**AN: I have no idea what motel Oz Haggerty was staying at. I re-watched the clips and didn't hear the name of it, and Wiki just says a motel. So, for purposes of my story I'm just saying it was at the Rendezvous Motel that other characters on the show have been to. If the name was mentioned and I missed it, I apologize. But we're going with the Rendezvous in this. But I'm taking my own spin on a lot of things anyway.

Also, credit again to my role play group for some parts during the trial.

Chapter 43- Dear Mommy

Esme looked up at her mother nervously as Felicia took the stand. Felicia gave her a reassuring smile.

"Mrs. Scorpio, please state for the courts your relationship to the defendant," Nora said.

"I am her mother."

"Thank you," Nora said. "And how would you describe your daughter?"

"She can be strong willed at times. She's also very loving. I've witnessed that firsthand with how she is with her son Ace and also how she is with my other grandchildren who also adore her. I didn't get the privilege of raising her like I got to with my other two daughters and she's had a hard life because of that. I also plan on making up everything that I can to her if and when given the chance."

Maxie shook her head.

"Mrs. Scorpio, do you believe your daughter is a threat to society?" Nora asked. "Why or why not?"

"No. I truly and honestly believe that my daughter is not a threat to society. There are people in this country and in our town that have done far worse than what my daughter is accused of and they are still free to be walking around society who I would be much more nervous and terrified to be around for one thing. But also, my daughter is innocent of most, if not all the charges."

Whispers filled the room.

"Quiet down," the judge said.

"Can you expand on that, Mrs. Scorpio?" Nora asked.

"My daughter has been very hurt in the past. But now she just wants to move forward and have a life with her son. She told me she didn't do most of those things, and I believe her. Also, Damien Spinelli and I have found surveillance footage that points to another suspect which we'll reveal later."

Esme took a deep breath, worried about Dex listening to this.

"Thank you, Mrs. Scorpio. No further questions, your honour." Nora sat back down.

"Would the prosecution like to question the character witness?" the judge asked.

"Yes, your honor." Arden rose again. "Mrs. Scorpio, you said that Miss Prince is your daughter, correct?"

"Yes," Felicia said. "That is correct."

"So, can you tell us, when did you first meet the defendant?"

"I raised her for 9 months until she was taken from me. But then I met her again a year and a half ago."

"And where did you meet Miss Prince a year and a half ago?" Arden asked.

"I met her at the hospital," Felicia said.

"What was she doing at the hospital when you met her again and why?"

Felicia took a deep breath and hesitated when she noticed Esme starting to cry.

"Mrs. Scorpio, remember that you're under oath," Arden said.

"She was doing an internship there as a health aide," Felicia said.

"Oh? I thought that she was doing an internship at Spring Ridge Prison?"

"I meant she was there with a patient from Spring Ridge," Felicia said.

"Did that patient happen to be her father, Ryan Chamberlain?" Arden asked.

"Yes."

"At that time, Ryan Chamberlain supposedly had locked-in syndrome, correct?"

"Supposedly, yes," Felicia said.

"And did you see Miss Prince after that or not until recently?"

"I ran into her a few times after that here and there, and we were held hostage at Wyndemere together," Felicia said. "And then after Christmas I suspected that she could be my daughter."

"Okay, during your first meeting with Miss Prince, what was your impression of her?" Arden asked.

"I was concerned that such a young girl was alone with Ryan," Felicia said. "I felt compelled to help her in that meeting. I warned her about Ryan because I knew how dangerous he was."

Esme put her head down on the table, crying harder.

"After you warned Miss Prince about how dangerous Ryan Chamberlain was, how did she react?"

Felicia looked over at Esme again, and her eyes welled with tears watching her.

"Mrs. Scorpio, do I have to remind you again that you are under oath?" Arden stepped in front of Esme to block Felicia's view of her. "Please tell the truth."

Felicia gritted her teeth but quickly composed herself. "She was a little defensive but also said that she would keep it in mind."

"So, is it safe to say you didn't know Miss Prince very well during that meeting?"

"Yes, that is correct."

"Okay, now fast forward," Arden said. "You testified that your daughter is a good mother to her son, but does that give her the right to not go to prison for the crimes that she committed?"

"It does if she didn't commit those crimes," Felicia said.

"Oh, so you're saying that Miss Robinson committed these disgusting crimes?"

"Objection, your honour," Nora called out. "She's putting words in Mrs. Scorpio's mouth."

"Sustained," the judge said. "Ms. Arden, please continue."

