Written in 56 minutes.

Already having second thoughts about driving over to Harborview Towers, Elizabeth entered the lobby with a slight hesitation in her step. She had no idea how security had changed since Jason had last lived there. She was vaguely aware that Sonny had moved back into his own penthouse. Would he have updated the security list for the top floor?

She headed for the security desk, then noticed the elevators down to the parking garage sliding open and Jason stepping out. He spied her almost immediately, furrowing his brow. They met in the middle of the lobby.

“What are you doing here?” he wanted to know.

“Jake sent me a text,” Elizabeth said, following him over to the residential elevators. “It was vague, just a 911 text and said to come as soon as possible—did he call you?”

“No, Danny did.” Jason’s mouth was pinched as he jabbed at the elevator button. “Drew said he’s selling the penthouse. Scout apparently ran upstairs, locked herself in her room, and Danny called me.”

They stepped on to the elevator and Jason punched in the access code for the top floor. She watched the numbers climb as the elevator rose. “I imagine that’s why Jake called me. Maybe he was worried what you might do.” She flicked a glance at him. “It’s not really a mystery where Drew’s bruises came from.”

“I’m not going to punch him again,” Jason muttered. “Not in front of the kids.”

“No, of course not, but Jason—” She touched his arm. “Let me be the one to fly off the handle if we have to, okay? You be all calm, cool, and logical. The you used to be with Taggert.”

“Yeah, Taggert was a cop. Can’t punch a cop every time they piss you off.”

“And Drew’s an elected member of Congress. Can’t punch him whenever you want either. No matter how much he deserves it,” Elizabeth added.

The doors opened, and Jason headed around the corner, leaving Elizabeth barely enough time to catch up with his longer strides. He shoved the door open to find a red-faced Danny glaring at Drew, his hands fisted at his side.  Jake was standing at the base of the stairs, Drew just a step below him.

“Dad, good. You’re here.” Danny scowled, jabbed a finger at Drew. “Tell him he can’t sell the penthouse.”

“He can’t, not on his own,” Jason said, stepping between Drew and Danny. “Which is what Molly told you when we filed an injunction.”

“And Alexis and I are handling that.” Drew looked to Elizabeth and lifted his brow. “Why am I not surprised to see you trotting after him?”

Elizabeth ignored the obvious bait, looked to Jake. “Where’s Scout? Is she okay?”

“My daughter is just fine, and if your son would let me go upstairs—” Drew shot Jake a dirty look, and to Elizabeth’s relief, Jake just rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, yeah, now that you’re pissed at me, I’m her son, but five minutes ago, you were all, we used to be a family—” Jake shook his head, pulled out his phone, made a show of scrolling through it as if he were bored. “You got that politician bullshit down.” He lifted his gaze to his mother. “She’s upstairs, locked in her room. You know, the one she hasn’t been in since her mother died,” he said to Drew with a sneer. “In case you forgot why we were here.”

Drew scowled. “You have no right to bar me from my own daughter, and the only reason I haven’t pushed you out of the way is because of our past relationship—”

“Emphasis on past, right? And don’t try to lie. You know if you put a hand on me, my mother will kill you, and my dad will hide the body.”

“Is that a threat?” Drew demanded. Before Jake could say something else, Jason stepped quickly between them, climbing two steps to do so.

“Back up. Now,” Jason said, and Drew must have recognized the tone or the murderous glint in his brother’s eyes because he obeyed. Jason pushed Jake gently to one side, looked at Elizabeth. “Take the boys, go upstairs and check on Scout.”

“Gladly,” Elizabeth said, ushering Danny in front of her to use the small pathway Jason had created.

Jake looked like he wanted to argue, but then made a face and followed after his mother, tossing another glare at Drew just before he went around the corner of the landing.

When they were gone, Jason climbed another step to put a bit of space between them. “You know you can’t legally sell this place without my signature on the papers. Why would you tell the kids anything else?”

“Because Alexis and I will outvote you. We may not agree on custody of my daughter,” Drew said backing down a few steps of his own until he was back on the floor. He folded his arms. “But we both agree that there’s no point in leaving this penthouse empty. Scout’s moving to DC with me, and Danny will have all the room he needs at her place—”

“And I can tie you up in court until Danny is eighteen and old enough to make his own decisions,” Jason interrupted. “What the hell is wrong with you? They just lost their mother. They haven’t even been back here, and you’re talking about selling the place?”

