Took about 60 minutes but my computer keyboard died in the middle, and I had to switch computers — it’s a whole thing. ANYWAY.

Elizabeth fought the urge to pace the small lobby of Davis & Miller, forcing herself instead to remain standing in one place, pretending the print on the wall was the most fascinating piece of art she’d ever seen.

“I’ve seen better in a doctor’s office.”

She jolted at the words, then turned pressing a hand against her chest in relief. “Martin. I’m glad you’re here.”

“I’m not late, am I?” Martin Gray asked, checking his phone.

“No, no.” She shook her head. “No,” she said again. “I’m just nervous. I know I have nothing to worry about it, but it’s just—” She looked past him towards the conference room’s double doors. “It’s so important that I don’t do anything to hurt Jason’s case. Not that there’s—” She made a face. “That came out wrong—”

“It is extremely easy for a skilled attorney to twist even an innocuous statement into an admission of wrongdoing,” Martin told her. “You could try to tell a charming story about Jason and Alexis will pick at a thread that serves her narrative. There are three rules to a deposition. One, tell the truth,” he began, using his fingers to count. “Two, if possible, limit all answers to yes or no. And three, if you must provide detail, offer nothing more than you’re asked. It’s better to be asked a follow-up question looking for specifics than giving too much.”

“I know—”

“And I’ll be right there next to you. I can object to questions which can help strike answers later when a judge rules on it. Elizabeth—” Martin waited for her to look at him. “You’ll do fine. You’re an excellent mother, and Alexis has a long uphill battle if she wants to take custody away from the child’s biological father. This will all be over before you know it.”

—

Laura reached the guest room, stopping at the threshold, inhaling sharply at the sight of her son shoving things into a duffel bag. “So Kevin wasn’t wrong. You are packing.”

Lucky paused for a moment, long enough to look at his mother, before returning to the dresser. “We talked about this, Mom—”

“And we’re going to talk again. How can you possibly think this is the best time for you to leave again?” she demanded. “Aiden has barely gotten used to being home—”

“Then this won’t be a difficult adjustment. He won’t even notice I’m gone—”

“What a perfectly horrible thing to say about your own son. Of course he’ll notice.” Laura gritted her teeth. “Is this because of what happened at Elizabeth’s? What Jake told Aiden—”

“You know, Mom—” Lucky stopped with a beleaguered sigh. “I would think you of all people would understand. I made some mistakes and now my kid is using it as a reason not to be around me.”

Laura lifted her brows. “You’re not actually comparing this fiasco to what you put me through, are you? Your son found out you were a drug addict, Lucky, and that you had an affair that led to the end of your marriage. He came to you, looking for answers. He isn’t avoiding you, Lucky. He was just here at the holidays. You wouldn’t even be in the same room with me—” Her voice faltered, and she turned away, surprised by the shudder that rippled through her.

“Mom—”

“No. No—” Laura shook her head, turned back to face him. “You refused to listen to me, to live with me, to be in my life in any way for almost a year. You forgave your father faster than you forgave me, and I never held that against you. I tried to understand how you could treat me that way when I watched how careful and kind you were to Elizabeth, but it baffles me, Lucky. Then and now.”

Lucky dipped his head low, stared at the carpet. Finally, he lifted his gaze back to his mother’s. “Elizabeth never married her rapist and had a family with him. It’s not difficult, Mom. I watched Elizabeth with her nightmares and anxiety, painstakingly learning how to trust being around strangers again, and I looked at you, knowing you’d married the man who did it to you. Knowing I came from him, and it made me sick. You want to have this conversation right now, Mom? We can keep going.”

Laura’s stomach rolled, and she forced down the bile that rose. “It’s so easy for you to step in my head, to assume that it was that simple for me. So black and white. That’s always been your problem, Lucky. You can’t see all the reasons, all the trauma in my choices. You never could. You never see the shades of gray.”

“If it helps you sleep at night, Mom.” Lucky jerked the zipper on the bag. “There’s nothing for me here. Aiden’s better off without me. Everyone is better off with me—”

“I didn’t raise you to run from your problems like this, to treat family this way—” Laura said, stepping out of the way as Lucky came towards the door, the bag strap over his shoulder. “Lucky—”

“You didn’t raise me at all, Mom,” Lucky snapped, whirling back to face her. “I’m my father’s son, everyone always said. Well, I’m doing what he did. Getting away from Port Charles and all of you.”

“If you walk out that door, if you walk out on this chance with your son to know you—” Laura lifted her chin. “Then you aren’t welcome to return. This is the last time, Lucky. I won’t chase you down again.”

“Music to my ears,” he sneered, then headed down the hallway. She heard the thud of his footsteps on the stairs, then the slam of the door.

She pressed her hands to her face, and wept bitterly.

—

Jake hesitantly crossed into Michael’s office, waiting as his cousin closed the door behind him. “I hope it’s okay I just dropped by like this.”

“You can show up any time you want, Jake.” Michael gestured toward the beverage bar across the room. “You want anything? Coffee?”

“Nah.” Jake fisted his hands in the pockets of his jacket. “I, uh, ran into Drew the other day. After the hearing. He actually followed me.”

Michael made a face, then leaned against the desk, folding his arms. “I’m sure that was a pleasant experience.”

“Opposite actually.” Jake dragged a hand through his hair. “He’s gonna help Alexis Davis with her case against Dad. Testifying that Danny should be with his grandmother.”

Michael stared at him for a long moment, then tilted his face towards the ceiling. “Let me guess. If you keep your mouth shut about what you know, he’ll back off.”

“Yeah. I told him I’d think about it, figuring I’d tell my dad and make it his problem, but—” Jake hesitated. “I think if my dad found out Drew was cornering me in dark garages, that we’d have bigger problems on our hands.”