"So, is it safe to say that your judgement is being clouded over due to your protectiveness Miss Prince?"

"I am protective of my daughter, yes, I am," Felicia said. "But my judgment is not clouded. I can see her more clearly than anyone else can."

"Then do you not want justice for Mr. Webber, Miss Robinson, Miss Jacks, and Ms. Jerome?"

"I never said that. Of course I do. But I also want justice for my daughter."

"No further questions, your honour." Arden sat back down.

Felicia walked by Esme and touched her arm before returning to her seat.

"To continue, both sides would like to present some evidence," the judge said. "Ms. Arden, you may go first."

Felicia felt her phone vibrate, and when she checked it, there was a text message from Spinelli: New evidence! Meet me in the attorney lounge with Nora.

Arden moved to the front again. "Thank you, your honour. The prosecution has a recorded conversation that we'd like the court to hear." She played it for everyone.

Esme's sobs could be heard.

Spencer: What happened, Esme?

Esme: You knew…. *hiccough* That all I ever wanted was a… was a mother.

Felicia placed a hand on her forehead as Esme started crying again.

Esme: You did this... before. Wanted me to... to think... you f-found... my mother. All just... to get back... *hiccough* …at me... for that stupid... sex tape. All to protect precious... Trina. You know how... disappointed I was with Heather... as... as... my mother.

Spencer: Yes, I did know how much you wanted a mother. But did something happen?

Esme: Felicia said… that I'm… that I'm her daughter.

Felicia whispered to Mac, "Did he seriously have to record her at this specific moment, right after I told her?" She turned and glared at Spencer.

Spencer: What? Is that why she was at the hospital so much?

Esme: What kind of person would do that to someone? You must've hired her. There's no other explanation. I told you many times when we dated who I dreamed my mother to be... someone just like Felicia. But there's no way I would be lucky enough to have a mother like her. She would never want me. It's cruel. Just cruel, Spence…! But Heather. Well... she did horrible things, but she's my mother and she loves me.

Spencer: Esme, I didn't hire her," Spencer said. "Felicia's not the type of person who would make this up.

Esme: Heather is my mother and she loves me.

"Ms. Arden, can you please explain what we just listened to?" the judge asked. "Because it feels like you're wasting my time. It just sounded like a girl who has mother issues."

"Yes, your honour," Arden said. "This recording proves that the defendant no longer has amnesia. She admitted to remembering the sex tape. And it shows she remembers dating Mr. Cassadine."

"All right, but it doesn't prove she committed any of these crimes," the judge said. "Please, sit down. Mrs. Buchanan, your evidence?"

Nora rose with a flash drive. "Yes, you're honour. We don't have all of our evidence, but it should be arriving soon."

The judge rolled her eyes.

"However, we do have footage from the Rendezvous Motel on July 22, 2022, that shows there is another potential suspect in this case." Nora passed it to the court clerk who connected it to her computer, and it played on the screen.

Dex walked up to room 34. He scanned the hallway, then picked the lock on the door and went inside. After several minutes, he exited and disappeared down the hallway.

Josslyn squinted and looked at Dex.

The scene transitioned to some time later, and Oz arrived at the motel room with Esme, and they went inside. Some time later, Curtis arrived, knocking on the door.

"Mrs. Buchanan," the judge said. "Please explain."

"Yes, your honour. Mr. Haggerty was comatose after this event and tramadol was found in his system. It was believed that that Miss Prince drugged him, however, we have reason to believe that Mr. Dex Heller might have."

The judge rubbed her chin. "I'd like to take a 30-minute break, and when we return, we will hear from the defendant." She struck her gavel and left the room.

"Esme…." Felicia reached out to her, but Esme fled the courtroom.

"Felicia, I just received a text from the PCPD," Nora said. "Esme's box was dropped off."

"Okay, and Spinelli wants us to meet him in the attorney's lounge," Felicia said. "He has more evidence. But Esme…."

"She probably just needs a breather," Nora said. "We better go look at the evidence. We don't have long."

Carly shook her head. "They've got something coming to them if they actually think you did all this, Dex."

"Yeah, clearly they're grasping at straws," Josslyn said. "Were you there on Sonny's orders? Or…?"

Dex smiled at her. "Something like that." He glanced over at Nora and Felicia rushing out of the room.

"Honestly," Josslyn said. "Just because Esme always wanted a mother, doesn't excuse what she did to us. Spencer never had a mother either, but he'd never do something like that."

