As their plane touched down on the runway at Port Charles International Airport, Lucy Coe Stanton felt uneasy. Married life with Rex had been a whirlwind and their time in Paris had been nothing short of bliss. But something was missing….Serena!
"Have you heard anything from the attorney about Serena? I can't bear the thought of her being locked up at the Quartermaine Mansion another minute!" she said as the plane taxied down the runway.
"Warren filed the paperwork on Tuesday. Unfortunately, we were denied an emergency hearing," Rex said.
Denied! How could anyone deny her Serena? Serena wouldn't have ever existed if it wasn't for her! "How can they do that?"
"Warren says that Child Protective will be reluctant to admit that their original placement was anything less than appropriate. There is a case status hearing on the original CHINS petition next Monday. Warren is working on getting us standing to appear at that hearing," Rex said.
"Then we would get custody?" Lucy asked.
"That is the plan," Rex said.
Monday was only five sleeps away! "And she would come home with us that night? Then we could all live happily ever after at Serenity?" Lucy asked.
"If the judge grants custody she could go with us that night. It would be great for us to bring new life back to the Serenity Estate."
"Well then why don't we go to Serenity now? We need to get Serena's room all set up at Serenity. I want it to be so special! Lee built a swing in her room at Scott's house so we'll have to do something to top that….maybe one of those beds with the silk curtains. Yes, that would be great," Lucy said
"I like the sound of that, now I just need to get Mr. Meyers to sign off on our request for dwelling rights. That should be taken care of this afternoon. So, why don't I drop you off at the Port Charles Hotel? I'll be back with the keys and we can, how shall I put it? Christen the master suite?" Rex said.
For the first time Lucy felt almost at peace. Everything was finally coming together. Serena was almost in her arms.
XXXXXXXX
PCPD Detective Alejandro Garcia signed across the seal of the DNA swab his partner had just collected from Adam Joseph Chandler Jr.
"I'm glad you're recording this violation of my client's civil rights, Counselor. It will make the complaint with the ACLU much easier," Attorney Barry Shires ranted.
Port Charles and Chapparal County ADA, Dara Jensen made no effort to put down the video camera. "As Detective Jordan explained, when DNA warrants are executed out of jurisdiction our crime lab wants them recorded to ensure that proper procedure is followed. The video becomes part of the case file. We're actually protecting your client's civil rights," she explained as if she was talking to a not very bright five-year-old.
Adam Joseph Chandler Sr. laughed bitterly. "You're protecting my son by treating him like a common criminal, hardly!" he said.
"As I informed you earlier, your son is not being arrested or charged with any crime, at this time. The detectives are merely executing a DNA warrant," Dara said.
Detective Garcia was starting to understand exactly why the District Attorney had sent an ADA to witness their evidence collection.
"This is not over, I assure you," Adam Joseph Chandler Sr. asserted.
Detective Garcia wondered if that was a phrase the man tossed out whenever he didn't get his way. Perhaps it was because if you really thought about it, ideally the DNA would clear his son and the matter would be over. He was mulling that over when an angry blonde woman came bursting into the conference room.
"I know what you're up to Adam and I assure you that it won't work!" the angry blonde shrieked while shaking her fist!
"Liza, why don't you wait in my office and I'll be with you in a minute?" Adam Joseph Chandler Sr. said.
"Don't continue to insult my intelligence Adam! You told me the Board of Directors Meeting was in the Main Conference Room at noon. I show up at eleven-thirty and Chandra tells me you're in the Executive Conference Room with Barry and Skye. You expect me to believe that you didn't plan to just start without me," Liza said.
"I don't know what you're talking about. Skye isn't even here! I assure you that the Board of Directors Meeting is still at noon in the Main Conference Room. But, please, Liza, just go wait in my office!" Adam Joseph Chandler Sr. said.
Liza crossed her arms across her chest. "I will wait right here, thank you," she said.
"Wait, are you still recording this? I demand you stop!" Attorney Barry Shires interjected.
"Typically, we record until the sample is secured in the transporting police vehicle. That is our standard procedure," Alex's partner Detective Allison Jordan said.
"I would never encourage deviating from official policy in any case. But, especially in this case where we have already been threatened with an ACLU complaint, I would think it is imperative. Now, presuming that your client is still refusing to answer any questions I think our job here is done," Dara said. She motioned for Alex and Allison to exit first. Then she said, "We'll be in touch, because unfortunately for your son, I think you are correct, Mr. Chandler and this matter is far from over."
