Chapter 13- Esme Code

Sam knocked on Scout's door and found her reading on her bed. "Hi baby. Are you ready to talk about yesterday?"

Scout shrugged.

Sam sat on the edge of her bed. "Avery's really been picking on you, hasn't she?"

Scout nodded. "Mommy, can I go to Daddy's special school after all?"

"Are you sure you want to?"

"I don't know."

"Is it because of Donna and Avery?" Sam asked.

"Yeah."

Sam moved beside her and wrapped her arm around her.

"I threw the snowball at Avery because she said it again."

"What did she say?" Sam asked.

"That Daddy loves Carly more than me."

"She shouldn't be saying that," Sam said. "Your dad loves you very much."

"Mom? Can we watch a movie? I don't want to think about Avery anymore."

Sam nods. "That's a good idea. We can talk more later."

GHGHGH

Mac found Felicia laying in bed. "Hon?"

She rolled over. "Oh hi, hon."

"Aren't you going to get up? It's 1pm."

"Mac, I just…."

"I know." He rubbed her arm. "If you need a day for this, I understand. I just hate seeing you so upset. And I hope you can get out of bed tomorrow."

She nodded.

"Don't worry about Maxie," Mac said. "She loves you. She's just in shock. Her anger will wear off."

"I hope so."

"And I'm sure everything will work out with Esme too."

"Who called?" Felicia asked. "I heard your phone ring."

Mac sighed. "It was Cody."

"How's he doing?"

"Well, I feel bad because of Maxie and Esme… but Cody asked me to go to the gym with him."

Felicia smiled. "Don't feel bad. That makes me happy. You deserve this, Mac."

"And so do you." He kissed her. "I love you and I'll be back soon."

"I love you too." She rolled back over and stared at the wall after he left. Maxie's words kept piercing her ears and she could hear Esme's screams. Then Kevin's voice went through her head about not rushing things with Esme.

She felt completely and utterly useless. She couldn't be there for either of them. And maybe neither of them wanted or needed her.

Ring. Ring.

She reached for her phone on the night table and sat up when she saw Kevin's name. "Kevin? Is Esme okay?"

"Hi Felicia. Well, that's why I'm calling. I think I spoke a little prematurely the other day."

"What do you mean?" Felicia asked.

"Well, Esme naturally doesn't want to leave Ace's side. In fact, she hasn't stepped outside since the cabin. Laura is being spread thin and she's the only one of us Esme doesn't mind being around, but Laura can't be there 24/7. Esme and Spencer keep arguing. And what's strange is how she's acting around me."

"How's she acting around you?" Felicia asked.

"Well, she's always been uncomfortable around me. Even when she lived with us, she never wanted to be alone with me. She always wanted Laura or Spencer there too. But since Christmas, she's been absolutely terrified of me. When I step into Ace's room when it's just her and Ace, she starts shaking and backs away. Then she wants me to leave right away."

"Is it because you look like Ryan?"

"I've wondered that," Kevin said. "It's just hard to understand her at times. Before she lost her memory she seemed to love Ryan."

Felicia shivered.

"But then that night at Wyndemere when she had amnesia, she was scared to death of him and Heather," Kevin continued. "So, maybe it's because of that. But I don't know what's made it worse since Christmas."

Felicia squinted. Esme had mentioned horses at the Prince's as a child. Did she have her memory back? And then there was the red glove that fell out of her coat that matched the one from the Wyndemere break-in…. "Well, we both know your brother. Look at what he did to us. Imagine how much he would hurt his own daughter."

"Yeah. But Felicia, she's asked about you several times."

Her eyes filled with tears. "She has?"

"Yes. She keeps mentioning you and she seems disappointed you haven't been there. When I asked if she wants you to be their health aide, she stumbled over her words and said that Ace likes you. I think that's Esme code for she's the one who likes you."

Felicia smiled.

"So, while I still think you need to tread carefully with her, I do think it would be good for her even if you popped in once a day while Ace is in the hospital. She needs support."

"Of course. Yes. She does need someone. I'll head over right away."

