Hi everyone, I have edited chapter 28 after reading the Guest's review. If you read it before I made the changes, I completely eliminated Georgie locking Bailey in the toy chest and I added that Danny overheard that Ned and Olivia are going to Switzerland for a second honeymoon, so the teens are going to sneak on the Q jet.

Credit goes to my friend Spideygirl99 who plays Felicia in my role play group. I've borrowed from a couple of our scenes in rp, but I've also done my own spin and expanded it more.

Thanks and please review!

Chapter 29- The Stowaways

Michael and Willow arrived at Carly's house the next morning and Wiley crashed into their arms.

"Mommy, are you okay?"

Willow smiled and hugged him close. "Yes, I'm okay. I just missed you and Amelia. Are you okay?"

"Amelia was really scared," Wiley said as they sat on the couch. "She missed you, Mommy."

"It was scary for both of you, wasn't it?" Michael said.

Wiley nodded. "I was scared you wouldn't come home. I keep having bad dreams."

Willow frowned and held his hand. "I'm sorry that you were scared. But I love you and Amelia so much. That's why I knew I had to come home. And I'm not going anywhere again. So, you have no reason to be scared now."

Wiley hugged her. "I love you, Mommy."

"I love you too, buddy."

They looked up when Carly came down the stairs carrying Amelia. "Hi Willow! Welcome home."

Willow took Amelia in her arms and kissed the top of her head.

"Wiley," Carly said. "Why don't you go upstairs and play with Donna for a bit?"

Willow wrapped an arm around him. "Actually, I wanted to get the kids home."

"I want to talk to you first," Carly said.

"I don't want to leave Mommy," Wiley said.

"It'll only be for a few minutes," Carly said. "I promise."

Willow sighed as she watched Wiley run up the stairs.

"Willow," Carly said. She sat beside her and held her hand. "I'm so glad you're okay. But we need to discuss your living arrangements."

"Uh, no we don't," Willow said.

"Yes, we do," Carly said. "Don't you see this was a sign that you and Michael belong together? He went all the way to Pennsylvania to rescue you."

Willow looked at Michael. "I really appreciate that, Michael. Thank you."

He smiled at her.

"You cannot continue to expose Wiley and Amelia to Nina," Carly said. "Michael and I very concerned about all of you."

"And I appreciate that too," Willow said. "But we're safe with Nina. I don't know if Michael and I will ever reconcile, but if we do, that will take some time. In the meantime, we're staying with Nina. Michael and I have come up with a schedule for the kids. Thank you for keeping them safe and watching them, Carly, but we're going home now." She rose with Amelia in her arms. "Wiley! It's time to go!"

GHGHGH

Felicia and Mac sat around the kitchen table and Felicia fed Ace in his highchair.

"He seems a little better this morning," Mac said. "Still fussy, but not crying as much."

Felicia nodded. "Hopefully your mommy will be home soon, Ace."

"He's a cute kid," Mac said. "Just like all of our grandkids."

"I agree."

"So, Dante found Willow," Mac said. "And Heather was caught, along with a woman aiding her."

Felicia sighed in relief. "Finally, some good news. Nina must be relieved."

Mac nodded. "But Heather was pushed from a balcony. She's alive but is paralyzed."

"Good," Felicia said. "Then she can't hurt anyone again." She cleared her throat. "Mac, I know this is your day off…."

"It's okay, I figured you would want to visit Esme again," Mac said. "I don't mind watching Ace."

"Thank you," said Felicia. "But I also need to go out of town."

"Oh?"

"I spoke with Esme's old nanny, Maggie Fitzgerald last night," Felicia explained. "She's recently started working for a new family in Rochester. I'm meeting her for coffee."

"I know you mentioned you're going to investigate to try to help Esme," Mac said. "It makes sense you would start with her nanny."

Ring. Ring.

"I wonder who that is," Mac said. "I'll go answer it." He headed to the front door and found Spencer and Diane Miller on the porch.

"Good morning, Mac," Diane said. "Spencer and I—"

"We're here for Ace," Spencer said.

Mac scrunched his face. "But Esme wants him to stay with us."

Diane held up a piece of paper. "I'm afraid I have a court order that overrides that."

Mac glimpsed it. "I will get Felicia." He headed back to the kitchen. "Felicia, hon. You better come to the door."

Felicia looked at him concerned, but lifted Ace and followed him through the living room. "Spencer, what are you doing here?"

"I am taking Ace home," Spencer said. "Hi buddy! I missed you."

Felicia held Ace close. "No, you're not."

Diane handed her the paper. "This is a court order stating that temporary custody has been granted to Spencer. But there are conditions." Diane turned to Spencer. "Ace cannot leave town and he must be returned to Esme if and when she is released from police custody."

