How quickly life could change. Ned never expected to wake up that morning to the news. News he and everyone else knew would be coming soon. News that would change the fabric of the Quartermaines forever. He sat up on the edge of the bed as he answered the phone, the sense of dread when he saw the name on the caller ID. "Monica, what is it?" Alexis watched him carefully as he stood and walked over to the window that overlooked the lake. "Well, thanks for calling and I'll be there later this morning. Tell my mother…just tell her I'll be there soon."

Alexis got up and approached him, when he turned to her, the forlorn look in his eyes giving insight into what likely had happened. "Honey? What is it?"

"My grandfather, he's…he's gone."

She wrapped her arms tightly around him, "When?"

"Last night." She pulled away slightly, but kept her arm wrapped around his waist as she brought her hand to his cheek as he continued to share. "I knew he wasn't doing well, we all knew…I just, I guess deep down I never thought this day would come. That he'd always be there."

"He loved you and he knew you loved him." She hugged him tightly again.

"You know he was more like–" Edward had been there for him in more ways than his own father ever was. His grandfather could be insufferable, but he absolutely was a presence in his life.

"Honey, I know. I know he was." Alexis comforted him and pulled him into another right embrace.

That morning, he sat at the kitchen island, with a cup of coffee, Alexis standing next to him, as she ran her fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck and leaned her forehead against his temple. Having her close brought him comfort and she knew that. He looked up when Owen and Addison entered the kitchen bickering like it was just any other normal school day. They both froze, sensing immediately that something was different, wrong. Both of their parents still in pajamas, standing there comforting each other, solemnly.

"What's going on?" Addison asked, looking between her parents. As Ned and Alexis looked at their children with sympathy.

"Just tell us," Owen said, sensing his parents' loss for the right words.

"Your great-grandfather passed away last night." Ned stated.

"Dad, I'm sorry."

"Me too, Daddy." Addison voiced as Ned got up and hugged his youngest daughter and then his son.

"He loved you both, so much, you know that." He looked between his children.

"At least he's with great-grandmother, Lila again. I'm sure he's happy about that." Owen said sincerely.

Alexis walked over and hugged her son, moved by how he had sought to give his father some comfort in a loss they all felt. "If you both want to stay home today, it's fine." Alexis said, not sure whether her teenage children would rather be at school in their routine or surrounded by family in the immediate aftermath, but also knowing her husband would want his family around him.

"Actually, if I miss practice today I can't play in the game this week…is it ok if I go?"

"Sure, buddy, Grandfather would be proud of you, doing what you need to do. You have his name you know and that meant a lot to him."

"You have his name, too, Dad." Ned hugged his son, one more time.

"What about you, peanut? What do you want to do?" Alexis asked, running her hair through her daughter's ponytail.

"I think I want to go to school, too…if that's ok?" She wasn't sure what the right thing would be, but she also didn't want to fall behind.

"Perfectly fine."

"Lex, don't you have a deposition, in a couple hours?"

"I already canceled it. I'll reschedule. This is where I need to be."

"When? I didn't even realize…" He had been almost certain she hadn't left his side.

"When you went to make the coffee. I'll call Kristen, if you want, book her a flight home."

"No, I'll do it. She adored him; I need to be the one to tell her."

"Whatever you want," she directed at Ned, heartfelt, as she turned to her children;"You two grab some breakfast, while I go change and then I'll take you to school." Alexis said, touching her husband on the shoulder gently before she left the room.

Later that morning, Ned and Alexis arrived at the Quartermaine mansion. Family had all started to gather and the living room was unusually quiet for the family known for their endless and relentless fights with one another over the breakfast bar.

"About time you showed up," Tracy said to her son, who was followed by Alexis "And where are your children?" She directed at Alexis.

"They're at school. They'll be here later," Alexis said and then looked at her mother-in-law sincerely. "I'm sorry, Tracy."

"Mother," Ned said, trying to keep his emotions in check as he approached her "I'm so sorry, Are you ok?" He asked quietly as he watched her try not to break.

"I have to be. We all have to be." She said, attempting to keep her emotions at bay as Ned hugged his mother. "I've got to go make some calls about the arrangements." She pulled away, regaining some sense of composure, and left the room.

