Written in 67 minutes. I went over because I ended up writing a Jake thing later that I refused to take out, lol.

PCPD: Commissioner’s Office

“It’s not getting any easier,” Robert told Lucky as they left Mac’s office and walked down the hallway towards the squad room. “I don’t know if the daily meetings are helping or hurting.”

“Neither,” Lucky muttered. There hadn’t been anything new in days — waiting on DNA reports to come back, outside vendors were being bitchy about turning over employee lists—

He tossed his case file on his desk. “All we have is a general build. And it’s average. He could be anyone.” He looked at Robert. “How can four people be dead, and we have nothing?”

“It’s what makes this job difficult, Spencer.” Robert leaned against the desk. “You have crimes committed in public. Well-liked victims who had large family networks ready to step up and help if only they knew anything. We have DNA. We know how the crimes were committed, down to the minute on this last one. And yet—”

“Nothing.”

“There’s a case out in California,” Robert continued. “It came through the FBI office when I was doing some WSB work out there. Guy raping and killing his way through different areas. Still unsolved, mind you. He’s left witnesses. Nearly got caught a few times. And people are terrified in their homes.” He shook his head. “They have his DNA, too, Spencer. Sometimes you can have all the pieces except the most important.”

Lucky put his head in his hands. “I just—I keep looking at all these names, and these lists, and I’m writing up damn warrants because the security company from the college doesn’t want to turn over their employee list or who they contract to. How do I get them to cooperate?”

“You let the court do its work. Or—” Robert considered the question, then leaned to the side to dig his phone out of his pocket. “You leave an anonymous tip with the Herald’s crime beat reporter about the lack of support.”

Lucky sat back. “We’re not supposed to leak anything—”

“No, we’re not.” Robert shrugged, then straightened. “Ah, well. If Mac asks, you’ll be able to say you didn’t know anything.” He picked up Lucky’s case folder, flipped through it. “This the warrant for the security company?”

“Yes—”

“I’ll just make a copy.” He lifted his brows. “For my own records.”

Lucky watched Robert leave the room, then shook his head. Robert Scorpio, the legend, could get away with bending the rules. And maybe it would shift something loose. He pulled out his own cell phone and found a few voicemails, including from Lulu.

He listened to it, then sighed. Time to put away the cop, and pull out the brother. He’d put this off too long.

Scorpio House: Living Room

“Uncle Mac.” Robin got to her feet as the man in question came through the door. “Good. You’re, uh, here.”

“Is there anything new?” Maxie asked, lunging to her feet, her eyes wide, desperate. “Did you find something?”

“No. We’re working some leads, but nothing yet.” He hung up his jacket, then came over to the sofas, kissing Maxie on her forehead, then hugging Robin. “Sorry I’m later than I wanted to be, but—”

“No, I appreciate—I appreciate you making time. I have something I wanted to tell both of you. So, uh—” Robin gestured. “Just, um, sit down, I guess.”

Mac pulled Maxie down next to him. “Are you all right? Is—”

“I’m fine. I’m just—” She laughed a bit nervously, then bit her lip. “I have something to tell you,” she repeated. “And it’s good news. I’m—I’m pregnant. I’m going to have a baby.”

Mac stared at her for another long moment as Maxie’s eyes widened. “Pregnant,” he repeated.

“Is that—I mean, you’re happy, so obviously it’s safe, but um—” Maxie jumped up to embrace her. “Congratulations. Right? You said it was good.”

“It is good.” Robin hugged her back, relieved to see her cousin smiling. “And it’s relatively safe. Kelly’s keeping a close watch. There’s some medications I have to take, some extra testing. But my viral load is basically invisible. Rate of transmission is almost nothing. I mean, there’s always a risk, but—”

“Pregnancy takes two,” Mac said, slowly rising to his feet. His brow furrowed. “Patrick?”

“Y-yes. And before you say anything—Patrick is completely on board. He’s…he took it  better than I did,” Robin admitted. She smiled. “He’s already bought out the local supply of pregnancy books. He keeps one on his locker for quick reference, Uncle Mac. He’s not running from this.”

“Uh huh. I thought you’d broken up because he didn’t want kids.”

“We did. It wasn’t planned.” Robin crossed her arms. “After Georgie, I just—I needed someone,” she said softly. “And he was there.”

“But if he didn’t want kids,” Maxie said, “how do you know he’ll stick? I mean, my dad wanted them and you don’t see him here,” she said darkly.”

“I don’t know,” Robin admitted, and Mac’s expression darkened. “He’s said he will. And I believe that he believes it. It’s just…we’re feeling our way through this. Patrick is not the bad guy, Uncle Mac. Promise me you won’t harass him. This isn’t the 1950s. I make really good money, I could do this on my own—”

“You aren’t on your own.” Maxie lifted her chin. “I’m here. Your baby will be the best-dressed kid in the state. And Uncle Mac will be the best grandpop. He’ll probably give the kid a police escort, and—” Her voice faltered. “Georgie would have babysit every day if you’d asked, but she can’t do that so I will. I’ll be the best aunt ever.”

“I know you will, sweetie.” Robin rubbed Maxie’s back, her own throat a bit tight at the thought of Georgie who absolutely would have been supportive and present. “This is good, Uncle Mac,” she repeated to her uncle. “I wanted to be a mother, and I never thought I could be.”

“It wasn’t planned,” Mac said. “Is Patrick…?”

“He’s been tested. All systems are good. He’ll have to be tested a few more times, um, you know how that works.” And they were both aware that Robin hadn’t tested positive during her first test. That had come later, just before Stone’s death. “It’s different now. Stone had AIDs, Uncle Mac. The odds of me testing positive were so high—Patrick isn’t any more likely to test positive than the baby.”

“Okay. Okay. I wasn’t—” Mac took Robin by the shoulders. “I wasn’t expecting this. But you look happy. And Patrick’s…I might want to kill him,” he admitted, “but I’m glad he’s taking it well. I reserve the right to hurt him later.”

“You won’t need to. I’m happy. I am.”

Mac folded her into his arms, and Robin clung to him tightly. “I’m so glad I get to share this with you. You’ve always been there for me, and I couldn’t imagine you not being there for my child.”

“I will always be there for you.” He kissed the side of her head, then reached out pull Maxie into the hug. “For my girls. The best I can.”

It was a sweet moment, Robin thought later, but they were all aware that someone was missing, and it was a piece of their hearts that would never be filled.

But life would go on. There wasn’t much choice in that.

PCPD: Squad Room

Sam stepped up to the desk. “Hey. It’s Detective Rodriguez, right? Do you remember me?”

The cop smirked. “Yeah, I remember you. Did you need something?”

Sam wanted to smack him for the way he was looking at her — probably remembering her humiliating trips to the PCPD to visit Jason while he’d been held for Alcazar’s murder — or even worse, that terrible day she’d had to give testimony and it had been broadcast on local television—

She lifted her chin. “I wanted to check the status on a report I made a few weeks ago. On Halloween.”

Rodriguez lifted a brow, then went over to the computer at the desk, tapped a few keys. “I don’t see any report with your name on it from that date. What was the charges?”