“It’s called being a realist. Sam is dead. This place is gathering dust. Alexis agrees with me—” Drew broke off. “I don’t know why the hell I’m explaining myself to you. I’ll deal with you in court. I’m getting my daughter, and we’re leaving.” He waited, but Jason didn’t move. “Get out of my way or I’m calling the police.”

Jason didn’t want let him past, but knew he didn’t have a reason to hold him anymore. He reluctantly stepped aside, but as soon as Drew was out of sight, he pulled out his phone to call his lawyer.

—

Once they’d gone upstairs, Danny directed them to the room at the end of the hall. Elizabeth reached it first, lightly tapping. “Scout? It’s Jake’s mom, Elizabeth. I’m out here with Danny. Can we come in?”

There wasn’t a sound at first, and Elizabeth looked at Danny. “Can you—”

Danny knocked a bit more roughly. “Scout? Let me in, okay? Or I’ll tell Elizabeth where to find the key—”

They heard the click of the tumblers, then a little sliver of light when the door cracked open. “D-Danny?”

“Hey, kiddo.” Danny pushed it all the way open, and Scout moved backwards, crawling back on her bed, clutching a large teddy bear and a black sweater tightly in her arms, her big brown eyes looking miserable, her cheeks tear-stained.

“Hey, honey.” Elizabeth sat next to her on the bed. “I’m sorry this is so hard.” She touched the sweater. “Is this something special you left here?”

“It was Mommy’s.” Scout held it more tightly. “It smells like her.” Her face crumpled and she started to cry again. Elizabeth slid closer, and Scout didn’t make a protest when Elizabeth gathered her in her arms, the little girl’s sobs only growing louder.

“I should have punched him,” Danny muttered pacing the room angrily. “Dad can’t let him take Scout!”

“He won’t have a choice,” Jake told him. When Danny just shook his head, Jake grabbed his arm to keep him one place. “Hey. I don’t like it, but Dad can’t do anything. Scout’s his niece, not his daughter. And Drew hasn’t done anything but be a massive asshole. It’s not illegal.”

“But—” Danny started. “He—” He looked at at his sister. “He doesn’t even care that Mom is gone.”

“I don’t—” Jake grimaced. “I don’t know if that’s true, but—” They heard the thudding footsteps too late. By the time Jake got to the door to close it, Drew was already coming through it.

“Scout, we’re leaving. Now. We’ll come back for your things later.”

Scout burrowed into Elizabeth’s side, hiding her face, crying harder. Elizabeth stroked her hair, then glared at Drew. “Can’t you just give her some time to calm down? What is wrong with you?”

“I don’t think you have any right to ask me that question.” Drew came forward, and for a horrible minute, Elizabeth thought he was going to rip Scout of her arms, but he seemed to stop short. “Let her go.”

“I’m not letting her go like this. Just give me a minute to calm her down, okay? She’s devastated—”

“She’s not your daughter, damn it, and you don’t have a right to keep her from me.” Drew reached for Scout’s arm, started to pull. Reacting without thought, Elizabeth slapped at his hand.

“Don’t touch her!”

“Let her go—” Drew switched to Elizabeth’s arm, yanked her arm and she fell off the bed.

“Hey, don’t touch her!” Jake came forward, but Elizabeth was already on her feet, shoving at Drew to force him away from her. And maybe in another minute, the situation would have calmed down—Drew might have taken a breath and thought before he moved again.

But Jason was in the doorway just as Elizabeth was pushing Drew away, trying to get him to let her of her arm, and then Drew was gone, shoved up against the wall, with Jason’s first wrapped around his throat.

Elizabeth gestured frantically at Danny who moved like lightning to scoop up his sister and get her out of the room before Scout could really understand what was going on. Drew’s eyes bulged when he saw Scout being moved from the room, still crying.

“Let him go, Jason. Please. It was—” Elizabeth took a deep breath. “It was all just a mistake, okay? Drew, right?” She looked at him, the man she’d known so well once. The man she’d thought she knew. “We’re okay. The kids are okay.”

