It was the morning of the feast, and Esme woke up to perhaps her most excruciating headache yet. No aura, but the pain was unbearable. She was wearing her sleep mask, as the light coming in made her headache worse. Then she heard Ace crying. It was time for his feeding. She took off the mask and tried to get up, but she immediately felt nauseous, so she put the mask back on and lay back down.
She thought about what the driver had told her the previous evening. Was the drug she was taking really so dangerous? Would it harm Ace? She had enough milk to last for the remaining days they would be in Pine Valley. She felt that as long as there wasn't any sort of emergency that would require them to stay in Pine Valley for longer than they had planned, it would be fine. But the milk was in the fridge, and she needed to get it.
She heard somebody come into the room.
Leora: Esme?
Esme: Hmm?
Leora: Baby's crying.
Esme: I know. It's feeding time.
Leora: So…aren't you going to feed him?
Esme: If I can get out of bed without throwing up.
Leora: Let me guess, another headache?
Esme: Yep. And this one is really bad.
Leora: You certainly don't look very good. You're white as a ghost!
*Ace's crying gets more intense*
Leora: You need to feed him.
Esme: I'll need to take a pill first.
Leora: But what about what that valet guy said?
Esme: He's not a doctor.
Leora: It seemed from what you told me though that he's genuinely worried.
Esme: There's milk in the fridge. I pumped it last night before I took the pill. Whatever dosage I was taking before didn't seem to affect him.
Leora: Okay. Want me to get it out and warm it up, and you take your pill?
Esme: Yes please.
*She hears Leora open the fridge, take the milk container out, then go into the bathroom and fill the sink up with water.*
Leora: Okay, I put the milk bottle in the sink and filled it with warm water, since we don't have a bowl. It should be ready in a few minutes.
Esme: Okay, thanks.
Leora: Want me to go get Ace?
Esme: Yes please.
Leora: Okay.
*Leora leaves the room. Esme feels around for her bag, takes out her pills, puts a pill in her mouth, then takes a drink from her water bottle on the bedstand. It's as bitter as ever, but the hours of relief from the headaches was worth the few seconds of bitterness. Gradually her head starts feeling better. Leora then returns with Ace*
Leora: You look like you're feeling better already.
Esme: Yup. Those pills really do work, even though I can taste them as they go down.
*Leora hands Ace over to Esme, then goes back to the bathroom and gets the milk bottle.*
Leora: Here you go.
Esme: Thanks. I really appreciate your help.
Leora Of course! You know I enjoy helping take care of the kids.
Esme: Yes I do. *She gives Ace his bottle*
Leora: But I am worried about you. Do you think it's possible that you're getting addicted to this so-called headache medication?
Esme: No.
Leora: No?
Esme: I'm not taking the medication to get high. I'm taking it to feel better.
Leora: But you've been having to take more of it lately, to the point where the doctor had you increase the dosage. Drug addiction-
Esme: I'm not a drug addict!
Leora: Hold on, let me finish.
Esme: Sorry.
Leora: Drug addiction doesn't necessarily involve taking recreational drugs in order to get high. It's having to take increasingly higher amounts of the drug in order to have the same effect. This drug you're taking is a controlled substance. When a doctor prescribes drugs like these, they usually prescribe a small amount, and hopefully instruct you to take it only when you really need to, in your case only when you have an excruciatingly painful headache that gets in the way of your ability to do stuff when you have it. But this Dr. Kinder guy is giving you these large bottles full of pills and told you to take it any time you have a headache. That's not good. And you're taking so much now that you even said that you thought that if you stopped taking it, your headaches would get really bad. And the side effects do include hallucinations.
Esme: But you told me that the medication was helping me regain my memories!
Leora: And it is. That's what this drug was developed for. I looked it up. It's supposed to help dementia patients remember stuff that they had forgotten about and slow down the progression of their illness, and has only been recently approved. It basically tunes out everything going on around you to make it easier to remember stuff. In the process, they discovered that it could also help with headaches, again by tuning out everything going on around you which might be contributing to the headache.
Esme: I don't have dementia!
Leora: Exactly, you don't. Your brain is perfectly healthy aside from you not being able to remember your life before you fell off the parapet, but it's coming back. But as we talked about yesterday, it really does seem like you're hallucinating when you remember stuff certain things. You told me when we were at the park that you were sitting on the bench, and then you were "suddenly at Spring Ridge" with your fa…with Ryan. You were feeling like you were actually there in the room with him. When we went up to the turret, you did remember it being dusty, and the fire, but to me it seemed like you still were aware that the turret wasn't the same place where Nikolas held you.
Esme: Yes…that's true. *She sighs*
Leora: Look, I really want you to get your memory back, but I don't think this way is healthy. I have noticed that there are times when you seem to be in a trance. Your eyes were out of focus, and sometimes you were unresponsive when I talked to you. And I hate admitting this, but I was actually in denial that you seemed to be getting addicted to this medication, because I wanted you to regain your memories and didn't want to get in the way.
Esme: I see.
Leora: Please don't be mad at me.
Esme: *She sighs* Remember how you told me that you were unsure as to whether you wanted to work with kids or become a nurse?
Leora: Yeah?
Esme: I think you'd be a great nurse. Or a doctor. You seem to really know your stuff.
Leora: Hehe, well I got most of this information online, so I don't know about that.
Esme: I'm pretty sure you'd have an easy time studying and learning everything.
Leora: You're probably right.
*They both laugh*
Esme: But what am I going to do now?
Leora: You could see a doctor here.
Esme: It would be difficult for me to see a new doctor in an entirely different state, let alone a different city, especially if I'm only going to be here for a couple of days.
*Leora looks at Ace, then back to Esme*
Leora: Please promise me that you'll be careful?
Esme: I promise.
*Ace finishes the bottle. Esme puts the bottle on the nightstand and holds him close.*
Meanwhile, in Port Charles, the possibility of Nelle being alive has Michael, Carly, and Willow on edge.
At the Quartermaine gatehouse, Willow was trying to distract herself by playing with the kids, and feeling very grateful that "Leann" was able to come over on such short notice. But Michael and Carly felt differently.
*Michael walks in to see Willow playing with the kids. Willow looks up at her husband's face and notices that he looks troubled.*
Willow: Michael! Is everything okay?
Michael: Not really. I need to talk to you about something important.
*He looks at Wiley*
Michael: Hey bud, wanna go to the kitchen and get some cookies?
*Wiley looks at Michael, seemingly catching on*
Wiley: Okay, if you promise not to yell at each other again. That scared me!
*Wiley runs to the kitchen, and Willow turns to Michael and gets the impression that he's upset with her.*
Willow: What's going on?
Michael: Why didn't you tell me that you hired a new babysitter?
Willow: I thought I told you that I had to take Amelia to the hospital, and Melanie had the day off! Leann was the only person I knew who was available on such short notice!
Michael: Yeah, but you should've given me Leann's contact information first!
Willow: Why?
Michael: So I could vet her!
Willow: Okay? But nothing happened when she was with Wiley, and she was only with him for a few hours. And Leann said that she took Wiley to see your mom, and she seemed to really like Leann. So did Wiley!
Michael: Yeah, well, my mom was probably trying not to cause a scene, especially with Wiley around.
Willow: Michael, what happened?
Michael: Esme Prince is what happened! Apparently, she and Leann are friends.
Willow: Okay, so?
Michael: They've known each other for a while now. Mom saw them together yesterday at the restaurant. They were going on some sort of weekend retreat, and Mom told me that she insisted that they eat something before they left out of concern for Esme's son Ace.
*Willow remembers when she first encountered "Leann"*
Leora (flashback): What a cute baby girl!
Willow: Yes, her name's Amelia. And this is Wiley.
Wiley: Hi!
Leora: Hi Wiley!
Willow (looking at the baby Leora is holding): And who's this?
Leora: This is Ace. He isn't mine, he's actually from the organization I'm helping raise money for. I'm a volunteer at their day care.