“Well, I don’t know the legal term. But Jason Morgan assaulted me and threatened my life. I came in that night. I made the report to Lucky Spencer.” She sighed. “I suppose he was distracted with everything that happened after that, you know? He was going to pull tapes from Kelly’s. It happened in the courtyard.”

Rodriguez looked back at her. “Spencer took the report?”

“Yes. I gave him a statement and everything. Do you think it fell through the cracks? I’d understand, of course.”

“Well, if he took the statement, he might not have gotten around to putting it in the computer. Why don’t you come with me, and we’ll get that done now?”

“That’s great. I appreciate this. Thank you so much.”

Sam followed the detective into the interrogation room, careful to keep her expression somber even though she was beaming on the inside.

Sometimes it was almost too easy to cause a little chaos.

Wyndemere: Foyer

Nikolas dragged the heavy front door open, then scowled when he saw his brother on the other side. “Remind me to tell the launch pilot you’re banned from the island,” he muttered. He started to close the door, but Lucky slapped it open.

“What, like you’ve banned Lulu? Nikolas—”

Nikolas just rolled his eyes, stalked back towards the study where he poured himself another drink. “You find out who murdered Emily? Because that’s the only way you’re getting back—”

“You blame me because Emily wasn’t speaking to you at the end. That’s fine. I blame me for it, too. I didn’t reach out, and I made mistake after mistake,” Lucky bit out. “She was my oldest friend, and she could barely look me in the eye the last time I saw her. Do you think that’s easy for me, Nikolas? Do you think that I don’t hate myself for letting it get there?”

“Then why—”

“Because I didn’t know it was the last time I’d see her!” Lucky exploded. “I didn’t know that the last words we’d ever exchange would be angry. It kills me! To know that I was still so damned selfish, such a damned coward, that I couldn’t take a step back and see what I was doing to the people around me—Lulu was so upset by what I’d done she testified against me, and Elizabeth—” His voice broke. “You heard her on the stand, Nikolas. I saw for the first time what I’d done to her, how all of this came back to the things I’d done—”

“So you agree. This is your fault—”

“My actions are my fault. I didn’t call Emily after the custody hearing. I buried myself in work because I thought if I found Georgie’s killer, I’d feel better. I’d feel like a person again, not some damned drug addict who destroyed his family at every turn—” Lucky’s hand fisted as he raised it. “But you don’t get to stand there and act like you’re the only one who lost Emily. We all did—”

“I don’t give a shit about your guilt. I hope you drown in it. Better yet—” Nikolas rummaged around in his desk. “Here. Here—” He threw a bottle at his brother, and it hit the ground, rolled across the floor.

Lucky stared down at the orange bottle, then raised his eyes back to his brother. “What is that?”

“Pain meds I never took after the hostage crisis. Go ahead. Take some pills, Lucky. That’s all you’re good for—”

Lucky crouched down, picked up the bottle. The pills — no more than ten of them — rattled inside. He stared at them. Oxycotin. His drug of choice. They’d made everything go away once. He could float on that sweet wave of nothing. There’d no pain. No guilt. No hurt. No sickness in his stomach. He wouldn’t even remember how hard it had been to go to the penthouse. To see evidence of his sons living there. To remember how the diamond on Elizabeth’s finger had glinted in the light.

He wouldn’t have to remember losing Emily.

“It took a long time for us to become brothers,” Lucky said quietly. He raised his eyes to Nikolas who had gone to the fireplace, was staring into the flames. “Mostly because of me. Because I refused to see past your last name. To look past everything I knew about your family. But Emily made me see you differently. And Elizabeth. They cared about you, so I could see something worth knowing.”

He walked across the room, set the bottle on the desk. Unopened. “They made us brothers, you know. But now they’re gone. Elizabeth can’t stand to look at me, and Emily’s dead. And you and me—we’re done now.”

“Lucky—”

“We’re done.”

Morgan Penthouse: Living Room

Elizabeth pushed open the door, and immediately laughed. “What are you doing?”

Jason, seated on the floor, his back against the arm of the sofa, looked up with a half-pained, half-amused expression. He held Jake around the middle, letting the infant’s legs dangle to the ground. And Cameron was marching up and down in one spot. “Cameron is trying to teach Jake to walk.”

“Walk? He’s still figuring out how to crawl.”

“Mommmy.” Cameron looked at her with an almost pitying expression. “He needs to know how legs work.”

“Uh huh.” Elizabeth tossed her purse and the mail she’d grabbed from the security downstairs on the desk, then dropped down to her knees. “Do you know how you learned?”

“I got up and walked. I very smart, Mommy.”

“You are.” She reached for Jake and Jason released him. “But babies have to figure out all their body parts. So first—” She laid Jake on his tummy, and immediately he squawked. “He’ll learn how to pull himself around and develop his muscles.”

“That takes too long.” Cameron scowled. “Tell him to learn faster.”

“Oh, okay, we’ll try that.”

Jake, still unhappy about being dumped on the floor, raised himself on his tiny fists, then seemed to pause as his little palms flattened against the floor.

“Hey, Jake.” His head twisted to look at her. Elizabeth gestured with her hands, beckoning towards her. “Can you come here? Come here.”

Jake furrowed his brow, looking so much like his father, then he wiggled his body, and then—he moved. He rocked and wiggled, dragging himself towards his mother. Elizabeth clapped. “That’s it!”

“He’s like a worm,” Cameron said, a bit mystified. He wiggled his own body. “See? Just like that—”

But it worked, and Jake reached Elizabeth. She scooped him up in her arms, hugging and kissing his face. “That’s my baby. Now—” She set him back on his tummy, and he grunted, unhappy. “Go to Daddy.”

Jason grinned. “Jake?”

At the sound of the familiar, deeper voice, Jake twisted his head. Then his face broke out in a grin that seemed to match his father. Jason held out his hands. “Jake.”

He wiggled his little body until he reached Jason who did the same as Elizabeth, scooping him up. Elizabeth beamed. “He’s scooting!”

Cameron shook his head, as if sad for them. He wasn’t impressed by his little brother. “I go play. This not fun.” He rolled his eyes and headed for his toy bin. Jason got to his feet, setting Jake at his side so he could haul Elizabeth up.

“He’s not impressed, but I am—” Elizabeth kissed Jake’s face again, then leaned up to kiss Jason. “Hey.”

“Hey. I tried to get Cameron interested in that earlier, but maybe we needed two adults.” Jason stroked Jake’s back. “I remember the first time Michael moved on his own. I wasn’t even sure how it happened, but—”  He looked down at his son and Jake touched his face. “Do you think he’ll skip walking and go straight to running like Cam?”

“God help us.” Elizabeth laughed, then started to sort through her mail. Her smile faded as she took in a manila envelope with the court house as a return address.

“What is it?” Jason asked, watching her open the envelope.

“Official divorce papers,” Elizabeth said. “It’ll be final on November 28.” She sighed. “All of that seems like a lifetime ago, doesn’t it?” But it had only been three weeks since the custody hearing. Two weeks since they’d lost Emily. She exhaled slowly. “Diane left me a message, too, while I was at work. Adoption paperwork was accepted. They’re going to be in touch to schedule a homestudy.”

