as the Chief of Staff. I outlived my spouse and three children. I lost several friends and colleagues. General Hospital has been my second home, and while I am leaving this great institution, I am not saying goodbye forever. Dr. Jeff Webber and I are going on an adventure to Asia. I wish everyone great happiness and health and hope to share our excursions with everyone when we return. The Quartermaines will still contribute to the development and education of its staff. General Hospital is and will always be a teaching hospital. My final day is two weeks from now, and we will leave Port Charles in January 2025. There will be a small reception on my last day, but please contribute to one of the endowments General Hospital has in place of gifts. Warm regards, Dr. Monica Quartermaine."

Monica reviews her letter. She wishes she had the time and space to include all the moments in her life that shaped her, but there were too many. Those closest to her knew her history, from Jeff to Rick and then Alan. Few knew that Gail Baldwin fostered her, and later they became great friends and colleagues. Monica wipes away a tear, smiles, and hits "send to all" on her email list.

Her phone rings, and she says, "Dr. Quartermaine. Yes,"…..

Elizabeth applies the finishing touches of her makeup and affixes her earrings for Girls' Night Out with Lainey, Kelly, Terry, and Mary Ward. She walks downstairs, and Jason whistles at her. He says, "You look beautiful. I'd be jealous if I didn't know who you were drinking with."

Elizabeth smiles and replies, "You can help me out of these clothes when I get home. While you are at it, I'll need help washing away everything."

Jason says, "You've got a deal!"

Elizabeth says goodbye to Jake and Aiden. She searches for an appropriate jacket, and her phone rings. She looks at the caller ID, and it's the hospital. Elizabeth says, "Elizabeth Webber. Monica? Yes? No, I understand. I will be there in ten minutes. Thank you."

Jason asks, "What's wrong? What's happened?"

Elizabeth replies, "You drive. I'll tell you on the way. Jake, Aiden, Jason, and I have an emergency; get your own dinners. One of us will call you."

Elizabeth grabs her purse, and Jason escorts her out to the car. He waits until she is locked in her seat and pulls away from the house before asking again, "What happened?"

Elizabeth replies, "That was Monica. Ava was hit by a car outside the Metro Court. She is en route to General Hospital. Monica said I am the senior scrub nurse with more head trauma cases experience. She requested me. I'll call Lainey and ask her to call the others to cancel for tonight. I need to call Nikolas first." Elizabeth calls Nikolas. She waits for him to answer. She says, "Nikolas, it's Elizabeth. Meet us at General Hospital. Ava was hit by a car. I'm scrubbing in for her operation. I don't know anything more than that. I'll see you there." Elizabeth reaches Lainey, and Lainey promises to call everyone to cancel the evening.

Jason waits until Elizabeth is off the phone to press the Bluetooth on his car and says, "Call Sonny." Sonny answers, and Jason updates him on Ava. Sonny says that Avery is with him, but he'll stop by General Hospital later. Elizabeth removes her jewelry and ties her hair into a ponytail before Jason pulls into the ER Bay. He drops her off, kisses her, and says, "I'll find you later."

Elizabeth hurries to the locker room, changes into her scrubs, checks which OR Ava will be in, puts on her booties, scrubs her hands, and meets the surgeons, other nurses, and the anesthesiologist. Ava's chart is posted inside the OR.

Nikolas arrives at General Hospital Nikolas says, "Ava is still in surgery. Elizabeth is assisting."

Nikolas wants to know what happened. He says, "How did she get hit by a car outside the Metro Court? Was it a valet who hit her?"

Jason was in the waiting room for over 25 minutes before Nikolas arrived from his office 15 floors above. Sonny had been there for five minutes. Jason shook his head, wondering what was so important it took 25 minutes to appear from the same building. If Elizabeth had been in surgery, he would have been there in two minutes, not 25.

Jason replies, "From what I've gathered, Ava was upset about something and drinking heavily. She called Sonny, wanting to see Avery. When Sonny refused because she sounded drunk, she continued to drink more and demanded her car be brought to the auto bay. They declined due to her intoxication and offered to call an Uber instead. Ava stole a set of keys, trying to find the car they belonged to. She ran to the car, not paying attention, and ran into the path of an oncoming car. It hit her, and she has head trauma. I'm sorry, I don't know the status of the operation. Terry said she would try to return with an update in the next thirty minutes. Sonny is getting coffee. Do you want water or coffee?"

Nikolas thanks Jason and sits, waiting for news. Jason and Sonny return with the water and coffee. Sonny snidely says, "Nice of you to show up, Cassidine."

Nikolas slowly replies, "After Elizabeth called me, I made several calls, including to the doctors operating right now. I called to arrange her room. There was nothing I could accomplish down here while she was in surgery. Ava and I may be drifting apart, but I'm not an ass."

Jason spoke with the desk nurse, who said Ava was still in surgery. Jason pieced together Ava's story from what Terry said when Ava was brought in and what Sonny told him about Ava's call; Sonny had Carly follow up with the Metro Court on their side of the story.

