Chapter 35- Welcome Home, Georgie

"I'm going to find the doctor and see when we can take you home." Mac kissed Georgie's cheek and left the room.

"Mom, can I go home with you and Mac once they release me?" Georgie asked.

"Absolutely, sweetheart. We wouldn't have it any other way. And Robin and her daughter Emma are coming home tonight to see you. They live in California now but once Robin heard, she booked a flight right away."

"Aww I missed Robin so much. I can't wait to see her and to meet her daughter."

"And there's two other important people you'll need to meet." Felicia took a deep breath. "Well, three technically. Our family has extended beyond Maxie and Robin's children. You have two new siblings as well."

"Wow. You and Mac had two more children after you re-married? That's nice. Are they around the same age as Maxie's kids?"

"No, actually. One is older than you and Maxie. His name is Cody. We just found out that he is Mac's son with Dominque Baldwin."

Georgie smiled. "Mac has a son? So, would he be Serena's brother?"

Felicia nodded. "He hasn't met Serena yet. I think he's still adjusting to us."

"I'm sure he will in time," Georgie said. "Mac's the best dad. I always thought he'd be great with a son."

"I agree. They're bonding already…. And there's something I never told you girls or Mac, but I had another daughter."

"You mean Frankie? Did you find her?"

Felicia stared at her for a moment. "How did you know about Frankie?"

"Well, I didn't at first. But the times you returned home, you spent a lot of time in your room, crying. I know you tried not to show it in front of us, but you weren't the same. I overheard you talking to Dad on the phone one day and I sort of got the gist of it. But I still don't know all the details. And I also saw the baby album one day. I didn't mention it to anyone, because if you wanted us to know, you would tell us."

Felicia wiped the tears from her eyes. "I did want to tell you. I really did. But I felt ashamed and I didn't want you girls to be targeted."

Georgie reached for her hand. "You don't need to feel ashamed. I knew you had your reasons."

"Well, you deserve to know. Frankie, her name is Esme now, she is my daughter from when…" She looked down briefly. "when Ryan Chamberlain raped me. Esme is 20 now. When she was born I didn't want Ryan to know about her. That's why I went to Texas. Grandma was sick too, that part was true. But I thought you and Maxie would be safest with Mac. But I came home from the store one day to find Grandma knocked out and your sister gone. Your father and I kept searching for her, but I couldn't find her until a few months ago. Maxie still hasn't forgiven me for leaving you both and I don't blame her for that. And I don't blame you either, sweetheart, if you can't forgive me either, I just wanted you to know the reason why."

"Oh, Mom. I always knew you had a good reason to leave us. When you said you were leaving to take care of Grandma, I knew she must've really needed you. And when I found out about Frankie, I knew it was even more serious. But I never thought... I didn't know about Ryan… I'm so sorry you had to keep all that in for so long. I can't imagine what you went through." She shook her head. "Sometimes I could never understand Maxie, though that doesn't surprise me. She always resented you leaving us. But she was already applying for college at that point, even though she acts like we were babies when you left us... But Frankie actually was a baby. And you kept coming back often..."

"I never wanted either of you to think that I abandoned you or didn't want to be with you because that was the farthest from the truth. I wanted to be with all three of my babies so badly and I had to make that decision to go look for your sister. The next best thing was to leave you and Maxie in the very best hands possible, which was Mac, I knew that he would take care of both of you when I couldn't. But don't be too hard on Maxie. After Frisco left us, of course she'd feel abandoned by me too. It just worries me because I feel she's taking her anger towards me out on Esme."

"Oh?" Georgie asked. "They don't get along?"

"No. It's kind of a long story. But Esme's been through so so much, so much more than I can have the time to explain right now. I don't even know all of it myself. But Esme has some charges against her and Maxie doesn't trust her. But I'm hoping with time all of you girls will get along."

"Well, it sounds like Maxie and Esme really need us right now," Georgie said. "I'm looking forward to meeting Esme and Cody."

Felicia smiled. "I'm looking forward to it too. Esme and her son, Ace, are living with us as well."

The door opened and Mac walked in grinning. "Great news! Dr. Webber said you're free to come home."

GHGHGH

Spinelli, Maxie, and Little Georgie headed back to the waiting room after they had a drink in the cafeteria.

"Okay, so what's my punishment?" Georgie asked. "Am I grounded for the rest of my life?"

Maxie looked at Spinelli, then back to Georgie. "No. We're not punishing you this time."

"Really?"

Maxie wrapped her arm around her. "I hope you know how much you scared us by taking off. But I know your heart was in the right place by helping Charlotte. Plus, you led us to find my little sister. And for that, I'll always be grateful. BUT don't leave without telling me or your father again. If another situation like this arises, come to us and we will help you."

Georgie nodded and hugged her. "Okay. I love you, Mom. And you too, Dad."

"We love you too, sweetie," Maxie said. "So, so much."

GHGHGH

Kevin handed Laura a cup of coffee and sat beside her. "How are you holding up?"

She sighed heavily. "I don't know. I didn't sleep well last night at all. Nikolas was denied bail because he's a flight risk. I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing. I don't want him to go to prison. But I don't want him to run again either. I'm worried we'll never get to see Ace again. But I'm equally worried about Spencer running this DNA test. We can't get anymore in Esme's bad books. But if Spencer is Ace's father, the truth needs to come out. And what if Spencer is right? What if Esme does revert? I don't want her to hurt Spencer or Cameron again. Or Ace this time."