“That’s putting it mildly.” Michael looked away, remaining silent for a long moment. “The simplest thing to do is to call his bluff. Tell Willow what I know. What I already knew before  you even spoke to Scout.”

“I don’t really get why you’re staying quiet about it, but like, it’s your business, so I’m not judging,” Jake replied. “It’s just…it’s bigger than that now. Drew’s taking it out on my dad, and he’s putting Danny and Scout in the middle. I get it, you’ve got your kids in there with them. I just…it doesn’t feel right that he gets what he wants if I agree.”

“No, it doesn’t.” Michael tilted his head. “You ever testify in court before? Ever have to sit with a judge and tell him who you want to live with?”

“No.” Jake shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “Lots of my friends did. Some of them liked it that way, you know. Two parents, two houses. They’d play them against each other to get stuff. But I never had to do that. I know I’m lucky.”

“Lost count how many times my mother moved out, or my dad kicked her out.” Michael’s eyes were  troubled. “Sometimes he let her take Morgan and me with her, sometimes no. Cutting off visitation, telling us how bad the other was—it was exhausting, and it only stopped after my coma, and I was old enough to make it stop.” He rubbed his face. “Probably crazy, but that coma was the most peace I ever got.”

“You don’t want your kids to go through it.” Jake nodded. “I get that. But, like, you’re the one who gets decide how that goes down. It’s choice, right? To use your kids like weapons. Dad, for all his faults, never did that. Not to my mom or to Danny’s. He could have. Danny’s mom didn’t want him around when he first got home. And Dad could have gone to court. Could have forced me into visiting him or getting Danny visitation.”

“He could have. Does it bother you he didn’t?”

Jake considered the question, weighed his answer. “Drew took some shots at him, about my dad leaving me, not being around a lot, or giving me his name, but you know—” He looked at Michael. “Maybe if he’d gone nuclear in trying to see us, it’d be like proof to someone who doesn’t matter that he cares. But it would have upset everyone. Mom was already kind of sad I didn’t wanna see him, and Danny would have hated disappointing his mom or having to talk about any of it in court.” Jake shook his head. “No, it doesn’t bother me. We can fight about him being gone for so long being a shitty thing, but he never said it wasn’t. But he came home and it was like — he cared about what was right for me. For Danny. That’s got to matter.” He furrowed his brow. “I can’t tell you what to, Michael. I just can’t really be okay with Drew getting away with what he did to Scout. What he wants to do to Danny—“

“You’re right. This—“ Michael straightened. “This is the last straw. We need to end this.”

—

Jason heard Carly’s loud, bombastic voice, and winced as he stood before a pallet of coffee beans. “What is it?” he asked, turning to face her.

She stopped short, scowled. “Why do you always have that look on your face when I come to see you? What kind of friend are you?”

“Is that why you came to see me?” he asked. He turned, headed for his office, and she hurried to follow.

“Well, you just ran out of the courthouse after not even letting Sonny finish—“

“If you’re here to talk about Sonny—“ Jason held the door to his office open, stopping her from crossing the threshold. “You can go. I’ve made it clear where I stand.”

She pressed lips together in mutinous line. “No, I came to ask about this—“ She waved the paper in her hand. “Alexis wants to depose me. Diane says I can’t get out of it, and also she can’t help me, so what am I supposed to do?”

“Go. Tell the truth. Get a lawyer and listen to him.”

Carly pursed her lips. “I bet when Elizabeth got this notice, you didn’t talk to her like that. You’re probably talking to her all the time—“

Jason looked to the ceiling, prayed for patience, then looked at Carly again. “I’m not interested in debating the presence of Elizabeth in my life. She’s the mother of my son. And even if that weren’t true, she’s my friend. I’m done arguing with you about this.”

“I’m not trying to argue. But—“ Carly took a deep breath, gathered herself. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m just—it’s all gone so terrible since Sam died. Okay? Drew and you had a fight, you still won’t tell me why. And you’re dealing with all of this stuff from Alexis, you’re mad at Sonny, and I just want to help. Please let me help.”

“You can help by doing what I said. Find a lawyer who can go with you to the deposition. Listen to him. Tell the truth. Other than that, Carly, there’s not much else.”

“Fine. Whatever. You’ve made it very clear you don’t need me.” Carly stepped back. “But don’t be surprised if you keep pushing me and Sonny away, we won’t be there when you need us—“

Jason closed the door in her face.

—

Elizabeth stepped outside of the building where Alexis’s law practice was located, blinking at the bright sun. She turned on the sidewalk to face Martin. “That went as badly as I think it did, didn’t it?”

Martin hesitated. “I suppose it depends on your definition of badly. You followed all of my advice, so you’re not in any trouble.”

“Martin. Please tell me I was imagining things. That the questions Alexis asked, that—“ Elizabeth pressed two fingers to her lips. “She’s trying to turn me into her witness, isn’t she?”

“There, ah, does seem to be an element of that, yes.” Martin tipped his head. “Elizabeth, there’s nothing you can do to but tell the truth. Trust Jason’s lawyer to handle his case—“

“But—but Alexis can’t do that, can she? She can’t use me to hurt Jason’s chances at custody can she?”

“Elizabeth.”

“Martin. Just tell it to me straight.” Elizabeth took a deep breath. “Is there a chance, if Alexis asks me questions like that on the stand, if she—if she argues what I think she’s arguing, can that hurt Jason?”

“Yes,” Martin admitted. “I think there’s more than a better chance that you might just be Alexis’s star witness, and there’s not much you can do to stop her.”

+33

Went a little over because my keyboard is still having issues, and the final scene needed to end just right 😛

Written in 67 minutes.