Terry walked out from the OR, slowly approaching the small group. She says, "Ava has a subdural hematoma. When the car hit her, she fell backward, hitting her head on the ground. Her BAC was recorded at .27, over three times the legal limit. The neurologist performed a craniotomy creating a temporary flap in the skull. If successful, recovery can take a few weeks to several months. Some may have life-long complications. The following 24-48 hours will indicate her survival. Due to her age, the success rate is about 61%. She will be in recovery in about an hour. If you have further questions, the neurologist will be out before Ava is moved to a room."

Sonny says thank you and asks to be kept in the loop. He wants to get back to Carly and his daughters. Nikolas says he will wait until she is moved to a room. He scrolls his phone, writes texts, and makes several phone calls. Jason waits for Elizabeth to exit the OR and asks what he can do for her. She is exhausted and says she wants to go home. Ava is rolled to her room 45 minutes later.

Jason takes Elizabeth home, and she tells him the unlikely outcome of Ava's survival. She says Ava's survival chances are not 60%, but likely 20%. Jason guides Elizabeth into a shower, soaps her, shampoos her hair, and rubs her dry. He assists her to change into a nightshirt and tucks her into bed. He brings her a cup of hot chocolate, but she has already fallen asleep by then.

Sean is taking Joss dancing at a new club near the Memorial Garden. Mary called and asked if she could join them. She was supposed to be out with some of the ladies from the hospital staff, but there was an emergency. Sean says sure. Mary has mellowed since her first arrival. The hospital staff she met were welcoming, and after her outburst at Elizabeth Webber, she invited Mary for drinks with her friends.

Sean says, "Things are better with Elizabeth?"

Mary replies, "Yes, I was bitchy and called out by the Chief of Staff, one of her best friends, but Elizabeth is friendly. Do you think it's strange her son used to date Joss?"

Joss replies, "No more strange than Elizabeth used to date AJ or that Monica Quartermaine's boyfriend is Elizabeth's father or that she was married to her half-brother's half-brother." Joss laughs.

Sean says, "Huh?"

Joss replies. "Elizabeth's father, Jeff, has a son Steve Webber, Elizabeth's half-brother. His mother is Heather Webber, who is serving time in an asylum. Heather was also Franco Baldwin's mother. Franco was married to Elizabeth before he died a few years ago. That is a mouthful."

Mary gulps down her drink and says, "Did you say Baldwin? Any relation to a Scott Baldwin?"

Joss replies, "Yeah. Scott was Franco's father. Why?"

Mary laughs and says, "Yes, it will be weird. I'm dating Serena Baldwin, Scott Baldwin's daughter. Serena is returning with her sister Christina in a couple of days. The bigger surprise is she hasn't told her parents about me or that she is gay."

Joss joins in on the laughing. She says, "Port Charles is never dull."

Diane clinks her glass to Robert Scorpio's glass of scotch. She closes her briefcase and says, "I will advise my client to accept your offer, Counselor. I anticipate that once the judge signs off, Johnny Zacchara will be released post-haste."

Robert sips his drink and replies, "You do not need to look so smug, Counselor. It is my generous disposition that allows Mr. Zacchara's early release. Since he took the fall for LuLu and LuLu was willing to testify on his behalf, incriminating herself with the possibility of serving time herself is not something Laura or I want."

Diane smiles and says, "Continue, Robert; I want to hear the rest before I take you to bed and finalize our deal."

Robert chuckles and replies, "Johnny's escape was a spur-of-the-moment decision from the asteroid damaging Pentonville. When he entered the home of Jason Morgan and Elizabeth Webber, he complied and surrendered himself peacefully and thus should not be provided a statement to me she was not pressing charges. Per the court's agreement, Johnny will serve five years probation with conditions of an ankle monitor, live in a halfway house for six months, follow a curfew, and adhere to the house rules and chores. He must find gainful employment and meet with his PO weekly. He messes up again and could be put away for life."

Diane holds out her hand and says, "Agreed. Now we can go upstairs."

The following morning Diane visits the judge, and he signs papers—a final court date of December 1st, 2004, put on the docket. Diane's next trip is to the Pentonville prison, and she meets with Johnny. With any luck, Johnny will walk out on December 2nd. She will have her associate set up all details of his conditions upon his release.

Her final stop is the coffee warehouse, and she orders an herbal tea and eases herself in Jason's chair in his office. She says, "You owe me big Jason. I pulled a miracle out of my ass. Johnny will be out by the first of the year. Here is my hefty bill, which I expect to pay by the week's end."

Jason stands, shakes Diane's hand, and replies, "Once again, Diane, you do not disappoint. I'll cut you a check today." After Diane leaves, he places two calls and presents the news to LuLu and Elizabeth.

End Oct-Early Nov

More Emma/Cam/Trina/Spencer

Update on Ava

Gia

Hayden, Jeff, Monica, and Elizabeth

Elizabeth reluctantly calls Sarah