Chapter 60- Carly Always Gets What Carly Wants

Felicia received an email notification on her phone and opened it to find a message from Pentonville Prison, approving her to visit Victor a week from then. But it stated that family would have the opportunity to see him first.

She slipped her phone away and knocked on Esme's door. She stepped inside. Ace was asleep in his crib while Esme lay on her side in bed.

"Frankie? Do you want to come down and watch a movie with me and Georgie? You've been in your room pretty much all day. You can pick the movie. Maybe one of your favourite mother/daughter films?"

Esme didn't respond and just kept staring at the wall.

Felicia sighed. "We got your box back from the courthouse."

Esme sat up and Felicia handed it to her. She opened it and frowned.

"What's wrong, sweetie?" Felicia asked.

"You didn't keep your letters," Esme said.

"I left them in here for you, so they're kept safe."

"You hated them!"

"No," Felicia said. "They mean a lot to me. I just didn't feel right taking them from your box without your permission."

"But they're yours. I want you to have them. I always wanted you to have them." She started crying. "But I didn't know how to send them to you. And you don't even want them. Mr. Prince was right. You probably didn't want me either."

Felicia sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her into her arms. "No, no. I do want them. Mr. Prince was wrong about everything. I most certainly wanted you and I still do. But you know what would be more special than me taking the letters from your box on my own, is if you can hand them right to me. That will really show Mr. Prince from the pits of Hell that he didn't win because he didn't succeed in keeping us apart forever."

Esme nodded and smiled a little. "Yeah, okay." She reached inside and separated her letters to Mommy from the letters she'd received from Maggie in the past. She handed them to Felicia. "Here you go, Mommy."

Felicia smiled. "Thank you, Frankie. I'll put them in my box with your baby things. I love that you wrote them to me…. Are you still upset about last night? Or is there something else bothering you?"

Esme frowned again. "You don't think I'm good enough for Cameron. You want me to be alone."

"That's not true. I didn't mean that at all. You deserve the best guy out there… that is close to your age."

"You're thinking about Nikolas and Oz and… even Daddy. They were all older."

"Ryan hurt you in the worst ways possible," Felicia said. "And that kind of hurt doesn't go away overnight. I believe it's because of Ryan that you were involved with other older men…. I know there were other factors too that influenced it, and I still blame Nikolas and Oz for most of it. But if Ryan didn't do that to you… I really doubt Nikolas or Oz would even be a consideration to you. And it's because of all this, and your relationship with Spencer too, that I think it's better if you wait to be involved with anyone romantically again. That doesn't mean forever, Frankie. And it has nothing to do with what you deserve, because you only deserve good things. But if you do start dating now, I fear you won't get the best relationship that you do deserve and you'll only get hurt again. You are still very young. I know it doesn't feel that way when you are young, but you still have lots of time. And right now, I think it's better for you to focus on healing, not on rushing into a relationship."

"Even if I lose Ace?" Esme asked.

Felicia looked at her concerned. "What do you mean?"

"Spencer married Josslyn. That's why they were at the chapel. So, if I show up at court alone while Spence has a wife, the judge will side with him."

Felicia sighed. "Oh, honey. I don't know what's going on in Spencer's head. But if anything, I think that will only look bad for him, rushing out to get married just to look good in front of a judge. Especially since he just broke up with Trina and tried to get back together with you, all in a matter of days. And that wouldn't really be fair for Cameron or for you and Ace if you married him for that same reason. Plus, I think it would only backfire. You should only marry someone if you love them, not just to impress someone else."

"But Spence is so confident that he'll take Ace from me. And Josslyn is even more confident."

"I truly and honestly believe that Spencer doesn't have a leg to stand on," Felicia said. "He's already broken the restraining order. Even if he just got a warning, the police know about it. He's not Ace's parent, you are. And he helped Nikolas try to kidnap Ace. Even Kevin and Laura don't want Spencer to take him from you, so they're on your side. And I really doubt Trina will be pleased that her best friend married her boyfriend just days after they broke up. So, maybe she could be a witness too."

"Yeah right," Esme said. "She hates me."

"But I don't think she would lie on the stand. And the judge will see that you're working hard to build a new life for you and your son. And I promise you, Frankie, I will do everything in my power to ensure that you don't lose Ace. But maybe Laura can get through to Spencer before the hearing even happens."

Esme shrugged. "Maybe."

"Are you up for a movie?" Felicia asked. "It'll be more fun if you join us. Then after I'm meeting Maxie for dinner. It would be nice to spend some time with you and Georgie first."

"Okay. But I'm still not going to therapy."

Felicia sighed. "We'll talk about that more later."

GHGHGH

Charlotte sat down behind the glass and waited nervously. Finally, a guard brought Victor, in an orange suit, to the other side and he sat down.

They each lifted a phone and looked at each other.

