Hi. So, I didn't watch back in the early 90s. I've researched and have watched clips on youtube. So, I'm just going to say, if anything contradicts what happened back then with Robert/Anna/Holly, I apologize, but if that's the case it'll just be a rewrite in my story. Thanks.
Chapter 86- Impact
Holly hopped off the elevator the next morning and bumped into Frisco.
He grinned. "Holly… when did you get back in town?"
"Yesterday," Holly said. "How about you, Frisco?"
"Also, yesterday. I came to see my daughters. And I'm also hoping to get Felicia back."
"I also came to see my daughter and I'm hoping to get Robert back."
He raised an eyebrow. "You have a daughter?"
"I do. Her name is Sasha."
"How long are you planning staying?" Frisco asked.
"That depends on Robert," Holly said. "And yourself?"
"Depends on how things go with Felicia and our girls. I really want to make things up to them."
"I understand. Are you staying here at the Metro Court?" Holly asked.
"Yeah."
"So am I."
"You know, it kind of reminds me of our hotel in Honolulu," Frisco said.
"Ah yes, that was an amazing week," Holly said.
"Yeah, I haven't told anyone about it," Frisco said. "How long ago was that? Like 30 years?"
"32."
"Ah, yes," Frisco said. "That was a special time. Well, I gotta get something from my room. I'll see you around."
"Yes, I will see you around," Holly said.
GHGHGH
"Let's get one thing straight."
Robert glanced up from his desk when Sasha stormed into the room.
"You are not my father," Sasha said.
"Excuse me?" Robert asked.
She sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm just infuriated by my mother."
"And your mother is…?"
"Holly Sutton."
His eyes widened. "Ah."
She sat down. "She came to me yesterday and told me that you're my father. But I know she is lying."
"And why would she lie about this?" Robert asked.
"Because she lies about everything. I just came here because I want to prove her wrong. Would you consent to a DNA test?"
"I can," Robert said. "But how old are you?"
"31."
He scratched his chin. "Hmm…. So, you would've been born in 1993?"
"Yeah. In February."
"I can't be your father," Robert said. "Impossible."
"You're sure?" Sasha asked. "So, Cody's not my cousin?"
"I was not with your mother in that year. I was married to Anna. Although, our marriage was invalid, but that's a whole other conversation. I still advise you to drop that grifter, but no, you are not related to him that I know of."
She sighed in relief. "Okay, thank you for clarifying."
GHGHGH
Cameron and Esme were sitting on the grass in the backyard rolling a ball back and forth with Ace.
"I guess it'll be time for me to leave soon," Esme said. "Since your mom doesn't want me here."
"So, have you decided where you're going to go?" Cameron asked. "Back to your mom's?"
Esme sighed. "I don't know. Do you think she's choosing Mac over me?"
"No. I mean, you're the one who left. If she kicked you out over what happened, then I might suspect she'd be siding with Mac over you. But that isn't the case."
"But Nelle said—"
"Nelle?" Cameron raised an eyebrow. "Is she the friend you met for coffee yesterday? She's the last person you should be taking advice from."
"But she's older than us and has life experience," Esme said. "Especially with all of this."
"Okay, but your mom and Mac are even older. So, wouldn't they have more experience than Nelle?"
Esme paused for a moment. "Maybe."
"Setting aside everyone else's opinions, where do you want to live?" Cameron asked.
Esme bit her lip. "With my mom."
"Okay. And are you really going to let this dispute with Mac hold you back?"
"It's not just a dispute…. If he can yell at me like that, what else will he do?"
"I mean, I've never lived with Mac, but he doesn't seem like the type who would do anything else," Cameron said. "And running away is never the answer."
"But I didn't run when the signs were there with Daddy and Nikolas and look what happened!" She picked up Ace and headed for the backdoor.
Cameron followed her. "I'm sorry you had to go through that, Esme. But I don't think this is the same thing."
"How do you know that?"
"Mac's just nothing like Ryan," Cameron said. "Esme, I was there during your testimony. How much you went through to find your mom. She means a lot to you, doesn't she?"
Esme nodded.
"Then why can't your love for her outshine your fear of Mac?" Cameron asked. "Do you think your mom would put you in danger by allowing him to live with you? She raised your sisters with him. She must know him better than anyone. Can't you trust that she would protect you?"
"I want to."
"Why not give it one more chance?" Cameron suggested. "Go be with your mom like you really want to. And just work things out with Mac. Think you can try?"
GHGHGH
"Oh, hello, Felicia." Elizabeth let her in.
"Hi, Elizabeth. Thank you for letting Esme stay here."
"No problem," Elizabeth said. "Unfortunately, I could only let her stay for one night."
"How is she doing?" Felicia asked.
"From what I can tell, not well," Elizabeth said. "She seems to think everyone is out to get her. And I heard her crying last night."
Felicia frowned. "She's been through so much."
"I'll go get her." Elizabeth went to the back door and saw Cameron and Esme standing on the deck. "Esme, your mom is here."
Cameron nodded at her. "You got this."
Elizabeth stayed with Cameron while Esme took Ace into the living room. She walked over and hugged her mom.
"Hi sweetheart, how are you?" Felicia smiled and ran her fingers through her hair.
Esme shrugged.
"Can we sit down and talk?" Felicia asked.
"Okay."
They sat on the couch.
Felicia touched Ace's cheeks. "How's he doing?"
"He didn't sleep well last night," Esme said. "I didn't either. Do you want to hold him?"
"I'd love to." Felicia took Ace in her arms and kissed his cheek.
Ace smiled. "Gamma."
"Frankie, we need to talk about what happened," Felicia said. "While I don't like how Mac spoke to you, he isn't a bad guy. He's a good guy and he would never hurt you. I wouldn't allow it even if he tried, which he won't. But this running away all the time isn't healthy for you or for Ace. I don't like how Mac said it to you, but that's what he was trying to tell you. I know in the past you were in situations where you needed to run away and that breaks my heart," she choked up and reached for Esme's hand. "But you don't need to run anymore. It's only been a day and I miss you so much already. Georgie misses you too. She told me she likes having you there every day. I don't think you understand the impact you have on people and how valuable you are to our family. Anna even told me that Emma misses you and she really likes you."
Esme kept staring at her lap and tears fell down her cheeks.
"But as much as I want you to come home, I'm not going to force you to," Felicia said. "I'm going to step back and let you make decisions for you and Ace. But you always have a home anytime. I won't be kicking Mac out. He is my husband and Georgie really needs him."
Esme slowly looked up at her.
"Felicia is choosing Mac over you," Nelle's voice played in Esme's head. "I would never choose a man over you the way Felicia is doing."
"But I love you so much," Felicia said. "And I hope you will always know that. And whatever you decide, I hope I can remain a part of yours and Ace's lives."
"I—I—I need to think." Esme stood up and reached for Ace. "We're going to stay at Nelle's tonight."
Felicia's face paled. "What? Frankie… no, you can't go to Nelle."
Esme held Ace close. "You said you'd let me make my own decisions."
"Yes, I know, but you're not safe around Nelle. Maybe you can stay another night here to give you more time to think?"
"Elizabeth doesn't want me here," Esme said. "She said only one night."
Felicia massaged her temple. "Can I pay for a room for you at the Metro Court tonight?"
"You don't have to do that."
"Frankie, please. This is a really bad idea. I have a bad feeling about it."
"I've already decided." Esme grabbed her backpack off the couch.
Felicia balled her hand into a fist and bit down on it as she watched Esme and Ace leave.