"Okay, but I would advise though to just read her cues. But I don't know, I was wrong the other day. So maybe just follow your instincts and do your best to figure out what Esme needs and wants."

"Yes, I understand. I'll be careful. Thank you, Kevin." She jumped out of bed and got dressed.

GHGHGH

Esme held Ace's little hand as he slept, but she jolted when Spencer poked his head into the room.

"Esme?" Spencer said. "A word out here, please?"

Esme shook her head. "I'm not leaving him."

"It won't take long. He's sleeping. He'll be okay for a few minutes."

She bent over and kissed Ace, then went out to the hallway with Spencer.

"What is it?" Esme asked.

"I was talking with Grandmother, and I think she's right. We need to get back on the same page. Like before when we united to take care of Ace together."

"Yeah, well all this arguing is stressing me out," Esme said. "And I'm sure Ace can sense that."

"I agree. We need to do what is best for Ace. Which is why I'm proposing that you and Ace come back home once he's released. I think all of this was a sign that Ace needs all of us."

"But-but Ace does have you guys too," Esme said. "I thought the arrangement was working well."

"Maybe for you," Spencer said.

"For me? I get lonely when Ace stays over with you guys. It's best for Ace that we have our own place. We've been over this, Spence."

He stared at her.

"I don't want him growing up thinking the three of us are a family just for that to get torn apart," Esme said. "Now, I'm going back to my son." She went back to his room.

Spencer watched her go in. "Spence, huh? You're not fooling me, Esme." His eyes moved down when an envelope shot across the floor and hit his feet. He glanced around but didn't see anyone. He picked it up and opened it.

Room 403

GHGHGH

"Jake should be able to go home soon," Carolyn told Elizabeth in her office. "He's recovering well."

Elizabeth nodded. "I'm just worried about him. He mentioned wanting to go find Charlotte after he's released. I don't want him to get hurt again, but I don't think I can stop him either. His dad is shining through him."

"I thought he was more like you."

"He is with his art and love of science. Though the science comes from both of us really before Jason got amnesia. But the desire to protect without fear of danger is all his dad."

"And you," Carolyn said. "You're a very strong person, Lizzie."

She smiled a little. "Thanks, Mom."

They turned when there was a knock on the door and a blonde woman walked in.

"Sarah?" Carolyn smiled and hugged her.

"Hi Mom." She looked over at Elizabeth. "Hi Lizzie."

"When did you get here?" Carolyn asked.

"This morning. I should've called but I wanted to surprise you."

Elizabeth squinted. "Why are you here?"

"I've transferred to GH," Sarah explained. "I'm the new pediatric cardiologist. The posting said there's been a rise in heart issues for children under five and they needed more staff."

Carolyn smiled. "It's good to have you here, sweetie."

GHGHGH

Esme rocked Ace in the rocking chair, her mind on what Spencer proposed. There were some perks to living with them. Childcare was always available and she had no bills to pay other than her phone. But she'd been developing feelings for Spencer and knew he'd never want her again. Plus, there was Kevin… no. She couldn't go back there.

She looked up when she heard a knock and Felicia stepped in carrying a gift bag. "Hi Esme. Can I come in?"

A small smile crept across Esme's face. "Okay."

Felicia walked over to them and smiled. "How's your hand, sweetie? And how's Ace feeling?"

"Fine, I guess. He seems a little better today. He slept pretty much all day yesterday."

Felicia held Ace's hand and gave it a soft squeeze. He looked up at her.

"I got you and Ace something." Felicia reached inside the bag and pulled out a pink Yeti rambler with a picture of a horse on it. "I didn't know what colour you like but you said you love horses. I washed it and filled it with water. It's important for you to keep hydrated while you're here."

Esme took it from her. "Thanks…. I like pink."

"Oh good. I do too." Next, she pulled out a brown stuffed horse. "I don't know if Ace likes horses too, but maybe he can cuddle with this." She handed it to Ace. "Here you go, Ace."

Ace held the horse loosely.

Esme smiled at it. "It looks like Ace."

Felicia raised an eyebrow. "It looks like Ace?"

"Not this Ace. My old horse Ace. I named Ace after him."