Willow (present day): Oh my god! Esme was at Rice Plaza with Leann! I guess she must've gone to powder her nose, and that's why she wasn't at the table.
Michael: Exactly. And speaking of powdering her nose, Mom has said that she thinks Esme is on drugs. She was very pale when Mom saw her, and Esme had mentioned that she was getting headaches and having to take medication for them. She told me that Esme was worried she was going to throw up.
Willow: Okay, well what does Leann have to do with any of that?
Michael: How do we know Leann and Esme aren't off doing drugs together somewhere?
Willow: Oh, come on Michael, you're being ridiculous!
Michael: Mom says that she hardly ever sees Esme because she's often not home!
Willow: That still doesn't mean Leann is getting Esme hooked on drugs!
Michael: Okay, well Mom said that Leann was with some organization that helps parents from troubled backgrounds raise their children. Do you remember what the organization was called? Did she give you any information about it?
Willow: She gave me a pamphlet. I took it, read through it, then put it in the recycle bin, as aside from babysitting, I didn't really think there were any services that they offered that we really needed.
Michael: Okay, well what's the number for their babysitting service?
Willow: It's Leann's personal cell phone number. She doesn't work for the organization. She's just a volunteer.
Michael: Well, it's likely that she at one point was struggling and sought out their help. Maybe she was addicted to drugs, overcame them with whatever counseling services they have, but now she's relapsed, and has gotten Esme addicted to whatever she had been addicted to!
Willow: Michael, whatever problems Esme may or may not be having, Leann has nothing to do with!
Michael: Other than them traveling together, doing who knows what!
Willow: Michael-
Michael: Willow, this is Esme Prince we're talking about! The girl who recorded my sister and her boyfriend having sex, and tried to frame Trina for it! Don't you realize just how bad that is? Joss has referred to Esme as Nelle 2.0!
Willow: Okay, I see now! This really has nothing to do with Leann, or Esme, and instead is about Nelle! Both you and your mom make everything about Nelle!
Michael: Because, in case you've forgotten, NELLE'S STILL ALIVE!
Willow: Oh, says the guy who refused for the longest time to consider the possibility that Nelle may have faked her death?
Michael: Well, we had no evidence suggesting she was still alive at the time, but now we do!
Willow: Not really! Until I see her with my own eyes, I'm not ruling out the possibility that this could all indeed be somebody playing a really sick prank!
Michael: If Nelle is back, I guarantee that she's not going to pull the same stuff she did last time! Nelle may not be in the same league as Helena Cassadine, but she definitely will be resorting to other means of trying to take Wiley, and potentially attempting to kill me, my mom, and even you and Nina! I think you underestimate your sister!
Willow: MICHAEL?!
Michael: NELLE MARRIED SHILOH! The same man who took advantage of you, Kristina, and all those other women who were part of Dawn of Day! Nelle knew about all of it but didn't care. And you saw how she was at that "memorial" they had for Shiloh, when she revealed herself to not only have been released from Pentonville, but also the one who organized that whole thing. She gave off a completely different vibe from how she had been before she married him.
Willow: So?
Michael: The way she addressed us that day was the way people typically do when they're in a position of power and are trying to manipulate you! I'm almost inclined to think that Nelle voluntarily joined Dawn of Day when she married Shiloh, knowing perfectly well what she was getting herself into! Nelle used anything and anyone to her advantage! And even before then, Nelle still was good at manipulating people. I should know it because she manipulated me, and I was in denial about it for the longest time, even though my mom saw Nelle for who she was long before I did!
Willow: Michael-
Michael: If I had, I would never have fooled myself into thinking that I was in love with her!
Willow: Michael!
Michael: I never would've slept with her!
Willow: MICHAEL!
Michael: WHAT?!
Willow: Watch what you're saying in front of your son!
*They both look over and see Wiley, holding a cookie in his hand with his eyes fixed on both of them, before dropping it and running up the stairs to his room.*
Willow: Wiley?!
*She runs up the stairs after him, while Michael sits on the sofa and buries his face in his hands.*
It was mid-afternoon, and Esme and Leora have just returned to Wildwind after going into town to look for a comfortable dress for Esme to wear to the feast, in case she felt up for performing "Dance of the Sugar Plumb Fairy." Even if she felt physically up for it, she didn't really see the point. She already remembered thinking it was stupid and not wanting to do ballet anymore, and her adoptive parents telling her that she needed to do ballet or else they would force her to do less pleasant forms of physical therapy, to improve a condition that she wasn't even sure she had. Was this the reason why Nelle was insisting she perform the dance? Dare she want to recall what they thought was wrong with her, and what they might have been forcing her to do?
They enter to find the guests dispersed throughout grounds, trying to pass the time before the feast. Esme puts Ace down for his afternoon nap. They then go down to the main living room.
Leora: How are you feeling Esme?
Esme: Not too bad. As long as I can make it through the feast without puking, I'll be okay. Then we can go home and I'll make an appointment with another doctor, even if I have to go to GH where they most likely will be hesitant to treat me, especially since Dr. Portia Robinson took over as co-chief of staff. She's Trina's mother.
Leora: I'm sure you'll be fine. Doctors take an oath that says "First do no harm." I don't think Dr. Robinson would let you die on her watch.
Esme: You're probably right.
*She looks around and sees the guests making their way to the mansion. The feast would soon begin.*
Esme: I still don't understand why Jan insisted I come all this way if she's not going to make me a trusted member.
*Leora tries to find a good way to assure Esme that coming to this feast would be worth it, without revealing that Nelle was going to be the one to sponsor Esme.*
Leora: Maybe she wanted you to help me.
Esme: How do you mean?
Leora: I have a feeling that she didn't bring us all here simply because she couldn't find a suitable place in Port Charles to host the feast. Part of me thinks that she wanted to help me reunite with my family. Or rather, to finally have me go home to my family after 20 years.
Esme: I don't follow.
Leora: I've already told you about my experience growing up in that clinic, and how I was told my parents didn't want me after they found out that I had a heart defect. What if that was all a lie? Obviously I have a heart defect, but I'm kind of thinking that maybe my parents didn't abandon me after all, and instead I was taken away from them. And I think that one of them lived here at Wildwind. Do you recall what Anton told us about his cousin who was shot and killed up in the turret? How the person who shot her was looking for his stepmother's twin sister?
Esme: Yes. But I still don't follow.
*Leora shows Esme the picture of Dimitri and Alex Marick at their wedding.*
Leora: This is Anton's father, Dimitri Marick, and his wife, Alexandra.
Esme (looking at Dimitri): Wow, he's so handsome!
Leora: I know, but look at her.
*Esme shifts her gaze to Alex*
Esme: She looks a bit like…Anna Devane?
Leora: A bit?
*She pulls out her phone and shows Esme the picture of Anna.*
Leora: I think that Anna must be Alex's twin sister! They look exactly alike!
Esme: That makes sense, as Anton said that Alex's sister had all these enemies.
Leora: And that lines up with what you told me when we were at Rice Plaza. But that's not all. Look at their eyes!
*Esme looks at both Alex and Anna's identical pairs of dark brown eyes.*
Leora: Now look at mine.
*Esme shifts her gaze up to Leora's eyes.*
Leora: You see the resemblance, don't you?
Esme: Oh my god! I do!
Leora: I think it's very likely that one of them is my mother!
Esme: That explains why Anna was staring at us like that!
Leora: I think that I was indeed who she was staring at. She must've recognized me!
Esme: So you think Anna is your mother?
Leora: I'm not sure. She could either be my mother or my aunt. It's going to be difficult to prove though, even with a DNA test, since they're clearly identical twins. And I have no idea how I would approach Anna about it. The awkwardness factor aside, I'm still not sure if I'd feel safe around her, and I feel even less safe after seeing those bedsheets covered in blood.
Esme: That does complicate things. Maybe we could try to track down Alex? Anton mentioned that she and Dimitri eventually divorced.