"I don't think Esme would hurt Ace," Kevin said. "She loves him. And Felicia has said that Esme is opening up to her more. I'm confident as long as they remain close, Felicia will ensure that you and I at least can remain in Ace's life. I'm not sure about Nikolas or Spencer though."

"I hope you're right. Though it devastates me to think of Nikolas and Spencer not being in his life."

"I know."

"And Charlotte." She set her coffee down. "I'm relieved she's home safely. But she said something that concerns me."

"What did she say?"

"It didn't even hit me right away," Laura said. "But Jake commented that he hopes Victor's voice can get out of her head. Then Charlotte said Georgie told her the same thing. It sounds like Cassadine mind games to me."

"Do you think he's been brainwashing her or something?"

"I wouldn't put it past him. It would make sense with what happened with Anna around Halloween. The next time I see Charlotte I'm going to ask her about it."

GHGHGH

"Don't worry about your mom," Cody assured. "She has room in her heart for all of you. Maybe you can come to the stables one day and meet the horses."

Esme nodded. "That would be fun."

They turned when they heard the door. Mac walked in carrying two paper bags with Spinelli, Maxie, and Little Georgie, followed by Felicia with her arm around Big Georgie.

"Hey you two, we're all back now," Felicia said. "And we have someone for you both to meet."

"Hi, you must be Cody and Esme." Big Georgie smiled. "It's so nice to meet you."

Cody walked over and held his hand out to her. "Hey, it's nice to meet you too, Georgie."

Esme glanced over at Big Georgie but didn't move from the couch.

"Oh, come here. I'm more of a hugger." Georgie hugged Cody. "I always wanted a brother."

Mac held up the bags. "I hope everyone's hungry. We got soup from Bobbie's!"

"I thought we could all eat lightly for a bit while Georgie gradually starts to eat normally again," Felicia said.

"Aww you guys don't have to do that," Big Georgie said, then frowned. "I couldn't believe it when you told me Bobbie is gone."

"Me neither," Maxie said. "It still seems so fresh."

"I'll get the drinks." Mac headed to the kitchen.

"I can help you, Mac," Big Georgie said.

"Georgie, you don't need to help," Felicia said. "Your dad and I can handle it."

"I don't mind." On her way to the kitchen, she stopped next to the couch. "Hi Esme, I'm so glad to finally meet you. And I hear we're going to be roommates." She hugged her.

Felicia smiled at them. Maxie clenched her jaw.

Esme very loosely returned the hug. "Y-y-you're moving in?"

"Yes, she is, sweetie," Felicia said.

Big Georgie let go of the hug and smiled at her. "Yes and I think we'll have lots of fun together." She headed towards the kitchen.

"Georgie, why don't you sit down and relax?" Felicia asked.

"Oh, all right." Big Georgie sat beside Esme. Esme shifted away from her a bit.

"Only Georgie would want to serve others after returning from captivity," Maxie said. "I'll go get James and Bailey Lou." She headed upstairs.

"Is Ace sleeping?" Felicia asked.

"He should be getting up about now," Esme said.

There was a knock at the door.

"Can he join us?" Felicia asked. "Then we can all be together."

"Okay." Esme headed upstairs. On the way, she passed Maxie, James, and Bailey Lou in the hallway.

"We're going to eat soup, Auntie Esme," James said. "Come eat with us."

Esme looked at Maxie awkwardly.

"I guess we'll see you downstairs," Maxie said, then prodded the kids downstairs.

Esme went to her bedroom to find Ace sitting up in his crib smiling at her. She lifted him and hugged him close. "I don't know about this, Ace. Maybe Momm—uh Felicia... is just nice to everyone and we're nothing special. But you are to me." She took a deep breath. "I guess we'll try…."

She slowly headed down the stairs with Ace but stopped at the bottom when she saw Felicia hugging Big Georgie and a brunette tightly.

"Oh, Robin, it's so good to see you," Felicia said. "I'm so glad you came."

"I wouldn't miss seeing Georgie for the world," Robin said. "I'm so glad you're alive."

Big Georgie smiled. "Me too."

"Soup's on!" Mac said.

Felicia turned. "Oh, Esme. Come, I want you to meet my niece." She wrapped her arm around her. "This is Robin and her daughter, Emma."

"Hi Esme," Robin said. "Felicia told me about you over the phone. It's so nice to meet you."

Emma smiled. "Hi Esme."

"Hi…" Esme said softly.

Everyone sat around the living room, but Esme held back, watching.

Felicia waved her over. "Do you want to sit beside Emma, Esme?"

Esme slowly walked over and sat in the empty seat by Emma.

"Ace is cute," Emma said. "How old is he?"

Esme looked over at Felicia sitting between Robin and Big Georgie. "Uh, almost a year."

"Are you in college too?" Emma asked.

"Not right now. But I'm going back to become a P.I." Tears stung her eyes when Felicia flipped Big Georgie's hair.

"Ooh, that's a tough job," Emma said. "That's like Aunt Felicia. I considered something similar. My grandparents are in a similar line of work. But I've decided to be a doctor like my parents." She frowned. "Are you okay?"

Mac tapped his glass with his fork. "I just want to say a few words for our Georgie." He started to tear up. When I thought we lost you, I was lost myself. I've missed your kind heart, your hard work, your generosity, positivity. And I think I speak for all of us when I say, welcome home, Georgie." He raised his glass and winked at Georgie.

"Hear, hear!" Felicia raised her glass and hugged Georgie again.

Esme rose with Ace and ran upstairs to her room.