Chapter 83- Elizabeth's Full House

"It seems you got two miracles in one," Frisco said. "Both Georgie and Frankie returned to you, alive and well. Frankie, I'm Frisco." He extended his hand to her through the car window. "Maxie and Georgie's father. Your mother and I searched for you together."

Esme stared at his hand for a moment before shaking it. "You… you helped?"

He nodded. "Yes. And I was there to comfort your mom too. She was devastated over losing you."

"What are you doing here, Frisco?" Felicia asked.

"Maxie wrote me," he said. "She told me Georgie is alive. I was able to get away for a bit. Can I see her?"

Felicia nodded. "Yes. But can you wait in the driveway for a few minutes? I need to talk to Frankie, but I also want to be there when you see Georgie. You haven't seen her since she was a baby. She doesn't remember you, so I don't want you to scare her. She's very fragile right now."

"Of course." He pulled his car into the driveway.

Felicia sat down beside Esme on the curb. "Are you okay, honey?"

Esme glanced over at Frisco's car. "He seems nice."

Felicia cleared her throat. "He is. But Frankie, are you sure you want to move out? You don't have any money or a job yet. Where are you planning to go?"

Esme shrugged. "Back to Bobbie's."

"And were you happy staying there before?" Felicia asked.

There was a short pause before Esme responded, "No. But Mac doesn't like me and I don't like him either."

Felicia sighed. "He does like you and he cares about you. He was just concerned about you and it came out the wrong way. I talked to him and he's not going to speak to you that way again."

"If he cares about me, then why doesn't he care enough to consider what I want?" Esme asked.

Felicia raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean? What do you want?"

"I want Mac and Georgie to leave."

Felicia rubbed her temples. "Well, your sister's not leaving. Especially not in her condition. And I thought you were getting along fine."

"Yeah. Okay, not Georgie."

"And Mac is my husband. This is our home. But it's your home too. He meant well, but he's not going to speak to you that way again. I won't be kicking him out unless he were to do something to really hurt you or your sisters, which I know he won't. But I'm concerned about you and Ace too. I worry about you and Ace going out there with no resources. I know it's not realistic to expect you to stay with me forever, but I was hoping to at least help you build a foundation before you get a place of your own. And when you do go, I would like it to be on good terms. But I thought you liked living with me."

"I did. But I don't like living with Mac."

Felicia frowned. "I'm sorry that Mac upset you. But you don't spend a lot of time with him anyway. Maybe you just need time to get used to each other. Why don't you stay at least until you get a job? It'll probably be really awkward at Bobbie's with Carly running the place."

Esme stared at the bus as it pulled in front of them.

"Are you coming or not?" the bus driver asked.

"I'll go to Cameron's instead," Esme said, standing up with Ace.

Felicia rose as well. "What? Frankie, please, I really don't want you to go. I know Mac hurt your feelings, but he's not like… he's not like the others."

"Like Daddy?" Esme stepped onto the bus but turned. "Um… can I three dollars?"

Felicia reached inside her pocket and counted out three dollars but also gave her a hundred-dollar bill. "Why don't you go spend time with Cameron. I'll give you some space to think about everything. I'll call you tomorrow, okay? But call me if you need anything before that."

Felicia watched Esme climb onto the bus with Ace. Her eyes stung with tears, hoping she'd be okay at Elizabeth's. And that she wouldn't shut her out. She turned and looked at Frisco's car in the driveway. And she hoped that seeing Frisco wouldn't upset Georgie.

GHGHGH

Sam looked between Shelly and Nelle. "Nelle is your boss?"

Nelle smiled. "Sam, darling, how is your mother doing?"

Sam crossed her arms. "Why don't you ask your employee, the one who tried to kill her."

Nelle wrapped her arm around Sam, who shoved it away.

"Just because Alexis is gone, doesn't mean you don't have a mother anymore," Nelle said.

Sam scoffed. "My mother isn't gone. She just hasn't woken up yet."

"Shelly, please go get me and Sam a cup of coffee," Nelle said.

Shelly disappeared down the hallway.

"I know it's hard to accept, but in time you will, because Alexis is dead and I'm the only mother you have," Nelle said. "I have to be completely honest though, because I would never lie to any of you. Esme is my favourite stepchild, so only she and Ace will be living with me and Wiley, but I will still take care of you and Lucas."

Sam laughed. "You were married to my father for like five seconds before you disappeared. That does not make you my stepmother. Especially when you're like 15 years younger than me."

"Oh, come on, Sam." Nelle straightened Sam's shirt.

Sam knocked her away again. "Get off of me!"

"I know you're jealous of Esme. But we'll still have you and Lucas and the kids over for dinner."

"That is a hard pass," Sam said. Her phone started to ring and she answered it. "Hey Mol, what's up?"

"Mom just woke up," Molly said. "Can you come to the hospital?"

Sam smiled. "Yes, I'll be right there." She hung up. "Excuse me, but my real mother is awake now. I have to go. But you can tell your employee that she won't get away with framing my son and trying to kill my mother."