Felicia clenched her jaw and turned to Mac. "We can't let him take him."

"Unfortunately, we have to," Mac said. "If we fight them, not only will it look bad on us, but for Esme too."

Felicia took a deep breath. "It's okay, Ace. You're going to go with Spencer. That means you'll see Grandma Laura and Grandpa Kevin again too." She kissed his cheek and handed him to Spencer. "He's just had breakfast."

Mac grabbed Esme's backpack and gave it to Spencer.

Spencer grinned. "Hey bud. Let's get you home." Ace started crying again as Spencer carried him away.

Felicia hugged Mac and cried on his shoulder.

GHGHGH

Maxie frantically searched the entire house but couldn't find Georgie. She tried calling Spinelli and Mac, but neither had seen nor heard from her. She pulled out her phone again and dialed Sam's number.

"Maxie?" Sam came on the other end. "I'm sorry, but I can't talk—"

"Has Danny heard from Georgie?" Maxie asked. "She's gone. I can't find her." She looked up when Spinelli walked in.

"Georgie's missing too?" Sam asked. "So is Danny and Jake. I was just talking to Elizabeth. Aiden spilled to her that they're going to Switzerland."

"Switzerland?"

"Yep," Sam said. "To rescue Charlotte. We're on our way to the Quartermaines right now. Apparently, they're sneaking on the Quartermaine jet with Ned and Olivia. Dante can't get a hold of them. I better keep my line open…."

"All right," Maxie said. "Spinelli and I will meet you there."

GHGHGH

The guard led Felicia back to the holding cells to find Esme lying on her side.

"Good morning, Esme."

She sat up and smiled when she saw her. "Hi."

"Were you able to get any sleep?" Felicia asked.

Esme shrugged. "Not really."

"Well, Nora's working on building your defense and Spinelli's helping me investigate to find out what really happened."

Esme's eyes widened. "Wh-why?"

Felicia scrunched her face. "To help your case. Remember, I said I would help you. Do you still want my help?"

"Yeah. I do."

"Good."

"Is Ace okay?" Esme asked.

Felicia frowned. "Unfortunately, Spencer got a court order and he has temporary custody. He picked up Ace this morning."

Esme shook her head. "No. No…. He'll never let me see him again."

"Diane was very clear that as soon as you're released Spencer has to give him back to you," Felicia said.

"If I get released…."

"Your bail hearing is tomorrow," Felicia said. "Remember, Nora said you should have no problem getting bail."

"But I can't pay it."

"Don't worry about that," Felicia assured. "I will cover it."

"Th—thanks. So, uh, has Maxie ever been arrested?" Esme asked.

"Yes," Felicia said. "She was wrongfully accused and convicted of murder before to take the rap for her boyfriend at that time."

"So, she was innocent," Esme said.

"Yes, but she's done other things that she is not proud of," Felicia said.

"Like what?" Esme asked.

"Well, for one thing, she had an affair with a married man and stole pills from the hospital to support his drug habit," Felicia said.

"Oh?" Esme walked closer to her. "And do you hate her for it? Did she disappoint you for doing it?"

"I was disappointed yes, but I have never hated her and I never will. And I don't hate you either. I know that's what you're getting at. And I will never hate you no matter what you do or have ever done."

Esme sniffled back some tears. "But you and Maxie are close. You have a strong bond. So, it's different."

Felicia nodded. "Yes, even though things are rocky between us right now, we are very close. But you and me will be that close too, if you want it?" She reached through the bars and rubbed Esme's arm. "Because I already love you so much."

Esme rubbed her wet eyes and nodded sheepishly. "I want that… but I can't ever have it. Maxie had you as a kid, I didn't."

Felicia shut her eyes and began to cry.

Esme's mouth dropped slightly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry. I didn't mean it that way… I just, I wish things were different."

"I know sweetheart, I wish it were different too," Felicia said. "I blame myself."

"Why?" Esme asked. "I thought I was taken from you. But I guess I don't really know…. Did Mr. Prince take me?"

"You were taken from me. I came home to find my grandmother knocked out and you were gone. But I don't know who did it. I blame myself because I should have done a better job protecting you and I failed you."

Esme pushed away her tears. "When I get out of here, I need to get something from Wyndemere."

Felicia nodded. "Okay. We can make that happen. Esme, why do you call him Mr. Prince? Why don't you call him Dad or Father?"

"Mr. Prince wasn't my father. He was my boss."

Felicia squinted at her.

"Times up," the guard cut in.

GHGHGH

After dropping James and Bailey Lou off with Mac, Spinelli and Georgie arrived at the Quartermaine mansion. Sam and Elizabeth were already in the living room talking to Brooklyn.