XXXXXXXX
Dr. Jake Marshak exited OR-9 feeling a bit deceitful. Dr. Alan Quartermaine had allowed him to break scrub in the middle of a putrid case involving a bowel perforation and frank peritonitis. They had literally removed over a liter of frank pus from the abdomen and the stench had been awful. Dr. Quartermaine was under the mistaken impression that Jake had a noon lunch meeting with his attending mentor. He didn't realize that Dr. Seymour Katz's secretary had sent a text page just before they scrubbed that he would have to reschedule for next week. He had meant to mention that to Dr. Quartermaine but everyone was a bit distracted by the tantrum a medical student rotating on anesthesiology had when he wasn't allowed to attempt the intubation since the patient was hemodynamically unstable. Then when Dr. Quartermaine had announced that it was almost noon so he should scrub out to meet Dr. Katz he had only been a little too tempted by the opportunity to breathe fresh air.
After a few gulps of fresh air, Jake felt a bit guilty. He could always attempt to rescrub and claim he had just seen the text page. He had a feeling that would be viewed as more of a hindrance than a help so perhaps his best recourse was to just make his way to noon conference. It probably was. Guilt nagged at him as he made his way down to the lobby and then through the atrium lobby towards the North Wing. By the time he reached the North Elevators he had decided that he would come clean with Dr. Quartermaine right after noon conference.
He was formulating his apologetic explanation when the elevator doors opened. He was so deep in thought that he barely recognized the sobbing woman with the dark blonde hair until she had walked past him. "Danielle?" he called as he darted after her.
When she turned around Jake realized that the woman was indeed his fiancée. He had no idea what she was doing at the hospital. "Danielle, what is wrong?" he asked as he wrapped his arm around her and led her over to a bench in the lobby.
"I guess since I survived twenty-two years without a sister, I should be used to it by now. I really should! I guess it was just that Katherine could have died and somehow that seemed so much more final. I guess, I just felt like I needed to make one final attempt. Just so I could be rejected all over again, I guess," Danielle said.
"I'm sorry, Dani, Katherine Bell has no idea what she is missing out on," Jake said.
"That is sweet of you to say. Uncle Rex warned me about her, but I guess, lately I started to question some of his judgment so…."
Danielle's voice trailed off, but Jake completely agreed with that sentiment. He wondered if it would be rude or supportive for him to say that. Quite frankly the only positive he could see about Rex was that he was Danielle's Uncle. "I understand that, and although it must hurt now perhaps you really did need to find out for yourself. It stinks when your family can't be there for you but perhaps it is time to find that family connection in me and my family. I have some vacation next month so maybe we could take the week and go back home to Idaho. My mom would really love to spend more time with you before the wedding," he said.
"Umm, ok," Danielle said.
Jake noted she didn't sound convinced. He decided to shake off being offended and understand why she didn't feel comfortable. "Or not, my parents really loved you when they met you at graduation, but we can go wherever you want," he offered.
"I would love to see your parents; I'm just worried about Serena. If she isn't back with Scott, then I feel like I shouldn't go too far. I know this may sound crazy because I never met Dominique, but I feel like I need to do this. I feel like from what I know of Dominique that she would do it for me if things were reversed," Danielle said.
Jake considered that. Serena was a cool kid and Scott seemed to actually be more on Danielle's side than Rex was. Of course, that wasn't hard. "Ok, so what if I look into transferrable tickets for Thanksgiving and then if that is too soon, we'll just transfer the tickets and go once things are more settled with Scott and Serena," he suggested.
"Sometimes I wonder how I got so lucky to meet you," Danielle said.
"Trust me the feeling is mutual. So, can I buy you lunch?" Jake asked.
"I'd love that! If you have time, of course," Danielle said.
"I was supposed to have lunch with my attending mentor, but apparently he had to reschedule so I actually do," Jake said. That was technically true. Plus, if Dr. Burgess was doing noon conference it was much better to just not show up than to show up late. Jake had learned that the hard way.
XXXXXXXX
In his office at Meyers & Eldridge, Jake Meyers pulled out two copies of the documents for the Serenity Trust. He was very familiar with the documents as he had drawn them up himself almost exactly six years earlier.
October 21, 1991
Jake Meyers had to admit that he had been a bit surprised when Dominique Stanton-Baldwin had shown up in his appointment book. Her husband wasn't exactly president of his fan club so unless she was planning to divorce him it just didn't make sense. Of course, so much of life didn't make sense so perhaps he was just meant to go with it. He probably was.
His secretary, Jane, showed her into his office five minutes before her scheduled appointment. He had heard, from Edward Quartermaine no less, that her punctuality and grammar gave him hope for her generation. Apparently, that had given him the confidence to invest in her company, Deception Cosmetics.
"I am Dominique Stanton-Baldwin. I don't believe we have officially met before, but you were highly recommended by several attorneys I have significant respect for. I appreciate you accommodating me with such a prompt appointment. Unfortunately, time is a bit of the essence in these matters," Dominique said as she extended her arm out to him over his desk.
Jake took her hand and refrained from asking exactly who had recommended him. He had only recently returned to the USA after almost four years as attorney with the Peace Corps in South America. "Of course, so what can I help you with today?" he asked.