At the sound of the elevator bell, Elizabeth glanced up and immediately dropped her pen, smiling. “Hey! You got my message!” She stepped out of the nurse’s station just as Aiden reached her side. He kissed her cheek. “I hope you didn’t have anything else planned—”

“Nothing that couldn’t be moved.” Aiden reshifted the strap of his bookbag so it rested more comfortably on his back. “You said it was important.”

“Mostly because I knew I’d late tonight, and I definitely wanted to touch base with you today.” She led him towards the conference room, closing the door once they were both inside. “Um, we haven’t really talked a lot about…your dad. I mean, you haven’t brought him up, and I guess—” She winced. “Selfishly, I was avoiding the conversation.”

“I don’t know what there is to say.” Aiden dropped his bag on the floor. “I tried to talk to him, he avoided my phone calls, but couldn’t wait to track down Jake to give his side.” He paused, somewhat uncertainly. “I felt like maybe he was trying to say I didn’t really matter, but Tobias said something that sounded better. Dad wanted to tell Jake his side, but mostly he was just trash talking Jake’s dad, and he was starting to go after you.”

Elizabeth pressed her lips together. “Yeah, I definitely got the feeling he feels like this entire situation has been a little lop-sided—or that he was getting hit by bullets not meant for him. He’s not wrong, I guess. Sonny never said anything about him, and I think if Jason and I had had a moment to really sit and talk about this, maybe we could have found a way out of this—”

“Mom.” Aiden looked at her with such patience that her throat felt tight. “Jason didn’t say anything about Dad that wasn’t true, right? He had an affair and was addicted to drugs. These were facts. He just doesn’t like that I know them. Or that maybe I know who he had the affair with. I don’t care about that part. Well not anymore,” he added when she lifted her brows. “I did. But I got over it, I guess. Tobias said it happened to you. Before I was born. Jake’s dad is right. None of this has anything to do with me or Jake.”

“Well, I don’t know about that—”

Aiden held up his hand. “I’m not talking about what happened after Jake was born. I’m talking about what Mr. Corinthos said. About you lying to Jason. He knew when Jake was born, right? So whatever happens after that, it’s not just you. Mr. C wanted to hurt you, just like Dad wants to hurt you by telling me more crap that isn’t about me.” He jerked a shoulder. “He tried again on Thanksgiving, to talk about when you guys almost got back together before I was born. I told him I’m not interested.”

Elizabeth exhaled on a rush of breath. “You—you know if you have questions—”

“Maybe if you wanna tell me one day. When I’m older. When you want me to know,” he said. “I don’t care about what happened before I was born, and I think Jake is starting to remember what matters. I remember who was there when I had trouble in school, when I got sick. Who eats everything I bake even when it isn’t good. I care about who shows up. That’s you. Jake—it’s more complicated for him. Because his dad made other choices sometimes, but you know what his dad is doing now? Trying. Listening. Not trying to make someone else the bad guy.”

“Aiden, I’m—I’m sorry. It’s—it’s never what I planned. I never wanted you not to have a strong relationship with your father—”

“You can’t miss what you never had, Mom. I came out to him, and he’s met Tobias, so that’s enough for me.” Aiden tipped his head. “We could have talked about this at home, you know. What was the rush?”

“Oh. Well, Lucas told me that Lucky is…he’s waiting on an assignment. He’s going back to Doctors Without Borders,” Elizabeth said, watching carefully to see how her youngest absorbed that information.

A muscle in his cheek twitch, and his shoulders seemed to tense, but otherwise — “Good. He likes his work, and it’s important. He should be where he’s happy, and it doesn’t seem like that’s here. If you’re asking me if I knew, no. But he’s been here for a few weeks, didn’t seem like he was planning to get a place or a job, so I kind of figured.”

“Well, I just—I want you to know that I love you. And I’m so proud of you.” She stepped forward, embraced him tightly, then drew back to cup his face in her hands. “My handsome sweet boy. You deserve the whole world. I’m sorry I can’t give it you.”

“You do okay, Mom. Don’t worry about me.” He kissed her forehead. “If it’s okay, I’m gonna head out. I’ll see you at home.”

“See you at home.”

—

Molly tapped her foot restlessly outside the court room, snapping to attention when Ric finally exited. He said something to Drew, who headed for the elevator, then came over to Molly. “Hello sweetheart—”

“Don’t do this.”

Ric sighed, switched his briefcase to other hand. “Honey, don’t make this personal. This is just business—you know that. You took Jason’s case—”

“I went to him,” Molly snapped, and Ric closed his mouth. “This is personal, Dad, and the fact that you don’t get it is why I don’t want you on this case. I love you, you know I do. But we both know you can be spiteful and vindictive. And petty. You’ve hated Jason my entire life—”

“Longer, but go on.”

At her father’s casual turn, Molly stopped, pressed her lips together mutinously. “This is just a joke to you, isn’t it? Just another way to dig at Mom, to dig at Jason, that’s all you care about—”

“Really? You think I don’t sympathize with Drew? Alexis is planning to drag him through the mud to get custody of his daughter? I know what her game plan is, Molly. I watched her do it to Sonny—hell, I helped her. And then she used the same playbook on me. Do you think I wanted to spend so little time with you?” Ric snapped.

Molly took a shaky breath. “Okay, okay. So you do get it. I’m doing the same for Jason. Because Mom wanted to do that to TJ. I told you that. She was going to file for custody on Kristina’s behalf. She wanted to take my baby—” She pressed two fingers to her lips, turned away, forcing herself to take a deep breath. “I know Drew and Jason hate each other, but we have a common enemy—”

“No, we have a common goal,” Ric interrupted. “Drew wants what’s best for the kids. So don’t think of asking to join the cases or try a joint defense.”

“Are you going to try to force a deal?” Molly asked. “In return for his support, Mom drops the case against Drew?”