“He was threatening Jake, putting his hands on you, trying to drag his own kid out of the room-” Jason forced himself to lower his hand, let Drew’s feet hit the floor, his brother shoved him hard. Not expecting it, Jason fell back a few feet and might gone for the other man again if Elizabeth hadn’t flew between.

“Stop it. Stop it,” she hissed at Drew, who finally seemed to realize the situation was out of control. “Jason didn’t put a hand on you until you were threatening a woman and your own daughter, so don’t you dare think you can use this against him.”

Drew rubbed his throat, glaring malevolently at them. “Still defending him, huh? A violent thug who only knows how to hurt people—when I tell the cops about this—”

“It’ll be your word against everyone else’s,” Jake said, and all three of them looked over, almost as if they hadn’t realized he’d remained behind. “And the only person who might take your side, Drew, is Scout.” He tipped his head. “And you know, a little kid like that? She gets confused about what she sees right? Isn’t that you told her?”

Drew’s hands went to his side, and his face changed. Seemed to lose its colors. Elizabeth looked back to her son before looking at Jason, who seemed mystified.

“What are you talking about?” Drew said carefully.

“I’m talking about how little girls don’t always know what the truth is, right? And they need to be really careful what they say and to who. Because people will be mad if she lies.” Jake’s tone was almost careless, but his eyes were cold, his entire body taught with tension. “It’s a really shitty thing to do to your own kid, make them think no matter what they say, they won’t be believed.”

“Jake—”

“You’re going to walk out of here right now. You’re going to leave Scout here. My parents will calm her down, and we’ll take her home or to her grandmother’s. But you’re going. Right now. Or I’ll keep talking.”

Drew fisted his hand, then released it slowly. “You don’t know what you’re doing right now—”

“You heard him,” Jason said, stepping in front of Jake. “I’ve already called Molly. I told her to contact Alexis. They’ll be here any minute—” He paused, and they all heard it at the same time — the rush of voices, the sound of Scout crying, Alexis’s panicked voice. Then footsteps on the stairs.

“This isn’t over,” Drew said. “This—” He stopped when Molly appeared in the doorway, slightly flushed.

“We came as soon as we could. Is—” Molly looked from Drew and his flushed face to Jason and Elizabeth standing by the closet, her gaze honing in on the red mark left on Elizabeth’s arm from her brief tussle with Drew. “Is everything okay?”

“Where’s my daughter?” Drew asked, looking from Jake to Molly. “I’m taking her home now—”

“She’s upset, Drew. Let her stay here with Alexis a little longer,” Elizabeth said, and Drew looked at her. “With her mother’s things. There’s no harm in that. Jason and I—we’ll take the boys and leave. Or maybe Danny will want to stay here. The kids are what matters. Okay?” She touched Jason’s arm. “Right? We’ll all leave if Drew will give Scout and Danny the time they need here.”

“Yeah.” Jason cleared his throat. “We’ll go.”

“I think that’s a great idea,” Molly told Drew. “You know Scout will be in great hands with my mom, and we—” Her eyes swept over the room, and it seemed to change the air a little. “It’s hard, Drew. Being here. For me, and I’m an adult. Sam and I painted this room when we found out she was pregnant again. She wanted a little girl so much, and now—” Molly picked up a picture from the night stand, of Sam and Molly at the beginning of the school year. “Let her have some time here. We’ll take bring her home tomorrow.”

Drew closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then nodded. “Yeah. Yeah. I’m not a monster,” he muttered. He dragged a hand through his hair, then left the room. When he was gone, Molly looked at the trio, then carefully set the picture back on the night stand.

“I think you’d better tell me what happened. And don’t leave anything out.”

+28

Written in 68 minutes. Sorry, me and my keyboard are having a fight right now, lol. Took longer than I wanted.

Jake swirled the spoon in his bowl of cerea, watching with some interest as Aiden packed up some baking materials in his bag. “Just what do you and Tobias do all day? Make cookies?”

Aiden smirked, and started to answer just as his mother swept into the kitchen, which made him close his mouth. “Hey, Mom.”

“Hey, honey.” Elizabeth kissed his cheek, then looked at Jake. “I know what Aiden’s doing today, but, ah, are you…” She touched her neck, always a clear sign she was a little uncomfortable. “Are you packing? Or maybe, um, you never unpacked?”