"I need to update my will. I also need to ensure that everything is in order with the living trust that was created with my father's physical estate after his death in October 1988," Dominique said.
"What do you mean by his physical estate?" Jake asked.
"My father owned the Serenity Estate in Hampton Bays. It was the Stanton Summer Home. After his death the property moved into a living trust for his direct descendants and their direct descendants. I was named as the original trustee but his will provided for me to appoint a new trustee. I was hoping that you could take care of that," Dominique Stanton.
"You want me to administer the trust? Why?" Jake asked.
"I considered asking my father in law, but he pointed out that it would likely be better if the trustee was someone completely outside the family. After some thought, I think that is wise," Dominique said.
"I presume you are wanting to step down as trustee so you can claim dwelling rights for yourself and your husband?" Jake asked.
Dominique laughed. "Oh no, I definitely have more traumatic than happy memories associated with the property. Scott and I have talked about him taking our daughter when she is older, if she has questions or just wants to see where I grew up but I wouldn't ever want her to live there. I definitely wouldn't want her to be used as a pawn for other's gain," she said.
"Do you believe your husband would do that?" Jake asked.
Dominique appeared almost offended by the suggestion. "Not for a minute! However, I wouldn't put the idea past my Uncle Rex. That is my father's brother, Rexford Stanton. In a word, he is a sociopath," she said.
Less than four months after that conversation, Dominique Stanton-Baldwin was dead, and he was the executor of her estate. Dominique had left most of her assets to her husband and her daughter. She had also left generous memorial endowments for Port Charles General Hospital, and the Charles Street Foundation; her Aunt Irene had received the title to a beach house in the Bahamas; and Lucy Coe had received several pieces of jewelry valued around one hundred thousand dollars. Delivering that last item had been a bit awkward, at least for him. But the will had been successfully probated and he was installed as the trustee of the Serenity Estate in Hampton Bays.
For over five years his overseeing experience had been uneventful. He had sometimes felt badly collecting his annual fee, but he had a feeling he was about to earn his trustee distribution, and then some, dealing with Rexford Stanton.
He was still reflecting on that when his secretary, Jane, came in looking flustered. "I think we have a problem, there is a Mr. Rex Stanton out front looking for a key. I checked the files and it isn't any of the properties we are managing so I'm not sure if maybe it is related to that closing by mail Darren was working on. I would call him, but I think his plane is still in the air," she said.
"It's ok, I know exactly what this is about. Why don't you just show Mr. Stanton into my office," Jake said. Then he took a deep breath and prepared for the fireworks he was sure he was about to set off.
Rex Stanton didn't bother to introduce himself and kind of brushed off Jake's own attempt at that. "I know that my attorney sent a formal request for dwelling rights last week. Is there even a bad reason why you haven't managed to have copy of the key made and provided me with all of the appropriate security codes?" he asked.
"I sent a formal response to Mr. Bauer but the gist of it is that you don't qualify for dwelling rights. When your brother set up the life estate, he limited the tenancy to his descendants. So, this would apply only to any children your brother had or to their children," Jake said.
"I am claiming tenancy for my great niece, Serena Baldwin," Rex said.
"Yes, Mr. Bauer mentioned something to that effect when he called me after receiving my response. I explained to him that in order to do that you would need to be Miss Baldwin's legal guardian," Jake said.
"That is absurd!" Rex screamed.
"It is actually quite standard with life estates but regardless it is the way that your brother set this up and as the trustee I need to ensure that we follow the trust documents."
"So, you're going to just allow a child to be deprived of her birth right on a technicality."
"Miss Baldwin's father could file to establish her tenancy. He received a copy of the trust documents after his wife's will was probated. He has never chosen to establish tenancy for his daughter, but I assure you he is well aware of the process," Jake said.
"That shows how little you know, Serena Baldwin hasn't been in the custody of her father for weeks," Rex said.
"But, unless you are now the legal guardian, none of that is even relevant to your claim. Your attorney explained you're planning to file for custody. So, if you're awarded guardianship then you can file for tenancy on your ward's behalf. Until then, you just can't."
Rex didn't say anything more. He just stomped out of Jake's office.
XXXXXXXX
Lieutenant Joseph Kelly kept his office door open. He wanted his Detectives to come to him. They usually didn't; but that was the whole point of a Pod System Hierarchy. Since he had only been back in Port Charles for four months, he was still figuring out how he resolved that but there were some cases he knew were too important to leave to chance. The Katherine Bell case was one of those, if only because of her prior history with the PCPD. So, when he had received the copy of the security tape from the Harbor Master, he had viewed it and then given it to Detective Scanlon with explicit instructions to check in with him before he or Detective Vanburen proceeded further. Now he was awaiting the inevitable.