GHGHGH

Esme rushed into the ladies' bathroom and leaned over the sink. Nausea crept up her throat.

She jumped when she heard the door slam behind her.

"You have got to be the WORST person I've ever met and that's saying something because I know A LOT!"

Esme trembled, staring back at Maxie.

GHGHGH

Felicia and Nora found Spinelli sitting with his laptop in the attorney's lounge, and a box sat on the table.

"What did you find?" Felicia asked, pulling a chair up beside him.

"A video clip," he said. "The implication is disturbing though."

Nora opened the box and shuffled through it. "We also need to look through this. There's all kinds of envelopes in here. Hundreds of them. All addressed to 'Mommy'…."

"For me…" Felicia said.

Nora passed the box to her. "You better start reading."

"It feels kind of wrong to look through it without her. Maybe I can go find her first."

"Felicia," Nora said. "They're addressed to you. We don't have much time. There could be something in there that can help her."

Felicia nodded. "And she did say she wanted to show it to me before." She pulled out the first envelope and opened it.

June 16, 2011

Dear Mommy,

My name is Esme and Im' your daughter. I turned 8 yesterday.

I don't like Mr. Prince he made me mad. He tored up my first letter to you and won't send it to you. I told him you and Daddy will come get me and take me away. I won't give him another letter. I will give it to you when you come get me.

He fired Mrs. Tomson. He fired all my nannies. Maggie is my new nanny. She was our maid before. I won't love her because he will fire her too.

Summer is here but I like sleeping at school more. Antoine is mean to me. He kicked me really hard. My teacher is nice and teached us to right letters and to date it. But I like Ace. Ace is Mr. Prince's horsey, but I think he is mine.

Mr. Prince says you don't love me. But my rattle says Love Mommy so I love you too because you will come get me.

Love, Esme

Felicia teared up while reading it and whispered to herself, "You bet, I love you so much sweetheart." She gently tucked it back in its envelope and felt something hard inside the box. "Oh my gosh…." She pulled out the silver rattle that she gave her as a baby, with the initials F.F.C on it. "You saved it…."

She set it back in the box and opened another envelope, which contained a Christmas card with Santa Claus and Rudolph on the front.

December 24, 2011

Mary Cissmas Mommy

I'm staying at school for Cissmas. I asked Santa to bring you and Daddy here for Cissmas. I don't want anything else only you and Daddy.

I will see you Cissmas morning.

Love, Esme

Felicia traced the words with her finger and put the card back, then opened another envelope.

July 17, 2014

Dear Mommy,

Mr. Prince is mad at me, but I'm even more mad. I had to get 12 stitches in my arm because I cut it in a dumpster.

He took me and Antoine to one of his stupid dinner parties. Not because he wanted me there but because all of his coworkers were bringing their families. Antoine told him I brought my rattle, so he took it from me at the end and said I'm too old for it. I told him it's the only thing that keeps me connected to you. But he said we don't have a connection because you didn't want me. I said he's wrong and you will save me one day. But he threw my rattle in the garbage at the restaurant and made me leave with him.

So I ran away. I know I was bad for running away but I would do it again. I went back to the restaurant and the waitress said they emptied all the trash cans in the dumpster. I had to jump in to get it. I hope you're not mad at me Mommy. I had to do it. I don't know what I cut my arm on but it really hurt.

Maggie came because Mr. Prince sent her to get me. She took me to the hospital and agreed not to tell Mr. Prince that I got my rattle back. I will be more careful and hide it from Mr. Prince and Antoine too.

Please come save me soon, Mommy. I need you and Daddy. All the other kids have mommies and daddies. I want you too.

Love, Esme

Felicia placed a hand over her mouth and opened the next letter.

August 16, 2014

Dear Mommy,

I got in trouble again from Mr. Prince. Antoine told him I used his credit card online. I know it's stealing but I went on ancestry . com and MyHeritage to try to find you and Daddy because I heard about those sites at school. Mr. Prince got mad and deleted my accounts. Now I'm mad at him again.

But I won't give up. There must be a reason why you haven't come to rescue me yet. Maybe you're trapped somewhere too like I'm trapped here and at boarding school? If you don't find me then I'll find you Mommy. I know we'll be together one day no matter what Mr. Prince says.

Love, Esme

"You never gave up, sweetheart, and I looked for you endlessly."

June 30, 2016

Dear Mommy,

Mr. and Mrs. Prince and my adopted brother and sister died in a car accident today. I must be a bad person because I'm not sad at all.