“Well, we both knew Jason is the real wild card. The man has barely parented any child that  genetically belongs to him. Too worried about Carly and Sonny’s kids. Where do you think he was for two years while he played dead? While his boys mourned him? Something for one of them or Michael no doubt. No—” Ric shook his head. “Drew wants his daughter, make no mistake, Molly. But on the subject of Danny? We all agree. Jason is the worst possible choice, and we intend to do whatever we can to prove it.”

—

Jason had hoped to catch Jake before he left the courtroom, but as soon as the judge had completed the hearing, the teen had been on his feet and out the door. Jason started to follow, only for Sonny to step in front of him, Carly hovering somewhat behind, Michael at Jason’s side, a little wary.

“I was hoping you might take a minute—Jase—” Sonny said when Jason tried to walk past him. “Please. Just give me a chance to make this right. For all our sake’s, okay?”

Jason grimaced. “Yeah, fine. Five minutes.”

—

Jake had already loosened the top few buttons on his shirt, looking forward to shedding the entire getup. He’d gone as moral support, but it had been a supremely uncomfortable scene especially standing with Sonny Corinthos as if the man hadn’t come into Jake’s house and attacked his mother and upended everything Jake understood about his life.

He fished his keys from his pocket, jingling them in his palm as he approached his mother’s car, hoping that there’d be some time to talk to his parents about a car. He’d had one before he left for Spain, but he’d decided to sell it for extra cash to spend at school. Regretting that, he thought somewhat darkly.

There were footsteps behind him, scratching at the concrete texture of the parking garage floor. Figuring it was his father or maybe Michael, Jake turned, grimacing when he realized it was neither.

“Drew,” Jake said flatly, and the older man stopped a few feet away. “Are you parked nearby or following me?” When Drew didn’t immediately answer, Jake’s stomach rolled slightly. “What do you want?”

“To make a deal.” Drew slid his hands into the pockets of his suit pants.  “Right now, my lawyer is informing Molly that I intend to testify for Alexis. Against your father.”

“Wow, the endorsement of a scumbag politician. Can’t wait to see that story on the news,” Jake said with a sneer. “Is that before or after you screw your nephew’s wife?”

“Cut the crap, kid. If you’d planned to use that, you already would have. But you probably promised Scout you’d keep your mouth shut.” Drew tipped his head. “Right? You got her to trust you, and now look at you, using her against me. What would she think?”

“Believe it or not, the opinion of a seven-year-old isn’t really my top priority,” Jake retorted. “If Scout finds out I told, well, at least she’ll know she wasn’t imagining things. That’s what you told her, isn’t it? That if she wasn’t sure, she’d hurt so many people. And she might not be allowed to live at the Qs anymore. That her mother would be disappointed in her.”

Drew lifted his chin. “I don’t know what you’re talking about—”

“Yeah, you do. And I’m not going to waste my breath asking what happened to you, to the guy I knew, to the one who said I’d always be like a son to him. There’s no point in trying to find any shame in you.” Jake’s hands were nearly trembling from nerves, from rage, so she shoved them in his pockets. “I just wish you’d stayed dead.”

“Like your dad did? At least I was kidnapped. What’s his excuse?” Drew demanded. “You don’t get to sit and judge me, Jake. You’re supporting the deadbeat who refused to claim you, refused to even give you his name—even now. And who left you for two years—” He shook his head. “You’ll understand one day, Jake. After you spend years bending over backwards to take care of everyone else. I looked out for everyone but me my entire life. My country, my family, but no one was ever looking out for me. So I’m going to take what I want, and everyone else is going to get out of my way.”

“Well, that’s a really shitty way to go through life, but whatever, dude. Just stop being a dick to your kid and sleeping with your relatives. It’s kind of creepy.”

Jake turned away, reaching for the handle to the car, but Drew’s voice stopped him. “I said I wanted to make a deal.”

He turned back to face the other man. “You have nothing I want.”

“Don’t be so sure.” Drew stepped closer. “You keep your mouth shut, and I’ll tell Ric that we’ll cooperate with your dad. Hell, I’ll even testify for him. And then Danny will get what he wants – to stay with his dad. Everyone is happy.”

“You mean you’ll be happy, since you just said no one else matters.”

“In this rare case, what I want is what you supposedly want. Or did I mistake you sitting behind your deadbeat dad in court?” Drew lifted his brows. “What’s it going to be?”

—

“That wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be,” Kristina said, following her mother out of the courthouse doors. “And they didn’t even tell us we had to give the kids back.”

“I’m sure that will come soon enough,” Alexis muttered, reaching her car. “Kristina—that was the easiest part of all of this. You know that, don’t you? What comes next—” She shook her head.

“What comes next is proving that you and I are the best people to raise those kids. Sam would want them to stay together. She only wrote what she did in her will because it wasn’t supposed to be like this,” Kristina insisted. “She wasn’t living the same reckless life! She thought she’d live forever. She should have. So whatever we have to do, Mom, I’m ready for it.”

Alexis hesitated, then remembered the joy of the last few days, waking up to find Danny and Scout in her home. These sweet reminders of her precious daughter, all she’d ever have of her now. “And so am I. Drew might be a difficult case to win, but Jason? That won’t be difficult at all.”

“Exactly. Where do we start?”

“With our strongest witness.” Alexis slid into the driver’s seat. “Elizabeth.”

—

Carly poked Sonny in the back. “Go ahead. We practiced this,” she told Jason, and Michael shook his head.

“Mom—why don’t you and I go in the hall—” He took his mother’s elbow. “Dad’s a big boy and he can clean up his own messes.”

“Right, but—” Carly was still protesting when Michael half-dragged her away, leaving Jason and Sonny alone in the court room.

“Talk,” Jason said flatly. “I have things to do.”