Ned started to follow but Alan interrupted. "Let her go."

"Alan," Ned said, "How are you doing?"

"This house doesn't feel the same. But the thought that he's with mother, that's bringing me some comfort."

"Owen said something similar to me this morning." Ned replied in agreement.

"They would both be glad to see us all together." AJ chimed in.

"You don't have everyone, yet." Emily said as she entered the room, followed by Nikolas.

"Emily." Monica walked to hug her daughter, who hugged her mother and immediately went to hug her father.

"Dad, how are you?"

"Better now that you're here. Nikolas, thanks for coming." Alan replied.

"Edward had his opinions about my being a Cassadine, but at the end of the day he supported Emily and me."

"It's good to see you, Nikolas." Alexis said as she hugged her nephew hello. "Look at us, just a couple of Cassadine's embraced by the Quartermaine's."

"But Edward never let us forget it." Nikolas responded.

"Truer words." Alexis agreed as Ned touched her shoulder to get her attention.

"I'm going to go see if I can find my mother," Ned said and Alexis touched his arm and then took his hand squeezing it slightly before he left the room.

Ned walked the grounds. He checked both the stables, the rose garden and she wasn't there. Finally, he walked to the crypt. He saw her standing there. Hand pressed against Lila's name, quietly talking to her mother. He made noise as he entered, so as not to startle her.

"So, how are you, really?" Ned asked, as he carefully approached his mother.

"That's a loaded question." Tracy remarked as she turned to face her oldest son.

"I talked to Dillon, he's catching a flight and will be here soon."

"Good. I need both of my boys if we're going to keep AJs paws off the company. Now, your brother has never really had a head for the business, but we will need his vote."

"That can't really be what you're thinking about. I know you had a complicated relationship with Grandfather, but–"

"I loved him and I do believe he loved me, too. Despite how I failed him."

"I don't think you failed him. You are like him and I believe he was proud of that." He hugged his mother tightly. "Come on, let's go back to the house."

"I need a few more minutes." She said quietly.

He nodded in understanding. "Ok. I'll see you up there then." He watched his mother carefully as she turned her back and walked back over to the wall where soon his Grandfather would rest. This was going to be hard for all of them and he knew he'd need to be there more. His mother wasn't wrong. AJ would make a play for the company. He needed to start to prepare. Who knew what the stock situation would be in his grandfather's will, but he would be ready. AJ would not destroy Grandfather's legacy with his reckless choices.

That afternoon Addison stood with Owen, Sophie, and Cameron outside the boathouse. Everyone had gathered at the Quartermaine's to share memories of Edward and Addison, Sophie, and Owen escaped when fighting ensued. Sophie and Addison both told Cameron he didn't have to come, to spare himself and they'd make plans for another day, but he did, because that was the type of friend he was.

They were sitting outside watching videos, scrolling social media and comparing what people had posted when Addison opened a direct message from Sarah, a girl she had a few classes with. As she read the screen shotted texts that were sent to her she felt her stomach tighten.

Joss- Can you believe they gave the solo to the freshmen freak?

Sarah- Who? Addison? I'm in music with her and she's got a great voice.

Joss- Ms. Wilson let her start over. The process wasn't fair. She'll panic and freeze the night of the concert, just wait. You see her in math.

Sarah- I don't know. Mrs. Ryan puts her on the spot a lot. Maybe you should cut her a break.

Joss- Whatever. This is ridiculous.

"What is it Adds?" Cameron asked, reading the distraught look on her face.

"Addie?" Sophie asked, concerned.

"Look for yourself." Addison passed Sophie the phone and she held it so Cameron could read and then passed it to Owen.

"You can't let Joss get to you. She's jealous. She's just used to getting everything her own way." Cameron said, trying to comfort his friend.

"Did you know she was calling me the freshmen freak? Why? What have I done to her?" Addison directed at Sophie.

"No, I didn't. It's probably exactly what Cam said. She's jealous and she's starting drama you don't need." Sophie responded.