Maggie says I can stay with her during summer breaks. The rest of my time I'll be at boarding school because I inherited some money.

The best part, I don't have to see Antoine anymore.

Please come get me soon.

Love, Esme

"No, you're not a bad person at all."

July 12, 2018

Dear Mommy,

You won't believe it, I found Daddy! Maggie hired someone to find my birth parents by using the clover brooch that was attached to my baby blanket. It was the best gift ever. The only thing is, Maggie doesn't want me to contact him. Now I'm kind of angry with her because she refuses to tell me his name. She says he's not a good person and I shouldn't go near him. But I think she's wrong. So I need to find out his name. She must have it written down somewhere….

She says she'll try to find out where my rattle came from to see if she can find out who you are. But she doesn't want me to help her in case you might be like Daddy. She says she's trying to protect me, but I think she's wrong.

I will find Daddy on my own and then he will lead me to you.

Love, Esme

July 31, 2018

Dear Mommy,

I finally figured out Daddy's name. It's Ryan Chamberlain. I heard Maggie talking on the phone about it when she thought I was out.

I'm going to meet him. He's in Port Charles, New York at a place called Ferncliff. I don't know what that place is, but it sounds nice. I'm taking the bus there tonight. I'm sure Maggie will understand eventually.

I'm so excited to meet Daddy and I know he will feel the same about me. One of the first things I'll ask is what your name is. Then all of us can finally be together.

Love, Esme

Felicia clenched her fists together.

August 1, 2018

Dear Mommy,

I met Daddy today. I guess Ferncliff is a mental institution. That's probably why Maggie was scared of Daddy. And I was scared going there too. I felt even more alone than I ever have. But Daddy explained to me that the people in Port Charles hurt him and wronged him. He's given me an important task, Mommy. He wants me to help him get out of there. And he says if I help him he'll not only tell me your name but he'll take me to see you right away. I'm so excited to finally find you.

But he is worried about Maggie. He says she might try to come between us. He says I'm very weak and I need to toughen up. He doesn't want me to see Maggie again. I don't know what to do. I wish I could ask you for advice about this. But Daddy says he will be very proud of me if I end all contact with her. It really hurts but Daddy says it's either him or Maggie.

But I have to choose Daddy because I searched for both of you for so long and then he'll also tell me who you are. I hope it's the right choice.

Love, Esme

"He manipulated you from day one…."

August 5, 2018

Dear Mommy,

I cut off Maggie. Daddy said it's only step one. But Mommy, Daddy really scares me, but I can't admit that to anyone else. He said he loves me and wanted me to lay with him because I remind him of you. He said all little girls do that with their daddies and he would tell me who you are if I did. But I feel gross and dirty now and I can't stop crying.

And he didn't tell me your name. He said he will next time.

I want you so much. Even more than before.

Love, Esme

Felicia hands started shaking and she dropped the letter.

"Felicia?" Spinelli asked. "Are you okay?"

She shook her head and cried. "No. No, I'm not. My worst fear happened."

"What is it?" Nora asked. "Anything that can help Esme's case?"

Felicia tucked it away. "This is private and will not be shared in court."

"I'd like to play the video now," Spinelli said. "I don't know if the letter relates to this or not. It might be upsetting."

Felicia turned to the laptop.

August 15, 2018 appeared in the corner.

15-year-old Esme, with sunflower clips in her hair and a floral sundress, walked anxiously through the hallway at Ferncliff. She opened the door and walked in. 20 minutes later, the door opened again. Esme stepped out, her face pale, the hair clips gone, her hair disheveled, and her dress torn. She began to cry and disappeared down the hallway.

Felicia buried her face in her hands and sobbed.

"I know it's very unsettling," Spinelli said. "But I think it shows that Ryan Chamberlain abused her and probably manipulated her into harassing Ava."

"We are not playing that in court," Felicia said firmly.

"I understand but it could help Esme," Spinelli said.

"There must be something else." Felicia pushed away her tears. "Keep looking. I need to go see my daughter."

"Felicia, I think we need to read more letters," Nora said.

"I—I have to go see her…." Felicia hurried out of the room.

GHGHGH

Esme stared at Maxie. "Wh-what? When did you get here?"

"Oh, I've been here since the beginning. I've just been trying to control myself. This situation is already hard enough, but I can't hold it in anymore." She stepped closer to her. "I want to know two things and despite the fact that your default setting is dishonesty, I want you to tell me the truth."

"A-about what?"

