Chapter 36- Hands Full

"Emma, sweetie, did you see where Esme went?" Felicia asked after they ate.

"Upstairs," Emma said. "She seemed upset, but I don't know why. I was just asking her questions about school. I didn't mean to be nosy."

Felicia smiled at her. "You weren't."

"We better get going," Maxie said, holding a sleeping Bailey in her arms. She hugged Big Georgie. "I love you so much, sis. And I'm glad you're home."

"Robin, I thought you and Emma could share the guest room downstairs," Felicia said. "Esme is using your old room."

"Oh, that's okay," Robin said. "I don't mind the guest room."

Felicia pulled Spinelli aside. "I don't want to get too much into it right now, but maybe in the next few days we can touch base more about Esme's case."

"Absolutely, Felicia," Spinelli responded. "I'll start looking at those surveillance videos tomorrow."

"And I also want you to investigate Dex Heller," Felicia added. "Find out everything you can about him and his connection to Esme. His real name is Antoine, but I don't know his last name."

Spinelli raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Corinthos, Sir's newest enforcer?"

"Yes. He isn't who he says he is. I will tell you more soon." She made her way over to Maxie. "It was so good to see you, Maxie. Thank you so much for finding your sister."

Maxie smiled a little. "I still can't believe she's here. Mac's right. It's a miracle."

Felicia hugged her. "I hope we can talk more soon."

Maxie nodded.

Felicia walked over to Mac, Cody, and Big Georgie. "I'm just going to check on Esme and Ace. Are you going to be okay, sweetie?"

"Oh yeah, Mom, I'm good," Georgie said.

Mac squeezed Georgie's shoulder. "She's in good hands."

Felicia made her way upstairs and stopped in hers and Mac's room to grab some nail polish, then headed to Esme's room and knocked on the door. "Esme, can I come in?" She pushed the door open a crack. Esme was sitting on the bed hugging her legs to her chest while Ace sat in front of her playing with blocks. "Are you okay, sweetie?"

"I'm fine."

Felicia sat on the edge of the bed. "You don't look fine. Was that overwhelming for you, being around everyone like that?"

"Maybe a bit."

"Well, as you requested…." Felicia smiled and held up the nail polish. "I remember you said you like pink. I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to this morning. Are you up to painting each other's nails now?"

Esme blushed a little and sat up straighter. "Okay."

Felicia took Esme's left hand and began painting her nails. "I hope you know how much you mean to me. No matter who else I spend time with, it won't change our relationship, okay?"

Esme didn't respond.

"I know you're not used to everyone yet," Felicia continued. "But I think with time you'll love everyone. Georgie told me she's looking forward to getting to know you. And I thought maybe you and Emma could hang out a bit while she's here. You're around the same age. I think she'd be a good friend-slash-cousin for you. Is that something you'd be interested in?"

"It sounds like she'd only hang around me as a favour to you. Because you asked her to put up with me."

"No, that's not true." Felicia switched to her other hand. "Emma hasn't lived in this town for years and she's lost touch with her old friends. So, I thought you'd be good company for each other. Anyway, no pressure. Just something to think about."

"Maybe."

Felicia cleared her throat. "So, Spinelli and I are starting to investigate what happened when you came to town."

Esme waved her fingers to dry her nails. "Can I do yours now?"

Felicia held out her hand. "Maggie told me something else the other day. About your old friend, Antoine."

Esme dropped the brush and bottle on the bed, and the polish splattered over the comforter. "I—I'm sorry. I'll clean it up."

Ace looked up from his blocks at the nail polish.

"Don't worry about it." Felicia touched her arm and lifted the brush and bottle. "I'll get you a fresh comforter. But we're going to finish this conversation first. The blanket's not important. You are."

"I—I am?"

"Yes. That's why I want to do everything I can to make sure you don't go to prison."

Esme smiled a little.

"So, Maggie said that Antoine is Dex Heller and that he has a history of framing you for things," Felicia said. "She wanted me to protect you from him. Did he have any part in the things you're being charged for?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

Felicia sighed. "Sweetie, we have to. I need to know what's going on. We need to prepare for your trial. I also wondered if you think he could've killed Maggie."

Esme started to cry. "Maggie didn't deserve to die."

Felicia set the nail polish aside and held her hand. "I know. It's not fair. But we can fulfill Maggie's wishes if you help me. She wanted you to be safe and she wanted Dex to be stopped."

"He—he might have. Killed her. I don't know."

"Esme, are you afraid of Dex?" Felicia asked.

"No. Maybe. Sometimes. I don't know."

"Has he approached you in Port Charles?"

"Um, well," Esme hesitated. "It doesn't matter."

"I take it, that's a yes?" Felicia asked. "What did he say to you? Or what did he do?"

"Nothing. He did nothing." She looked over at Ace. "I think Ace is ready for bed."

"Okay. I'm going to figure this out, Esme. And I won't let Dex hurt you." She kissed her forehead, then removed the comforter when Esme stood up. "I'll go get you another blanket."

Felicia carried the comforter out to the hallway and went to the linen closet, but stopped when Georgie staggered up the stairs, hand over her mouth.

"Georgie, are you okay?"

She put a hand on the wall to steady herself and bent over. A rush of yellow fluid spilled out of her mouth and splashed onto the carpet and down her front.

Felicia dropped the comforter and hurried over to her. "Come on, sweetie. Let's get you cleaned up."

"I'm… sorry. I'll clean it up. I thought… I thought I could make it."

"No, I'll clean it up," Felicia said. "The soup was too heavy for you, huh?"

Georgie nodded.

Esme peeked out to the hallway and watched Felicia help Georgie walk to the bathroom.

Felicia put the toilet seat down and Georgie sat down. Felicia flipped the light on.

Georgie shielded her eyes with her arm. "That's so bright, Mom. It wasn't that bright downstairs or at the hospital."

"Oh, honey, I'm sorry." Felicia switched the light off. She ran a cloth under cold water and placed it on Georgie's forehead. She then filled a cup of water and handed it and a basin to Georgie. "You can rinse in here."

Georgie held the cup in her hand but dropped the basin. "S-sorry."

"Don't be sorry." Felicia placed the basin on Georgie's lap. "You can borrow a pair of my pajamas. I'll be right back."

Felicia returned a few minutes later. "I hope you don't mind sharing with your old mom. But we'll buy you new things soon."

Georgie smiled. "Thanks Mom."

"And maybe we'll check in with a doctor again tomorrow too," Felicia said. "Or Robin can check you over."

Felicia helped her change, then led her to her old room.

"It looks exactly how I remember it." Georgie climbed into bed.

"Other than doing the regular cleaning in here, we haven't touched it too much. Let me know if you need anything, okay? I'll maybe get you a glass of water to sip on through the night." When Georgie closed her eyes, Felicia kissed the top of her head. "I love you, sweet girl."

She headed out to the hallway and grabbed a clean comforter for Esme and a glass of water for Georgie, then cleaned up the vomit and discarded the nail polish-covered comforter.