"The real question is what does that say about Sonny," Charles replied, "I don't believe that's a reflection on you when your father was about to shoot your husband. That happened months after Sonny's actions or lack of actions put you and the kids in more and more danger. I saw you struggle with that on the island as well as the kids struggle with how long they were there and separated from both you and/or Jason at any time. At the end of the day, you were protecting your family. As sad and unfortunate as it is to say, Sonny's decisions threatened your safety. Frankly, I plan on having a word with Jason about some of his decisions as well."
"What for?" Kellie asked, "It's resolved."
"I kept hoping he'd act sooner rather than later when it came to the business," Charles said, "Don't misunderstand me when I say I would have supported your decision to take over. But in all honesty, I've never wanted that for you. You have no idea how relieved I was when Taggert told me you weren't running Sonny's business or your own. And yes, the situation is resolved now. However, you should have never been in a situation where you had to confront your father the way you did. Jason should have ensured you wouldn't have any part of the inevitable showdown between him and Sonny."
"Charles, I chose to show up at the warehouse knowing what might happen," Kellie said.
"I wouldn't have expected you to have done anything different," Charles said, "A lot of what happened with Cyrus Renault, Sonny's disappearance, and the business was about you and Jason trying to figure out how you navigated the business together. I know that sometimes you might need to step in. But against your father, that's something that sticks with you. Your relationship with Sonny is tense enough without throwing that type of confrontation in there. So I will have a word or two with Jason about that. I want to know that it won't happen again."
"Jason actually did apologize to me for that," Kellie said, "After everything he and I talked about it. He realized he needed to take his security more seriously so I would be less likely to feel like I needed to show up in certain situations."
"You're just going to have to humor me, Kellie," Charles said firmly, indicating his mind was made up, "Now how are things between you and Sonny now?"
"I'm think I'm just done," Kellie said, "I'm civil if we run into each other and I can't avoid him or the kids are around. I just can't anymore with him. The sad thing was before he disappeared it felt like we'd gotten to a good place. Then he turned up in Nixon Falls and I found out he didn't even try to figure out who he was really. You know I think we talked about this."
"I remember, you were heartbroken even if you wouldn't admit it," Charles said.
"I guess that's one way to put it," Kellie said, "And then I was being threatened amidst all the instability with the business. Even though I know now that Victor was partially behind what happened on the island and you getting shot, I still don't have any slack for Sonny. Maybe I should but from what I understand Victor was using the situation with the business to do what he did or intended to do."
"That's pretty much what Victor Cassadine told me on the island," Charles said, "He figured no one would look too closely into it and figure out he was involved or that anyone thought to be dead had actually been kidnapped."
Kellie said, "I know Victor could have tried without the business stuff happening, but I just don't see any way that Sonny doesn't have some responsibility for what happened. And Cyrus was still involved. Not mention, I still can't be certain there weren't additional parties involved."
Charles caught himself before he said what he wanted to say and paused contemplating his next words carefully.
"I really shouldn't be dumping all of this on you," Kellie said, "Not when you've spent most of the last year held prisoner because of it. Maybe I should take off, let you get some rest, and.."
Charles interrupted, "I wouldn't have asked about how things are with Sonny if I didn't want to know. I thought maybe you might need to talk about it. What I'm saying is I'm here if you want to talk about it."
Kellie thought for moment.
"The response you held back then," Kellie asked, "What was it?"
"Kellie, its not a response I'd give when I'm trying to be more of a neutral party," Charles replied, "Whatever my personal feelings are about your father, I do try to keep those to myself and let you come to your own decisions."
"Charles, you've always been pretty levelheaded about all the mob stuff and Sonny being my father," Kellie said, "But I'm asking you not to hold back this time. I really want to know what you think. What happens with Sonny, the business, affects you too. And that's regardless if anyone knew you were related to the Giambetti family or not. You've known me longer than anybody else in my life. You've been with me through some of the worst times of my life, even when I know I haven't made it easy for you. I value your advice and insights probably more than you'll ever know."
"I can't tell you whether you should try and fix things with Sonny," Charles said, "I think that might be what you're trying to figure out. That's something only you can decide."
"I know that," Kellie said, "But…"
"Back when I first found out you were alive and that Sonny was your father," Charles said, "You were running the business at that time. Sonny had been framed for Tyler's murder. He and Jason were at odds. While I'd hoped you were building a good relationship with your father in spite of his profession, it bothered me that Sonny had mismanaged things so badly that you were the one who took over. For the life of me I couldn't understand how he could let that happen especially as you and I talked more and I realized you'd tried to warn him he had a problem. He refused to listen to you or Jason in what sounds similar to what happened this last year. Whether Victor was involved or not instead of one of his associates, Sonny's arrogance doesn't seem to have changed a bit."