Jake made a face, shifted his seat. “I didn’t, no, but I have to go find my winter stuff. Winter in Barcelona isn’t the same as winter here, you know?” He tipped his head. “You know, Dad found a place like a block away, Mom. I’m not going far.”

“I know.” Elizabeth wiggled her shoulders a little, as if shaking off whatever she was feeling. “I know. And I’m in favor of this, you know that. I think this will be good for you and your dad. And for Danny. But it will be strange to have you in Port Charles and not at home. Not at my house,” she corrected.

“Yeah, but I’ll get the run of the house back,” Aiden said with a grin, and Jake flicked a Cheerio from his spoon at his brother.

“Well, I’m having lunch with your grandmother—Laura—” Elizabeth added, stirring sugar into her coffee. “You’re welcome to tag along.”

Jake shook his head. It was a relief to have an actual reason to continue to avoiding his grandmother. “Danny told me that Drew’s taking Scout over to Harborview today to get a few things. He decided to tag along, and I invited myself.” He dumped the remains of his bowl in the sink, switched on the faucet. “He’s worried about her, and I’m worried about him. It’s first time since…”

“Ah.” Elizabeth rubbed his back, between the shoulders for a minute. “Well, that’s good. Call me if you’re out too late, and we’ll think of something for dinner. Maybe Eli’s.”

“I never turn down ribs.”

—

Jason swept his gaze across the other side of Charlie’s Pub, scanning the bar for any sign of Kristina. Judging from the way Molly spoke about her sister, Jason knew she was on Alexis’s side in the custody fight, and the last thing he wanted to deal with today was someone else weighing in on his fitness as a parent.

Satisfied that Kristina was nowhere to be found, he sat across from Michael and picked up the menu, skimming it.

“You all set to move into your place this week?” Michael asked, idly flipping through the bar menu.

“Yeah, signing the lease on Monday. Jake’s coming later this week, and Danny not until after the holidays.” He didn’t mention why Danny was delaying the move — Michael already knew, and Jason had no interest in bringing Drew up as a topic of conversation.

But then Michael made a face, and set the menu down. “Yeah. I know. Drew’s big move to Washington. Can’t happen fast enough.” He rubbed his face. “I guess he feels pretty confident about the custody situation if he’s already making plans to take Scout there. Willow—” He took a deep breath. “She told me he’s been asking her about private schools in the area.”

Jason wasn’t entirely sure how to respond to that comment. Drew’s custody situation was different, and he wasn’t really interested in it beyond how it affected Danny and Jake. But he didn’t like the idea that Drew was still interacting with Michael’s wife.

“I can practically see the thought bubble above your head,” Michael muttered, picking up his water glass and taking a long drink. “Why are you letting your wife anywhere near him? Why aren’t you handling this?”

“That’s not what I was thinking—”

“Well, I was.” Michael set his glass down with a thud on the wooden table. “It’s not like it’s a secret. My entire family knows they fooled around over the summer. You know about Halloween. Elizabeth saw them together at the hospital, and—” he dipped his head. “Scout. She saw them somewhere. Jake told me on Thanksgiving.”

Jason hesitated. “Jake?”

“Don’t—” Michael shook his head. “Don’t say anything to him. Scout made him promise not to tell anyone, but Jake did enough hinting that I figured it out. He told her to not to tell anyone, Jase. That she didn’t see what she saw, and that even if she did—she was just confused. What kind of man does that? Lies to his own kid? Messes her up so bad that Jake finds her crying? And he’s just gonna drag her away from everything and everyone he knows—” Michael broke off, shook his head. “I know what I should do. I know what I should have already done, but I just…”

“It’s not easy,” Jason said, and Michael scoffed. “It’s not. It’s not just you and Willow. It’s a family.”

“I just keep—” Michael picked up a napkin, began to rip it into small pieces. “I keep thinking about the first time I really remember going to court. When they broke up after Morgan was born, remember? They were arguing all the time, and they kept threatening to take me away. Dad would stop Mom from coming into the penthouse, and she’d get us back, and keep him away—I hated it. I guess I’m glad Morgan was too young to remember—”  He looked at his uncle. “I remember telling the judge I wanted to live with you. And Aunt Courtney. You guys were getting a divorce, too, but it was better at your place. Then they got back together for a while, but it was even worse then. I don’t want that for my kids.”