Leora: It might actually be easier to track down my father. If we can find him, and he agrees to get a DNA test and it shows that I'm indeed his daughter, he'll be able to tell me who my mother is.
Esme: How would we find him?
Leora: Not sure. But there's even more.
Esme: Yeah?
Leora: I'm thinking that maybe Leann wasn't the name I was given when I was born. I'm not sure if it was my imagination, or a dream, but yesterday I was sitting on the couch here, and I heard someone whispering a name. I wish I could remember what it was. It also began with an L. Lenore? Leona? I don't remember. But in any case, I turned and there was a man standing right over there, and he said "Welcome home." I looked away briefly, and then when I looked back he was gone. But I continued to hear him whispering the name.
Esme: Oh really? You just told me this morning that you think my memories are actually hallucinations! Hypocrite much?
*She and Leora look at each other for several seconds.*
Esme: Nah I'm just kidding.
Leora: Phew, okay!
*They both laugh.*
Leora: It was probably just a dream, as I woke up a little while later on this couch and it was dark outside. I have no clue who that guy was, or whether or not he was even real, but I think it was a clue that my roots are here in Pine Valley. Even if Anna Devane is my mother, I feel like maybe there's not much information to go on back in Port Charles.
Esme: So you're saying that you want to stay here?
Leora: I'm not sure. This whole thing is more than a little spooky, but for some reason I feel oddly at home here.
*As they've been talking, the late afternoon sun shining in through the lozenge windows gradually disappears behind increasingly thick layers of clouds, and there's a faint rumble of thunder.*
Carly was standing outside her restaurant, looking at the new wooden sign she had just hung up above the door, which read "Bobbie's." She missed her mother dearly but was glad to be carrying on her legacy. She heard the sound of angry footsteps growing closer and looked to see Willow marching towards her.
Carly: Willow hi! I'm closing up, but if you want I can make you some-
Willow: I don't want any food thanks! I don't want anything from you except to let your son grow up and stop micromanaging everything! He's a grown man!
Carly: Whoa, what's this about?
Willow: Michael and I just had a huge argument in which he accused Leann of some pretty awful things that I know she would never do!
Carly: Well, she and Esme seem to have gotten close! In case you've forgotten, Esme is the girl who-
Willow: Recorded Joss and Cam having sex and tried to frame Trina for it! I haven't forgotten. Michael and I literally had this exact same conversation earlier today!
Carly: But Esme looked like she was on drugs. I'm concerned for Ace which is why I'm trying to be nice to Esme and am letting her live in the apartment, but I hardly ever see either of them, and now I know why! She and Leann are out partying all night! And they're going on some sort of retreat.
Willow: Well I don't know what's going on with Esme, but Leann most definitely isn't on drugs. She is a volunteer for an organization that helps young parents from troubled backgrounds. Esme probably is spending time with them! I've seen Leann a couple of times and she doesn't seem like someone who uses or deals drugs. Especially since…you know what never mind, that's private information. But she's not someone who's out partying all night. You should know this because she came here so you could see Wiley!
Carly: Well, okay. You're Wiley's mother, so I'll leave choosing babysitters up to you and Michael.
Willow: Do you really see me as Wiley's mother? Because I get the feeling that this whole thing has nothing to do with Leann or even Esme, and instead is about Nelle! You're using Esme as a scapegoat!
Carly: Yes, I will admit that Esme reminds me a LOT of Nelle, and I'm not thrilled about the fact that she's living in the apartment above my restaurant. I'm letting her stay there so I can keep an eye on her. I am concerned for the safety and well-being for her son, whom I honestly feel should be put up for adoption, as neither of his parents are able to provide a stable home for him. Unlike you, who has been nothing but good to Wiley. You're legally Wiley's mother, and more importantly, you're the only mother he's ever known! And I'm happy that you are, because I do want to protect him from Nelle as well as Nina! Both of them have tried multiple times to ruin my life, and they succeeded in causing my marriage to fall apart.
Willow: I am well aware of the damage that Nelle and Nina have done. I will never see Nelle as my sister, dead or alive. But I WAS trying to build a relationship with my biological mother, who should've been the one who raised me! I was in denial for the longest time, but Harmony really was an awful person who associated with people like Shiloh!
Carly: Yes. The same man who tried to get Kristina to join his cult, who was responsible for what happened to Drew while he was in the Navy, and whom Nelle later MARRIED despite knowing all of the horrible things that he did!
Willow (through gritted teeth): I ALREADY KNOW THAT! It makes me sick, and reminds me of what Harmony did.
Carly: And didn't you notice how devoted Nelle was to Shiloh?
Willow: I never got that impression. I think she married him knowing that it was only a matter of time before he was killed, and she knew he'd leave her those E.L.Q. shares.
Carly: I don't think that's the only thing he left her!
Willow: Oh really?
Carly: Nelle seemed very different after she was released from Pentonville. I do think it was a marriage of convenience, but I also got the impression that Nelle was more involved with Shiloh than it appeared. I think Nelle allowed herself to be initiated into Dawn of Day, and went through the entire process, including…God it makes me sick just thinking about it!
Willow: It makes me sick too. But how would they be able to do that when they were in Pentonville?
Carly: If Nelle was able to manipulate Shiloh into marrying her, she certainly is capable of manipulating a prison guard to look the other way. Or Shiloh could've bribed them to stay quiet. I don't know.
Willow: You don't know because you have no proof!
Carly: All I can say is that when she was released from Pentonville, she stopped with the crocodile tears. Michael said that when she took off that veil at the memorial, and revealed herself as Shiloh's widow, she seemed perfectly capable and willing to pick up where Shiloh left off. Nelle is a classic psychopath, and that's what they do. They aren't capable of feeling genuine love or affection, and fake it to manipulate people. That's what Nelle did when she first came to Port Charles, and I'm ashamed to admit that I fell for it!
Willow: Oh my GOD CARLY WILL YOU STOP?! Geez, Michael really is his mother's son. We had literally this EXACT same discussion earlier today! This just goes to show me how much you're not letting Michael grow up. He seems incapable of forming his own opinions and instead feels the same way you do about practically everything! YES, we all know how Nelle is a master manipulator, but so are you!
Carly: That's EXACTLY my point! I'm typically able to tell when a person is trying to manipulate me so I won't fall for their crap, but Nelle is on a whole other level! Until she revealed that her real last name was Benson, and that she was my "sister," I actually cared about her! We all did. My mom was one of the few people who didn't fall it!
*Carly looks up at the new sign, then starts crying.*
Carly: Why did she have to leave us?
Willow: Look, I understand that you're grieving, and I'm really sorry about Bobbie. I also understand that you're worried about Nelle after everything that's happened. But even if the body that was buried in that grave wasn't hers, we don't have any proof that she's alive. Believe me I'm ready to deal with her IF she is alive, and tries to take Wiley again. But you and Michael have done a complete 180. You both refused to believe that Nelle might be alive, but now you seem to be insisting that she is and are preparing for doomsday!
Carly: You're the one who's done a 180! Last time we talked about this, you were determined to protect Wiley from Nelle at all costs, and you were going to get a restraining order against Nina! What changed?
Willow: Nothing has changed Carly! I still am determined to protect Wiley from Nelle! But I'm not going to put my life on hold in the off chance Nelle comes back! I have a life too! I'm recovered from my cancer, I have a great career, and I have an amazing family. And it breaks my heart that my son no longer sees me as his mother!
Carly: What are you talking about? You are his mother Willow!
Willow: Yes, but he has another mother; Nelle! She gave birth to him, and ever since learning that she might be alive, Michael is constantly reminding me that Nelle is out there and is going to try to take Wiley! I was dreading the day where we would have to tell Wiley about Nelle, and explain that she's his biological mother, and was hoping to wait until he was much older before telling him. And Michael had been on board with this until we learned of the possibility that Nelle was still alive, after which Michael insisted that we tell Wiley. And ever since then, Wiley hasn't looked at me the same way!
Carly: WHAT?!
