Chapter 25- Felicia's Concern

Molly rocked Scarlett back and forth in her arms, trying to calm her. She looked up when Alexis walked in.

"Hey Mol, sorry I couldn't get here earlier." She walked over to them. "How is Scarlett?"

Molly shook her head. "She hasn't stopped crying since that night and neither of us have been sleeping."

Alexis sighed. "It must've been awful for her."

"Apparently the social worker was shot and fell down right beside her," Molly said. "Mom, can you try calming her again?"

"Of course." She took Scarlett in her arms and hummed softly to her. After a few minutes, Scarlett stopped crying and closed her eyes.

"She takes to you well, Mom," Molly said. "Maybe all of this is a sign that I'm not meant to be her mommy."

"Oh, sweetie, we talked about this." She laid the baby down in the bassinet. "Being a first-time mother is hard. It takes time."

"Don't get me wrong, number one I'm so relieved that Scarlett wasn't hurt," Molly said. "And I'm thankful she had someone to protect her. But the police were telling us how impressed they were with how her grandmother handled the situation. And how others in her situation might not have cooperated with the police once she had the baby unsupervised. I know they're going to tell the judge that."

Alexis frowned. "That may be so, but you and TJ are the ones who have been caring for her since her birth parents died. That will speak more powers than one night of protection. And maybe you and TJ could work out a deal with her."

"What kind of deal?" Molly asked.

"If you and TJ can have full custody, then maybe the grandmother can have visitation rights and an active role in Scarlett's life," Alexis suggested. "Then Scarlett won't lose you but will also know where she came from."

Molly bit her lip. "You're thinking about Sam."

She nodded. "I do wish things were different and that I could have raised Sam. But I also know if she was in a loving home, I wouldn't want to rip her from it. But just having a role in her upbringing would've been everything to me."

"But I don't even know who her grandmother is. They won't tell us," Molly said. "I don't know if she would be a good influence on Scarlett or not."

"That's true," Alexis said. "If I had found Sam when she was younger, I know I would've moved Heaven and Earth to get her away from the McCalls. But if she had parents like you and TJ, I wouldn't take her from them."

"I just wish they would tell us who she is," Molly said. "I know legally they can't at this point, but it would just assure me one way or the other whether I should fight for her or let her go."

GHGHGH

"Hi Kevin," Felicia said as she walked into his office.

"Hi Felicia. I'm sorry I couldn't see you sooner. I've been swamped with patients and Laura has been very worried about Charlotte and Nikolas."

Felicia bit her lip at the mention of Nikolas, still feeling sore over his treatment of Esme.

"Why did you want to see me?" Kevin asked. "How are Esme and Ace adjusting to their new home?"

Felicia sat in front of his desk. "Well, that's actually why I wanted to see you. On a good note, I think I've started bonding with Esme a bit and she's opened up to me somewhat. But kind of similar to how you say she is with Laura, she only opens up so far. I know I have to realize she's only been with us for a week now, and I want to be patient with her and earn her trust, but I'm very concerned about her and I want to know what Ryan did to her. She doesn't want to be left alone with Mac and it's very clear that she's been traumatized. I finally convinced her today to take Ace to the pool because she hasn't left the house since the night at Bobbie's. But Mac says the PCPD believes Heather is in Pennsylvania, so we thought it would be safe for Esme to be out on her own. I'm picking her up in a bit."

"I'm glad she's opening up to you, that's good to hear," Ryan said. "Esme is a tricky one. I would be curious to know what she was like before she found Ryan and whether she showed aggressive behaviour growing up or if it was Ryan's influence on her that made her that way. Since she's had amnesia, she's been different since when she first came to town. And then she seemed to have changed again since Christmas. She seems more emotional and fearful. I just wonder who the real Esme is."

Felicia cleared her throat. "Kevin, I know Laura is your wife and you love her children and grandchildren, but how are we so certain that Esme was to blame for everything that happened? We've really only been listening to Nikolas and Ava and Spencer and the other young adults' perspectives on this. I would like to know Esme's side of the story. We both know dealing with the Cassadines is no walk in the park on top of having Ryan's influence. And did they ever really prove that Esme did all those things?"

"Well, I think it was proven that she and Spencer stalked Ava and set out to break up her and Nikolas. The rest I'm not sure."

