Chapter 21- Carly's Warning

Felicia led Esme and Ace into her house to find Mac on the couch reading a book. He set it down.

"Hi Mac," Felicia said. "Esme and Ace are going to stay with us for a while."

Mac nodded. "Ah. Welcome to our home, Esme."

Esme held Ace close and her eyes scanned the room.

Felicia rubbed her back, then handed her the remote. "Why don't you make yourselves at home. You can watch something if you'd like. We have cable and lots of streaming sites. Mac and I will just get some plates and napkins for your dinner."

Esme glanced down at the bag from Bobbie's in Felicia's hand. "You didn't know I was coming when you ordered that…."

Felicia smiled. "There's lots to share. The bathroom is just down the hall to your right. After we get some food in you, I can show you around." She quickly prodded Mac to the kitchen.

Mac cleared his throat. "I know you mentioned that you offered our home to her, but I didn't expect—"

"Mac, you need to go." She shoved the note in his hand. "Read this. I'm sorry, but Esme and Ace are in danger. So is Bobbie's diner. I didn't want to talk in front of Esme. I don't want to scare her more than she already is."

He read over the note. "Heather is going to Bobbie's? Tonight?"

"Yes. You need to act fast. We didn't even grab Esme's things. I just wanted to get her out of there before Heather shows. I wish I could go with you to confront her myself, but I'm not leaving Esme." She cracked open the door to see Esme on the couch with her back turned.

"Okay, did she say anything else?" Mac asked.

"Heather is the one who took her and Scarlett to the cabin," Felicia explained. "But I forbid you to question her about it until she's ready. Please, Mac. I'm sorry to put this on you. I couldn't protect her back then, but I won't let anything happen to her again."

"Well, we can discuss the cabin incident later. But you don't need to say anymore." He kissed her. "Call Cody to come by for extra security."

She nodded and watched him head out the back door.

GHGHGH

"Where's James and Bailey Lou?" Georgie asked at the dinner table.

"Your dad took them to Bobbie's for dinner," Maxie said.

Georgie gaped at her. "Why would he take them and not me?"

"Well, I asked him to take them because—"

"But he's my dad not theirs," Georgie grumbled.

Maxie sighed. "You know your brother and sister adore him too. But don't worry, you spend lots of time with him and you will again. I asked him to take them out so we can talk."

"About what?"

"About your behaviour lately," Maxie said. "Your 3 weeks is almost up, but if you keep this up, I'm going to have to extend it."

Georgie scoffed. "No, Mom. I was actually going to ask… no beg you for my computer back. I can't complete all my tasks on the school computers."

"What tasks?" Maxie asked. "I've asked you many times and you won't tell me. You can complete any school projects but you're not using the computer for leisure."

"It's not leisure. It's super important. Jake keeps asking—"

"Jake? Jake Webber? What does this have to do with him? I know you went Trick-or-Treating last fall, but I didn't know you hung out."

"He's Danny's brother," Georgie said. "But I can't tell you."

"I can't help you if you don't tell me."

"I can't," Georgie said. "It's confidential."

"All right then." Maxie sighed. "Anyway, Grandma showed me your drawing at Bobbie's."

Georgie lifted her eyebrows and smiled. "Are you proud of me, Mommy?"

"What? No! I mean, I am in general, but not about that."

"But I made Auntie Esme cry," Georgie said. "You don't like her."

"That's beside the point." Maxie groaned. "I know you overheard me talking to Grandma. I never meant that your sister is psycho."

"Well, I think she is," Georgie said. "She's always taking my stuff!"

"That doesn't make her psycho."

"But her dad—"

"What I said was wrong." Maxie cleared her throat, carefully considering her words. "It isn't Esme's father that makes her psycho. And Bailey is most certainly not a psycho. She had a bad father, but it wasn't her fault. She takes your things because she's a toddler and that's what toddlers do. They think everything is theirs. We shouldn't be calling people psychos."

"But what if they are psychos?" Georgie asked. "Why wouldn't we call them that then?"

"Georgie, your sister is not a psycho and you will not be calling her that anymore. I'm sorry you had to hear my conversation with Grandma. It was shocking but… I shouldn't have said those things when you were in earshot."

"But you don't regret saying it, because it's true," Georgie said.

"I—I didn't say that. I just don't know Esme. But either myself or Grandma and Grandpa will be present whenever she is around. But this isn't about her. This is about Bailey Lou. You are her big sister and she looks up to you. You should protect her and treat her nicely."

"But aren't you Esme's big sister?" Georgie asked. "Why do I have to treat Bailey that way, but you don't with Esme?"

Maxie's cheeks went pink. "This is different. You and Bailey are growing up together and live in the same house. Esme is way across town and I don't anticipate seeing her much. In fact, knowing her she probably won't hang around much."

GHGHGH

Carly poured coffee for Sarah and the social worker at Bobbie's. She leaned over to look at the baby inside the carrier. "She's adorable. What's her name?"

"This is Scarlett," Sarah said, smiling down at her. "She's my granddaughter."

Carly moved to the counter and watched Josslyn move away from Spinelli's table.

"They all want chicken nuggets," Josslyn said. "And chocolate milkshakes."

"Grandma Carly!" Wiley ran in and hugged her. "Auntie Joss!"

Willow followed, pushing Amelia in the stroller. "Hi guys. We're just meeting Michael here for a visit."

Carly sighed. "For a visit…. Wiley, maybe Auntie Joss can show you how to make a milkshake while Grandma talks to Mommy."

Wiley grinned. "Okay!" He followed Josslyn behind the counter.

Carly cleared her throat. "Willow, I know you're confused right now. But this isn't fair for the kids. They need their daddy and not just for little visits."

"Actually, Michael is taking them for a few nights," Willow explained. "We've worked out a schedule."

"Okay, but there's still the issue of you living with Nina."

"There isn't an issue," Willow said. "We're getting along quite well there."

"Willow, you know what Nina is like," Carly said. "We love you, but if you're going to put the children in danger then Michael and I will need to take action."

Willow scoffed. "What does that mean?"

"Mom," Josslyn cut in. "Mac Scorpio is on the phone."

"We'll discuss this more after," Carly said.

Wiley ran over to Spinelli's table. "Hi James! Grandma Nina said we can have a play date next week."

James grinned. "Cool. We can play with my new cars."

"Hello?" Carly said into the phone.

"Hi Carly, it's Mac. I'm on my way to Bobbie's right now along with a few men. But I need you to evacuate the building."

"What?" Carly asked. "Why?"

"We have reason to believe Heather Webber is going there tonight at 6:30pm," Mac said. "That's still 45 minutes away but everyone needs to be off the premises. We'll be there within five—"

Heather stomped down the stairs from the boarding rooms, gun pointed at everyone. "Where did you put my daughter and grandson?"