Willow: Ever since we told him, Wiley has been different. He's now calling me 'Mommy Willow' and is absolutely terrified at the thought of 'Mommy Nelle' coming to take him away! It's literally all he thinks about! Also, Michael and I have been arguing a lot about this whole ordeal, and as much as we've been trying to not argue in front of Wiley, he's been able to tell that something isn't right. It came to a head earlier when he walked in on us arguing right as Michael said that he regretted sleeping with Nelle! I'm pretty sure Wiley doesn't know what it means to 'sleep with' somebody, but it doesn't matter. This is upsetting him, and I'm seriously considering taking the kids and leaving Michael!
Carly: You can't be serious!
Willow: I am serious, Carly! You're used to constantly being on high alert for all the years you were married to Sonny! I'm trying my hardest to distance myself from that lifestyle. I don't want to have to worry about potentially being taken hostage by one of Sonny's enemies. I don't want the kids to have to be escorted everywhere by armed bodyguards. Maybe that was yours and Sonny's idea of a privileged lifestyle, but it's not mine!
Carly: Well it's not mine either, and in case you've forgotten, Sonny and I are no longer married!
Willow: And I'm not sure how much longer Michael and I are going to be married, with the way things seem to be headed! Truthfully, I was bluffing when I told Nina that I would be getting a restraining order against her. I was only saying that because I knew that's what you wanted to hear! My relationship with my mother is still very rocky, but the more I think about it, the more I feel like I should try to work on reconciling with her. I allowed myself to be fooled into thinking that Harmony was somehow a better person than Nina was, but now that Harmony is gone, I realize just how horrible of a person she was.
Thanks to her lifestyle, and her associating with people like Shiloh, I had to endure so many traumatic experiences from a very early age! Stuff that no kid should have to go through, especially if it's a result of their parents' lifestyles! I do NOT want the same for my children. And the fact that even after you knew what Harmony had done, after she tried to KILL YOU AND ALEXIS, you still agreed to keep her secret…makes me almost as sick as the thought of Nelle and Shiloh…having sex when they were in Pentonville does!
Carly: Willow, I can ex-
Willow: I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT!
*Carly looks stunned, as she's never been on the receiving end of the normally mild-mannered Willow's anger.*
Willow: I'm taking the kids on a getaway of my own while I figure things out. Michael will NOT be accompanying me, and I'll be turning my phone off, so DON'T bother calling or messaging me!
Carly: How long will you be gone?
Willow: That doesn't concern you!
*Willow turns and walks away, then pauses and looks over her shoulder.*
Willow: I'm sorry about your mom, but that's the only sympathy I have for you right now.
*She walks away, leaving Carly suspended in disbelief. After processing everything that just happened, she looks up at the "Bobbie's" sign and bursts into tears.*
Carly: Why did you have to leave me, Mom?! I need you now more than ever!
At long last, it was time for the long-awaited feast to begin. Esme was still undecided about whether or not she felt up for dancing, but decided to wear her new dress anyway. She had just put it on and was now looking at herself in the mirror. Her face was very pale and there were dark circles under her eyes. How she hadn't noticed it before, she'd never know, but apparently, she had been looking like this ever since she started taking the medication for her headaches. And speaking of which, she felt another one coming on.
Should she take another pill, or should she tough it out? She wasn't sure how long the feast would go for, but she didn't want to risk not being able to enjoy the feast if she had a headache, and especially if she was going to be dancing. She had already thrown up once on the dance floor at a party, and didn't want to risk it happening again, especially at a big event like this. What was one more pill going to hurt? She reached into her purse and took out a pill, filled her glass with water, and gulped everything down. Bitter as usual. Thank goodness for spearmint toothpaste!
She had put her hair up in an elegant bun and was finishing putting on her makeup when Leora walked in.
Leora: Ready?
Esme: I guess so. How do I look?
Leora: You look great!
Esme: Really? Be honest.
Leora: What's wrong?
Esme: I think you're right about me looking pale, and I had circles under my eyes too. I'm definitely going to stop taking the medication once we get back to Port Charles.
Leora: I'm glad to hear that.
Esme: I'll be relieved when this feast is over. I know it's supposed to be fun, but I still don't know why I'm here if nobody's going to sponsor me.
Leora: What would you be doing right now if we were back home?
Esme: Probably sitting in my apartment worrying about Nikolas showing up trying to take Ace, or Carly deciding she's had enough of me and was kicking me to the curb.
Leora: Wouldn't you rather be spending time with people who care about you, and want to see you happy? I enjoy spending time with you, and I know Jan does too. And we all adore Ace!
Esme: Speaking of Ace.
*She lifts Ace up out of the crib and puts him in the carrier*
Esme: I still don't understand why Jan wants me to bring him. Won't he be bored? I don't think there's going to be a lot of stuff for a baby to do.
Leora: It's what we always do. For these feasts, everyone is encouraged to bring their family. It's why we have to rent such large venues, and with every feast the group gets larger. Oh sorry, I didn't mean-
Esme: It's fine.
*There's a rumble of thunder from outside*
Leora: Seems like it's going to rain. Better take your coat.
Esme: Good idea.
*She puts her coat on over her dress.*
Leora: Ready?
Esme: Ready.
They made their way to the ballroom. Esme looked around. The room was huge, round, and very opulent, with a marble floor, crystal chandeliers, and large windows. There were many small, circular tables set with white tablecloths and ornate silverware, and a much larger rectangular table behind them. In the center of the room was a beautiful white tree adored with pentagon-shaped crystal ornaments, illuminated by a soft white light. The whole thing seemed awfully posh considering what they were there for, and Esme couldn't help feeling rather out of place. Then again, she had lived with her snooty adoptive family as well as at Wyndemere with Nikolas, and even though they had both lived in luxury, the few memories she had of what her life was like with any of them weren't pleasant ones.
Leora certainly wasn't exaggerating when she said that people were bringing their families! It seemed like literally everyone and their brother was there.
Esme: You certainly weren't kidding when you said people were bringing their families!
Leora: I know.
*Esme notices Leora suddenly seems depressed*
Esme: You okay?
Leora: I guess so. Normally seeing all these people doesn't bother me, but I guess after exploring the mansion, looking at those pictures, and that dream I had, I'm wondering about what could have been. If I really do have family here in Pine Valley, I wish they were here.
Esme: I know how you feel.
Leora: Thank you. It feels good to know I'm not alone. Shall we get a seat?
Esme: Yes.
*They sit down at one of the many tables.*
Leora: I guess the food isn't here yet. Typically we eat while they're welcoming the new members. Jan doesn't like making things too formal.
Esme: Thank goodness for that. If I didn't know any better, I'd think we were having dinner with the King of England!
Leora: Or Hungary.
Esme: Or Hungary, yes, good point.
Leora: *sighs* I keep thinking about what happened to Princess Gillian, and seeing those blood-stained sheets on the bed. Anton told me that Gillian's husband wanted to tear the turret down, but the family couldn't bring themselves to do it, and that's why they left it the way it was. I can't help but feel partially responsible.
Esme: *looks over at Leora with a stunned expression* Why?! You weren't even born yet when it happened.
Leora: I know, but it happened because my mother was here. Alex, Anna, either one of them could be my mother.
Esme: We don't know for sure if either of them is your mother.
Leora: I know, but the timing of everything matches up.
Esme: Why don't we talk about this more later? I think Jan wants us all to focus on the present. And speak of the devil!
*Nelle walks over to their table*
Nelle: Hey, you made it!
Leora: Told you we would!
*She hugs both of them*
Nelle: I'm really glad you could come, Esme, and you're going to be glad you did. Trust me!
*Esme looks at Nelle, unsure of what to say, but decides to trust her. Seeing how happy she looked made her feel better.*
Nelle: I like your dress. It looks very comfortable.
Esme: Thanks, and yes it is.
Nelle: Do you think you're going to perform your dance?
Esme: I'm still not sure.
Nelle: That's fine. The DJ has it on his playlist. If you decide you want to do it, just let him know.
Esme: Okay.