"Number one...why the HELL did you plead Not Guilty? You made this trial drag on for no reason other than you don't want to go to prison! Did you even think for one minute that the decent thing would be to serve your time and keep your victims from experiencing their traumas again?"

Esme leaned over the sink to steady herself as her legs began to feel numb. Tears spilled down her cheeks, her mind racing from Daddy's voice to Mommy's voice to Ace's sweet little face. "I-I... I'm going to be sick."

"And as for your memories... I knew you remembered everything before that recording was played. I overheard Mom talking with Robin. You are such a liar, telling me that Mom mattered to you when you could remember what you did all this time! You put on such an act, but it's over now!"

Esme gripped onto the sink and slowly turned her head, eyes welled with tears. "Everything has been about her. Everything!"

"No, it hasn't! Everything has been about protecting yourself! You and only you! It's about getting what you want without taking responsibility for your crimes! That's the same mindset Ryan Chamberlain had and I'm not surprised that his devil spawn is the same way!"

Esme's lips trembled. "Mommy says I'm not him! I'm not like him!"

"You are JUST LIKE HIM! YOU HURT PEOPLE JUST LIKE HE DID! YOU LIED TO MOM JUST LIKE HE DID! YOU HURT HER JUST. LIKE. HE. DID!"

"No!" Esme sobbed. "I'M NOT HIM!"

Maxie stepped forward so she was even closer to Esme, her anger rising. "Ryan didn't love anyone but himself and it's obvious that you don't, either! Not when your memories are back and you know what you did but aren't willing to be punished! You're hurting my mother by doing that, don't you understand that? ALL YOU CHAMBERLAINS KNOW HOW TO DO IS HURT PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY MY MOTHER!"

Esme's whole body started shaking. "No! She looked for me! She said we were both his victims. She looked for me. She wanted me!"

The door opened behind them.

"I don't know how she could ever want you when your monster father forced you onto her!"

Esme gaped at her. "Wh-what does that mean?"

Maxie groaned in frustration. "What do you THINK it means, Esme? It means that your father raped my mother and you were the result!"

Felicia walked in. "Maxie! What are you doing?"

Esme sobbed uncontrollably and she started hyperventilating.

Maxie glared at her. "My mom and Ryan were never in love. You just twisted the story just like you do for everything else."

"Maxie, that is enough." Felicia reached for Esme. "Esme, sweetheart, don't—"

Esme's hands went numb and she ran out of the bathroom.

"Esme sweetheart, come back." Felicia turned to Maxie. "Maxie, what do you think you're doing? Why would you blurt all of that out to her now? She needs to give a testimony. Now I have to do damage control before the rest of the trial resumes. But I can't wait to hear your explanation."

"You can't wait to hear MY explanation?" Maxie asked. "I think I should be asking YOU that, Mother."

"It wasn't your place to tell her about me being raped. I should have been the one to tell her but certainly not now and she was definitely not ready to hear it. You have no idea what she's been through. And what do you need my explanation for, Maxie?"

Maxie laughed. "Seriously, Mom? How about you not telling me that Esme had her memories back and that she knew everything she did? You told me that she was better now when in reality you knew that she remembered how much of an awful person she was and you couldn't have been bothered to tell me? What if she went back to her old self and did something to my children? Or Georgie? Do you even care that Georgie is back? She can barely walk. There's no way she could defend herself against Esme. If she could plead Not Guilty despite knowing everything, who's to say what else that crazy lunatic could have done? And YOU would have been complicit since you never said anything to me, YOUR OWN DAUGHTER!"

"Of course I care that Georgie is back. I've only been up every night with her, watching her deny how traumatized she is for the past month. How could you ask me that? Esme isn't the horrible person that everyone is making her out to be. The more time I spend with her has made me realize that she needs therapy and not prison. I know I should have told you about her memories, but we hadn't had a chance to talk yet, outside of the kids, because it's been one event after another."

"You're wrong! She doesn't need therapy, she needs to pay for what she did! She committed crimes! She did it because she was trying to ruin Cameron's and Josslyn's and Trina's lives, and she almost did! I know she's your daughter, but if you honestly think that she doesn't deserve jail time for filming a sex video, posting that video online without permission, and then framing an innocent girl for it, then I don't think I can be around you anymore, especially when you've proven to me that I can't trust you to tell me the truth about something that important." She started to walk past Felicia but turned around to face her again. "And just so you know... it wouldn't have mattered HOW she found out, it still would have messed her up." Maxie left, slamming the door behind her.

Felicia dropped to the floor and sobbed.