I appreciate all thoughts, suggestions, and feedback. It helps so keep it coming! I will post Chapter 20 later today or tomorrow morning.
More thoughts….
-I haven't watched GH in years, but I think that Ned was a rather tortured character around the time he was losing Lois, especially in the context of how things ended with his first wife. I also think he carries a lot of baggage because of his parents' divorce, the expectations as a Quartermaine, etc. His relationship with his mother is tenuous and so much more awkward than either of them want it to be but they both struggle to get past that. Tracy Quartermaine is much different in this and I think her marriage to Dr. Ryan Grabler gives her a source of support and makes it much easier for her to really be a good mom to her younger children. Of course, that comes with it's own guilt and comparisons to how much she struggled with Ned.
-This is written from the premise that Michael really is Jason's biological son but Jason isn't in a position to raise him safely as a mob boss. So that brings us to one of Carly's trademark wacky plans and the rest kind of falls out from there (exactly how is still a bit fluid as I am still writing). As I've said before I don't really see Ned and Carly ending up with a great romance but I think the early seeds of friendship are starting to be sown.
-I also liked Chloe (and her relationship and "marriage" to Ned is maybe an approximation of where things could go with Ned and Carly-although Carly is much different so it will be different). I haven't decided if I want to consider a Jax and Chloe pairing. I'm kind of leaning towards finding someone else for her. Pairing suggestions are always welcome. I don't promise to use/honor them but I will test write almost any pairing and keep an open mind.
-I debated bringing Liza and Adam Chandler into this story but Adam's son JR is mentioned by Alison Barrington in Chapter 3 and then appears himself in Chapter 12. I try to avoid a lot of side explanation so when I write in original or crossover characters, I bring them in and then try to flesh them out. Although it may not make as much sense now, JR will be important in future chapters and I think it helps to have some background and context for his family.
Ok now some pairing thoughts (and questions if anyone wants to respond):
-I think my Jarly champion gave up on this piece but it is actually looking pretty good for your pairing and perhaps even for the person who suggested that Ned and Lois could reconcile.
-My muse is really struggling with Jax and Brenda. This is actually written from the standpoint that instead of chasing after Sonny in late 1995 and early 1996 Brenda platonically dated Miguel until Sonny told her he was going to divorce Lily. Brenda was preparing to leave town with Sonny (and encouraged Miguel to go to Lily who she knew he still loved). Miguel wished her well even though he feared for her safety. Sonny went home to break the divorce news to Lily and she told him she was pregnant with his child. Sonny told Brenda he was going to stay in his marriage and raise his kid. Brenda told him to "Make it worth it; be a great father!" (that line is borrowed cannon) and resigned herself to accept Sonny and Lily's marriage. She even brought Lily a gift for the baby with genuine intentions. Then Lily died in the car bomb her father's people set to kill her husband (which is also canon). After Lily's death Sonny and Brenda were both mired in too much guilt and grief to be together. Brenda dated AJ Quartermaine (who had recently broken up with Nikki Langton who he was never actually engaged to and found her standing in the rain instead of Jax and took her to Kelly's for hot cocoa not off to his island to get married as a consolation gift) starting sometime in between Lily's funeral and the 1996 Nurses' Ball. Brenda also sort of considered her relationship with AJ pretty platonic in many ways and she was working as his parents' nanny at the time. In February 1997 their relationship fizzled back into friendship and Brenda spent a romantic Valentine's Day with Sonny Corinthos. AJ spent Valentines 1997 helping Keesha out at Ward House. Sonny and Brenda got engaged. Keesha and AJ officially started dating (with much encouragement from Brenda) in August 1997. Later that month (a few hours before the rehearsal) Sonny told Brenda his world was too dangerous for her and he couldn't marry her. He then left town looking for Rivera (who he had learned was still alive) and Jason took over the organization. Brenda spent the weekend of her planned wedding in Manhattan with Lois and Brooke. Shortly after she returned to Port Charles, she took the Jacks Cosmetics Spokesmodel position. Jax informed her that part of the job entailed being his escort to any social engagements. Brenda doesn't really realize how much Jax is still into Lois but at least in Jax's mind he is dating Brenda to make Lois jealous.
-I'm also struggling with making AJ and Keesha come alive. I have written some stuff with them set further in the future so I'm continuing to give them a chance (or perhaps I'm fighting my muse-we will see) but I think my muse is leaning to making another go of Brenda and AJ.
Pairing Questions:
1.)Jax & Brenda or Jax & Chloe or Jax & Lois
2.)AJ & Brenda or AJ & Carly or AJ & Keesha
3.)Any ideas on Ned & Lois?