“I’m trying to apologize, but you’re not making it easy—that’s not—” Sonny winced, rubbed his temple. “That’s not your job, I know. But if you could just try to understand that I wanted to help. You know I would never hurt you or your kids. Not intentionally—”

“You think because you weren’t aiming at Jake that it matters? You knew what you were doing. You had time to think when they came through the door. You could have backed down. But you didn’t.” The familiar rage bubbled again. “I deserve to know why.”

“I just—I lost my temper. More than two decades of watching you fall on the sword for that woman—” Sonny winced when Jason walked past him. “I didn’t mean it that way—come on—”

“You don’t run my life, Sonny. You don’t make my choices—”

Sonny snorted. “That’s for damn sure—”

Jason stepped closer to him, and the smirk disappeared from Sonny’s face. “And I don’t make yours. You want me to start listing all the mistakes you’ve made this year? In the last few weeks? All the ways you’ve hurt people? You want me to start talking about your worst choices in front of your kids? Let me go find Donna and Avery. We can have a conversation about Agent Cates.”

“Shut up—”

“You made a choice, Sonny. You wanted to hurt Elizabeth, and you didn’t give a damn that my son was in the crossfire—”

“You’re not pissed about what I said in front of him, you’re pissed I said it to her—because you can’t do anything but defend her—”

“Yeah, it’s called loyalty, Sonny. To the woman who raised my son without a whole lot from me because I was usually saving your life or taking care of your kids. You’re damn right I’m angry you said it to Elizabeth, and if Jake hadn’t been there, we’d still be having this conversation. But he was there, and you don’t get how that changes things. You don’t get it because you don’t feel a damn sense of anything towards my sons. Either of them. You don’t care that Elizabeth has put herself on the line for me over and over again. You’re not loyal to anyone but yourself, Sonny. And we’re done here.”

+40

Written in 63 minutes.

Jason tugged at his tie, fighting the urge to yank it from his neck and shove it into his suit pocket. There was nothing he hated more than wearing one of these, but he knew that he was already fighting an uphill battle in family court with a judge who would, no doubt, be familiar with the name Jason Morgan from a lengthy police record. This was the one place where a judge probably wouldn’t be very impressed that he had many arrests, but only conviction — and that one had been a guilty plea.

Molly was waiting for him outside the court room, talking animatedly with Jake, clad in his own court room attire — sans the uncomfortable tie. Jason quickened his pace until he reached their side, unsure why his eldest son was there at all.

“Hey. Uh, I wasn’t—” Jason rubbed the back of his neck. “I wasn’t expecting you today. I thought there wouldn’t be testimony—” he said, looking at Molly.

“I’m not here for that,” Jake said. “Mom got called into cover a shift, and I knew…” He let out a little huff. “I knew she’d wanted to be here. Not that you need moral support—” He looked past Jason who turned to see Carly, Sonny, and Michael stepping off the elevator. Jason grimaced, but it wasn’t really the time for it.

“I’m always glad to see you,” he told Jake as the trio reached them.

“Hey.” Carly went to Jake, embraced him lightly, patting his shoulder. “I feel like you’ve grown another inch every time I see you, and you look more like your dad every day. Don’t you think, Sonny?” she asked, forcing a cheerful smile and looking at her ex.

“Uh, yeah. Yeah. Jason, do you, uh, have a minute—”

“No, I don’t.” Jason turned slightly, angling Sonny out of the conversation, focusing on Molly. “This is just a formality, right?”

Molly looked between Sonny and Jason with some concern, but then nodded. “I was just telling Jake, it’s really just to start the ball rolling. And honestly, we’ve already started behind the scenes. My mother—” She stopped, as if registering for the first time that she was arguing a case against Alexis, her own family. “She’s already filed for depositions this week.”

“I got served this morning,” Jake said, shifting slightly, edging away from Sonny.

“I got mine last week,” Michael told Jason. “Alexis isn’t wasting any time.”

“But it’s not going to matter,” Carly said, again with that bright smile that fooled no one. “Jason’s an excellent father. Michael will be able to testify to that, and you, too, of course, Jake.” She touched Jake’s shoulder. “And you know, I guess, your mother will do that, too.”

“The least she can do,” Sonny muttered, and Jason looked at him sharply. His friend’s cheeks colored slightly, but he didn’t retract his statement or say anything else.

“Anyway,” Molly said, forcing Jason to look at her. “The judge appoint lawyers for Danny and Scout, and get that started. I’m hoping Mom drops her case before they have to be interviewed.”

“She will. Alexis will see reason,” Carly insisted. She pursed her lips. “Though it would a first for her.”

Molly opened her mouth, maybe to defend her mother, then closed it, her eyes widening as she took in something behind them. Jason turned, his jaw clenching.

“Oh, you have got to be kidding me,” Carly breathed.

Ric’s smile was wide as he approached, Drew in his wake. “Well, hello. Molly, it’s so good to see you.” He kissed his daughter’s cheek. “Looks like this will be a family affair.”

—

“Alexis, will you just—” Diane caught up to her law partner and friend just before Alexis could reach the elevators in the courthouse lobby. “Can we have a conversation?”

“Why?” Alexis jabbed the button. “You’ve made it painfully clear where you stand. Against me.”

“Not against—” Diane pursed her lips, then tried again. “I am not against you, Alexis. I simply don’t agree that this is the best way forward—”

The elevators opened, and Diane followed Alexis and Kristina onto the car. “There’s still time to stop this.”

“Jason and Drew can stop this,” Kristina said, lifting her chin. “All they have to do is what’s best for Scout and Danny. Which is Mom.”

Diane fought the urge to shoot Kristina a malevolent look, choosing instead to step between mother and daughter so that she and Alexis were facing one another. “This is a bell you cannot unring. If you go in there and tell the judge you want full custody, he will order depositions and an investigation. Danny and Scout will be interviewed by family court representatives. They will be given guardian ad litems—”

“I’m familiar with the process—” Alexis interrupted impatiently.