"Ryan was obsessed with Ava," Felicia said. "He wanted her for himself."

"Felicia, I know you want her to be innocent, but she hurt a lot of people. And those people do want some justice."

"And what about justice for Esme? What about how she was hurt?" Felicia asked. "I don't know about Trina, Cameron, or Josslyn, but I've witnessed firsthand how controlling Spencer is with Esme and Ace. I know you have too. From my understanding both he and Esme were responsible for what happened to Ava, so it shouldn't be all on Esme. And Nikolas getting an 18-year-old pregnant, locking her in a tower, then abandoning both of them was completely unacceptable."

He nodded. "You make valid points. But I think a key difference is that Spencer did do time in Pentonville and Spring Ridge."

"Right, and he was released after a few months," Felicia said. "Just like Esme was in Spring Ridge for a few months before she was released. And during that time, she was kidnapped by Ryan and Heather. I saw how they treated her at Wyndemere that night. And before that she was locked in the tower at Wyndemere for, I don't know how long, a couple months? Everyone wants her to pay, but if you ask me, she's been paying her whole life."

"That's true."

"I think prison is going to do her more harm than good," Felicia said. "She needs therapy, not prison."

"I've been telling Laura for a while now that she should be in therapy," Kevin agreed. "But the problem is, it's not up to us. Once she gets her memories back, the police will arrest her if her victims choose to press charges again."

"And I feel for them, I do," Felicia said. "But Esme hasn't had anyone truly in her corner until now, other than a nanny. You and Laura have done your best, and I'm grateful, but she knows that Laura especially is loyal to Spencer and Cameron, which is understandable, I don't blame her for that. But Esme needs someone loyal to her too. I need time with her and I know I can help her. Going to Pentonville will only traumatize her more. I don't think she can handle that. Plus, she'll be a target because of Ryan."

"You're right, she probably would be. But I would still like to know what Esme was like before Ryan. You know what might be a good idea is to contact Maggie Fitzgerald, her old nanny. Get her perspective on it."

She nodded. "Yeah, that is a good idea. I could find out more about the Princes too."

GHGHGH

Esme sat on a lounge chair and wrapped Ace in a towel to dry him off. She shifted awkwardly when Spencer walked in with Trina, Josslyn, and Dex.

Spencer came over and waved at Ace, making a baby face at him. "Hi there, handsome! How you doin' today, I miss you!"

Ace smiled up at him. Esme held him close.

Josslyn squinted at Esme.

"Did you go for a swim?" Spencer asked. "You want to go for another dip with us?" He looked at Esme and held his hands out. "I want to take him for a swim."

"He already had a swim," Esme said. "My mom is picking us up soon."

"That's fine," Spencer said. "You can go. Ace can stay here with us."

"No," Esme said. "Ace is coming home with me. It's his nap time soon."

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Spencer asked. "Keeping Ace away from me."

Trina touched his arm. "Come on, Spencer, I'm sure you'll see Ace again soon."

"N-n-n-no," Spencer said. "I know when his nap time is, Esme. It's not for another couple of hours. He can join us in the pool, then I'll take him home to nap and return him for dinner. It's not fair that you've kept him from me this long. I can take him for the day."

"You are not his father!" Esme said. "I am his mother and his legal guardian. You guys can take him on his usual visit with you on Friday nights, but you can't just take him from me when I have his day planned."

Josslyn shook her head and crossed her arms. "Why are you making such a big deal of this, Esme? Ace is Spencer's baby brother. He's allowed to spend time with him. And Ace definitely deserves better than you. You, you belong behind bars!"

Spencer grinned. "It's okay, Josslyn. She won't get away with it for much longer." He extended his arms again. "Let me spend time with Ace."

Esme looked between all of them and teared up. "Okay fine. Maybe just until my mom comes." She handed him Ace. Ace looked over at her.

Spencer took Ace to a table. Josslyn and Trina followed him.

"She's being arrested today," Spencer said when they were out of earshot.

Josslyn's eyes widened. "Really?"

He nodded. "I got proof that she remembers."

"You did?" Trina asked and glanced over at Esme. "Well, I guess we'll finally get some justice."

"Yep. And Ace isn't safe with her," Spencer said. "I will be his legal guardian soon." He pulled out his phone. "Hi Jordan, Esme isn't at home. She's at the Metro Court Pool."