Nelle: Do the two of you have room for one more? I was thinking maybe I could sit with you during the ceremony. I enjoy seeing everyone with their families, but I always feel left out as I don't have any family of my own who come to any of our events. Is that okay?
*Esme feels oddly relieved to hear her say this.*
Esme: Um, sure, if Leann doesn't mind.
Leora: I don't mind. Jan often sits with me during the ceremony.
Nelle: Great! Let me give my welcome speech, and then I'll come pull up a chair.
*Nelle leaves their table and makes her way to the front of the room.*
Esme: That makes me feel better, hearing her say that.
Leora: It's true. She's never had a good relationship with any of her relatives. To her, we're her family.
Esme: I certainly do feel like she's the older sister I never had. I certainly wasn't close to any of my family, even though I can definitely envision my adoptive parents attending an event like this, from what I can remember about them.
*Nelle turns to face the crowd, standing in front of the white tree.*
Nelle: Welcome everyone to our Christmas feast, and thank you for coming, and inviting your loved ones to accompany you as you embark on your journey of self-discovery. It's very much as important to them as it is to you. I know everybody is hungry. Usually we eat during our welcoming ceremony, but it looks like the caterer is running a little late, so I hope people don't mind that we're starting now.
Before getting into this, I'd like to take a second to acknowledge where we are. This is the Wildwind Ballroom. Back in the day, this was where the annual Pine Valley Crystal Ball would take place, where the people of Pine Valley would ring in the new year, and offer donations to noble causes. It couldn't be a more fitting place for our feast tonight. And speaking of charity, we've raised so much money this year that it's only fitting that we give back to those who have been so generous to us, and to honor those who dedicated their lives to helping others. Therefore, a portion of the money we've raised this year will be donated to the Huntington's Disease Society of America, in memory of Dr. Britt Westbourne. And if anybody would like to offer additional donations, you of course are welcome to do so.
*There is a polite applause. Esme looks around the room and notices everyone gazing lovingly at Nelle. They seem to all adore her…except for three people seated at a nearby table. One of whom is a young woman Esme recognizes as Kiki Jerome, who is looking at Nelle with a disgusted expression on her face, periodically rolling her eyes. Next to her is Morgan Corinthos, with a jagged scar on his wrist and a swollen-looking hand, who looks as if he'd rather be anywhere but here. Next to Morgan is a man in a tight t-shirt, one of his arms heavily covered in tattoos. His cold blue eyes are staring directly at Esme, making her feel slightly uncomfortable. The three of them look very out-of-place, and Esme wonders if they perhaps knew something that the rest of the people weren't aware of. Did the man with the tattoos recognize Esme from her past misdeeds, that she had no recollection of? He certainly looked like he was ready to kill her!*
Nelle: So let's get started. Sponsors, if you would come forward please.
*Various people get up from their tables and make their way to the center of the room.*
Nelle: Here's how it will work. One by one, each sponsor will introduce themselves and invite the people they're sponsoring and their children to come forward and tell their story. This is an opportunity for you to share with everyone your experiences that led you to seeking our help. Your sponsor will then ask you for your pledge. This serves as both a formal invitation to officially become a Trusted Member of our community, but more importantly, a simple request for you to trust your sponsor in knowing that they will be with you on your journey, wherever it may lead you, and also to trust them in helping you care for your children, and knowing that if anything happens to you, your children are in good hands. You will also be asked to extend this same trust to future members of our community.
After making your pledge, your sponsor will present you with a gift that we like to call a Token of Trust. This is an item of sentimental value to them that they are giving to you in appreciation of you trusting them. Now each token has unique meanings to each sponsor, and they will explain the meaning of these as they give them to you. After receiving your token, you will hand your child to your sponsor for them to hold in their arms during the remainder of the ceremony, to symbolize your trust in them, and in our community. Once everybody has made their pledges and received their gifts, we will conclude our ceremony with our final affirmation, and you will officially be welcomed as a Trusted Member.
One other thing; since everybody's situation is unique, this sequence might not play out exactly like I've just described with every sponsor, but that doesn't mean it's any less meaningful. If anything it symbolizes the journey each of you are on, the paths of which may cross at certain points, but will lead each of you to different places. And remember, this is a journey, and we are here to guide you.
Let's begin. Jim, why don't you go first.
*A man steps to the center of the room as Nelle makes her way to Esme and Leora's table.*
Man: My name is Jim, and I would like to invite Mary and her daughter Britta Noelle to come forward.
*There's another polite applause as a woman gets up from one of the tables, holding a baby in her arms.*
Jim: Mary, why don't you tell us your story.
Mary: Thank you Jim. My name is Mary, and this is my daughter, Britta Noelle. Today happens to be Britta's first birthday!
*There is another applause. Esme glances over at Kiki, who has a small smile on her face as she's applauding the birthday announcement, before the disgusted expression crosses her face again as the applause dies down.*
Mary: So, exactly one year ago I performed in a live nativity scene. I was very heavily pregnant, so much so that I half expected to go into labor during the show. When it was over, I made my way back to my car, and it wouldn't start. I went to a nearby house and asked if I could stay there while I waited for a rideshare. And, of course, that was when I went into labor. A few minutes ago Jan mentioned Dr. Britt Westbourne. Well, someone at the house knew Dr. Westbourne, and he called her. She came over and helped me deliver my baby. I was so grateful to Dr. Westbourne for helping me on that difficult day that I named my daughter Britta, after her.
*Esme finds the name Britt Westbourne somewhat familiar, but doesn't remember where she had heard it before.*
Mary: It was through Dr. Westbourne that I heard about this wonderful group. I was going through a very difficult time and was in need of support, so I began attending the meetings. I got to know Jim, and he's been amazing. I knew I had made the right decision. I'm eager to begin the next stage of my journey to a better life.
*There is another applause.*
Jim: Thank you Mary, that was beautiful! I'm really happy that I've been able to help you, and am grateful for you asking me to be your sponsor. I of course accept! And I have a feeling I already know the answers to these questions I'm about to ask you, but I nonetheless will ask them anyway.
*He clears his throat.*
Jim: Mary, do you trust me in looking after your daughter, Britta Noelle, while you embark on your journey of self-discovery, wherever it may lead you?
Mary: I do.
Jim: Do you trust our community in providing a loving home to Britta, and know that should something happen to you, Britta will be in good hands here?
Mary: I do.
Jim: And, will you, Mary, extend this same trust to future members of our community, and guide them as they embark on their own journey?
Mary: I will.
Jim: Thank you so much Mary!
*There is another round of applause. Mary hands Britta over to Jim to hold.*
Jim: So, there are two things I'd like to say about our trust. First, I apologize to everyone here for not properly introducing myself earlier to those of you who don't already know me. My name is Jim Westbourne. Dr. Britt Westbourne was my sister, and always will be my sister even though she's no longer around. When I heard that you, Mary, had found our group through her, I knew I had to meet you. As you know, Britt's own journey was initially quite rocky due to some bad choices she had made when she was younger. However, she successfully turned her life around and became a well-respected OBGYN, and eventually Co-Chief of Staff at General Hospital. Sadly, her life was taken far too soon, when she lost her battle with Huntington's disease, but her hard work, both with others and with herself, shall be remembered forever.
*As Jim is saying this, Esme notices Kiki look over at their table, presumably at Nelle, and mouth some words, but Esme can't tell what she's saying. She then rolls her eyes again, shakes her head, and turns back to Jim. Nelle either doesn't notice her, or else is deliberately ignoring her. Esme can't recall whether or not she had interacted with Kiki before, but so far she doesn't think that Kiki seems like an especially nice person.*
Jim: The second thing I'd like to acknowledge about our trust is the significance of the day on which Britta Noelle was born; Christmas. That's why Britta was given the middle name of Noelle. As everybody knows, Christmas is a time of giving. To young children, it often means a getting new toy they've been wanting, or something else they've really been looking forward to. But children who are born on Christmas sometimes feel overlooked. The entire world is celebrating such a big holiday that people sometimes forget to wish them a happy birthday. In many cultures, there are various traditions for when a child reaches a certain age in which the entire day is dedicated to celebrating them, all the lives they've touched, all their accomplishments over the past year, and so forth. Regardless of how you celebrate, it's important to let the children who were born on such a special day know that they are loved.