“Alexis, I am trying to help you—”

“You’re trying to help Jason,” Kristina insisted. Diane whirled on her.

“And so what if I am? The man has done nothing but help you. He’s dug you out of every mess you’ve created, hasn’t he? Where’s your loyalty? Your gratitude?” Diane bit out.

“Where’s yours? My mother—”

“Stop it. Both of you.”

The elevators opened, and Alexis stepped out, then turned to face them. “No one is arguing, Diane, that Jason hasn’t played a pivotal role in helping my daughters. Kristina and Sam. But that does not make him fit to be a father to a son he scarcely knows—”

“You are going to regret this, Alexis. Mark my words. The day will come when you’ll wish you’d listened to me.” Diane touched her lips, then sighed. “But you won’t listen to me, that much is evident.” She stepped back onto the elevator. “You’ll forgive me if I don’t wish you luck.”

—

Elizabeth checked the time on her phone, then slid it back into her pocket. The hearing was due to start any minute, and she wished she there. But maybe it was for the best Jake had agreed readily to go in her stead.

“You’ve checked the time almost a dozen times,” Willow said, stepping up into the nurse’s station with a friendly smile. “Eager to be done?”

Elizabeth shook her head, then reached for another chart. “No, no, just…” She tipped her head to Willow. “I’m sure you know that Alexis is filing for custody of the kids. Their hearing is today.”

Willow bobbled the file in her hands, but caught it before it hit the counter. “Oh. Oh. Yes, I mean, of course. Michael, um, he mentioned it. Before he left. I think he was planning to go. You know, to show moral support for Jason and Drew.”

Elizabeth stepped next to the younger nurse, making a show of sorting through a stack of charts. “We talked about it on Thanksgiving, Michael and I. We’ve both been asked to sit for a deposition.”

“Right. He told me that, too. I know Michael hates this is happening, but I think he’s grateful to have an opportunity to stand up for his uncle.” Willow’s fingers tapped at the keyboard, her focus on the screen in front of her.

“Jason’s loved Michael like his own for his entire life. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for him.” Elizabeth folded her arms across her chest. “I’m glad he’s got Michael in his corner. I was surprised not to get anything from Drew. A deposition notice, I mean. I would have assumed he’d want someone to testify who’d co-parented with him. Even for a short-time.”

“Oh. He didn’t—” Willow looked at her. “He didn’t ask you?”

“Not yet. Maybe he hasn’t sent them yet. I know Jason hadn’t even made his list, but Alexis isn’t wasting any time. Did you get one from her?”

“No. I—” Willow bit her lip. “Drew’s been thinking about it though. He…asked me.”

“Did he?” Elizabeth nodded. “I suppose that makes sense. You live in the house with him, you see him with Scout. And you guys worked on the foundation together for a while. I guess you know more about Drew today than I would.”

Willow looked at her, eyes a little too wide. “What? What does that mean?”

“It means that you see him more regularly than I do.” Elizabeth tilted her head. “What did you think I meant?”

“N-Nothing.” Willow scooped up her files, hurried out of the station, almost crashing into Lucas in her haste to leave.

“Whoa—” Lucas lifted his arms, stepping out of her path. “Where’s she going in such a hurry?” he asked, coming over to the computer Willow had just left to begin his own notes.

“No idea, but I sure hope she does,” Elizabeth murmured, thinking of poor Michael and the audacity of Drew to ask Willow to testify for him. What would Willow think if she knew about Saturday? About the conversation Scout had related to Jake? Would she believe it?

“You look a thousand miles away,” Lucas said, pulling Elizabeth’s attention back to him. “Anything wrong?”

“No.” Elizabeth frowned. “Why do you ask?”

“Oh, no reason. I guess—” Lucas hesitated. “I went to Aunt Laura’s for dessert on Thanksgiving, and Lucky mentioned he was heading back to Africa. Cairo, I think he said.”

Elizabeth pressed her lips together, unhappily. “Laura said he was thinking about it. I didn’t know that he’d made a specific plan.”

“I think he’s waiting to hear back from Doctors Without Borders—” Lucas paused. “You really didn’t know? He didn’t talk to you about it?”

“What, did you think that because we share a son, he would have kept me in the loop?” Elizabeth smirked. “He hasn’t made me a part of his decisions in the last fifteen years, so why start now?”

“Elizabeth—”

“Did he talk about it with Aiden in the room? Does he know?” He hadn’t said a word to her about his father in days, and maybe Elizabeth should have seen that as a sign.

“No, it was while Aiden and Rocco were in another room with Kevin—” Lucas put a hand on her shoulder. “Hey, I’m sorry. I wouldn’t have brought it up if I’d realized you didn’t know.”

“It’s not your fault. It’s not. I just—” Elizabeth sighed. “I knew a long time ago Lucky and I weren’t going to have a happy ending, and Aiden is the only reason I can’t call the entire thing a mistake. I just wish I’d chosen a better father for my son.”

—

The judge leaned forward, her half-moon shaped glasses sliding down her nose to peer at those gathered in her court. “Let me see if I understand this petition correctly. Alexis Davis is filing for sole custody of her grandchildren, Daniel Edward Morgan and Emily Scout Quartermaine.” She glanced up. “And their fathers are objecting?”

“Vehemently objecting, your honor. Richard Lansing for Congressman-elect Andrew Quartermaine,” Ric said, rising to his feet. “My client has no intention of allowing his daughter to be raised by anyone other than himself.”

“Molly Lansing-Davis for Jason Morgan,” Molly said, hastily getting to her feet. “My client is also objecting. The children’s mother left custody to their respective fathers in her will.”

“Ah, yes, Samantha McCall. Passed away after a heart attack on October 31.” The judge shifted some papers. “My condolences for your loss.” She looked at Alexis. “The will is clear?”