“You okay?”

“Yeah. Yeah.” She flashed him a smile, then touched Jake’s shoulder. “It’s just…Robin and I were talking the day of the funeral, and it’s…it sneaks up on you. Life keeps moving forward, and you feel guilty. Because I have this gorgeous baby who is doing something new every day, and I have you, and you’re perfect. And Cam. And I just—I want Emily to be here, too. And she won’t be.” She swiped at her face, turned away, so that Jake didn’t see her.

Jason wrapped an arm around her shoulders, drawing her back against his chest. He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “I want her here, too.”

“I want a small wedding,” she murmured. “Just you and me and our families. I don’t need a party. Or a celebration. Or even a dress. And no maid of honor.” She turned to look at him. “Because that’s supposed to be Emily. Is that—is that okay?”

“That’s fine. I just want to be married to you. But Emily wouldn’t want you to give up anything you wanted—”

“I’m not. I just want you and the boys and the people who love us. That’s all I need.” She slid her arm around his waist, tucked herself into his side. “Before Christmas. Okay?”

“Yeah, that’s fine. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

+26

Written in 61 minutes.

PCPD: Commissioner’s Office

“We’re still waiting on full toxicology reports,” Robert began, handing a copy to Mac, then to Lucky, “but we have the full autopsy now for both.” He sat across from his brother, slid on his reading glasses. “I wanted to talk about the ways in which the crimes were similar and how they were different to see if we can add anything to the profile we’re developing.”

Lucky skimmed the report. “I’m not seeing anything new. Is there something I’m missing?”

“Only if you compare it to our first case.” Robert cleared his throat. “We have Georgie and Chelsea walking on the path. The cord is found around Chelsea’s neck, which indicated she was the second victim. Her alcohol levels were much higher than Georgie. Our killer attacked Georgie first — the more alert of the two. Chelsea likely wouldn’t have known anything was wrong until she was grabbed as well.” Robert flipped through the photographs in his folder. “Compare these defensive wounds.”

Mac braced himself, took a deep breath. “Okay. Chelsea didn’t fight as hard.”

“I’m sorry, Mac—”

“No. No, I can do this.” He scraped his hand down the side of his face. “That makes sense. The only way to attack a pair of women on your own is to incapacitate one of them.”

“He would have had to follow them,” Lucky said, and they both looked at him. “How else would he have known which girl to grab first? He wasn’t laying in wait for them at that location. He followed them there, and attacked as soon as he was outside of the camera angle. Which means he knows the cameras on campus.”

“Now, we come to the parking garage. He also knows those camera angles,” Robert continues. “Because his face is never seen. I don’t believe in blind luck twice over. He knew the shift changes. Our guy has access to both locations. Again, we knew this. But it’s the way he had access. Not just anyone is going to know about the security in each location.”

“That’s true,” Mac said. “What about the new case? We know he knocked both women out—”

“But not unconscious. That’s what we’ve learned from the full autopsy. Leyla Mir was knocked fully unconscious. The wound to Emily would have only dazed her, but it was enough to get her off her feet.” Robert set out the photographs of the hands. “Leyla has no defensive wounds. Emily’s are more consistent with Chelsea. There were skin cells, but not in the amount we found on our first two girls.”

“Why kill in pairs?” Mac murmured. “What’s the significance of that? And what’s their connection? Physically, yes, they’re all under the age of 30 with dark hair, but that doesn’t feel like enough.”

“I’d say it was the location,” Robert said, “but it wouldn’t explain why it’s two. It would be far simpler to go after just one. In order to get pairs, he has to either target specific women or lay in wait for the right women. And we know he stalked Georgie and Chelsea leading up to the murder.”

“The campus is big,” Lucky said, and they looked at him again. “Spread out. Georgie and Chelsea had classes in different buildings. The only time he’d be able to find them together at night would be going into the dorm or coming from a party. He sent flowers to the dorm room to test security. He probably thought it would be funny to send fresh, then dead ones. But I think it was the deliveries themselves that were important. Security’s not great, but it’s a well-lit entrance at night. He couldn’t have done anything to them there.”

Lucky paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts. “The cell phone calls. We thought maybe it was to lure Georgie from the party — but maybe it’s simpler than that.” He looked at Robert. “Couldn’t he have been tracking them? We have both their phones in evidence. Did we look for viruses or anything else?”

“I can make a call and get a more detailed report.” Mac snatched up the phone. “That last call from the party. If he was tracking them—”

“He’d know where they were to follow them. And Georgie and Chelsea always went to parties together. Anyone following them would know that.”

“He doesn’t need to use the same methods at the hospital,” Robert realized. “It’s one building. And keeping track of staff is easier. You can just ask at the lobby where a doctor works. And most of the time, they work in the same place. All you’d need is their schedule. If you already have access to the hospital security, getting that isn’t hard. Then it’s just a matter of picking your moment. So we’re not looking for stalker who escalates to murder.”

“It’s more random. He’s picking his victims,” Mac said, “because they fit something for him. But it’s not—it’s not about me. Robin and Georgie being related to me — it’s just incidental.”

“We’ll focus on the hospital and finding anyone who might have had access to the campus. It’ll be faster.” Robert got to his feet. “And I think maybe we need to talk about women not traveling alone or in pairs—”

“The mayor will never go for that,” Mac said with a quick shake of his head. “We need to narrow his profile — let’s start looking at our victims and seeing what links them.”

Quartermaine Estate: Pool House

Dillon sorted through the clothes in his suitcase, looking for a clean shirt. He considered actually unpacking since he’d decided to stay home through Christmas, but —

He turned at the knock at the door, and headed down the hallway to let in Lulu and Spinelli. “Hey. What are you guys doing here?”

“Bored.” Lulu flopped on his sofa. “Thought you’d entertain me.”

“The Jackal would like to inquire about Conflicted Film Major’s film collection.” Spinelli dug into his satchel, took out a thick book. “Specifically adaptations of this.”

“Moby Dick—” Dillon frowned. “I don’t know if I have anything—” He went over to the DVD cabinet, started to flick through it. “There’s the 1956 version. It’s not  that faithful, but you’re welcome to try it—”

“Why do you have that? Do you really have all the movies?” Lulu went to the cabinet. “What’s the most obscure movie you own?”

Dillon shrugged, handed the DVD to Spinelli. “I hope it helps.”

“Anything’s better than the book,” he muttered. “But Stone Cold insists that the Jackal obtain his degree, and not even the Fair Elizabeth will take up my case.”

“It’s kind of cute really,” Lulu said as she thumbed through the variety of DVDs and VHS tapes. “He’s like your dad. Like if Jason and Elizabeth had you as a teenagers or something. Or maybe it’s more like brothers. Yeah, like Jason’s your older brother who got stuck with raising you when your parents died—”

“When you’re done writing Spinelli’s life story, we can pick something to watch it.” Dillon offered. He looked at Spinelli. “It’s cool, though, that they care. Better than having no one at all.”