As Jan mentioned earlier, this room was where the annual Pine Valley Crystal Ball was held, to ring in the new year, as well as raise money for charity. The 2000 Crystal Ball was especially memorable, both because it was the beginning of the new millennium, but also because the highlight of the ball was the Tree of Humanity. This tree right here.
*He indicates the white tree.*
Jim: The citizens of Pine Valley received their invitations to the ball in the form of crystal ornaments that they would add to the tree once they got here.
*Hearing the word "ornaments" triggers Esme's memory of decorating the small Christmas tree in the tower room at Wyndemere, and later setting the tree on fire.*
Jim: And that is why I had this made for you.
*He reaches into his pocket with his free hand, takes out a small, flat box, and hands it to Mary.*
Jim: Go ahead and open that, and hold it up so everyone can see it.
*Mary lifts the lid of the box and holds up an ornament identical in design to the ones on the tree. Esme notices how sparkly it is.*
Jim: Do you like it?
Mary: It's beautiful!
Jim: Do you see the message engraved on it?
Mary: "Happy Birthday Britta Noelle! We love you!" *She starts choking up with tears.* Thank you so much!
Jim: It is my pleasure! When we get back to Port Charles, you can add it to your Christmas tree.
*The audience applauds as Jim and Mary hug.*
Jim: But that's not all.
*He reaches into his pocket with his free hand again and pulls out another ornament, identical in design, albeit not in a box.*
Jim: I have here a second ornament exactly like that one, which we're going to add to the Tree of Humanity. And Mary, I'd like you to do the honors!
*The audience applauds again as Mary walks over to the tree and hangs the ornament, with Jim holding Britta up so she can see it.*
Jim: That looks wonderful! Now, I have a third ornament, right here.
*He takes another flat box out of his pocket and briefly holds it up, but then puts it back in his pocket.*
Jim: I'm going to hold onto this one for safekeeping. When we get back to Port Charles, we shall hang this ornament on the tree in our daycare center. Any time Britta lays her eyes upon any of these ornaments, be it when she's opening her presents in your living room, playing with the other children at the daycare center, or perhaps if we ever come back here, she will be reminded of just how much she is loved. The day she was born, and the name you chose for her, is so symbolic of the Christmas spirit.
Thank you, Mary, and thank you, Britta Noelle, for your trust in us!
*The audience applauds again.*
Esme watched as the rest of the sponsors welcomed the new members. Most of the sponsors were middle-aged adults, and a lot of whom told stories of how they had made bad choices, but had managed to turn their lives around, and felt that it was fitting that they help others to the same. The Tokens of Trust ranged from small trinkets cherished by the sponsor, to jewelry and other family heirlooms, some of which she was surprised they were giving away, though she figured that, like everything else, the sponsors giving these items to the new members was symbolic of trust. Even though she thought it was beautiful, she still didn't know what she was doing here.
The caterers eventually arrived and began setting up the food on the large table in the back of the room. It smelled delicious, and very familiar. Then she noticed the logo on the back of the worker's shirt, which read "Ashton Catering, Est. 1964." Her mind began to wander…
FLASHBACK:
It was Christmas day, and the Prince family was seated at the dinner table. They have just said grace.
Mr. Prince: One thing we can be grateful for this year is the fact that "Lord Larry" wasn't able to get his hands on our family recipes. They've been passed down for generations! They belong with the Prince family, the rightful heirs to the Ashton fortune!
Mrs. Prince: Definitely. Though I do appreciate you sharing them with me.
Mr. Prince: Of course! I love the way you prepare our mashed potatoes. I wish Ned would do us all a favor and change his last name to Quartermaine. He has his "Pickle Lila" relish recipe from his grandmother, and of course his E.L.Q. shares. He's not an Ashton and most certainly not a Prince!
*Esme reaches over to take some mashed potatoes, but Mrs. Prince slaps her hand away.*
Mrs. Prince: Ah, ah, ah! What do you think you're doing?
Esme: Taking some potatoes!
Mrs. Prince: And what makes you think you can take potatoes?
Esme: Because I'm hungry, and it's Christmas!
Mr. Prince: Do you remember what our new rule is?
Esme: Yes.
Mr. Prince: Well, what is it then?
Esme: *she sighs and rolls her eyes* First we dance, then we eat.
Mrs. Prince: And have you been practicing your dance steps?
Esme: Not today.
Mr. Prince: Well, you need to practice them!
Esme: But it's CHRISTMAS! Can't you let it go for one day?
Mr. and Mrs. Prince together: NO!
Mrs. Prince: If you want to eat any of this food, you are to go upstairs and practice "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy!"
Esme: I HATE THAT DANCE!
Mr. Prince: Too bad! It's part of the show!
Mrs. Prince: The fact that you fell over at your performance shows us that you're not practicing enough!
Esme: Why can't I dance after I eat?
Mrs. Prince: Because it's our rule! Unless you want to go to bed without any supper at all!
Esme: Alright, fine, I'll go dance.
Mr. Prince: Good girl!
Mrs. Prince: And make sure you're actually dancing this time! Turning up the music and pacing back and forth so that the floor creaks doesn't count as dancing!
Esme: Yes Mrs. Prince.
*She makes her way up the stairs, passing Maggie along the way, who gives her a sympathetic smile.*
PRESENT DAY:
*The audience is applauding. There is now only one sponsor left, a young man around Esme's age.*
Young man: So, my situation is a little different, for reasons that will soon become apparent. I would like to invite Brando Corbin and his son, Liam Mike Corbin, to come forward please!
*A man gets up from his seat holding a young boy around two years old. Esme recognizes him as the man she saw during her first day of volunteering at the daycare. She notices the man looks very emotional.*
Young man: How do you want to do this, would you like to tell the story, or would you like me to?
Brando: Why don't you start, and I'll let you know if there's anything I'd like to add.
Young man: Okay. Well, my name is Dev Cerci, and I'm originally from Turkey. My mother died when I was very young, and I had no idea who my father was. So I spent a good portion of my childhood on the streets of Ankara. I survived by taking what wasn't mine. I know it wasn't right for me to do that, and all I can say is that it was the only thing I knew how to do. Anyways, one day I encountered a man whom I had no idea was Sonny Corinthos. I'm pretty sure most of you know who he is. In any case, I tried to steal from him, but he caught me. I don't know what it was about me, but he decided to help me if I helped him. It turned out he was in Turkey trying to rescue his son Dante and bring him to Port Charles, as well as deal with an enemy of his. It's a long story that I don't feel like I should go into detail about right now but the bottom line is I risked my life for this man. And he returned the favor by taking me back with him to Port Charles, and giving me a better life.
His father, Mike Corbin, had Alzheimer's disease, and for some reason Mr. Corbin mistook me for his cousin Gladys's son, Brando. Now at the time, they had thought Brando had been killed in Iraq. So Sonny met with Gladys and offered to pay her to pretend that I was her grandson, Devin Rogers Corbin. But it turned out that Brando actually was alive. He came to Port Charles and, while initially he wasn't thrilled that I was being passed off as his son, he nonetheless took me under his wing. And I'm really glad he did.
So Brando, maybe you'd like to tell us what happened next.
Brando: Thank you Dev. While all this was going on, I was dealing with my own issues stemming from some bad choices I made when I was younger, as well as the fact that my mother, Gladys, told everyone that I had been killed in the war in order to cash in on my life insurance policy, as well as a whole bunch of other stuff that I won't get into because we're here to focus on the positive. In any case, Dev and I eventually got to know each other and he shared with me the few memories he had of his mother, and I couldn't help but notice the timing of everything lined up. We bonded a lot and I really grew to care for this kid.