"That's nice. Can you tell me about your horse?"

Esme shrugged. "I guess he wasn't technically mine, but I got to help take care of him when Mr. Prince wasn't around. He wouldn't let me go to the stables. But it was a racing horse. Ace in the Hole."

Felicia scrunched her face. "Was Mr. Prince your father?"

Esme's eyes widened and she shifted awkwardly.

"I'm sorry," Felicia said. "I shouldn't have asked. Esme, if there's anything else I can get you, don't hesitate to ask," Felicia said. "I'm here for you, okay?"

Esme blushed a little but didn't say anything.

"Can I give you my phone number?" Felicia asked. "Then you can call or text anytime. Or we could even exchange numbers. Is that something you'd be comfortable with?"

Esme chewed her lip, but then nodded.

"Would you like me to come back tomorrow?" Felicia asked.

She frowned. "You're leaving?"

"No, I don't have to leave. I just thought—"

"Ace wants you to stay."

Felicia smiled at her. "I would like to stay too."

GHGHGH

Spencer arrived outside of Room 403, unsure of who summoned him there or why. He opened the door to find a hooded figure facing the wall.

"Who are you?" Spencer asked. "What do you want?"

Slowly, the person turned to him.

"Father."

"Hello, Spencer."

They stared at each other for a few moments.

"You look good, son," Nikolas said, then started to tear up. "I heard Ace is here."

"Yes. He just had heart surgery the other day. Bypass."

Nikolas nodded. "I understand you stepped up to take great care of your brother since I've been gone. Thank you."

"You don't need to thank me for loving my little brother."

"I just meant that you could've got caught up in who is mother is and how he came to be. And just handed him off to your grandmother. But instead, you've taken great care of him."

"You've been keeping tabs on us," Spencer commented.

Nikolas nodded. "I had to leave, Spencer. They would've put me in prison. And though it seemed I never looked back, just because I wasn't here doesn't mean I stopped caring about you and Ace."

Spencer choked up. "I wasn't sure how you felt about me given the way that we left things. After all, I did try to blackmail you into handing over custody of Ace."

"Yes, well, that was very Cassadine of you." Nikolas chuckled. "Listen, I bear some responsibility for our failed relationship. I should've tried harder to make things better between us. But Ryan and Esme are the ones who destroyed our relationship. You see, Esme got in my head about my marriage. Why wouldn't I hold Esme prisoner at Wyndemere? I had to protect my son from her. And I still need to."

"I think you might be right," Spencer said. "Esme remembers. She is a danger to Ace."

Nikolas' eyes widened. "She remembers?"

"Yes. She's hiding it though."

"Of course, she is," Nikolas said. "Once Ace is recovered, I will be leaving again. But this time, I'm taking my sons with me."

Spencer stared at him. "I'm not leaving Port Charles. My life is here. I'm not going to abandon everyone and everything just so that I can go on the run with you."

"I know I'm asking a lot, but this is our only option. At least for now."

"No, this is your only option, but it's not mine. Ace isn't going with you and neither am I."

"But this is the only way we can be together as a family. Spencer, you have to trust me on this."

"See, that's the thing. I don't trust you. And I am not running away with you. Because I am not like you."

"Don't you realize?" Nikolas asked. "Your brother is in danger if he stays here. As long as Ace is under Esme's care, your brother is in danger. You said it yourself. She's hiding it. She's been playing a part, showing people what they want to see. But at her core Esme is the same viper that caused so much destruction for both of our lives. We both know what her true nature is."

Spencer shook his head. "I know what the old Esme is capable of but there has to be a better way than taking off with a child."

"If there was a way that I could stay in Port Charles and fight for custody, I would do that. But if I stay? I'll go to prison. I'm doing this for Ace. For all my flaws and failings, this isn't a choice between me and a better man. It's a choice between me and Esme."

"I understand that, but we can't just uproot Ace. It isn't just about Esme. He has Grandmother and Kevin and me here."

"Okay, well can you at least help me get in to visit Ace for now?" Nikolas asked. "Then after he's recovered, we can re-visit this discussion."

Spencer nodded. "Okay, I can do that much."