"I'll keep trying, but they must have their phones turned off," Brooklyn said, staring at her phone.

"I'm sure they'll see them," Sam commented.

"Elizabeth, did Aiden tell you anything more?" Maxie asked.

"Just that they're going to Victor Cassadine's mansion near Lausanne, Switzerland," Elizabeth said. "I knew Jake was investigating Charlotte's disappearance, but I didn't know he involved Danny and Georgie."

Maxie ran her hand through her hair. "This is what she's been working on recently? I know she's been connecting with Jake lately, but I didn't know what for."

Spinelli grinned. "Georgie is a smart one. I've taught her well." His smile faded at Maxie's expression. "But she was wrong for running away like this…."

Sam pulled out her phone. "Well, I'm going to book a flight to Lausanne. I will bring them home. And if they've located Charlotte, I'll try to rescue her too."

"I'm going with you," Elizabeth said. "I feel a little responsible since I knew Jake was looking into Charlotte's disappearance."

Sam shook her head. "Our kids have minds of their own. No one blames you."

"I shall join you," Spinelli said. "Don't worry, Maximista. We will bring Georgie home."

"You're not going without me," Maxie said. "James and Bailey will be fine with Mom and Mac for a few days. I'm going to get my daughter too."

"Okay, well, I'll keep trying to get a hold of my dad in the meantime," Brooklyn said.

GHGHGH

"Hello, you must be Mrs. Scorpio?"

Felicia smiled and shook her hand. "Please, call me Felicia. It's so nice to meet you, Maggie."

Maggie sat across from her at the coffee shop. "You said on the phone that Esme is in jail again?"

Felicia nodded.

"I thought things were going better for her and her son," Maggie said. "But I was so pleased when you called and told me that Esme found you. She deserves much better than Heather Webber. I know all about her."

"Yes, Heather is certifiably insane," Felicia said. "And I've been searching for my daughter ever since she was taken from me. I am so relieved that we finally found each other."

"That makes me happy to hear," Maggie said. "You see Esme, she was obsessed with you. Probably still is. She longed for you so much. She never considered the Princes to be her parents and that was their own doing."

"I longed for her too." Felicia wiped some tears away. "I would like to know more about her childhood and the Princes. About how she ended up with them. And she said something to me this morning. She said Mr. Prince was her boss and I don't know what she meant by that."

"Ah yes, well you see I wasn't always Esme's nanny, but I worked for the Princes long before Esme came. I was one of their maids. Mr. Prince was in pharmaceuticals. He worked for Innate Pharma and eventually started his own company which partnered with Innate. He became very, very wealthy and barely had time for his own biological children. Eventually he exported drugs to and from mental institutions. He even went to America a few times to work closely with some of the patients.

"Years later, his own children were grown and he was well into his fifties when baby Esme came to us," Maggie continued. "She wasn't even a year old when Mr. Prince brought her home from one of his trips. I never once heard him say where he got the child, but he immediately handed her off to one of the other maids. She was wrapped in a blanket with a clover broach attached to her and she clutched onto a fancy rattle she never would part with."

Felicia gasped. "She had her rattle? I had it specially made for her."

"Oh yes, she loved that rattle. I'm assuming she still has it, unless she lost it during her amnesia. So anyway, the poor thing wouldn't stop crying for weeks. Mrs. Prince was angry that he brought the child home because she was done having children. She never once spoke even a word to Esme and would always leave the room when Esme came in. They didn't even want to give her the Prince name but decided they better for business purposes, whatever that meant."

Felicia shook her head.

One day when Esme was four," Maggie said, "she was at the park with one of her nannies—she'd already gone through dozens because any who disobeyed anything Mr. Prince ordered regarding Esme, he'd fire them."

"So, she wasn't able to form an attachment to anyone," Felicia commented.

Maggie nodded. "Esme heard another child calling their father Daddy at the park one day. So, she came home and tried calling Mr. Prince that. I was in the room at the time, and he circled around her. He gave her this huge lecture that he's not her father and if he ever catches her calling him that again she'll be sent to foster care. Esme was in tears of course. And he said she will call him Mr. Prince because it's a sign of respect towards your boss.

"From then on, any interaction he'd have with her would be like a business transaction, as he put it," Maggie continued. "He would pay her for good behaviour and good marks at school. But he made it perfectly clear that it wasn't an allowance but an employee's pay. I'm sure Esme has mentioned her trust fund to you? That's what he had to call it through the bank so it wouldn't be available until she's 18. And when they died some money went to her by default because their whole family died but Esme had the Prince name. This money was available to her so she could continue to go to boarding school."

Felicia balled her hands into fists. "How dare he treat my child like that. That makes my blood boil."

