Kellie, Kelsey, and Charles took their ice cream to the park.
"Mommy, can I go play with James and Bailey Lu on the slides?" Kelsey asked when she finished her ice cream
"Yes, but don't run off yet," Kellie said, wiping the ice cream off Kelsey's face, "You stay where we and the guards can see you."
"I know, mommy," Kelsey said.
Kellie waved at Maxie as Kelsey ran to join James and Bailey Lu. Maxie waved back.
Kellie and Charles watched the kids play for several minutes.
"How did your doctor appointment go?" Kellie asked.
"It was just a follow up with Dr. Collins," Charles said, "He has no concerns about brainwashing. In fact, he said the next follow up could be scheduled much later."
"That must be a relief," Kellie said.
"It is," Charles said, pausing for a moment, "There is something I'd like to talk to you about. I know you're aware that Sonny and I had some words the other day."
"Just words?" Kellie replied, "I know Yuri had to physically intervene."
"Alright, I had words," Charlies said, "And Sonny….. But that is beside the point I wanted to make."
"What exactly happened?" Kellie said, "Aside from my father getting in your face."
"You really don't know?" Charles asked.
"Well, Yuri wouldn't answer any more questions once he realized I didn't know anything about it before he said anything," Kellie said.
"What I will tell you about the conversation with Sonny," Charles said, "Is he wanted me to get you to talk to him about Carly and Michael's SEC case. I refused to get in the middle which Sonny wasn't happy about. I can't say I'm proud of how I handled the situation. I didn't exactly keep my cool with my responses."
"My father does have that effect on people," Kellie said, "I wouldn't lose sleep over it."
"I will try not to lose sleep over it.," Charles replied, " But you, young lady, will refrain from intervening my behalf with your father or anyone else in the future."
"Technically, I went to see Sonny about the whole SEC debacle which involved me," Kellie said, "Outside of that, I just told him to leave you alone. I had no interest in his excuses."
"Kellie, would have you confronted Sonny when you did about the SEC case if you hadn't heard anything about my encounter with him," Charles said.
Kellie sighed and reluctantly said, "No."
Kellie looked away.
"I really hadn't thought about how or when to speak to my father about his demands," Kellie continued, "But I don't know that putting it off would have made it any easier regardless of whether I knew about your encounter with him."
"I suppose not," Charles replied, "How did things turn out with you and Sonny?"
"I'm not speaking to him again," Kellie said, quietly, "Which is really isn't anything new. And Olivia showed up to intervene as I was trying to leave. But he should leave all of us alone and drop Carly turning Jason into the feds."
"And do I want to ask how you got Sonny to agree to that?" Charles asked.
"Probably not," Kellie said, "And I wouldn't say he agreed to anything, but he's been told the consequences if he doesn't "I threatened to turn him into the feds. Just him. No deals."
"Would you actually do that?" Charles asked.
"I don't know," Kellie said, "I'd prefer not to. But it is was the only thing I had available to me in the heat of the moment. As long he believes I would, that's probably all that matters."
"It sounds like the outcome despite being what you might have expected," Charles said, "You're still feeling the sting or the disappointment of that."
"I guess he can still find some ways to catch me off guard," Kellie said, "Even when I think I've seen everything."
"I wish I could provide some words or advice that would help with that," Charles said.
"It's enough that you're here now again," Kellie said before opting to change the subject, "I'm sure I'm not the only one that feels similarly. You and Monica seem to be picking things back up nicely."
"Kellie," Charles said, "There really isn't anything new to speak of there yet. We're still figuring it out. And it's not necessary for you to concern yourself with the Quartermaine's security. I know that's why you went to talk to Yuri."
"Charles, Yuri's already agreed to let me look over the plans if you should move back into the Quartermaine mansion," Kellie said, "And you cannot win this one with me."
"It's really that important to you?" Charles asked.
"I know you are telling me I don't have to," Kellie said, "But I want to and it's something I can do. Even if you don't move back into the Quartermaines, I'd want be involved in making sure you have security at least as much you'll allow any way. If something were to happen to you again, I'd feel less guilt if I'm involved in the security set up."
"Kellie, would you really feel less guilt or responsibility?" Charles asked.
"Okay, probably not," Kellie said, "But still…"
"I will not argue with you about checking over my security arrangements," Charles said, "But should I move back in with Monica, you'll have to ask Monica permission with regards to the security at the mansion."
"I will ask Monica's permission," Kellie said before Charles could add further stipulations, , "So do you think you might move back in with Monica or are you thinking about other arrangements for now."
"To be honest, I don't know," Charles said, "That's something Monica and I need to discuss. It's more confusing than I thought."
"I know you don't particularly want discuss your relationship with Monica with me," Kellie said, "But just let me say this given we've both been thought to be dead and then confronted with romantic relationships that we ended or somewhat ended in my case as a result. Granted your situation is a lot different than mine was with Tyler. But when Tyler's leukemia came back and I realized til death due us part was an imminent reality, I did end up with regrets over pushing him away for so long after he found out I was alive. Part of that was because I had this idea that he and I shouldn't happen ever considering I broke up with him and faked my death. It cost us time we could been together. I just don't want to see you potentially end up with similar regrets because you have some idea in your head about what's proper."
"I will take that under advisement," Charles said, "And Kellie, when it comes to what you perceive as pushing Tyler away all those years ago, don't be too hard on yourself. You weren't ready for a relationship and neither was Tyler. You had been through a lot. You both had a lot to work through before the two of you could really make a go of your marriage. You have no reason to have regrets. I'm certain Tyler would tell you the same thing."
"You're probably right," Kellie said, slightly choked up and fighting a few tears, "But not exactly something I can tell myself not to feel."
"Easier said than done, I know," Charles said. He pulled a handkerchief out of his suit jacket pocket and handed it to Kellie.
Kellie had managed to dry her eyes when Kelsey yelled, "Grandpa Charlie, come push me on the swings… please."
"I think you've been summoned," Kellie said.
"I will happily oblige her," Charles said, "But are you okay?"
"I am," Kellie said, "and thank you."
Charles nodded as Kelsey yelled, "Hurry up, Grandpa."
"So I will just hang out with Maxie," Kellie said before Kelsey yelled.
While Charles pushed Kelsey on the swings, Kellie went and sat on the bench next to Maxie.
"That looked like a serious conversation," Maxie said.
"Yeah that was supposed to be one of those conversation where I checked on Charles," Kellie said, "At least that was my plan when we ran into him and Kelsey invited him to get ice cream with us."
"Instead he's somehow turned the conversation around to you and giving you advice," Maxie said, "Mac does that to me too."
"Pretty much," Kellie said as they watched Charles alternate between pushing Kelsey and Bailey Lu while James tried to swing himself as high as possible.
"You really did hit the jackpot with your father-in-law," Maxie said, "You got incredibly lucky."
"Believe me I know," Kellie said, "And I don't ever want to take that for granted again."
"Good," Maxie said, "And next you and Sam do tequila shots on the footbridge, you better call me."
"That was entirely unplanned," Kellie said, "Liz showed up with the tequila unannounced. How did you find out about that?"
"Sam drunk called me," Maxie said, "on her way home."
"Poor Uncle Lo," Kellie said, "He drove her home."
"It was entertaining," Maxie said, "You have no idea."
Then Kellie and Maxie burst out laughing.