“Yes, Your Honor.” Alexis rose. “My daughter did leave custody to Mr. Morgan and Mr. Quartermaine. But that does not mean she was right to do so. In fact, I currently have my grandchildren with me at my home where they have been for two days—”

“With my permission,” Drew snapped. “I allowed it—”

“My client was more than happy to allow his son to see his grandmother,” Molly interrupted Drew. “The children returned to the penthouse they’d shared with their mother prior to her passing, and it was…” She pressed a hand to her middle. “It was upsetting. Terribly so. Scout became inconsolable, and we all agreed that the best thing for them on that day was to spend some time with my mother—with their grandmother,” Molly corrected. “It was not, in any way, my client agreeing that it should be a permanent solution.”

The judge leaned back. “Richard Lansing, Alexis Davis, Molly Lansing-Davis. I take it that you’re all related?”

“My parents, Your Honor. Sam McCall is—was—my sister.” Molly lifted her chin. “I believe that the best choice for my niece and nephew is what my sister wanted. And we know, after you see all the evidence, you’ll agree.”

“I can see suggesting mediation would be futile as I see notice that Ms. Davis has already sent out notices of deposition.” The judge sighed. “All right then. I’m appointing guardian ad litems for the minor children and directing Family Services to begin their investigation. Let’s talk scheduling.”

+31

Hey, in an earlier part, I made some mentions of Liz and Michael going in for depositions in a few days. Please ignore. I didn’t research family court before writing that part and it was really a throwaway line. Since then, I’ve researched to make it more realistic.

Written in  58 minutes. My head is really stuffy from my cold, so sorry if there’s extra typos or mistakes. It was difficult to concentrate.

There was an unfamiliar car in front of Elizabeth’s house when she pulled her car into the driveway, Jason’s SUV pulling in behind her — but the man waiting at her door wasn’t a stranger.

Michael approached them as Elizabeth and Jake climbed out of their car and Jason joined them. “Hey. Hi. I was hoping you would all come back here eventually.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, I’m the one that called Molly, but Kristina called Alexis as soon as you left the pub—”

“That’s how they got there so fast,” Jason said. He looked at Elizabeth. “I didn’t leave Molly a lot of time to explain. I just told her to get there, and she said she and her mom were on their way. I’m glad you did,” he said, returning his attention to Michael. “They got there in time.”

“If that’s in time, I’d hate to see what too late looks like,” Jake muttered, brushing past the trio and heading for the house. With a sigh, Elizabeth followed, fishing in her purse for her house key but Jake already has his out. He shoved the door open. “I shouldn’t have gone. This is my fault—”

“It’s Drew’s fault,” Elizabeth corrected, closing the door after Michael and Jason followed her in. “He’s the one that escalated and told the kids he wanted to sell.”

“But I’m the one that antagonized him, and—” Jake grimaced, looked at Michael. “I’m sorry. I wanted him to leave. I wanted him to leave Scout alone and leave without her. He knows I talked to her.”

Elizabeth furrowed her brow, looked at Jason, then at Michael before looking at Jake again. “What’s going on? What was that about?”

“Nothing—” Jake started, but Michael shook his head.

“They already know,” Michael said shortly. He rubbed his head. “Everyone seems to know. Except Willow.”

Elizabeth exhaled in a short breath as the implication hit her. “Wait, is that you meant by Scout saw—oh, my God—” she touched her lips.

“Yeah, and Drew convinced her that she’d be lying if she told anyone,” Jake said with some bitterness. “Real father of year shit. I’m sorry, Michael. But he doesn’t know I told you. Or that you guys know—” He stopped, looked at his dad. “Whoa, wait. Is that why you kicked the crap out of him? I figured it was over something stupid, but you know what? Good choice.”

“This is getting ridiculous,” Michael muttered. He dragged a hand through his hair. “I have to go. I have to be at home for dinner.” He headed for the door and Elizabeth took a step, but Jason was already going after him.

—

They’d called a truce at the penthouse — Danny and Scout were all that mattered, and Molly just wanted her sister’s kids to be okay, and she was grateful Danny wanted to stick around and be there for Scout. But she really should have realized that her mother would already be planning six or seven steps ahead.

Kristina was at the house when Alexis opened the door, ushering Scout and Danny in with their things. She’d been pacing in front of the fireplace, then stopped when she saw them. “I’ve been so worried!” She hugged Danny, then knelt to gather Scout into a crushing hug.

Deciding to bite her tongue, Molly set her purse and Scout’s bag on the floor by the door. “How did you already know?”

“I was at Charlie’s when Danny called Jason.” Kristina stroked Scout’s hair, then climbed to her feet, focusing on her sister. “He sounded pretty mad, so I thought Mom should be there.” She tipped her head. “And of course, as soon as I did, Michael called you.”

“I’m glad,” Danny said, and they both looked at him. His eyes were rimmed with red. “Dad was handling things, but Drew wasn’t listening. He didn’t agree to leave Scout until Molly was there.”

“I’m sure Jason handling things with his usual…patience,” Kristina said, almost sneering, but Danny was barely listening to her.

Sensing the tension rising in the room, Alexis put a hand on Danny’s shoulder. “Why don’t you take your sister upstairs, get settled for the night. We’ll talk about dinner later.”

Danny pressed his lips together. “If you’re going to talk about my dad, you need to do it with me here—”

“But not with Scout here,” Molly said and her nephew fell silent, looking down at his little sister. “Please, Danny.”

“Fine. But this isn’t over.”

When Molly was sure that they were out of earshot, she looked at her mother. “You’re not selling the penthouse—”

“Of course not. Not right away,” Alexis said, with some exasperation. “Drew sent over the proposal, and I was going to tell him we needed to wait. Which I’m sure you were going to do on Jason’s behalf. The kids aren’t nearly ready for that kind of decision.” She lifted a brow. “But I notice Jason didn’t fight very hard to keep Danny with him tonight.”