Maggie nodded. "She would disobey him sometimes and when her nannies covered for her, Mr. Prince would find out and fire them. I didn't become her nanny until she was twelve. But I was smart about covering for her and Mr. Prince never caught me until the day he died. But you have to know this. Esme is willful and sometimes wreck-less, but she's not like Ryan Chamberlain I tell yeh. She never was and never will be. I heard she's committed some crimes. I read all about it. But that's not who she is. She doesn't belong in prison. She is smart and industrious but very naive. She just needs to be nurtured. I tried being that person, but I wasn't enough for her. And I don't say that to feel sorry for myself. I might've lost touch with her, but I will always care very much for her. But she needs a mother not a nanny. All she wants is to be loved unconditionally."

"Oh, trust me I know that she is nothing like that monster. And I do know that she doesn't belong in prison. I'm doing everything I can to make sure she doesn't end up there. But I want to thank you Maggie for being a light to my daughter when she was growing up and thank you for caring about her. I don't know how I can repay you for that, but I am glad that she had someone like you that was kind and caring to her."

Maggie frowned. "I don't deserve all that praise. You see, I blocked Esme from finding you."

Felicia scrunched her face. "What do you mean?"

"You see... Esme was always obsessed with her parents growing up, especially her mommy..." Maggie explained. "She'd never stop talking about you and fantasizing what you're like despite Mr. Prince constantly getting irritated about it. After the Princes died, I helped Esme look for you both. It became her new obsession. I tried to find out where the clover broach and rattle came from. The clover broach led me to one of Ryan's victims. That's when I found out about Ryan Chamberlain. I didn't want Esme to contact him and I tried to stop her. At first, I thought we'd try looking for you instead. But when the call came in about where the rattle was made... I hung up before they could tell me. I feared so much that we'd find someone as evil as Ryan Chamberlain, that I stopped the search. And when I first heard Heather Webber was her mother, I thought it validated my fears. But since you called me, I realize how very wrong I was. I could've prevented all of this, and you could've found each other when she was 15. You could've protected her from Ryan Chamberlain's control. I am very sorry about that."

Felicia cupped her face in her hands and cried, realizing she could've found her daughter sooner and protected her from Ryan. "Yes, I would have done everything in my power to protect her from everything that monster did to her. But you didn't know. You were just trying to protect her too. I don't blame you, Maggie. I just wish I was able to protect her from the beginning."

Maggie reached for her hands. "You did everything you could. Esme said herself every day growing up that she could feel it that you were looking for her, but she knew something was preventing you from finding her." Maggie cleared her throat. "There's one other reason why I invited you here. I need to warn you about someone. I prevented you from protecting Esme from Ryan, but now I want to do everything I can to allow you to protect her now."

"What? Someone else is trying to hurt her?"

"Growing up, Esme would play with the son of the stable hand," Maggie explained. "When they were really young, she and Antoine played well together. But they were always jealous of each other."

"What were they jealous of?" Felicia asked.

"Antoine was envious that Esme got to live in a mansion and that she was part of the Prince family," Maggie said. "Which didn't make too much sense because his family was very well off. Claude Prince always paid his employees well. Esme was jealous that he had two loving parents. I understood Esme's jealousy more than Antoine's. His parents were very much involved in his life and they were very good to him. Through the years, he always tried to get Esme into trouble and Mr. Prince would take his side. He'd steal things from the mansion and plant them in Esme's room or in her pockets or bags. And he got really good at making Esme look guilty, and would even convince her sometimes that she did them and is going crazy. As a teenager, he vowed to destroy her life and he would get power one day. One day, Antoine's parents turned up dead and a few days later, the Princes died in a car crash. Tramadol was found in Mr. Prince's system. The police claimed he must've had an addiction. Mr. Prince is a lot of things, but I've never known him to have a drug problem. I've always suspected Antoine killed them."

"Wow, that's a lot to process," Felicia said. "You think he's still a threat to Esme?"

"I know he followed Esme to Port Charles and that he's still there working for a mob boss, but he goes by a different name now."

"What name?" Felicia asked.

"Dex Heller."

GHGHGH

It had been a long flight, but finally Ned and Olivia landed in Lausanne that evening.

Olivia stretched. "Can you go get our bags?"

Ned nodded. "Sure. The big stuff we can have sent, but I'll get our personal bags."

Olivia pulled out her phone and turned it on. She scrunched her face. 11 missed calls from Dante, 4 missed calls from Brooklyn, and 3 texts from Sam.

Ned made his way through the TV room and into the bar, then finally to the luggage room, where he heard a noise. He picked up Olivia's small suitcase, but crept further in. He reached out and yanked away his extra-large suitcase and saw Danny staring back at him.

"What do we have here?" Ned asked. "What are you doing here, Danny?"

Danny gulped.