Nelle grinned as Sam took off, and she muttered to herself. "Don't worry, Sam. We'll get rid of Alexis one way or another."

GHGHGH

Esme balanced Ace on her hip and knocked on Elizabeth's door. She smiled when Cameron answered.

"Oh, hey," Cameron said. "How's it going?"

"Can we stay here?" Esme asked.

He raised an eyebrow. "I thought you were living with your mom."

"It's not going so well over there," Esme said. "Mac hates me."

"Why does he hate you?"

"I'm just in the way. Can we please stay here?"

He scratched his chin. "I'll have to talk to my mom. But I'm sure it's fine."

Esme hugged him. "Thank you."

GHGHGH

"You're crying," Frisco said when Felicia led him to the front door.

"Are you here to see Georgie or to comment on my emotions?" Felicia asked.

"Can't it be both at the same time?" Frisco asked. "Are you okay?"

Felicia wiped her tears away quickly and pushed the door open. "I'm fine."

They walked in and found Mac and Georgie sitting on the couch. Mac clenched his jaw when he saw Frisco.

"Georgie, sweetheart, you have a visitor," Felicia said. "This is—"

"What the hell are you doing here?" Mac blurted out and wrapped his arm around Georgie.

"Mac…" Felicia said.

"I'm here to see Georgie," Frisco said.

Georgie stared at him. "You're…. You're…."

Frisco smiled. "Hi honey."

"Georgie, this is your father, Frisco," Felicia said. "He met you when you were a baby."

"And never again since," Mac mumbled.

"I remember from pictures," Georgie said. "Maxie kept your photo under her pillow."

"And wept over it, night after night," Mac said.

"Mac. Kitchen. Now!" Felicia said.

"I'm not leaving him alone with Georgie," Mac said.

"I will stay with them," Felicia said. "And I will talk to you later."

"Actually," Georgie spoke up. "I'd like to talk to Frisco alone."

Mac sighed. "Are you sure, Georgie girl?"

Georgie nodded.

"Mac and I will just be in the kitchen, okay sweetie?" Felicia said and prodded Mac to the kitchen.

"How could you allow him to come see Georgie in her condition?" Mac asked.

"Georgie is getting stronger and I want to allow her to make up her own mind about Frisco," Felicia said. "I did the same thing with Maxie."

"And all he'll do is let Georgie down the same way he did with Maxie."

"Maxie's the one who contacted him," Felicia said.

Mac bit his lip. "She did?"

"Yes," Felicia said. "Look, I'm still angry with Frisco too. He's let me, Maxie, and Georgie down countless times. But I'm not going to bar him from visiting the girls unless they don't want him here."

"I wish you would've talked to me about this before bringing him here to see Georgie."

"Well, I wish you would've talked to me before scaring Frankie off!"

"Did she really leave?" Mac asked.

"Yes. She doesn't have any money except the little I gave her. She says she's going to Elizabeth's, so I know they'll be in good hands there. And at least she's not moving in with someone like Nelle. But in her frame of mind, I don't know how long she's going to stay at Elizabeth's. I don't even know how much room Elizabeth has. And I don't know what this has done to my already frail relationship with her."

"Maybe she just needs a little space and time to cool off," Mac said. "I know she adores you, so I'm sure she'll come back."

"Just like Maxie and Georgie adore you, so you don't need to feel threatened by Frisco," Felicia said.

Out in the living room, Frisco pulled out a box. "I bought you something."

Georgie opened it and pulled out a bracelet engraved with To my daughter, the butterfly is only beautiful because the caterpillar is brave. And you, My Darling, are braver than you know.

Georgie's lips trembled a little. "That's… very thoughtful."

"I know I've been gone for many years, but I'm here now. I'm here for you, your mom, and your sisters."

GHGHGH

Elizabeth held Violet's hand and walked her up to the house.

"How long will my dad and Uncle Chase be gone for?" Violet asked.

"Your dad thought maybe a couple of weeks," Elizabeth said. "Your Great-Uncle Henry is very sick."

"But why couldn't I go with them?"

"They thought you would have more fun with us," Elizabeth said. "You'll get to play with your cousins." She opened the door and found Cameron, Esme, and Ace on the couch. "Hi?"

"Hey, Mom," Cameron said. "Oh, hi Violet. I didn't know you were coming over."

Elizabeth placed her hands on Violet's shoulders. "It was a last-minute surprise. How are you, Esme? Ace is getting big."

Esme shrugged. "I'm okay. Ace and I are moving in."

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"Uh, Mom, I wanted to talk to you about that." Cameron rose and walked over to her. "Esme asked if they could stay here. Is that okay?"

Elizabeth bit her lip. "I'm not sure I'm comfortable with you having a girl sleepover…. And with Violet staying with us… I thought Jake and Aiden could bunk together and Violet could take Aiden's room. We don't have a lot of space."

Esme frowned and stood with Ace. "I guess we're in the way here too, Ace. We'll just go to Bobbie's."