“This is true,” Spinelli acknowledged, even though he looked a bit wistful. Maybe he wished he really was Jason’s kid brother or something. “Thank you for the loan. The Jackal will take excellent care and return it in impeccable condition.”

Morgan Penthouse: Guest Room

Elizabeth made a face, then shook her head. “No, I think the glare of the computer screen will be too much if we put the desk there—”

Jason sighed, then let the corner of the desk drop to the carpeted floor. “Okay. So where do you want it?”

“Over by this wall—”

Right where she’d wanted it ten minutes ago, but Jason said nothing as he lifted it again. She pushed from her side, and they finally had the last piece of furniture set up. Elizabeth scrutinized the room, then went to straight out of the duvet cover on the new double bed. “You said your tech guy would be over to set up the workstation?”

“Yeah. He said it was top of the line—” Jason folded his arms. “Was there anything else you wanted to do?”

“No. I already put his clothes in the dresser and the closet. He can add on if he wants, but I think this is better.” Elizabeth scanned the room, then went to fuss with the gray curtains. “Do you think he’ll like it?”

“I think he’ll miss complaining about the pink room.”

She smiled, then looked at him over her shoulder. “Why’d you put him in that room anyway?”

“Because it’s where I put people who annoy me,” Jason muttered, then winced. “Not you.”

“I should hope not.” Elizabeth fussed with the curtains again. “It was the only other bed in the penthouse then, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah.” He came up behind her, drew her back against him, sliding his arms around her waist. “And it was closer than my bedroom that night, so—” He kissed her neck and she shivered.

“Don’t start that,” Elizabeth said, sliding away from him. “You have that guy coming over for the computer, and then we have to pick up the boys from Monica before Spinelli gets home.”

Jason made a face, but followed her out of the room, closing the door firmly in case Spinelli came home early. It had been Elizabeth’s idea to redesign the last guest room for the kid, but he was oddly looking forward to the reveal. Spinelli had been an annoying thorn in his side since the beginning, but at some point, he’d started to enjoy the hacker’s presence. And it went without saying that he’d been invaluable over the last two weeks, spending extra time with the boys.

No, a room that was just Spinelli’s was the least he deserved.

General Hospital: Staff Room

“What do you mean, no?”

Robin made a face, and closed her locker to reveal Patrick’s bewildered face. “You know that word. You’ve heard it before—”

“Don’t get smart with me,” he muttered. “Why won’t you move in? Did I do something wrong? I said something wrong.” Patrick went to his locker, pulled out a book with a pregnant woman on the cover. “The book said that I had to be careful—”

She scowled. “How many of those do you have?” She snatched it away from him.

“As many as I could find in the bookstore,” Patrick said, tugging it back. “And it says that mood swings and irritability are common. Plus, you’re more sensitive, so I have to be careful what I say—which I think I’m going to mess up—” He skimmed the page again, looking so frazzled that some of her frustration eased.

Some, not all.

“Patrick, we weren’t living together before I got pregnant. Why do you think we’d start now?”

“Because—” He frowned, looked back up. “Because. You’re going to need me. There’s cravings in the middle of the night. And cramps. And you’ll want a back massage—”

“Okay. I’m two months pregnant, not eight.” She took the book again, closed it, set it on the bench behind her. “I appreciate that you’re going all in. I really do. But Patrick—” She paused. “That doesn’t mean we’re…back together.”

“It—” He closed his mouth. “But we broke up because you wanted to have kids. Now we’re having a kid. Why—”

“We broke up because we wanted a different future. Yes, now I’m pregnant. Yes, now we’re having a child. But you didn’t ask for this—”

“But—”

“And you’re trying really hard and I appreciate that. But that doesn’t mean I’m ready to—” Robin bit her lip. “You might not want to be a full-time father, you know? You said you didn’t want kids, and right now, you’re trying. But if you change your mind, where does that leave me, you know?”

Patrick swallowed hard. “But—”

“I’m not doing this to hurt you,” Robin said gently. “I’m not. It’s just—it’s been a lot these last few months. We broke up, and then Georgie and Emily and Leyla, and now this—when and if I move in Patrick, it’s not because I’m pregnant. Okay? It’ll will us planning a future together.”

“But I want that now—”

“And I’m not sure I trust it.” She folded her arms, looked away. “You said it before, but it turned out our ideas of futures were different. What if I want more kids? You didn’t even want one—”

“But it’s different now—”

“Because it’s new. Because of that night, and that I could have been with Emily—” She shook her head. “I just—I don’t see the harm in letting things settle, okay? And you don’t have to worry. I live with an OB. Kelly will take care of anything I need.” She checked her watch. “I have rounds. I’ll come up later. We have that meeting with David Hawthorne later to talk about his treatment.”

“Yeah, okay.” He exhaled slowly. “Okay. I’ll talk to you later.” He put the book back in his locker, closed it, and left.

Robin bit her lip, unsure if she’d handled that well, but then followed him. Nothing she could do about it now.

Morgan Penthouse: Living Room

Spinelli was reading the back of the DVD when he came home that night — and didn’t realize that the living room was full until he heard Cameron squeal his name. His head popped up and he blinked at seeing Jason and Elizabeth and both of the boys by the sofa, like they’d been—

Well, like they’d been waiting for him.

“Uh, hello. The Jackal is happy to see all the Stone Colds in one spot.” He put the DVD in his bag. “Did I miss a party or something?”

“We gots to show you something, Snelli. Mommy said I could.” Cameron bounced up and down. “Can we show you?”

“Show—” Spinelli furrowed his brow. “Okay, Little Dude.” He held out his hand, expecting to be dragged over to the toy bin, but instead Cameron raced towards the steps and Spinelli had to jog to keep up.

They head to the second floor, Spinelli aware of Jason and Elizabeth following behind. Instead of stopping at the first bedroom — Spinelli’s room — Cameron kept going until they reached the last empty room in the penthouse.

“Here.” Cameron released his hand, grinned broadly. “I showed you.”

“Little Dude has shown me a most bodacious door,” Spinelli said, frowning. He looked at Jason. “Stone Cold?”

“You might want to open it.” Jason adjusted Jake in his arms, shifting him to the other side.

“All right—” Spinelli pushed it open, then just stared. The room had a thick cream-colored carpet, that wasn’t new. But the double bed with red and gray blankets and pillows, the dresser—and a huge L-shaped desk with—

Spinelli walked towards the computer, his eyes wide. Then he looked around again, taking in the smaller details. There was a cluster of photographs he’d had hidden in a shoebox in his room. He and his grandmother. A trio shot of him, Chelsea, and Georgie, and an empty frame— He frowned, went to pick it up.

“We were hoping you might want to put this one in there—” He turned, and Elizabeth held out a photo.

It had been taken on Halloween, the last photo of the night. Spinelli on the sofa with the boys, holding Jake in his lap. Jason sitting on his other side, an arm slung casually over the back of the sofa. Spinelli’s eyes burned, and he looked at Jason. “You made me a room.”

“Well, you’ve been here almost a year,” Jason said, a bit uncomfortably. “Elizabeth thought—and so did I—that you should have a room that’s yours.”