Dev: Indeed. Unfortunately, one night I happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I was at a restaurant in Port Charles with a friend of mine, and there was a package that turned out to have a bomb inside, and it exploded.
*The audience gasps*
Dev: I obviously don't remember anything after that, until about a year later, when I woke up in a clinic. It took me a while, but I eventually remembered everything that had happened. I asked if Brando knew I was alive, and they told me he was there too, along with his new son.
Brando: I was devastated about what happened to Dev. This kid, whom I had really gotten to think of as my own son, had just been taken from me. It took a while, but I eventually moved on. I met a beautiful woman whom I helped support through some difficult times of her own. I'm glossing over a lot of things, but we eventually found out that she was pregnant with this little guy right here.
*He looks at Liam*
Brando: Unfortunately, Liam was born with severe complications, and we were told that he didn't make it. My wife fell into extreme depression, and had to be institutionalized.
*Esme notices Kiki look over at Nelle again and mouth the same words, but Esme still isn't able to tell what she's saying. Again, Nelle seemingly doesn't notice*
Brando: And then I actually was in some sort of accident, the details of which are still a blur, and I'm not sure if I'll ever remember. But eventually I woke up in that very clinic where Dev had been brought. And there was Liam, who looked happy and healthy. It was a miracle. The three of us left the clinic together, and have been figuring out this whole family thing. Jan has graciously allowed us to continue living in the community we've built, and I honestly don't see us ever leaving. You truly are a miracle worker Jan!
*There is another round of applause. Esme looks over at Nelle, who puts her hand to her heart and wipes away a tear, then at Kiki, who is slowly applauding while rolling her eyes, and then at Morgan, who isn't applauding and looks incredibly bored. She then notices that the man with the tattoos is no longer seated with them. She looks over her shoulder and sees him in the back of the room at the buffet table, putting a little bit of everything onto a tray and covering it with foil, before walking out with it into the cold rainy night. She realizes that she's starving and hopes it won't be too much longer before this whole thing is over and they can finally eat.*
Dev: So our pledge tonight is a little different.
*He looks at Brando and they hold hands, with Brando holding Liam in his other arm*
Dev: Brando, do you trust me in looking after your son, Liam Mike, as we embark together on our journey of self-discovery, wherever it may lead us?
Brando: I do. And Dev, do you trust me to look after you on this journey of self-discovery we are about to embark on together?
Dev: I do.
*Both of them turn to face the audience*
Brando: I speak for the both of us now. Can we trust everyone in this wonderful family of ours in providing a loving home to Liam Mike, and know that should something happen to either of us, Liam will be in good hands here?
The group answers as a whole: Yes!
*There is another round of applause, and Jan's face sparkles with the tears flowing down her cheeks.*
Brando: Thank you so much.
Dev: Thank you. And thank you Brando, for trusting me. I cannot think of any material gift I can offer that could ever come close to expressing my gratitude for you trusting me. However, I can offer this.
*He reaches into his pocket and pulls out an envelope, which he gives to Brando, who in turn hands over Liam for Dev to hold.*
Dev: So, as Brando mentioned a few minutes ago, I had told him some details about my life, and the few memories of my mother, and he remembered meeting a woman while he was in Iraq, and falling in love with her. He told me that the few things I remembered about my mother were the same things he remembered about her. The timing of everything lined up, and we've been wondering for a while…
*He sniffles*
Dev: Sorry, I'm getting emotional. Brando, I haven't opened it, so it's still sealed, and I have no idea what it says on there, but regardless, I'm always going to trust you. You've helped change my life in so many ways.
*Brando starts sniffling too.*
Dev: Go on, open it!
*Brando smiles tearfully as he opens the envelope with his finger, and pulls out the paper inside, and reads it carefully.*
Dev: Well, what does it say?
Brando: It says…that I am indeed your biological father!
*The audience explodes in applause as Brando, Dev, and Liam embrace. Esme finds tears welling up in her own eyes, and she looks over at Nelle, who's wiping away her tears with a napkin. Kiki for once has a smile on her face while she applauds, while Morgan, also applauding, looks bored. The tattooed man is nowhere in sight. Nelle gets up from her chair next to Esme and makes her way forward as the applause finally dies down.*
Nelle: Oh my god…WOW! That was so beautiful. Who would've known that the family who took you in ended up being your actual biological family! And just so everybody knows, I had absolutely no idea that they had taken a DNA test until literally just now, so I've literally just found out at the same moment you did that you two are father and son.
Dev: *holding up Liam* And brothers!
Nelle: And brothers, yes! This goes to show you the importance of family. And really, there are no rules as to what a family is supposed to look like, or how it comes together. For some people, like Dev, it involves reuniting with your biological family whom you were separated from at birth, and having to endure a life of hardship as a result. For others, it involves being placed in the care of a family whom you might no be related to by blood, but they still love you the way a family should. And still for others, it involves finding people you connect with, who are not your family either biologically or legally, but you nonetheless can feel a familial bond with. Someone whom you can trust. Which is why I would like to invite Esme Prince and her son Ace to come forward!
*Esme gasps but Leora gives her a gentle nudge. Esme picks Ace up out from his carrier and makes her way over to Nelle.*
Nelle: So, as most of you know, I typically don't sponsor people myself, and indeed there is only one other person I've sponsored. I see you Leann! The reason why I don't is because I like to have the Trusted Members be the ones to decide who they invite to join us. However, when I first met Esme, and her adorable little boy Ace, I know that I needed to be the one to sponsor her. And the reason why is because there is so much about her story that I can relate to. But before I share my own experience, even though many of you who already knew me have heard It countless times, I would like Esme to share her story. Esme, the floor is yours!
Esme: Wow, I really don't know what to say, aside from…thank you Jan! Gosh…well the truth is I actually don't recall a lot of my life. Last year I was in an accident in which I fell off of a parapet. I woke up in the hospital and didn't remember anything; what my name was, where I was, what had happened, or even the fact that I was pregnant! I'm happy to say that it's slowly coming back to me, though the memories that are coming back are not happy ones. My biological parents were…not good people, to put it lightly, so I was given up for adoption. My adoptive parents didn't treat me well at all. From what I can recall, they were filthy rich, but I didn't have the privileged lifestyle one would expect to have. They constantly were telling me various things were wrong about me. They made me do activities that were supposed to "fix" me. There was no room for mistakes. If I made a mistake, I got punished. By punished, I mean sent to bed without supper and… *she begins crying* they would beat me, and tell me I was a pathetic excuse for a human being. And if that's not bad enough, they didn't allow me to refer to them as my parents. Not "Mommy and Daddy," or "Mama and Papa," or "Mom and Dad," not even "Mother and Father." It was Mr. and Mrs. Prince. They didn't see me as their daughter, and as a result, I didn't see them as my parents.
There are a lot of things I don't remember due to my accident, but ultimately my adoptive parents died. I don't recall the circumstances, whether it was an accident, or the result of something I did. But in any case, I eventually found my biological father. And if things couldn't get any worse, they did. My father did love me. He allowed me to call him Daddy, and promised me a better life…when he got out of prison. Because my father was the notorious serial killer, Ryan Chamberlain!
I allowed myself to believe that he was somehow better than my adoptive family. He did get me into a prestigious boarding school in France, where I met my eventual boyfriend, though I didn't love him, and was only dating him because my father made me. My father was obsessed with the woman whom my boyfriend's father was married to, and he hoped she would leave him so that they could be together, and we would all live happily ever after. He promised me a better life once he got out of prison. But his plans got ruined when I lost my memory, and I saw him for the person he was; a monster.
There's a lot more to the story that I don't want to get into, both because I don't remember a lot of it, and the stuff I do remember is too painful to talk about. But the thing that I'm disgusted with the most, aside from thinking that my monster of a father was a saint, was sleeping with my boyfriend's father, and getting pregnant! Now obviously I love my son, but if I could go back in time, I wouldn't have done it. And there's a lot of other stuff that I supposedly did that I have no memory of. I really wish I could remember, so I can try to prove to everybody I wronged that I regret what I did and work on becoming a better person. But I can't do that if I don't remember. I'm obviously not going to deny that I did any of those awful things simply because I don't remember, but if I can remember, I can find peace.
