Author's Note:For the purpose of this story's timeline Jax and Chloe, had a daughter Sophie but are now divorced after he cheated with Carly, resulting in Joss. In this altered reality, there will be a mix of past, present, and original characters as I move this story's plot from when it was planned back in the early 2000s, to actually rediscovering this series and writing it with knowledge of current history/characters. All feedback is taken in the spirit of growth and is welcome. Thank you to those who have encouraged and kept this train on the tracks.

Ned sat around the kitchen table in awe of his three children: Kristen, a Management Science and Math major at MIT who he couldn't believe was now 21 and about to graduate college; Owen, 16, who was captain of the varsity soccer team and in several AP classes; and their youngest Addison Grace, 14 and who had just started high school that fall. The table was scattered with open Chinese containers as they sat and ate as a family, and waited for Alexis to be home. He had wanted to surprise his wife by getting Kristen home for the night, but she had called and said she was going to be working late. It was the price he paid for not looping her in on the plan for the day. But, he knew having her three children there, having dinner as a family would bring her joy.

She walked into the house and heard the laughter coming from the kitchen. She kicked off her heels as she announced, "Hello, I'm home," and proceeded into the room where her family was. She stopped instantly at the sight of her oldest, "Kristen! What are you doing here? You're supposed to be at school." She asked surprised and confused as her daughter got up to give her a hug.

"Happy Birthday, Mom."

"Well it certainly is now."

She backed out of the embrace and walked over to her husband, who pulled her onto his lap as they kissed hello. "How did you pull this off? Did you two know about this?" She asked as she looked between her other two children. "If I had known, I would have been home sooner."

"She flies back out in the morning." Ned said. "Grab a glass of wine and come join us."

"Thank you." Alexis kissed him lightly again and got up and walked across the kitchen. She went to the cabinet and grabbed a wine glass and poured from the open bottle on the counter before taking a seat at the table between her husband and her youngest daughter.

"Ok, How was school? Tell me what has been the best part of your day?"

"Really Mom? It was school."

"Yes, really, Owen. I ask you this everyday." She shook her head, laughing slightly at how it was still like pulling teeth to get her teenage son to talk about his day.

"My soccer team clinched a playoff spot."

"See, was that so hard? When's the first game? I want to make sure I'm there."

"The schedule's not set yet."

"Addie?" She turned to her youngest, who had usually been much more willing to share until recently.

"I don't know Mom, it was a pretty ordinary day."

"How was your math test sweetheart? You were up pretty late studying." Ned asked.

"Are you asking because Krissy is here? I don't need her help."

"No, I think your Dad just genuinely wanted to know how you felt like it went and I'd like to know as well. That's all."

"It was fine." Addie said getting up from the table, clearing her plate as she walked towards the sink. "I know it's your birthday, but is it ok if I go upstairs? I've got homework left."

"Yeah, peanut, go ahead. Love you."

"Love you, too."

"What's up with her?" Kristen asked as soon as her sister was out of earshot.

"She's just going through something. Madison's been an adjustment for her. She'll be ok."

"See what you're missing all the way in Boston, Kris?" Owen added sarcastically. "I have homework, too. Can I…?

"Go."

"So much for the family dinner."

"It's not their fault. I was late, but I love you for trying."

She spent the next hour or so enjoying time with her oldest daughter as she ate. Listening to her life in Boston, how happy and confident she felt there, hearing about her classes and what she had planned to finish off her undergraduate experience in the spring. Kristen had always had a clear vision for herself, goals, a plan for where she wanted to be and by when and her time at MIT was no different. She enjoyed strategizing, she found comfort in concrete answers rooted in data, she was there for anyone who needed her. She reminded Alexis of the very best of Ned. She and Kristen moved to the living room to continue catching up, while Ned said he'd take care of the kitchen.

Ned relished watching his wife hear all of the same stories, their daughter had just spent the afternoon telling him and her siblings. A mission accomplished, and probably one of his better ideas for her birthday in recent years. Finding ways to surprise her was a challenge he still enjoyed. After cleaning up from dinner, Ned went upstairs, while Alexis spent time visiting with Kristen. He walked down the hall and paused outside the closed door, "Addison?" He asked as he knocked.

