"How have things been with Kellie since you've been back?" Monica asked, "She took your death pretty hard."

"That situation went the one way I hoped it would never," Charles said, "With her and the kids there in a mob related situation. To be honest I was so worried that she'd have a knee jerk reaction to taking over Sonny's business after that. I can't tell you how much I worried about that. As much as I would have supported her decision to do that, I can't tell you how relieved I was to find out she hadn't."

Monica thought for a moment.

"I think you have a lot to do with that," Monica said.

"I don't see how that would be the case," Charles said, "I never once told her not to pursue that course of action when she and I discussed the possibility it might be necessary."

"You never had to," Monica said, "The time she's spent with you and Tyler, I think you showed her something different than what she grew up with or what she was exposed to with Sonny when she first came to Port Charles. It shows, Charles. When I first heard about her new business as a security consultant and providing her services to people that couldn't necessarily afford it, my first thought was it sounded at lot like what you've done as a lawyer for foster kids. Plus, she started a foundation to help foster kids. I think she followed in your footsteps in her own way."

"I never thought of it that way," Charles said, "All I ever tried to do was provide Kellie the support that she lacked, to boost her confidence, to give her the advice and skills to make something of herself."

"You believed in her," Monica said, "And from what I can tell, you raised Kellie as much as anyone can raise a person starting from the time the they were in high school. I know she ran Sonny's business a long time ago once. There were obviously reasons she felt like she might have to again. Even with her penchant for finding trouble, Kellie's ultimately chosen not to run Sonny's business or her own."

"She didn't," Charles said, "From what she told me, she was trying to avoid having to do that. But then other families took note and she didn't want to tell me about it because she was afraid I'd be disappointed. As if that were even possible. I know that the choices she's been faced with were never easy or straight forward."

"I think Kellie was pretty fortunate you took her case all those years ago," Monica said.

"Her case came to me because they couldn't keep or place her in any foster home or group home successfully," Charles said, "She seemed to have the worst luck with placements. One's that would have been better for her were reluctant to take her given her mother's profession and circumstances surrounding her death. I can't blame them."

"What made you go with getting her set up as an emancipated minor?" Monica asked.

"From reading her files, I could tell she was intelligent and capable," Charles said, "She just needed to apply herself. Whatever trouble she was getting into seemed to be self-defense on her part or she was defending someone else. I wasn't even sure it would work. But once she realized I was serious about helping her, Kellie did all the work. I assumed that once we got her squared away, she'd move on with her life like all the other kids. But then I found out from one of my contacts some arms dealer's son was harassing her and then attacked her outside her work, I couldn't leave her to deal with that and the legal system on her own."

"Of course not," Monica said.

"Then she and Tyler hit it off," Charles said, "Their relationship back then was my biggest worry and concern for both of them after Ethan. Tyler was in college and Kellie was in high school when they met. At first, Tyler heeded my warnings to leave her alone. But the closer Kellie got to eighteen and then my mother started encouraging them. I really wasn't sure what to do with that at the time. I could tell they had something special, but they were both too young to be that serious, especially Kellie. It concerned me that Kellie was still figuring out who she was and her view of the world compared to Tyler's was so very different."

"But you couldn't very well tell them that," Monica said, "Not when they were two young kids in love and no one could tell them any different."

"I just hoped for the best," Charles said, "Then Ethan got out of prison and well…she was gone."

"You had to shoulder a lot of that on your own didn't you," Monica said, "I know you had Tyler, but…"

"He was reeling when we thought Kellie died," Charles said, "She'd broken up with him before that. She was actually pushing both of us away after Ethan kidnapped her. To be honest, I was afraid I'd lose her when I came back from Greenland. I'd told Kellie occasionally that she wasn't just a daughter-in-law to me, she was a daughter. But I knew when I passed on, I wanted her to understand how true that was. But it's a little disconcerting having it all out in the open like this for both us."

"You're not used it," Monica said, "Neither of you. That will take some getting used to. But I'd imagine once things settle down, things between you and Kellie will feel like they always have and the open acknowledgement won't feel like such a big deal."

"I imagine you're right," Charles said.

"It was kind of like that with Drew when we found out he wasn't Jason," Monica said, "There was a period of adjustment, but I made sure he knew I still considered him my son. That I hadn't stopped caring about him."

"How is Drew?" Charles said, "I did see him briefly in Greenland, but didn't get a chance to ask much of anything."

"That's right, Victor had just dropped him off before you were," Monica replied, "Damn that Victor Cassadine for what he did to you and to Drew."

"Well, fortunately at least Victor perished as the result of his mad plans," Charles said.

"I know shouldn't wish anyone dead," Monica said, "But it's hard not to."

"Believe me, I understand the sentiment," Charles said, "Now did Drew settle back in alright?"

"He did," Monica said, "There was some PTSD from the ordeal, but he got through it. He and Sam are back together. He's back running Aurora."

"He was in Greenland to find Liesl Obrecht?" Charles asked, "Something about a transplant for Willow."

"She was diagnosed with Leukemia," Monica said, "During her pregnancy with Amelia. She held off on treatment until Amelia could be born. Willow was supposed to have the transplant the day Victor kidnapped Liesl Obrecht."

"Has Willow been able to have the transplant yet?" Charles asked.

"It will be a few more days," Monica said.

"Chemo and making sure she's isolated to ensure she doesn't have an infection or illness," Charles said.

"That's right, you went through this with Tyler," Monica said.

"It's not something one easily forgets," Charles said, "Here's hoping for a successful transplant for Willow and a healthy homecoming for your new great granddaughter."

"Amelia has already been released to go home," Monica said.

"Good," Charles said.

Silence fell between them as neither one knew quite what to say next.

"So where do we go from here?" Charles asked, "Or what would you like to happen next?"

"I leave for a conference in Chicago in a couple days," Monica said, "But I was hoping maybe we could text or call in the meantime."

"I'd like that," Charles said, "And perhaps I could take you out for dinner once you return to Port Charles."

"That would be wonderful," Monica said.