“I know. You don’t have to explain it to me—”

“I have to explain it to myself,” Michael muttered. “I wake up every morning in a bed with the woman I promised to love, the one who promised to love me, and man, I know I’m not perfect. I know I slept with Sasha after I found out about the kisses—” He sat back. “I have to end it. Before it’s Wiley or Amelia who sees them together next.” Michael looked at Jason. “I’m calling Diane after Christmas. I just…I want more holiday. One more for them. Do you think that’s stupid?”

Jason shook his head. “No. I’m not really into the holidays, but I know they’re important to kids. Especially at Wiley’s age. There’s nothing wrong with waiting, Michael.”

“Yeah, I guess—” Michael looked past Jason, through the window behind his uncle, and winced. “Listen, I promise I made sure that she wasn’t supposed to be here today, but—”

“What?” Jason began, but the door opened behind them, and he saw Kristina in the entrance. Sonny’s daughter saw the two of them, narrowed her eyes, and headed straight for them.

——

Jake had once been a regular visitor at Harborview Towers, considering it a second home. First when Drew had been living Jason’s life, before the twisted memory experiments had been revealed, and then later, after his dad had moved back into the penthouse. Before his breakup with Danny’s mother. And Jake always been there to visit Danny in the years since.

It was strange now, to wait for his brother in the lobby, flicking through his social media, and realize that he’d probably never come back here. His dad hadn’t even considered coming back here — Sam had continued living in the penthouse after all, and it wasn’t really Jason’s home anymore. But with Danny’s mom gone — the penthouse remained empty. No one lived there now, and Jake couldn’t imagine Danny or his sister ever wanting to come back permanently.

The circular glass doors in the lobby began to move, and Jake spied Danny and Scout followed by Drew making their way in. Drew hesitated, his mouth pinching when he saw Jake waiting for them.

“Jake. I wasn’t expecting you.”

“Sorry to intrude,” Jake said, shoving his phone in his pocket. “I just wanted to be here if Danny or Scout needed anything. Or help them.”

“I asked him,” Danny told his uncle. “I didn’t think you’d care.”

“I don’t,” Drew said with an obvious forced smile. “Let’s get this over with.”

Scout looked around the lobby, her brown eyes already glimmering with tears. What was it like for her, Jake wondered, to return for the first time in almost a month — to know this wasn’t home anymore?

“Scout?” Drew said, turning back when he realized his daughter hadn’t begun to move towards he elevators. “I told you. I can get someone to do this for you—”

“No, I wanna—I wanna go.” She slid her hand in her brother’s. “I want to get my dolls.”

Drew gestured for them to go in front. “After you princess.”  He shot Jake an irritated look, then followed them.

Jake plucked his phone out of his pocket, his fingers hovering over his dad’s contact info, then sighed, and put it back. What was the worst that could happen?

—

Almost from the moment Elizabeth sat across from Laura at the Metrocourt Hotel Restaurant, she wished she’d turn down this invitation.

“I’ve tried everything,” her former mother-in-law said with a sigh. “But he’s determined to go.” Laura leaned forward. “I was hoping that you could do something. Say something—”

Elizabeth reached for her iced tea, wishing it was something much stronger. “Laura, I’m not  getting into this with him again. He decided a decade ago that he wanted to spend his time running around other countries helping anyone he wasn’t related to. Lucky came home to help Lulu. He’s done that now. Or at least he’s waited long enough for her recover. What he does now is up to him.”

“How can you say that? You have a son together—”

“One that Lucky hasn’t been around to raise, Laura. At least Luke can say he was sort of involved with Lulu at the beginning and end of her childhood. Lucky hasn’t been a father to Aiden in any way that matters since he was almost five, and you know that.” Elizabeth sighed. “I’m sympathetic, I am. And I know it’s been a hard year, with losing Spencer and seeing Nikolas…” She winced when Laura fell silent. “I’m sorry, I am. But the benefit of not being Lucky’s wife anymore means this isn’t my problem. I’ve raised Aiden without him, and I don’t need him to finish the job.”

“I just don’t understand. I know Luke and I raised him like crazy nomads, but we tried to instill the importance of family.” Laura just shook her head again. “He was such a good father.”