"Yeah?" She said looking up from her book as Ned stood in the doorway.

"I just wanted to say goodnight, sweetheart."

"I'm sorry if I ruined Mom's birthday." She stated, feeling guilty for snapping about the math test.

"You didn't, Addie. Don't worry. What are you reading?"

"A Tree Grows in Brooklyn."

"That's a good one. Well I'll let you get back to your homework." Ned said as he started to close the door.

"Daddy?"

"Hmm?"

"Can I come by the studio after school tomorrow?"

"I'd love that, Addison. I'll see you in the morning. Don't stay up too late, ok?"

"I won't." She continued reading and when she finished the assigned chapters she got up and walked down the hall to her sister's room. It was dark and Kristen wasn't there, so she went downstairs. She heard her mother still up, talking with her and she walked into the living room.

"You're still up, peanut?" Alexis asked as her youngest walked into the room.

"I was reading. But, I wanted to apologize to Krissy. I wasn't trying to be mean."

"It wasn't that big a deal, Addie."

Alexis stood and walked over to hug her daughter. "You had a bad day. It happens to everyone. No harm done."

"I guess."

"Why don't you head up to bed. You have school in the morning."

"Actually, could I talk to Krissy for a little while…alone?"

"Sure, baby. Just–"

"Don't stay up too late. I know."

"I love you, girls. And Krissy, I'm really glad you came today. It was a nice surprise."

"Me too, Mom."

Alexis climbed the stairs and entered the primary bedroom, softly closing the door and locking it behind her. "You, my darling husband, banked some serious points tonight." She said as she walked towards him, throwing her blazer on the chair in the corner of the room.

"Oh really." He said, putting the file he was reading down, getting up and meeting her in the middle of the room.

"Really." She said as he placed his hands on her hips.

"The kids asleep?"

"I don't want to talk about the kids." She said, her face inches from his, running her hands over his chest.

"Why don't you tell me what you want?" He asked and just as she was about to reply, he stopped her. "Wait, let me guess, maybe this," he whispered as he kissed her neck. "Or this," he whispered again, kissing behind her ear.

"How about this?" She said as her lips crashed into his and she wrapped her arms around his neck. He backed her onto the bed, and soon clothing littered the floor. They let their touch communicate how they felt and connected in a way they'd only been able to find with each other.

At the same time downstairs, Addison confided in her sister as they sat together on the sofa. "How did you do it, Krissy? How did you manage to actually like this school?"

"What's going on, Adds?"

"The teachers there, they just expect so much and it's a lot. And I kind of miss not being compared to you. No one at Port Charles Middle School expected me to be like you."

"I doubt anyone is comparing you to me. You're your own person."

"Yes they are. Mrs. Ryan said today, when I was taking too long on the math test that I was 'nothing like my sister.' "

"I bet she didn't mean what you think she did."

"Maybe. But, I miss my friends, too. I don't know, Madison is just different."

"High school is different. Have you said any of this to Mom or Dad?"

"No, I don't want them to think I can't hack it. I'll figure it out, I guess."

"It gets easier. You just need to find your people."

"If you say so." She sighed, not convinced.

"It will." Kristen assured.

Addison sat and talked with her older sister, trying to trust her advice; yet, she couldn't help but feel like she had found her people, even though things had changed at the transition to high school. She had Sophie, even though she was a year older they were close, and Cameron Webber had been one of her closest friends for as long as she could remember. But now, even though Sophie's parents sent her to Madison a year ago and she saw her at school there was distance between them and she couldn't figure out why. And Cameron was at Port Charles High, which seemed like another planet away because they hardly ever saw each other anymore. Then, finally there was Joss, Sophie's half-sister, a fellow freshman and even though Jax was her parent's close friend, Joss and her had always been like oil and water. All of this was spinning through her mind as she wrapped up her conversation with Kristen and finally went to bed, steeling herself to face another day at Madison Preparatory School in the morning.