"Wait," Cameron said. "Esme and Ace can take my room. I can sleep on the couch."

"Aren't things going well at your mom's, Esme?" Elizabeth asked.

Esme shook her head. "No. And if you don't want me here either, then we'll go…."

Elizabeth sighed. "You can stay here tonight. But I think you should talk to your mom about this. Cameron can't sleep on the couch permanently."

Cameron lifted Esme's backpack. "I can show you my room." He led her upstairs. "It isn't much, but it's comfortable."

"Thank you, Cam. I should put Ace down for a nap."

"We don't have a crib, unfortunately," Cameron said.

"It's okay. I'll stay with him."

"All right, I'll be downstairs if you need anything."

When Cameron left, Esme sat with Ace on the bed and started crying.

Ace touched her face. "Mama."

"Elizabeth doesn't want us here, Ace," Esme said. "We're alone again with nowhere to go. But at least we have each other."

"Gamma," Ace said. "Home."

Esme kissed the top of his head. "They don't want me there."

Ring. Ring.

Esme's heart sped up when she saw Nelle's name displayed on her screen. "Oh Ace, I don't know who to trust." She cancelled the call, but seconds later, it rang again. Esme sighed and answered, but didn't say anything.

"Esme, it's me, Nelle. I'm really sorry for how things unfolded last night. I took the photo down. I don't want to do anything to make you uncomfortable. I just really care about you. And you know what? Friends would be wonderful. I want to be friends with you."

Esme looked down as Ace fell asleep in her lap. "Just friends and no posting photos without asking me?"

"We will be the best of friends," Nelle said. "Can I treat you to coffee this afternoon?"

Esme tapped her fingers against her phone. "Okay."

"Great. I'll meet you at Bobbie's at 3 o'clock. Goodbye, friend."

"Bye, friend."

Nelle hung up and grinned. "The best mother-daughter pairs are great friends."

GHGHGH

Mac and Felicia headed back out to the living room.

"I'll just be staying at the Metro Court for now," Frisco said. "I'm heading over to see Maxie, but please call me if you need anything." Frisco kissed Georgie's forehead, then looked over at Felicia. "That goes for your mom too."

Mac grabbed Frisco's arm. "I'll walk you out." He prodded him to the porch. "You do anything to hurt Felicia or the girls, you'll answer to me."

"Calm down, Mac," Frisco said. "I'm here to make sure Felicia and the girls are okay."

"No thanks to you."

Felicia peeked through the curtain to make sure Mac and Frisco weren't getting into a fist-match.

"How did it go with Frisco?" Felicia asked. She glanced over when Georgie burst into tears. "Oh, honey." She sat down beside her and held her close. "I'm sorry, baby. I shouldn't have let him in. I just wanted you to choose whether you want to see him or not. But he doesn't have to come back if you don't want him to."

"I—I don't know," Georgie cried. "I dreamt of meeting him when I was a kid. Maxie told me how he'd always bring her gifts when he came around but then he'd leave again. I wondered what was so wrong with me that he never came to see me. I always wanted him to come bring me gifts too." She held up the bracelet. "Now he did. But why now?"

Felicia rocked her gently. "There is nothing wrong with you. I loved your father and I wanted him here too for the longest time. But he is the one with the problem, not you. I'm so sorry. I won't let him come again."

"But I don't know…. I think I want to see him again. But I don't want to at the same time."

"You don't have to decide right now."

"I'm just so glad we have Mac," Georgie said. "He will never leave us."

Felicia nodded and looked towards the window. "No. He won't."

GHGHGH

Elizabeth buttered some bread in the kitchen to prepare lunch for everyone, but she looked up when she heard the front door creak open.

"Uh, Mom?" Jake poked his head in. "Can I talk to you for a second?"

"Oh, we don't have time to talk," Carly said, swinging the door wide open. She and Jake were holding a sweaty Jason up.

Elizabeth gasped. "Jason? What is going on?" She left the food and helped them bring him over to the couch. "You're alive?"

"I said not to tell your mom…" Jason mumbled.

"Excuse me?" Elizabeth asked.

"Jason was shot and his wound has gotten infected," Carly said.

Jason's eyes rolled back and he passed out.

Elizabeth pulled off the bloody gauze. "Jake, go get my first aid kit."

Jake ran upstairs.

"When was he shot?" Elizabeth asked.

"Last week. Jake and Danny tried to help him, but then he came to me. I removed the bullet," Carly said proudly.

"Last week?" Elizabeth shook her head. "You didn't even stitch him up properly, Carly. Is this what was stolen with my key card?"

"Sorry, Mom," Jake said when he returned. "I wanted to help Dad."

Elizabeth took the kit from him and started cleaning Jason's wound.

"You can't tell anyone," Carly said.

"Is it okay if he stays here?" Jake asked.

Elizabeth sighed. "All right. It's a full house, but Violet can sleep with me."

"But once you get this under control, I can bring him back home with me," Carly said.