“You made such a great room for the boys.” Elizabeth took his arm, kissed his cheek. “And you’ve made them feel at home. Me, too. You can change anything you want. I wasn’t sure of your favorite colors, but Lu thought maybe this would be okay.”

“The Blonde One?” Spinelli frowned. “Is that why she invited the Jackal to leave today?”

“She was a big help. Do you like it?”

“Yes.” Spinelli took a deep breath and put the new photo in the final empty frame, setting it by the others. “The Jackal is overwhelmed.” It was like having a real home again. And maybe really was home now. He looked at Jason. “The generosity of the Stone Colds has rendered the Jackal speechless.”

“Wasn’t sure that possible,” Jason said, but his eyes were smiling. Spinelli knew how to look for that. “We’ll leave you to look around. Pizza’s coming.”

“And orange soda,” Cameron said, tugging Spinelli’s arm. “And we gots the corn chips you like.”

“Thank you.” Spinelli ruffled Cameron’s curls and was rewarded with a beaming smile. “The Jackal is very grateful.”

They cleared the room and Spinelli just looked around, ran his hands over the high-end computer work station — oh the magic, he’d be able to do. Then looked at the photos again, at Georgie and Chelsea. He picked up the frame, smiling sadly, but then looked at the new photo. At his family.

+26

Written in 65 minutes.

General Hospital: Hallway

“Hey, I didn’t know you were coming back today.”

Elizabeth finished the notation on the patient’s chart, then slid it into the slot on the door before answering Patrick. “Dr. Ford didn’t really leave me much choice.”

She headed back to the nurse’s station and Patrick fell into step beside her. “He didn’t consider Emily to be a member of my immediate family.”

“He’s an ass,” Patrick muttered, leaning against the counter.

“Yeah, well—” Elizabeth sighed, reached for a new chart. “I couldn’t go through the parking garage. One of Jason’s guards had to drop me off like a kid at school.” She exhaled slowly. “I wasn’t even sure I’d be able to come back today. To work—” She shook her head. “After we came to identify—anyway. It’s probably a good thing,” she admitted, flicking the end of her pen to fix the ink supply. “Jason and I were just walking around looking like ghosts. We both needed a distraction.”

“How’s Cam taking it?”

Elizabeth bit her lip, stared hard at the insurance form. “We told him the day of the services, and he cried. But then he asked her the next day. And again yesterday — and this morning—it’s like he knows there’s something important about her but he can’t wrap his head around the answer.” She paused. “I can’t blame him. I’m an adult, and I can’t handle it.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s hard to explain it over and over to him, and know it won’t be the last time. But there’s also the other side — he’s asking because he loves and misses her. He remembers her right now. There’s going to be day when she’s nothing more than a face in the photographs. And Jake won’t know her at all.” She closed her eyes. “It kills me. She loved them so much — she was Cam’s aunt before Jason and I were even talking again, and now she never gets—”

She sighed. “But that’s enough about me. I’m glad I ran into you. Did Robin tell you we talked at the church?”

“Ah, yeah.” Patrick rubbed the back of his neck. “So you, uh, know.”

“I do.” She folded her arms leaned over the counter towards him. “And how are we feeling? And remember — judgment-free zone.”

He gestured over to the waiting area. “Can we—” She followed him over and sat next to him on the sofa. “Truthfully, I don’t know how anyone lets a pregnant woman out of their sight. You think I could get my office moved downstairs in the cubicle next to her?”

“Patrick.”

“You think I’m kidding,” he muttered. “Okay, so I think it wouldn’t surprise you to know that I was already…” He frowned. “Revising my stance on the idea of having kids. Or at least open to it.”

“No, this does not surprise me.  You were collecting information.”

He eyed her, as if waiting for the joke, but when she said nothing further, he nodded. “Yes. And Robin told me that the only reason she didn’t go out with Emily that night is because she stayed back to run the test.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “It’s a hell of a thing. She’s only alive because she’s pregnant. Which doesn’t help the nightmares because now I’m thinking what if she’d gone anyway, and then that’s how I find out? That’s how I find out I could have been a father, but now I can’t because I—”

“Hey.” Elizabeth put a hand on his forearm. “But that’s not how you found out. Robin stayed behind. She’s here.”

“I don’t know if that messed with how I would have handled the news,” Patrick continued. “Maybe I would have been upset or mad or disappointed, I don’t know. But instead I just—I was so damned grateful that I forgot to be scared for a minute. But then it kicked in, and now I’m just—what if I’m bad at it?”

“Are you really worried you’ll be a bad father?” Elizabeth asked gently. “Robin told me you already had a plan to practice—”

“Yeah, but—” Patrick took a deep breath. “What if I don’t love them the way I’m supposed to? What if the baby starts to kick, and I don’t feel the connection? Or I hold the baby for the first time, and I don’t feel anything?”

“What if the sky turns orange? Patrick. All you can do is your best. That’s it. You love Robin, and she loves you. You start there, and you see where it takes you.” Elizabeth tipped her head. “Are you really worried you won’t love your child?”

“I—I don’t know. I just—people talk about it. And they talk about how much they love their kid — and I don’t know. I’ve never felt love at first sight. I don’t even believe in it—”

“I don’t know. I never—I mean, I carried my boys. It’s hard to say. I—you could talk to Mac about this. Or Jason—”

“I couldn’t. I don’t want Robin to worry.” Patrick looked at Elizabeth. “She wants this so much, and I love her, and she’s still breathing, so I’m going to do everything the way I’m supposed to, and I’ll just—I guess, I’ll have to trust it’ll work out.”

“I believe in you, but you can always come to me with your doubts.” She kissed his cheek. “Now I better get back to work.”

Spencer House: Porch

Lucky was already grimacing as he swung the door open. “What do you want?” he demanded.  He put up a hand. “And don’t even bother. You’re not coming in.”

Sam scowled and folded her arms. “I just wanted to offer my condolences. I know how close you and Emily were—”

“Uh huh. Try another one,” Lucky offered. He leaned against the door jamb. “It’s been six days since she died. You took your time.”

“Well, I didn’t really know how to say anything. You were mad at me the last time we talked—”

“The last time we talked you called me a son of a bitch and trashed my desk. So let’s try this again. Why are you here?”

Sam pressed her lips together, then nodded. “All right, I was coming to ask if you pulled those tapes?” At his mystified look, she continued, “From Kelly’s. On Halloween—”

“You mean, the bullshit report you tried to make so I’d arrest Jason in front of the kids. No, I didn’t. You didn’t make a statement. You’re really here to ask me about your case?” Lucky snorted. “You’re a goddamn lunatic, do you know that? Get a life and stay away from me.” He slammed the door in her face.

Morgan Penthouse: Living Room

“Hey, man.” Sonny hugged Jason lightly then stepped back. “How are you holding up?”

“Uh, okay, I guess.” Jason leaned down to grab the remote that had somehow ended up in Jake’s hand as he giggled, his bouncy seat squeaking as the six-month-old moved up and down. “The kids are distracting.”