How would you know, you were unconscious for most of it— But Elizabeth swallowed the petty retort. “Another benefit of divorce, Laura, is that he’s not my mystery to solve. I wish you luck, I do, but if he wants to leave Port Charles, I can’t—I won’t stop him. My son deserves a father who’s here. Who wants to be here, and doesn’t need to be shamed into staying.”

—

The last time he’d left the penthouse where he’d lived all his life, his mother had been alive. If he walked in there now, if he went inside, and saw all the pieces of his mother he’d been protected from seeing—

Danny stopped at the doorway, swallowing hard, his throat burning. “Maybe I could come back later. I—I’m not leaving the Quartermaines for weeks.” He looked at Drew. “We don’t have to do this now, do we?”

Drew turned the key in the lock and shoved the door open. “You and Jake can wait in the lobby. And Scout, if you don’t want to do this, that’s fine. I’ll pack things for you. But we’re already here—”

Scout’s small sob stopped him, and suddenly the little girl ran past them both into the living room. Draped over the arm of the sofa was a black cardigan sweater. Scout scooped it up and buried her face in it. “Mommy.” She raised her eyes, looked at her brother. “It’s Mommy’s. I can smell her perfume.”

Danny went to his sister, kneeling down and reaching for the sweater. How many times had his mother pulled this on last year? It was old and worn in some places, the threads at the cuff fraying. The kind of thing you only wore at home where no one but people you loved would see you.

His vision blurred as tears slid down his cheeks. He pulled his sister close to him, kissed her cheek. It was like all of this hadn’t happened, like she might come down the steps any minute and pluck the sweater from their arms, smiling at them. Asking them what movie they wanted to watch, or if they had homework—

Danny looked up, almost expecting to see her in the landing of the stairwell. But there was nothing. No sound, no life. Nothing in the entire penthouse.

The coffee table beside them had been untouched — a thin layer of dust over the wood. He swallowed hard. Because no one had been living here since Halloween. Since his mother had died.

At the door, Drew made another face. “I knew this was a bad idea,” he muttered. He snagged his phone from his pocket, began to scroll through his contacts. “Should have just left the whole thing for the professionals.”

“What’s your damage, dude? You leave your heart in Pentonville?” Jake demanded, and Drew snapped his head up.

“What did you say to me?” Drew straightened.

“I said you could cut them some slack. They lost their mom and this was their home their entire life. You used to love Sam, too, you know. Or maybe they beat it out of you when you got kidnapped. Whatever happened to you,” Jake muttered, looking ahead to his brother and Scout. “I don’t even recognize you anymore.”

“I’m sorry that I didn’t run my plans past a teenager who’s opinion doesn’t matter,”‘ Drew said coolly. He turned his attention to Danny and Scout. “Look, if you don’t want to do this, I told you. We can wait. They’ll be packing this place up in a few weeks anyway.”

Danny climbed to his feet, scowling. “What does that mean?” he demanded. “Who is they?”

“The movers. We have to clear out the personal effects,” Drew said. “Look, I’ll make sure all your things get boxed up. We won’t throw anything away. Or your mother’s—”

“No, you won’t because you’re not touching anything,” Danny shot back.

Scout shook her head. “I don’t understand. Danny?” She tugged on his shirt. “What’s going on?”

“What’s the rush?” Jake started but Drew walked past him, cutting him out of the conversation. He grimaced, pulled out his phone.

“I thought your grandmother would have said something. Or your father. He got the same papers I did. You can’t just let this place sit here,” Drew said. “It’s worth millions of dollars. That money will do much better in your trust fund than going to waste—”

“You’re not touching anything!” Danny shot back. “This is my mother’s penthouse! You can’t—”

“Your mother isn’t here anymore,” Drew cut in and Danny closed his mouth, stunned. “I’m sorry for that, God knows I wouldn’t want it this way. No one did. But your mother is gone. She’s not coming back, and there’s no point in all of us living like this—”

Scout shoved him hard, then took off running towards the stairs. Drew hissed, then headed after her— but a few seconds later, they heard a door slam shut, then angry knocking. “Emily Scout! Open this door right now!”

Danny scowled. “I’m calling Dad. He’ll stop this.”