"Charlotte, dear." He smiled at her. "How are you?"

She shrugged. "I'm okay."

"How wonderful to see you. I'm sorry we were upheaved from our home."

Charlotte shifted a little in her seat. "But I missed Papa and Grandmother and Jake."

"I know you have feelings for your grandmother and father," Victor said. "As I explained, I am very concerned about our family's future. Our family and our legacy that I cherish, that I would give my life for. But your father has grown very weak. I had so much hope for him. But he's forgotten how truly important family is since he's fallen in love with Anna Devane. Anna has completely manipulated your father. He even forgave her after she shot you. Her extensive training in espionage has afforded her the ability to mask who she really is. I tell you this, Anna Devane is not who she seems. Do not trust her or her descendants for that matter. It is imperative that you never forget. You must use any weapon you can to defeat them, because your father will do whatever she asks. And both of you are in danger from this family. They will lead you and everyone around you into peril. That is why I tried to protect you in Switzerland, and why I planned to bring your father, Nikolas, Spencer, and Ace there as well when the time was right. Anna Devane and her family will lead all of you to your deaths. My dear Charlotte, you are the only one who can protect all of us from the Devanes. And I will guide you through it."

Charlotte took in his words. "I don't want them to hurt Papa. I will protect all of us, Grandfather. I promise."

GHGHGH

Willow's hand went over her mouth after hearing Wiley's answers, fearing the judge wouldn't understand what he really meant. Carly grinned and patted Michael's arm.

"We've got this," Carly whispered.

Nina rubbed her temples.

"After hearing the testimonies from both sides and from the oldest child, I have decided on terms of custody," the judge said. "Based on the evidence and testimonies provided, Ms. Reeves' grandparent rights are once again terminated as of today. Her presence in the children's lives is clearly detrimental to their well-being. I am also concerned with her influence over Mrs. Corinthos. The adoption of Wiley Corinthos by Willow Corinthos will be reversed and her legal rights to him are terminated as of today. I grant full physical custody of both Wiley and Amelia Corinthos to their father Michael Corinthos the Third, with secondary rights to their grandmother Carly Spencer. I am ordering Mrs. Corinthos to a minimum of 6 months of parenting courses and she is granted two hours per week of supervised visitation with Amelia Corinthos with a supervisor of Mr. Corinthos' and Ms. Spencer's choice. Once Mrs. Corinthos completes the parenting courses, she shows she's abiding by the terms of visitation, she shows respect for Amelia's guardians, and she takes steps to show she will put the well-being of her child first, then we will re-visit the terms of custody of Amelia Corinthos. I am also ordering Mr. Corinthos and Ms. Spencer to take the children to their pediatrician within a week to discuss a health plan for each child. In the next hour, both Wiley and Amelia Corinthos must be handed over to the custody of Mr. Corinthos. I was informed they are in the care of Scott Baldwin and Liesl Obrecht, so Mr. Corinthos will pick them up from their home. Case dismissed." She struck the gavel.

Willow stared off, her face pale, eyes filled with tears.

"Oh, Willow, I'm so sorry." Sasha appeared at her side.

"They won't get away with this." Nina wrapped her arm around Willow. "This is just wrong. You're such a good mother to them."

Willow glanced over at Carly smirking at her while she hugged Michael.

Willow pulled away from Nina. "Sasha, can you drive me to Scott and Liesl's right away? I want a little time with Wiley and Amelia before Michael goes there."

"I can drive you," Nina offered.

"I—I better go with Sasha. You should go home, Nina."

Nina frowned but nodded.

"Of course." Sasha took Willow's hand and they left the court. The stocky, middle-aged man with glasses walked out after them.

Nina buried her face in her hands and cried.

"This is amazing news," Carly said. "Why don't you look happy, Michael?"

"I didn't want Willow to lose Wiley," Michael said. "I don't know if I made the right decision to go along with you. I agree about Nina, but Willow really is a good mother."

"Michael, this is about what's best for Wiley and Amelia," Carly assured. "You did the right thing."

Behind them, Spencer hugged Josslyn.

"I'm happy for your brother," Spencer said. "And this makes me very optimistic that we'll win custody of Ace too, especially with your mom and Diane on our side."

GHGHGH

The stocky, middle-aged man arrived at the Rendezvous Motel and went down the hallway to room 34. He walked in.

"The hearing is over," he said.

"And?"

"And full custody was given to Michael and Carly. Willow is allowed two hours per week of supervised visitation with Amelia only."

"Not Wiley?"

"No," he said. "Willow's adoption of Wiley has been reversed. She no longer has rights to him."

Nelle smiled widely. "Then Carly doesn't know what's coming to her. That plays into my hands perfectly. While Carly was so worried about Snow White, she's had no clue what Medea is planning. Thank you, Herman."