Molly scowled. “You’re really going to use this against him? Scout was so upset! Drew would never agree to let her go home with Jason. You were just a compromise—”

“But it proves that they need to be together,” Kristina said, coming to her mother’s side. “And you’re right. Drew and Jason would never agree to let the other have custody. So Mom is the only compromise. Mols, you have to see this is the best place for them—”

“The best place for them is with Sam,” Molly snapped, “but that’s not an option. I can’t believe you’re going to—” She fisted her hand at her side. “I convinced Jason to go home, to leave Danny with us because Scout needed him. And you’re just going to use it as evidence he doesn’t have what it takes, aren’t you?”

“He outsources the difficult conversations, clearly. Molly—”

“You can’t even see that today proves Jason is the right choice! He put what Danny needed first!”

“And what Danny needs is his sister,” Alexis cut in sharply. “I will keep them together, Molly. No matter who stands in my way.”

“No, that’s right. You and Kristina always know best.” Molly snatched up her purse. “You’ve made that very clear. I’ll see you in court.”

—

Jason reached Michael just as the younger man opened his car door. He looked at his uncle with unhappy eyes. “Don’t ask me what I’m going to do. I don’t know.”

“Michael—”

“I want to go home and push Drew off the nearest balcony,” Michael muttered. “But that wouldn’t help me or you.”

“I’m not worried about me.” Jason laid a hand on the top of the car, blocking Michael from getting in and leaving. “You can talk to me.”

“I know. I know.” Michael exhaled slowly. “The thing is I know what to do. Go home, confront Willow. To tell her that this isn’t a secret anymore, that it’s hurting people. That Drew is using it to hurt Scout. God, that disgusts me. Jake found her crying a few nights ago, and I’m such a coward, I haven’t done anything stop it.”

“Once you open that door, you can’t close it again. No one blames you for not rushing this—”

“I blame me.” Michael looked at him. “But if I confront Willow, and she asks for a divorce, I could find myself in your position. Fighting for custody of my kids. I don’t want that. I can’t stand putting my kids through even a moment of what I went through as a kid.” He stared blindly at the ground. “I could ignore it. Maybe Willow get over whatever this is, and we could go back to how things were.”

Jason remained silent, knowing it was something Michael needed to say outloud, even if it was just to hear how unrealistic that was.

Michael lifted his gaze to his uncle. “I won’t do anything without talking to you. Now that Drew knows what Scout said to Jake, we both need to be smart about this. He’s already threatened to help Alexis—”

“I don’t care about that—”

“I care,” Michael cut in sharply, then he stopped, took another breath. “He’s already hurt my family. I can’t fix that. But I can try to stop it from spreading. I will. I promise. I’ll find away to stop Drew from hurting anyone else.”

—

Molly slammed the apartment door, the sound reverberating through the small space. She jumped when TJ stepped out of the hallway that led to the kitchen, lifting his brow. “Everything okay?”

“You scared me.” She leaned against the door. “I thought you were working later.”

“Switched with Lucas—” TJ tipped his head, tossed the dishtowel in his hands aside. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

Molly lifted her eyes to the ceiling. “I don’t even know where to start.”

“Try at the beginning.” He gestured for her to join him on the sofa, and after a moment, she did. “What happened?” he asked again. He listed as Molly recounted the day — from the terrible scene at the penthouse with Jason, Elizabeth, and Drew to the fight at her mothers.

When she finished, and TJ said nothing, she furrowed her brow. “Don’t tell me you agree with my mother. Or my sister. You’re supposed to be on my side.”

“I’m always on your side,” he reminded her, stroking her shoulder. “But that means telling you what I think. Your mom’s not wrong, Mols. Danny and Scout should be together.”

Molly felt tears stinging her cheeks, looked away, trying to speak over the lump in her throat. “Maybe. But Drew isn’t going to agree without a fight, so if the kids can’t be together anyway, why shouldn’t Danny be with his dad?”

“Maybe Drew’s fighting because Jason is.” TJ caught her chin, lightly tugging until their eyes met. “The kids are who matter, Mols. You know that.”

“I can’t stop Drew from fighting. I can’t—” Molly sucked in a breath. “I can’t make any of it stop. I know I’m doing the right thing, I know what Mom wants to do to Jason is wrong, but God—” She pressed her hands to her face. “Danny and Scout need each other. Why did Sam have to die?”

TJ pulled her into his arms, rocking her as she started to cry.

——

Jason returned to the living room to see Elizabeth handing Jake a set of keys. “Going back out?” he asked, closing the door.

“Yeah, a couple of friends are getting together to see a movie.” Jake slid the keys in his pocket. “Michael okay?”

“Yeah. He’ll be fine. Listen, about today—what you said to Drew—”

Jake stopped at the door, a slight grimace on his face. “I shouldn’t have said anything to him about Scout—”

“You did what you had to do to keep the situation from getting worse,” Jason told him. “But if Drew comes near you, if he tries to talk to you, avoid him.”

“I can’t make a promise I won’t keep.” Jake paused. “But yeah, I’ll do what I can.”

When he’d left, Elizabeth sighed, rubbed her arms. “I can’t decide if going to the penthouse was a good idea. Maybe we should have waited for Molly and Alexis.”

“Maybe.” Jason looked at her. “I’m sorry you’re getting dragged into this.” He hesitated. “Or that it won’t be ending any time soon. I know Alexis is already planning depositions, and Molly said the hearing tomorrow is going to order Danny and Scout be questioned.”

“I got my notice last week.” Elizabeth lifted her chin. “I’m ready to testify. I already called Laura’s brother, Martin, and he’ll represent me at the deposition whenever it is. We’re going to find a way to make this okay, Jason. I promise.

+34