“Yeah, I can see that—” Sonny grinned as Jason abandoned Jake and grabbed Cameron just as he was about to catapault off the bottom step.

“What did we talk about?” he asked Cam. The toddler blinked at him with some surprise.

“No jump from high places. Mommy says I human boy,” Cameron told Sonny. “Not Spiderman. So not high.” He gestured to the bottom step. “See? I bigger.”

“Kid should be a lawyer,” Sonny said. “Loopholes.”

“Last thing I need is to teach him to argue better,” Jason said. “He’s too good at it already.” He looked Cameron again who just grinned. “Okay, so you’re right. How about no jumping from the stairs at all?”

Cameron sighed. “Never ever?”

“No.”

“But what if it’s fun?”

“No.”

Cameron looked at Sonny again, almost beleaguered. “Daddy follows rules. Very annoying.” Turning his attention back to Jason, he nodded. “Okay. No steps.”

“Okay.” Jason set him back on his feet, and Cameron headed over to bedevil his brother in the bouncy seat.

“Daddy?” Sonny said. “That’s new.”

“Yeah, he’s getting—” Jason couldn’t stop looking at the boys, fighting the urge to smile as Cameron dangled a stuffed animal just close enough for Jake to touch only to drag it away at the last minute. “He’s getting more comfortable with it.”

“That’s good.”

“Uh, Elizabeth and I were talking.” Jason leaned against the desk. “About getting back into a normal routine. I’m ready to come back to the warehouse and, you know, uh, work.”

Sonny nodded. “Okay. Well, you know, a lot of the warehouse stuff — that can be done from home if you want to keep doing that. Bernie can get you all set up.” He folded his arms. “And I’ll get you back on the shipments. But it’s still pretty quiet. Let’s enjoy it while we can.”

PCPD: Commissioner’s Office

“All right, so I’ve completed interviews with Leyla Mir’s family—” Robert sat across from his brother’s desk. “And I’ve looked over her phone records. At this point, I don’t see any evidence that she was getting any kind of attention like Georgie was. No hangups, no flowers. Nothing out of the ordinary.”

“You think Spencer was right? That it was collecting information?”

“Maybe. Could be the guy was experimenting with his first…” Robert winced. “Well, it could be that he was refining his, uh, methods. We won’t know for sure unless there’s another victim.”

“I—”

“Not hoping for it, just stating a fact. Spencer said he’d follow up with Elizabeth about Emily. Did he do that yet?”

“No, he said he was going to try do it today. Robin said she didn’t get anything like that, so if she was a target — it’s not the same way.” Mac sighed. “So we have nothing except the possibility that he had access to the campus and the hospital.”

“Still waiting on that DNA match to come back. I’m sorry, Mac—”

“You can’t make evidence appear where it doesn’t already exist.” Mac dragged his hands down his face. “Praying for a miracle. Just where we were a week ago. Two more victims, and nothing to show for it. How the hell can this happen, Robert?”

“I wish I knew. We won’t give up, Mac. You have my word on that.”

Morgan Penthouse: Living Room

“Fair Elizabeth,” Spinelli said. “The Jackal beseeches you to intervene with Stone Cold.” He  folded his legs on the chair, reached for his orange soda from the coffee table. “The Jackal does not need an extended educational experience—”

Elizabeth smiled, then gently bounced Jake in her lap. “Jason wants you to have options, Spinelli. And college is good for you. I wish I had stuck with it. I ended up in the nursing program at GH, so I never finished.” She sighed. “Not that I could have done anything with an art degree, but it would have been nice.”

“But—”

“You’re halfway through after this year, Spinelli. Why not just finish so you don’t have regrets later? Is this English that bad?”

“No, but Moby Dick is,” Spinelli muttered. “The Jackal does not enjoy reading.” He held up the giant book. “Have you?”

“I think it was assigned when I was—” She stopped. “I think it was assigned in my high school English class. Junior year. Mr. Murty. I don’t think I actually read it, but there were some Spark Notes online—” The phone on the desk rang, and she went over to answer it, propping Jake on her  hip.

“Hello?”

“It’s Wally on the front desk, Miss Webber. Uh, Detective Spencer says he has some questions about, um, Miss Quartermaine. For you and Jason.”

“Oh.” Elizabeth bit her lip. “Okay, um, send him up.” She hung up the phone, looked at Spinelli. “Can you take Jake and go upstairs to tell Jason that Lucky is on his way up with questions about Emily’s case? And, um, maybe you could keep Cam upstairs until he’s gone?”

“The Jackal is happy to be of assistance in keeping Little Dude safe and secure. Come forth, Stone Cold the Sequel—” Spinelli retrieved Jake and they headed upstairs.

A few moments later, there was a knock at the door. Elizabeth glanced upstairs, then went to open it. “Lucky.”

He remained outside. “Hey. Um, I know—I know I can’t come in because—I mean we don’t—”

“It’s fine. The boys are upstairs. Spinelli just went to get Jason.” Elizabeth stepped aside to let Lucky in. “They’ll just stay upstairs. You wouldn’t have come over if it wasn’t important. Did—did you find him?”

“I wish,” Lucky murmured. He glanced around the penthouse, taking in the evidence of the boys. The playpen, the bouncy seat, a scattering of toys—he faced Elizabeth. “No. I just had a few questions about what was going on with Emily. Trying—” he stopped as Jason jogged down the stairs.

“Lucky said he had a few questions,” Elizabeth told him, and she bit her lip. “I mean, we could call Diane if you want to—”

“Do you think we need to?” Jason asked Lucky.

“No. No. I don’t know. I mean, you can—but it’s just background.” Lucky cleared his throat. “Um, I didn’t get to—I didn’t get to tell you how sorry I am,” he said to Jason. “About—Emily. I know how close—” He shook his head. “This sucks so much,” he muttered. He dragged a hand down his cheek. “Okay. We’re following a theory that one or both of the victims in each attack was being targeted. You know about what happened with Georgie. The flowers, the calls.”

“Yeah,” Jason said with a short nod.

“Did Emily have any complaints along those lines? Strange phone calls, being followed?” Lucky wanted to know. “Any chance that she was experiencing something similar?”

“No. No. And she would have said something. I told her about Spinelli, about going to the police. She came over that day while you and Spinelli were downtown,” she reminded Jason. To Lucky, she continued, “She knew that it was part of Georgie’s case. She never said anything to me.”

“Or me, but she wouldn’t have,” Jason admitted. “She usually waited until the last minute to bring me in on those kinds of things.”

Because Lucky remembered all too well the times Emily had kept Jason in the dark, he nodded. “I figured, but it had to be asked.”

“I don’t know what’s worse. Thinking that they were targeted or that it was random.” Elizabeth rubbed her shoulder absently, and her ring must have caught the light because she saw Lucky’s eyes drop to it, then he looked away. “I’m sorry. I wish we knew more—”

“No, it’s okay. Uh, it was a long shot. And we needed to rule it out. I can do that now. Emily would have said something to one of us, I think. Or Nikolas. And she didn’t.” He cleared his throat. “So, uh, thanks. If you think of anything—”

“Yeah. Yeah.” Elizabeth opened the door, and he left. She looked at Jason. “Well, that was awkward.” She twisted her ring. “But I’m glad, I guess. That we could—I don’t know. That we could help. Even a little.”