Despite all this, Ace's father's family is incredibly toxic, and that's why I sought out this group, to support me in caring for Ace while I work on becoming a better person. And it worked, because thanks to Jan, I was awarded full custody of Ace! I am eternally grateful to Jan and to this group, as you all have helped me become a better person.
*The audience applauds*
Nelle: You have no idea how happy hearing how we've been able to help you makes me. And I can so identify with and relate to what you have gone through Esme. I too was adopted by a really horrible family. My adoptive mother died when I was very little, so I don't have many memories of her. But my adoptive father was a deadbeat who was so desperate for money that he had one of my kidneys removed and sold on the black market. This made me forever resent him. He died several years ago and honestly I didn't shed a tear. But up until a few years ago, around the time I started this group actually, I had no idea that he wasn't even my biological father!
I don't have anything against adoption, but the whole point of adoption is to give a child a better life than they would have if they were raised by their biological family. But my adoptive father didn't do that. Instead he was a deadbeat who sold me for parts. I've told the story of how he sold my kidney on the black market many times, so I won't go on a long rant, but I won't lie I still hate him for doing that. As a result, I didn't shed a tear when he died. It's terrible for any parent to do something like that to their own child, but the fact that this man had adopted me in order to do what he did just makes it worse.
Because of my adoptive father's lifestyle, we did not have much in the way of material possessions. He was always selling stuff in order to pay his debts. But the one thing he didn't take away from me, which I've always treasured was this necklace that I'm wearing right now.
*She indicates the two half hearts*
At first glance it doesn't look like much. There are lots of necklaces like this, and they're usually dismissed as tacky items one would purchase at stores like Claire's. But this necklace is different. For one thing, it's made out of real gold, and it has a custom-made clasp with the initials of the jeweler who crafted it. But what makes it special is the history behind it.
It originally belonged to my grandmother. When I was a kid, I had assumed it was my adoptive father's mother. It also used to be a whole heart, but before I was born, it was divided into these two halves. Growing up, I only had one half, and if any of you have seen pictures of me when I was a little girl, you might have seen me wearing it. In any event, I always wondered where the other half was, but my adoptive father said that it had been lost a long time ago.
Eventually I stopped wearing it and put it away in my keepsake box, but in recent years I had begun carrying it around with me as a good luck charm. Unfortunately I became a bit careless, and one day I lost it! I thought it was gone forever. I was absolutely devastated as it really was the only item from my childhood that I treasured. I'm not an especially spiritual person, but I was affirming to the universe every day that this necklace would find its way back to me.
You can imagine my amazement when one day, I encountered a woman who was getting rid of a bunch of stuff she didn't want because she was moving. I saw the necklace and asked if I could have a look at it. I could tell right away it was the same one, as it had the clasp. But what was even more amazing was the other half of the heart was there, with its own chain and a matching clasp! I asked the woman how much she wanted for it, and she told me I could have it for free! She said that it had belonged to her friend, who had recently found out that the woman who had raised her wasn't her biological mother, and her biological mother was also my biological mother. We were twins who were separated at birth.
Our grandmother, whom this necklace had belonged to, had the necklace divided in half. One half was supposed to go to me, and the other half was supposed to go to my sister. Only, my sister's adoptive mother kept it for herself, but when she heard that my grandmother had died, she decided to return it to my mother, hoping to reunite her with one of her daughters. My mother, who had been in a coma when she gave birth, wasn't aware she had twins, so she assumed that one half of the necklace was for her, and her daughter had the other half.
She eventually found the half of the necklace that had previously been mine. So now she had both halves of the necklace. She eventually found my twin sister, and offered the other half of the necklace to her. Only, my sister didn't want it, as she did not have a good relationship with her mother. My mother then left both necklaces with my sister and told her to do with them as she wished. So, my sister gave it to her friend, and told her friend to get rid of it. And that's how the necklace, with both halves of the heart, found its way back to me.
There's a lot more to the story that I'm not going to get into right now, but I had always wanted a sister. I had an older adoptive sister whom my adoptive father abandoned. I did not meet her until I was much older, and it just so happened that the recipient of my kidney happened to be my adoptive sister's daughter. I tried to forge a relationship with my adoptive sister, but she wanted nothing to do with me. So that really hurt. I also had met my twin sister on more than one occasion, though I didn't know at the time that we were twins. We hated each other and I've always wondered that, had she known I was her sister, if things would've been different.
I then found out that I had a half-sister through my biological father. I reached out to her and offered her the half of the necklace, but she rejected it, telling me that we can't assume we're sisters based on a necklace.
*Esme notices Kiki is shaking her head, and her hands are clenched into fists. What was her problem?*
Nelle: It was when she said this that I realized that maybe my sister wasn't someone whom I was related to, either biologically or through adoption, but somebody whom I would bond with over having similar life experiences.
You and I, Esme, are so much alike. In addition to everything I've just shared, you and I also have had the experience of having children at a young age, and people believing that we were unfit parents due to our past mistakes. Unfortunately I lost my son shortly after he was born, which was devastating. I had no opportunity to prove that, despite my past mistakes, I loved my son, and he was safer with me than he was with his father. That was why, when you came to our group, and shared your experience. I knew right away that I could help you prove to everybody who doubted you that your son was safest with you. And seeing you here with that beautiful little boy is proof that you are.
*Esme's eyes are glistening with tears.*
Esme: I really am glad you were here for me. I don't think I could've done it without you.
Nelle: You how happy it makes me, knowing I was able to make a difference in your life. And I hope that you can continue to trust me to look after Ace while you continue on your journey of self-discovery, and that you trust our community in providing a loving home to Ace, and know that should something happen to you, Ace will be in good hands here.
Esme: Yes, I do!
Nelle: And I know you'll extend this same trust to future members of our community.
Esme: Of course I will!
Nelle: I am so grateful to you, for everything you have brought to this community, and to me. I know in my heart that you, Esme, are my true sister. Which is why I want you to have this.
*There is a faint rumble of thunder from outside as Nelle reaches behind her head and unclips one of the heart necklaces, and fastens it around Esme's neck.*
Esme: *sobbing* Wow! Thank you so much! This means the world to me! It feels amazing to finally have someone in my life who is able to look past the mistakes I've made and see me for who I really am, and whom I can trust knowing that my son is safe with. I don't really know what to say except…I love you!
Nelle: I love you too, Esme, my sister!
*The three of them embrace as the audience gives their loudest applause yet. Esme hands Ace over to Nelle, and wipes her eyes on her sleeve, while clutching the half heart pendant with her other hand. There is another, slightly louder rumble of thunder from outside.*
Nelle *wiping away her own tears*: Wow, this has been such an emotional evening, and the feast hasn't even begun yet! I know everybody is hungry, but we have one order of business left, and that is to officially welcome our new members. So, what I'd like everybody to do is form a circle around the tree here, and join hands with your sponsor, while facing the tree.
*Esme joins hands with Nelle, while gazing at the beautiful white tree with the sparkling crystal ornaments, which glisten with the tears welling up in her eyes.*
Nelle: Take a moment to bask in the light, and feel the warmth of the love we all share. It's so amazing, knowing that I've been able to make such a difference in bringing you all together, and helping you change your lives for the better. I'm so grateful to all of you. It doesn't matter who you are. The great and the least, the rich and the poor, the weak and the strong, in joy and sorrow, in tragedy and triumph, you...
*There is a loud clap of thunder outside.*
Nelle:...are all my children!
Congratulations, you are now officially Trusted Members!
*Nelle kisses Ace on the top of his head while gazing triumphantly upon the new members. The audience explodes in applause, the sound of which drowns out the thunder as the storm unleashes its fury.*
COMING UP: Nelle panics when Esme suffers a medical emergency.