Kellie looked a little surprised at the sound of Charles's frustration slipping into his voice at the last sentence.
"Forgive me," Charles said, "I'm afraid I can't quite keep my feelings out of this the way I'd like or usually can."
"It's only reasonable after being locked up for months," Kellie said, "You might be a little out of practice. And I wasn't asking you to polish it up."
"No, you weren't," Charles said, "Yes, you've had periods of time where you and Sonny seem to have worked things out. But it's never truly lasted. Even if he hadn't disappeared to Nixon Falls, I believe it probably would have been something else. You and Sonny clash so terribly at times because his ego or unrealistic expectations don't allow him to see consider or see any other viewpoint. I hate watching what the constant back and forth and clashing has done to your sense of self-worth and your over well-being over the years."
"What do you mean by that about my self-worth and well-being?" Kellie asked.
"Some part of you looks to your father for some sort of validation," Charles said, "Sonny being who he is has never really been able to provide that for you from what I can see. I've seen you look to Sonny for that less and less over the years. But you just asked me what it said about you that you held him at gunpoint. That's shouldn't even be a thought in your head. There are things I definitely blame Sonny for. The way he's treated you on and off over the years has never set right with me. Even with Victor Cassadine involved in my death, I still can't help but hold Sonny partially responsible for that because of all the other stuff."
"So you don't think I'm off base in my assessment of the situation," Kellie said.
"I don't think so," Charles said, "Granted I might be considered more biased than you might think."
"I could have asked Uncle Lo," Kellie said, "But he has a known bias again Sonny. Granted, he's had some insights too and tries to keep it in check."
"No argument there," Charles said, "But you trust him. You have for a long time and way more so than I think you've ever trusted Sonny."
"You're right," Kellie said, getting lost deep in thought.
"I saw Spencer in Greenland," Charles said after a few moments, "He was very delighted when his grandmother told him you'd extended an invite for him to show up at your house."
"I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner," Kellie said, "When I heard Victor kidnapped him, I realized that he didn't show up like he did in California."
"The important thing is he knows now," Charles said, "It's on him if he decides to take you up on it."
"I know," Kellie said, "I'm not sure exactly what it's going to do for him or if there's anything I can do to help him."
"Sometimes it's enough to know the offer is there," Charles said, "Now what do you say you stay for dinner and you can tell me why Michael tried to have you arrested?"
"There's not much to tell," Kellie said, "Michael was mad at Sonny when he chose Nina over Carly. He used ELQ resources to compete with the coffee business among other things. Michael refused to reconsider that path when I asked nicely. When I took over the shipping company, several of his coffee shipments ended up delayed in a paperwork snafu that occurred during the ownership transition. Valentin and Ned were not happy with Michael using ELQ resources to compete with the mob, even legally, and put a stop to it. Michael told the PCPD I intentionally interfered with the shipments. There was no case especially after Valentin confirmed the matter had been resolved to his satisfaction."
"That was actually a brilliant move," Charles said, impressed, "Banking on Michael and Valentin's feud to resolve the issue of Michael competing with Sonny."
"Child's play," Kellie said, realizing what time it was, "Shoot, I actually can't stay. I might make Johnny late for his date as it is."
"Serious date or his usual?" Charles asked.
"Still not entirely sure," Kellie said, "I think it's serious considering it's Liz and they've been seeing each other since last year."
Kellie and Charles heard a knock and the door open.
"Uncle Charles," Max's voice echoed.
Kellie and Charles went to meet Max in the entryway. Milo was also with him.
"Perfect timing," Kellie said, "I have to head home anyway."
"If you're leaving for Johnny to make his date with Liz," Max said. "Don't worry about it. Francis already came over to swap with him."
"So stay as long you want," Milo said, "Max and I can make ourselves scarce if the two of you still want to talk."
"You have no excuse, Kellie, not to stay for dinner," Charles said, "Unless you don't want to stay and that's fine."
"I'd like to stay," Kellie said.
"Now that that's settled," Charles said, "boys what do you think about staying for dinner?"
"Depends on whose cooking?" Max replied.
"Very funny, Maximus Jr," Charles said, "Olivia dropped off some lasagna. I just have to put it in the oven and reheat it."
"In that case then," Milo said, "We'll stay for dinner."
"Excellent," Charles said, clapping Milo and Max on the back.
"I'll get the lasagna in the oven," Kellie said as they headed to the kitchen, "You three figure out if Uncle Lo stocked some decent wine around here."