Or get arrested kicking the shit out of Drew again, Jake thought, but he had his own phone out. Because if Danny was calling in reinforcements, they were going to need a mediator.

He flipped open a new text message.

hey mom 911…

+25

Written in 61 minutes.

For the first time in living memory, Thanksgiving dinner made it to the table at the Quartermaines. The family crowded around the large dining table, and maybe by some silent agreement, even Tracy kept her opinions to herself. After all, there was always after dinner.

“I’m actually kind of disappointed,” Danny said, following Jake into the foyer with a wrinkle of his nose. “I wanted the distraction of smoke alarms or one of the dogs getting to the turkey.”

Jake smirked, but some of his amusement faded as he watched Scout sit on the bottom step, her head in her hands again. Through the open double doors to the front sitting room, Drew was standing at the mini bar with Willow.

If Scout was to be believed — and Jake did — she’d seen her father kissing the much younger and very married wife of his own nephew. And then Drew had basically manipulated his own daughter into doubting herself to keep her quiet. Jake struggled to merge the image of the man he’d loved as a father for so long with a predatory older man seducing his own niece-in-law and gaslighting his daughter. Had prison rotted his brain?

And should Jake really keep this to himself? He’d promised Scout, but this really felt like something he should escalate to a higher being. Keeping the secret from Michael felt dirty, even wrong, especially after his cousin had been so supportive after everything had gone to hell.

“Jake, you almost ready?”

He turned to see his mother with her coat over one arm. His father stood slightly behind her, his own jacket already on. “Uh, actually—” He looked at Danny. “I was thinking if you want, I could stay and we could take another shot at that COD mission. We almost have it.”

Danny’s eyes lit up. “Yeah, that would be cool. If that’s okay,” he said to Elizabeth. “I know Jake was gone for a long time and you missed him.”

“No, it’s great,” Elizabeth said, fishing in her purse. She retrieved her keys. “If you want, why don’t you take the car, and Jason can give me a ride home.” She looked at Jake’s dad. “If that’s okay?”

“Sure.”

Jake retrieved the keys. “Thanks, Mom. Really. What time are you going in tomorrow?”

“One, so be home in time.” She kissed his cheek and squeezed Danny’s arm. “Have a good time.”

“That’s the plan,” Jake said, tucking the keys in the pocket of his hanging jacket. He looked over at Scout, then at Danny. “Hey, before we play though, maybe we could do something with Scout. I think she was really upset before dinner.”

“Yeah, Drew signed the lease for a place in DC.” Danny made a face. “They’re going after the holidays, and he wants to her to pack. They’re going to the penthouse this weekend to pack her room.”

“Oh…has she…have either you been back…” Jake trailed off when Danny looked at the ground. “Sorry, stupid question.”

“No, it’s…it’s just a place, you know. But it’s…the last time I left home, I was gonna see my mom, and we were planning for her to come home.” Danny crossed his arms, then uncrossed them, leaving them dangling at his side. “Just…doesn’t feel right to go there without her.” He looked at his sister. “But I should go with Scout. When she goes, you know? I’m her brother. I should have realized she wasn’t feeling good today.”

“You’re dealing with this, too,” Jake told him. “That’s what I’m here for. To support you both. C’mon, let’s go see what Scout wants to do.”

—

Their feet crunched over the gravel-lined driveway as Elizabeth followed Jason to his SUV. “Sorry to just volunteer you as my chauffeur,” she said, reaching the passenger door. When she heard the beep of the remote locks, she tugged on the door.

“It’s fine.” Jason switched on the ignition, but didn’t change the gears, waiting for her to sort herself—place her purse on the floor, fasten her seatbelt. “But we should probably look into something for Jake. Unless—” he paused, looked at her. “I know he’s been rough, I mean behavior and attitude—”

“That’s part of the reason I wanted to drive with you.” She reached over, squeezed his forearm. “Whatever you said to him last week, after you guys talked to Danny, thank you. We talked this morning, and I really felt the difference, you know? He’s still upset and a little confused, but I don’t…the anger seems to have faded. Or maybe he’s hiding it better. I just felt like I was talking to my son again today.”