“Yeah.” Jason drew her into his arms, and she held on tight. “How was work?” he asked her.

“Hard. I don’t know if I’ll ever feel good about using the parking garage again. And it was strange being on shift when she wasn’t.” Elizabeth sighed, then stepped away. “But I ran into Patrick, and we had a really good talk. I didn’t—did Robin get a chance to talk to you at the church?”

“No, is she okay?” Jason took Elizabeth’s hand, led her over to the sofa. “I knew they broke up—”

“I guess not all the way. She’s pregnant. She found out that night,” she added when Jason’s eyes opened wider. “That’s why she was still at the hospital. She was supposed to be with Emily. In that parking garage. But she thought she was pregnant, so she stayed back to run the test.”

“Oh, man.” Jason raked a hand through his hair. “But pregnant — that’s good, right?”

“For her, yes. Patrick is nervous. He wasn’t sure about having kids. He’s scared he won’t love them the way he’s supposed to. I think being scared is probably a good sign that he already does, but he’s not ready to listen to that yet.” She tipped her head. “Maybe you could talk to him. I mean, you fell in love with Michael when he wasn’t even yours. And you know, you held Jake when he was born.”

“You want me to talk to Patrick?” Jason asked skeptically.

“I can see that’s not happening.” Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “I just—I don’t know. I carried Jake, so I don’t know if it’s different for mothers. What was it like to hold him?”

Jason considered the question, and she worried it wasn’t a fair one. After all, he’d held him that day thinking he’d never claim him. “Strange,” Jason said finally and she frowned. “Not bad. Just—you know, I’d watched him grow — I remember when you weren’t showing, and I saw you all the time, and I felt him kick—” He stared at his hands. “But then he was there. And I was holding him. He was part of me. And you. We made him together. And I don’t know if that’s why I loved him so much. I wanted him from the beginning. Even when he was just an idea. But to feel the weight of him—” Jason exhaled slowly. “It’s not something I can put into words. One minute, he was still with you, and then he was in my arms. He was real. And I knew I’d never love anything or anyone the same way again.”

“I’m glad you got to have that moment.” She reached forward, her thumb brushing a tear that had slid down his cheek. “For all the time you lost, you got that moment. I won’t apologize, I know it irritates you. But I’m glad we got to have a few minutes in the hospital. Just the three of us.”

“Me, too.” He kissed her lightly. “If you want me to try to talk to Patrick, I will,” he said, though it was pained.

“It’s fine. We’ll let it go for now. I’m happy for her. For him, too. He’s got so much love inside of him, I think it scares him. It’s going to be really fun to watch him learn how to be a dad.” She squeezed his arm. “Now, we should probably go get the boys before Cameron convinces Spinelli to help him climb something.”

+24

Written in 56 minutes.

Quartermaine Estate: Family Room

After getting the call that the house was mostly clear of mourners, Jason and Elizabeth headed over to the mansion with both boys. Jason left Elizabeth to remove Cameron’s coat in the foyer and went in first, with Jake in his arms.

Monica, seated on the sofa, jumped to her feet, her eyes almost desperate though she smiled. “You’re here. I wasn’t sure—I almost thought—” She glanced around him. “Where’s—”

“Elizabeth is behind me. We, uh, told Cameron,” Jason said. “I don’t know how much he understands. He might ask for her—”

“Oh. Oh.” Monica clasped her hands, looked at Edward who had also risen to his feet. “All right. We’ll handle that—is this—” She pressed a hand to her mouth. “Oh, Jason. He looks just like you.”

“That’s what Elizabeth says.” Jason rubbed Jake’s back. “Jake, this is…” He glanced at Monica. “Do you want to be Grandma or—”

“Anything is fine. I’ll—” Monica nodded. “Anything.”

“Okay, this is Grandma Monica,” Jason said. He set Jake in his mother’s arms. The infant fussed for a moment until he realized his father wasn’t going anywhere, then he turned and focused his blue eyes on the woman holding him.

“Oh, Edward, do you see?” Monica beamed, looked at her father-in-law. “Just like Jason. And those are—”

“Lila’s eyes.” Edward nodded. “He’s beautiful,” he told Jason.

“I know—” Jason thought Jake actually looked more like Elizabeth, but he might be biased. He turned when he heard footsteps. Elizabeth appeared, holding Cameron by the hand. He’d cried for a while when they’d been at home, but then he’d seemed to bounce back.

“Hey, buddy.” Jason lifted Cameron in his arms, and Cam immediately ducked his head down, pressing against Jason’s chest, a little more shy than he usually was around strangers. Elizabeth came to his side, stroked her son’s back.

“Hey, Cam. We wanted you to meet people who are very important to me and Jason,” Elizabeth said.

“Important?” Cameron repeated. He peeked out to Edward. “Why?”

“This is my mother—” Jason pointed at Monica. “And that’s my grandfather.”

“Grandfather,” Cameron repeated. “Like grandma Audrey?”

“Yeah. Like Grandma Audrey. That’s your mother’s grandmother.” Jason hesitated. “This is Aunt Emily’s mom and grandfather, too.”

“Aunt Em.” Cameron rubbed his eyes, looked at Edward. “You know Aunt Em?”

“I do—I did,” Edward said, correcting himself. “She talked about you a lot. It’s nice to finally meet you, Cameron.”

“I Cameron Hardy Webber. Mommy says I named for my grandfathers,” Cameron reported.

“That’s a fine name. A good strong one. Your mother chose your name well.”

“Mommy very smart. Aunt Em is the wind now. Mommy said. And Jase says we can’t see her anymore.” Cameron paused. “I don’t like that.”

“Me either.”

“That’s my brother.” Cameron pointed at Jake. “Jase’s his daddy. Not mine, though.” He furrowed his brow, looked at Jason. “Where did my daddy go?”

“He had to work,” Jason said, a bit roughly.

“Oh. Yeah. My daddy had to go to work forever. Did Aunt Em have to go to work? Is that why she’s the wind now?”

Jason inhaled sharply, traded troubled glances with Elizabeth, hating that Cameron was pushing Lucky and Emily together in his head.

“Sometimes people have to leave us,” Edward said. “And we don’t always know why. It’s not fair, is it?”

“No. I don’t like it.”

“Neither do I.”

Cameron sighed and laid his head back against Jason’s chest. “I okay. Jase said I got him. And I got Mommy and Jake. And Aunt Em is the wind, and it’s always windy, so she always there. Right, Mommy?”

“That’s right.” Elizabeth gently took Cameron into her arms. “And I have a really good idea, Cam. A way for you—for all us to keep feeling like Aunt Em is with us. She was Jason’s little sister. Just like Jake is your brother. You know that?”

“Yeah.”

“And Jason’s family is Jake’s family,” Elizabeth continued. “I think, if we ask really nice, you and I could be part of that family, too.”

Cameron frowned at her. “Yeah?” He looked at Edward, then at Monica, still holding Jake, then finally at Jason. “You want me and Mommy?”