"She's your sister. You really didn't know?" Addison interrogated her friend, skeptically. They had their own issues recently and she hesitated to take what Sophie said at face value.

"I didn't. I swear."

"I don't know, it seems like Joss wasn't directing this at you Addie. Sarah took the screen shots and sent them. We all say shit behind people's backs." Owen wasn't sure why they didn't see the real person causing the drama was Sarah.

"So you think I'm a freak? You're my brother. Wow."

"No, I don't. I just think maybe you shouldn't turn this into a thing. That's what they want. It's not like you want to be friends with Joss. Do you?"

"No, we don't agree on anything other than that we annoy each other."

"Ok, so do yourself a favor and delete that."

"Owen is right. Just ignore it. But it sounds like you got the solo! That's huge! Congrats!" Cam tried to change the subject to the good news that was revealed in those texts.

"Right? A lot of kids wanted that slot, Addie. You should be thrilled. You beat out upperclassmen. That like never happens." Sophie said.

"Thanks you guys. You're good friends. You, too, Owen. I'm glad you have my back."

"You may be weird sometimes, but you're my sister and that's what we do for each other."

"Haha. Well thanks."

Owen changed the subject and they moved on. Eventually it started to get dark, Cam had to go and they had to go back up to the main house. They ate at the Quartermaines that night and the family was either eerily quiet or at each other's throats, which threw all three of them. When Lila had passed people struggled with their feelings, but this seemed to throw the entire family off balance and the adults in their life were clearly jockeying for power. Things had shifted and everyone felt it.

That evening, Ned and Alexis sat in their living room. His arms wrapped around her as she leaned against him. It had been a long day, and Alexis watched as he tried to keep the peace, while simultaneously trying to keep his own emotions in check. "What were you and Nikolas talking about in the corner today?"

"Nothing, really. Just family stuff. He heard from Stefan. No need for you to worry."

"You sure?" He asked not quite fully present.

"Honey, I'm sure." She said as she sat up and turned to face him and ran her fingers through his hair. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine. Today was just, a lot."

"That's putting it mildly. Do you really think there's going to be a fight for ELQ?"

He sighed. "I do. I can count on your support, right?"

"You know you can. I love you." She leaned in and kissed him and then rested her head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her. They sat that way in the silence, until suddenly Addison came into the room and Alexis sat up and pulled away as she drew her attention to their daughter.

"Can I talk to you both?" She asked, not wanting to interrupt. She knew her Dad was still upset about his Grandfather and how it would affect his family.

"What's on your mind?" Alexis asked.

"I have good news. But I totally get it if you don't want to hear that right now." She tried to be considerate. Maybe this wasn't a good time. Maybe she should wait.

"Lay it on us. I could use some good news today." Ned said, tuning in, encouraging her.

"I just wanted to tell you both, I got the solo." She tried to hide her excitement, given the circumstances.

"I knew you would, princess." Ned smiled at his daughter.

"I am so incredibly proud of you." Alexis beamed and got up and hugged Addison.

"Thanks for encouraging me to do it. I think I'm kind of excited." She directed at her father as her mom wrapped her arm around her.

"You should be. I can't wait to see you up there." Ned said as the news lifted his spirits.

"Ok well, I'm heading to bed, I just wanted to let you know." Addison hugged her mother again. "Goodnight."

"Night, sweetheart." Ned said as Addison left the room and headed up the stairs to her room. "She seems happier these last couple days, right?"

"She does. But can we get back to focusing on you?" Alexis said, not letting him avoid.

"I'd rather just hold you close, if that's ok?"

"Sounds like perfection." She said as she leaned back against him and he wrapped her in his arms again. As she laid there in his arms she wondered what was going through his head. He was usually the one who wanted to talk while she avoided conversations when she was overwhelmed. She worried that he was feeling more than just the need to go back as CEO. That he was feeling called to fill a void in family leadership that was left this morning. A hole that she feared he thought only he could fill. He had worked so hard to find balance between being their gatekeeper and protecting his own dreams and the life he had wanted for himself. She knew she would need to remind him of that in the coming weeks. She would support him, of course, but she would also need to fight to keep the life they built outside of the Quartermaines.