Author's Note: Starting Tuesday, October 1, I'll be posting the first chapter of 'Wicked Ones'. Like 'After Midnight' last year, it's a General Hospital/Angel crossover. Being as that Kellie ended up back in California after the events in "Crossing Into Dawn' for a few years, it seemed like there was a good chance she might cross paths with Angel and the others again. More GH characters will make an appearance in this one compared to "After Midnight". It is a longer story than 'After Midnight', so it won't finish up on Halloween. But I do plan to post the first thirteen chapters in October and then I'll still post the remaining chapters in the following months, but at a slower pace.

Once I wrap up Sunshine & Ice later this year, I'll be focusing on the Johnny/Liz fic. It's still coming. Once again for you reading my stories. Happy Reading! Happy Fall.

Back in the restaurant, Kelsey saw Monica enter the dining room.

"Grammy," Kelsey yelled, catching Monica's attention, "Over here."

"Just a moment," Monica told the hostess.

Monica made her way over to the Jason and the kids.

"Well, this is a pleasant surprise," Monica said as Kelsey scrambled to hug Monica, "I'm extremely happy to see you."

"Have brunch with us," Kelsey said, loud enough for the everyone in the restaurant to hear.

"I wouldn't want to intrude," Monica said.

"I'm sure you wouldn't be intruding," Olivia said, joining them as Jason looked at Monica and then at Charles and Kellie heading back to the table.

"Would you excuse me a moment?" Monica said to Kelsey, "I need to speak to Nana Olivia for a moment."

"But about your food," Kelsey said.

"That's not necessary," Olivia said.

"Olivia, a word now," Monica said, attempting to keep her composure.

"Kelsey, why don't you finish coloring the tiger?" Jason said as Monica and Olivia walked away.

"What just happened here?" Charles asked, "Is your mother okay?"

"She's fine," Jason said, "I'm not entirely sure. Monica just happened to show up."

"Actually, Olivia arranged for Monica to show up here while we here," Spencer said, nonchalantly.

"How did you come to that conclusion?" Jason asked.

"Olivia owns the hotel," Spencer said, "It's entirely possible she found out about the brunch reservation. You can't tell me that she wouldn't meddle to have Monica show up here too."

"I'll go check on her," Jason said, getting up.

"I'd like to check on her if you don't mind," Charles said, "

Jason looked in Monica's direction and back at Charles.

"Your mother and I have been in contact and we're just seeing where things go," Charles said, then shaking his head's "But well meaning, awkward interference…."

"Let her know I'm here if she wants to talk afterwards," Jason said, sitting down.

"Of course," Charles said.

"I'll run interference with Olivia," Kellie said, getting a head start on Charles.

The MetroCourt Lobby

"Please tell you didn't do what I think you did?" Monica scolded Olivia, "Coerced Yuri into having me show up here when you knew Charles would be at the MetroCourt restaurant?"

"It's not like you don't share the same family with Kellie and Jason," Olivia said.

"Olivia, Charles and I are nowhere near being back to joining them together for meals or what not," Monica said, "You may mean well, but you had no right to put me in that position. Do you have any idea how embarrassed I am right now?"

"Monica, you're overreacting," Olivia said.

"Jason wasn't even sure how to respond to Kelsey's request for me to stay with them," Monica said, "He certainly didn't know how Charles or I would feel about that."

"Which is why Olivia is going to apologize for her meddling and never do it again," Kellie said approaching them.

"I will do no such thing," Olivia said.

Monica huffed at Olivia's response

"Yes, you will," Kellie said, taking Olivia by the arm, "But that will have to wait."

"I'm not done with Olivia yet," Monica said.

"Well, you'll have to finish later," Kellie said, pointing at Charles and then dragging Olivia away.

"I don't see why I should have to apologize, I was giving Monica and Charles an opportunity to be in each other's company," Olivia said once Kellie stopped on the opposite side of the lobby.

"Which put my children in the middle of it," Kellie said, "And as far as I can see they are in process of sorting things out themselves. They don't need any of us interfering."

"Like you interfered with Monica when you brought to the police station," Olivia replied.

"One, Monica asked if she could support Charles when he went to give his statement," Kellie said, "And two, Charles had the option to say no if he wasn't ready to see her. As soon as your little scheme became obvious it put pressure on both of them, they don't need."

"I just want Monica and Charles to be happy," Olivia said, "I thought if I could give them a nudge."

"A nudge they may not be ready for," Kellie said, "I want them to be happy too, Mom. But they've been apart for the better part of a year and a lot happened to both of them. It takes time even if they had just gotten engaged before Charles was shot and kidnapped. I can remember when Tyler found out I was alive. Nothing about sorting out our lives, figuring out if we even still wanted to be together was easy. I saw it play out with Jason and Sam when we all found out Jason was alive. It just takes time. However, it works out."

"I really hate that you're right," Olivia said, sighing, "It wasn't fair to the kids either. I will apologize to Monica and Charles."

"I'll hold you to that," Kellie said, "Even if Monica does join us for brunch."

"I hope she does," Olivia said, "I already put in her order with yours."

"Mom," Kellie exclaimed, shaking her head.

MetroCourt Restaurant

"Aren't Grandma Monica and Grandpa Charles back together?" Alyssa asked, "They were engaged before we all thought Grandpa was dead."

"Wouldn't she just join us for a meal anyway," Jamie asked, "I'm sure Grandpa would have invited her to eat with us anyway."

"Not necessarily," Jared said, "I would't think anyone could just pick up where they left off after being kidnapped and held hostage for the last year."

"Jared's right," Jason said, "They need time to figure that out on their own.

MetroCourt Lobby

Charles approached Monica.

"Are you alright, Monica?" Charles asked.

"Charles, I had no idea that you would be here," Monica said, exasperated, "But apparently Olivia did. I am so sorry."

"Monica, you have nothing to be sorry for," Charles said, taking Monica's hand.

"But if I'd realized what Olivia and Yuri were up to," Monica said, "I would have avoided."

"Nothing we can do about it now," Charles said.

"I think I'll make my exit now," Monica said, "Tell Kelsey I'll take her out for ice cream if she notices."

"Monica, there's no reason you can't eat here at the MetroCourt," Charles said, "Who's to say you wouldn't have decided to come to MetroCourt on your own. I certainly would have invited you to join us. It certainly would have been less awkward if Kellie and I hadn't left to discuss the house in Miami, Jason wouldn't been put in a position to try to figure out how to address Kelsey's invitation when he really didn't know."

"Charles," Monica shook her head, "This is going to sound awful, but part of me really doesn't want to give Olivia the satisfaction."

"Even at the expense of disappointing Kelsey," Charles inquired.

"No, I couldn't do that," Monica said, "Are you sure?"

"If I wasn't sure, I wouldn't have offered," Charles said, "So what do you say? Would you join us for brunch?"

"I would love to," Monica said.