Author's Note: Here's an extra chapter to finish off the the weekend! Have a great week!
The older kids wandered off while Kelsey continued to color on the floor. Kellie pulled her phone out and typed a text message. She hesitated for a moment before sending. Jason noticed her hesitation as he came back into the room and gave Kelsey stickers she had asked for.
"What's going on?" Jason asked, moving closer to Kellie.
"I just sent Charles a message asking about a video call with the kids," Kellie said, "I didn't want to say anything in front of the boys and Alyssa in case it didn't work out. You know what, maybe I shouldn't have asked yet. It's too much too soon."
"Kellie," Jason said, gently, "I don't think you need to overthink it. I'm pretty sure Charles will be more than happy to get that request."
"I kind of can't help it," Kellie said, "I know the Charles is obviously happy to be home, but I just wonder what if… no nevermind."
"Hey, you've got a lot to work through," Jason said, "Maybe talking it through would help."
Kellie thought about continuing the conversation, but also looked at Kelsey within earshot.
Kellie shook her head as she fidgeted with her phone.
Jason grabbed her phone and set it on the coffee table.
"Come here," Jason said, wrapping his arm arounds Kellie's shoulders and pulling her against him, "He'll call back or send you a message to set up a time with the kids."
"On some level, I know that," Kellie said, "Everything just feels really mixed up right now."
Meanwhile Kelsey had realized her parents were curled up together on the couch. She grabbed the stickers and walked over to Kellie and Jason. Kelsey climbed up on Jason's lap and snuggled against Jason and Kellie, briefly.
Then Kelsey peeled off a sticker and stuck it on Jason's black t-shirt.
"It's pretty now," Kelsey said as Kellie sort of tried to refrain from laughing.
"Thank you," Jason said as Kelsey stuck another sticker on him.
Kelsey had peeled off a third sticker and then Jason took it off her finger.
"I think your mommy needs a sticker," Jason said, putting the sticker on Kellie's cheek.
"More stickers," Kelsey giggled as Kellie snagged a sticker sheet and put stickers on both Jason and Kelsey.
Jason tried to get the remaining stickers from Kellie as Kelsey giggled, while putting more stickers on Jason.
Jason grabbed the phone and handed it to Kellie.
"I didn't think it would take long for him to call back," Jason said.
Kellie answered and Charles came up on the video screen.
"Hi," Kellie said, "I have some rowdy grandkids that might want to talk to you."
"I think your definition of rowdy might be tame considering all three of you are covered in stickers," Charles said, "Judging by the number of stickers on Jason, I'd say he lost."
"It was a draw," Jason muttered, then spoke up, "I'll go get the boys and Alyssa."
"Leave your stickers on, Daddy," Kelsey yelled as he walked away.
Kelsey then grabbed the sticker sheet from Kellie, peeled off a sticker and held it out to the phone.
"Sticker, Grandpa Charlie," Kelsey said.
"You can put as many stickers as you want on me next time I see you in person, how about that," Charles replied.
Kelsey nodded, then stuck the sticker on Kellie's knee.
"Is your favorite color still green," Charles asked.
Kelsey shook her head, "Blue."
"I will have to remember that," Charles said as Alyssa thundered down the stairs.
"Grandpa, Grandpa," Alyssa chattered excitedly. She sat with Kellie and Kelsey and turned her attention to the screen, suspiciously.
"Is it really you?" Alyssa asked.
"I don't know, what do you think?" Charles replied.
Alyssa studied him and then proceeded to chatter about her friends and her dance classes.
"Grandpa Charles, can you buy me some lipstick?" Alyssa asked.
"What does your mom have to say about the subject?" Charles asked.
"She says I'm too young," Alyssa pouted.
"One day you won't be," Charles said as Jared and Jamie came into the room, "You'll just have to be patient in the meantime."
"Time to let your brothers have a turn," Kellie said.
"Awww," Alyssa said.
"I'll see you in a few days, Alyssa," Charles said, "I promise."
"You better," Alyssa said, before taking off.
Kellie handed Jared and Jamie the phone.
"How are my two favorite grandsons?" Charles asked.
"We're your only grandsons," Jared said.
"And still my favorites," Charles said.
Jamie groaned.
"Tell me what you're doing these days aside from going to school," Charles said.
"I won my last debate," Jared said, "I started running track this spring."
"Good for you," Charles said, "Now Jamie what about you?"
"Soccer, wrestling," Jamie replied.
"What about that community service club you joined," Jared said.
"That too," Jamie said.
"I'm really proud of both of you," Charles said, "I'm sure your dad would be too. I can't believe how much you've all grown up while I've been away."
"So that's what we're calling being shot and kidnapped by a megalomaniac Cassadine," Jared said.
Charles looked a little surprised the boys knew.
"We figured it out ourselves, Grandpa," Jared said.
"It really wasn't that hard to figure out given we knew Spencer's uncle lost all his marbles and there was a huge rescue mission to Greenland," Jamie said, "Even though we had no idea you'd be one of the people rescued."
"It's hard to put anything past you boys isn't it," Charles said.
"I wanted to come help Mom and Jason," Jamie said, "But she said no."
"I heard about your little escapade," Charles said, "Your mom and Jason were right to keep you out of it."
"I ought to be old enough by now," Jamie muttered.
Jared shook his head and muttered, "Quit while you're ahead before we lose more video game privileges."
"All in good time, Jamie," Charles said, "You've both already grown up so much while I've been away. Maybe for my sake, the two of you could hold off on rushing to grow up."
Jamie and Jared both groaned as Kellie noticed Charles yawn.
And I think we need to goodbye to Grandpa Charles for now," Kellie said, "I think the jet-lag is finally catching up with him."
"Bye, Grandpa," the boys said, handing Kellie back the phone and running off.
"I'm really glad you suggested the call," Charles said, "I think I needed that as much as they did."
"Well they wanted to come see you immediately," Kellie said, "I figured this was a good compromise for the time being."
"It was," Charles said, "I was thinking you should come out to the safehouse tomorrow afternoon," Charles said, "We'll have a proper catch up."
"I will talk to Uncle Lo," Kellie said, "And check to make you're actually up for it after all that's happened. Now you should get some sleep or rest or something. Thanks for calling back."
"Anytime," Charles said.
Kelsey grabbed Kellie's arm holding the phone and urged her to bring the phone back down to her level.
Once the phone was down to Kelsey's eye level, Charlies asked, "Did you have something else to say Miss Kelsey?"
Kelsey shook her head and wrapped her arms around the cell phone as if she was giving it and Charles a hug. Kelsey moved back from the phone.
"Can I push the button? Kelsey asked, "When we say goodbye."
"Yes, you can push the button," Kellie replied.
"Bye, Grandpa Charlie," Kelsey said, waving wildly as Charles waved back. Then Kelsey pushed the button to end the call.