Chapter 3

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Jake returns home, and Elizabeth asks, "How was your visit with your father?"

"It was good until Sam showed up. Apparently, Danny didn't tell her his plans. She tracked him via his phone. Danny blew up at her about trust and not giving him his privacy."

"How did Jason react?"

"He doesn't want to make waves. He told Danny his mother cares about him and that he should respect her rules."

"While I think Sam's actions are extreme, she has raised Danny without Jason for nearly three years. For years, while Jason was around, we kept your paternity a secret because of his life. We were both wrong. I am so sorry. Your father loves you. He is a good man who thought he was protecting you at the time. Helena was the one who stole precious time we could have had with you. I would have included Jason in your life if I had it to do over. He wants to be in your life now, and I hope you allow that. It is your call, and I won't interfere with your choices."

"Thanks, Mom. I'm glad he's back, but I don't understand how he could willingly stay away from us without saying anything."

"Your anger is justified. I don't know his reasons, but I believe he is trying to make up for his absence."

"I invited him to watch Cameron's game tonight. It's streaming on the sports channel. He offered to bring pizza. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, of course."

-XXX-

Ric returns to the MC after following Sam most of the day. She didn't notice she was being followed, and it made sense when Ric overheard her conversation at Jason's garage. She is usually more aware of her surroundings. Ric wonders if he can use Danny as a wedge between Jason and Sam. He saw that Sam was not happy her son was hanging out with his father. Ric was surprised to see Jake there and wondered if Elizabeth had problems with Jake visiting Jason. Sam dropped Danny off at the Towers, and Ric heard her tell him to stay inside for the rest of the night. Ric followed Sam to a bar called Highsider. He thought it looked like a seedier version of Jake's. He couldn't risk going inside since this was not the PC he left behind eight years ago. After 30 minutes, he gave up and drove to the MC. Ric checked on his contact, and from the serial number on the gun Alexis tossed, it belonged to his brother Sonny. Ric says, "This is getting better and better. Maybe I can get rid of three birds this time." He's thinking of Kristina, who is responsible for his daughter's pain, and his brother Sonny. If the gun in his safe is not the gun that killed Cates, it could be the gun that kills someone Alexis or Sonny hates. Ric checks his watch and places another call.

It is very lively at the Webber-Baldwin house. Jake and Aiden are cheering for their brother, and Elizabeth watches from the kitchen as Jason helps her with the dishes. Her phone rings. She doesn't recognize the out-of-state number. "Jason, this might be about Lucky. We all hope he can be found and is a match for LuLu. I should answer this."

Jason asks the boys to lower the volume on the set. Elizabeth answers and inwardly groans, "Ric, it's not a good time; Cameron is Stanford's goalie, and we are watching him right now. Can I call you back?"

Jason decides to push Lansing's buttons. He yells, "Elizabeth, you missed Cameron blocking a goal!"

Elizabeth grins and tells Ric she has to go. She sits beside him and whispers, "Jason, you did that on purpose."

"I can't stand him. I'd be compelled to punch him if he were standing here now. He's hurt everyone I care about, including you." Jason playfully bumps her arm.

Ric hangs up and throws his phone against the wall. "Make that four birds," he thinks. He despises Jason more than he does his brother. "Crap! I have to buy a new phone."

Elizabeth walks Jason out the door. "Thank you for the pizza and watching the game. I didn't know you liked soccer."

"It wasn't until Michael and Morgan were old enough to get involved in sports I started to take notice. With Jake and Danny, I paid more attention. I'm sorry I wasn't around more during their formative years. What's important to them is important to me. I have a confession. The first time I held Cameron, I wished he was my son." He strokes her face, leans in, and says, "He should have been mine. I watched him grow up as I watched Jake."

Elizabeth sighed and parted her lips, and Aiden interrupted, "Mom, Carly is on the phone. She says John Doe woke up and said Dad's name."

Instantly, Jason and Elizabeth backed away from each other. "Jason…"

"I know. Talk to Carly. Can I see you tomorrow at the hospital? Maybe find out who this John Doe is. Would you be free for lunch?"

"Yes, I'll see you tomorrow." Elizabeth walks inside to speak with Carly. Elizabeth tries Laura's phone, and Laura answers. "Elizabeth, Kevin, and I found Lucky. It's a long story, but he escaped, and we found him. We are at a hotel outside the American Embassy, waiting for it to open. We left a message with the WSB Section Chief in Port Charles and left a message with Robert Scorpio. We must apply for the documents for Lucky to return to the US. If all goes well, we will arrive in PC in two days. Lucky wants to talk to you."

"Elizabeth, how are you? How are the boys?"

"They are fine, but I need to tell you about your friend Isaiah," Elizabeth tells him what Carly said and explains the hit and run. LuLu needs you."

"We are getting there as soon as we can. I don't know if I'll be a match, but I must go through other health screenings since I've been out of the country for so long."

"LuLu is holding on, but if she wakes up, she will be happy to see you."

Lucky, flashing back to a teenage dance, wants to ask if Elizabeth will be happy to see him, but it did not end well the last time he was in town. He says, "Can I speak to Aiden?"

Elizabeth thinks, "Finally, he wants to have a conversation with his son." She walks to Aiden's room, "Your father is in Africa; he wants to talk to you before he leaves the American Embassy." She hands the phone to her son.

-XXX-

Sam arrives at the Towers; Dante reviews reports he brought home from the PCPD. He looks up, "The kids are in bed, Danny is pissed at you…and you are drunk. What happened?"

"Today or since Ric showed his sorry ass back in PC?"

"Sam, we've had this discussion about Danny and Jason. I understand your concern, but telling Danny he shouldn't see his father is not working. He's jealous of Jake because Elizabeth doesn't have a problem with Jake seeing Jason. Jason feels guilty for staying away, so he'll agree with whatever rules you place."

"Dante, he stayed away to help Carly! Maybe if I told Elizabeth what he did, she'd agree and want to keep Jake from Jason."

"You've got to let that go. Jake is leaving for school in Spain next month. Let it go. What's going on with Ric?"

"He hasn't changed. I'm worried about my mother and Kristina."

"The police couldn't find a gun. She's not being charged. Ric's ire is turned toward Sonny from what I heard."

Sam raises her eyes, "See, he hasn't changed. If he's not going after Alexis, Sonny, and his kids, he'll go after Jason and Danny next!"

Dante holds Sam, "We'll be okay. Talk to Danny in the morning when he's less angry."