“More than anything,” Jason said. “You already are my family. I want to share mine with you both.”

“Oh.” Cameron considered this. “Yes. Okay. What do I do?”

“Nothing. You just have to be you, and let us love you.” Jason said. He took Cam back from Elizabeth. “This is my grandfather, so he can be yours, too. And my mother can be your grandmother.” His throat tightened. “And maybe, if you want, I could be your dad.”

Cameron furrowed his little brow. “But daddys go away, don’t they? Do you have a daddy?”

“I did.” Jason took Cameron over to the mantel where there were several photos, including one of Alan. “That’s my dad. He died a few months ago. He’s with Aunt Emily now.”

Cameron studied the photo. “He went away. Just like my daddy.”

“Sometimes you can have two. Monica—” Jason turned, so Cameron could see her. “She was my second mom. I don’t remember my first one. She had to go away. Sometimes people do. And then if we’re lucky, someone can come and help love you.”

“I got a good mommy. Don’t need a second one.”

“No, of course not.” Jason winced. This hadn’t been the right time for this conversation. “And we don’t have to—”

“But I don’t got a daddy now,” Cameron continued, and Jason closed his mouth. “You Jake’s daddy, right?”

“Yes.”

“And he’s my brother.”

“Yes.”

“Okay.” Cameron leaned back against Jason’s chest. “I say yes. Mommy and I pick you.” Jason tightened his arms around him. “Can we pick Snelli, too?”

“Already did,” Elizabeth promised. She kissed the back of Cameron’s head, and smiled at Jason with  tears in her eyes.

Cameron nodded. “Good. Snelli is very good,” he told Edward. “Plays good games and drinks orange soda. Shares his pepperoni.”

“Sounds like some fine traits.” Edward cleared his throat. “Why don’t you come over and we’ll get to know each other? After all, Christmas is coming. You must have some idea what Santa should bring you and your brother.”

Jason nearly snorted as he set Cameron the sofa and he clambered over to sit next to his new grandfather. Trust Edward to cut right to the chase.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know if I should have—” he said to Elizabeth, but she shook her head, touched his shoulder.

“No. No, it was perfect. Emily was already his family. And I know it’ll make it easier for you,” Elizabeth said. She leaned her head against his shoulder, watching Cameron explain all about Spiderman to Edward, and Monica sitting in the armchair, counting Jake’s toes. “This was the right idea. I know it was awkward at first. But it’ll get easier.”

“Yeah. Though we’re going to have to keep an eye on Edward. He’ll have Cam in Harvard before dinner.” And on the fast-track to ELQ by sunset, Jason thought, but the idea just amused him. A few years ago, it would have made him furious. But he knew better now. He’d spent a decade running from his family — so fast and so far that he’d lost the chance to fix it. There would never be more time with Lila or Alan, but at least Emily knew how much he’d loved her.

He didn’t want those regrets with Monica, and he’d learn how to love Edward again. To hold on to Emily, he’d try almost anything.

“I’m going to tell them,” Jason said, suddenly. He reached for Elizabeth’s hand, brushing his fingertip over her ring. “It’ll make her happy. Is that okay?”

“I think that’s a great idea.”

Jason cleared his throat, and both Monica and Edward looked up. “Uh, I wanted to—I mean, Elizabeth and I—I told you I was adopting Cameron, but we also—before—on Halloween,” he added awkwardly.

Deciding to give Jason a break, Elizabeth lifted her left hand and wiggled her fingers so that the ring caught the light. “Jason asked me to marry him,” she said. “And I said yes.”

Monica smiled, her entire face radiating with happiness as she looked at Jason. “Really? Oh, that’s wonderful.” She rose to her feet, carrying Jake over to them so that she could hug Jason. “What lovely news.”

“Congratulations. Steve would be so excited.” Edward kissed Elizabeth’s cheek. “Audrey must be over the moon.”

“More than I thought she would be,” Elizabeth admitted. Cameron clapped his hands, grinning — he probably didn’t really understand but he always responded to the energy in the room.

Monica handed Jake to Edward so she could hug Jason more tightly. “Thank you. Thank you for this.”

“I wasn’t sure if this was the right—”

“No. No—” Monica’s eyes were damp with tears. “No. Emily loved you. She loved you both. And she loved those boys. And this is a good thing. A reminder that life will continue. I needed this. I needed to remember that there’s a future. It’s not right that she won’t be part of it, but you—sharing yours with me—” She hugged him again, and he felt his mother tremble in his arms. “It gives me hope.”

“I love you,” he murmured, and she pulled back, framing his face in her hands. “I know I don’t say it—”

“You don’t have to. You’re a parent, so you know. You love your children, and you send them off into the world.” Monica closed her eyes. “They’ll disappoint you. Make you furious. Worry you. Devastate you. But you always, always love you. Alan never stopped loving you, Jason. I hope you know that.”

“I wish—”

“He’s with us, you know. Always. Just like Emily. And Lila. We’ve just received a brutal mind that life isn’t just short — it’s also not guaranteed. We’ll make the best of what we’re given. No regrets,” she declared. She stepped back, squeezing his hands. Then looked at Elizabeth. “Thank you for sharing your beautiful children with me. For loving my son. For being the best friend my daughter could have asked for.”

“Thank you bringing her to Port Charles.” Elizabeth hugged Monica. “For giving her a second mother to love as much as she’d loved her first. She loved you so much.”

“You’ve chosen a good woman,” Edward told Jason as he came to stand next to Jason. He watched Monica examine Elizabeth’s ring. “I don’t have to tell you that, of course, but it can’t be left unsaid. She was Steve’s favorite.”

Jason frowned, looked at him. “Her grandfather?”

“Yes. He probably never told her that,” Edward admitted. “Steve always played fair, and you don’t mean to have favorite grandchildren. You can love them equally, but—well, there’s something about a granddaughter. Whenever Steve talked about Jeff’s kids, he just brightened when he talked about his little Lizzie. His dreamer who was going to paint the world and bring joy.”

Jason wondered if Elizabeth knew that — her family was such a sore point with her — especially her parents and her siblings. “Emily always defended you,” he found himself saying. “Even when you made her mad, she always told me you meant well. She spent years trying to explain you.”

“I wasn’t sure about Monica and Alan adopting her, bringing her into the family. Giving the Quartermaine name without any blood?” Edward made a face. “Wasn’t to be done. But then she was here, and you learn — well, it’s not about what’s in the blood, is it? She and Lila didn’t share a bit of DNA, but weren’t they the same? The joy, the love, the spirit — she was ours.”

“She was,” Jason murmured. And now she was gone. “That’s what I want for Cameron. The way we loved Emily. How Monica treated me—”

“That’s what we’ll have. Congratulations.” Edward extended his hand, and Jason shook it. “You’ve built a beautiful family. I hope there will be years of happiness ahead of you.”

This was a bit shorter than the other parts, but some of the conversations took a bit longer to write, so I decided not to rush anything. This was also a scene I wasn’t planning to write, but I thought we needed a bit of a break from all the sadness. See you Monday!

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