“I didn’t—”

“Don’t even say you didn’t do anything,” Elizabeth interrupted. She released his arm, folded her hands in her lap, leaning her head against the back of the chair, exhaled on a slow breath. “It’s been such a nightmare, dragging all that back. Having the same arguments with Lucky, reliving those awful decisions.” She looked back at him. “I know you forgave me, but I just…I have to say it again. I have so many regrets in my life, but that day in the penthouse, it’s number one. Followed by the day I asked you to give him up. It was so wrong to even ask it.”

“It was wrong to agree,” Jason said. He looked straight ahead, out into the darkness of the trees that bordered this side of the Quartermaine property. “I had my reasons, but agreeing to it, letting it continue, it just made you think I didn’t love him. That I didn’t want him.”

“I—” Elizabeth paused, tried to consider her words carefully. “I won’t say I didn’t doubt it. Especially at first. That day in the penthouse. Of course now, I can look back, and I can remember the way you looked, the way you sounded, and how it was just you making things all right for me. Like you always do—”

“You started to tell me a hundred times,” Jason told her quietly, and she stopped, their eyes meeting. She had, of course, nearly worked up the nerve so many times. “And I always said something that stopped you. Or you were interrupted by something else. We put this all to bed a long time ago, Elizabeth. It doesn’t—” He curled one hand around the steering wheel, his voice turning slightly gravelly. “It doesn’t do any good to look back, think of what could have been different. What should have been different.”

“I know.” She closed her eyes, feeling the familiar prick of tears. “I really thought I’d forgiven myself, you know. But it’s hard when Jake looks at me, and he asks these questions I just can’t answer. That I don’t want to answer. But he deserves to know, I think, a little bit of it. Maybe not all of it, but some.”

“I…thought I’d forgiven myself, too,” he said slowly, and she looked at him again, surprised. “For what happened after Michael was shot. That’s what I told Jake that day. For the choices I made when he was a baby, before he was born, for the choices I made two years ago.”

“We were scared,” she said. “We did the best we could—” she sighed, looked at the windshield. “I can’t say I regret how things turned out. I have Aiden, and you have Danny.”

There was a moment of quiet, and she thought he’d put the car into reverse and start the drive home. But he didn’t.

“We would have had more kids.”

Elizabeth turned her head to look at him, found him watching her. The corner of her mouth curved up. “Oh, probably. How many?”

“How many did you want?”

Thinking that maybe he was just trying to lighten the moment, talking about the dream children that would never exist, she forced herself to say something equally light-hearted. “Oh, dozens. To start with. You?”

“Whatever made you happy.”

Their eyes held for a long moment, and something seemed to happen, something in the air, a shift, something that sent her pulse racing, had her breath coming just a bit faster. Finally, he looked away, shifted the car out of park.

And they didn’t speak again.

—

After watching a movie with Scout, then playing Call of Duty for several hours, Danny crashed, but Jake couldn’t sleep.

He crept down the back staircase to the kitchen, hoping to raid the kitchen and find some of the leftover from dessert that night. But he wasn’t the only one with that plan—

Michael was at the counter, unwrapping the same pan of tiramisu Jake had in mind. His cousin paused, knife in hand, and grinned. “Oh, thank God. I thought you were Sasha. She hates when I get into the kitchen after she’s cleaned up for the night.” He tipped it towards Jake. “You wanna get a fork? I’m feeling hungry enough to finish what’s left.”

Jake was uneasy about being around Michael on his own, worried that the secret he was keeping was emblazoned across his forehead, but avoiding him wasn’t going to help Jake sleep any sooner. “Yeah, sure.”

When they were settled at the table with the pan between them and forks in hand, Jake asked, “So you come all the way up from the gatehouse a lot?”

“Since Sasha took over, yeah. Beats cooking for yourself, and she’s one of the best.” Michael shifted in his seat, took another bite. “I’m glad you’re hanging around Danny—and Scout. They need the distraction, you know?”

“Yeah. And we didn’t get a disaster shutting down dinner this year.” Jake swirled his fork in the pan. “You’re, like, a CEO, right? So you have to make hard decisions a lot.”

“I guess.” Michael tipped his head. “Why? Everything okay?”

Jake considered his words carefully. “What if you promised not to tell someone something before you found out what it was, and now that you know—you think maybe this is the kind of thing you shouldn’t be in charge of knowing?”

“You mean, is it ever morally right to break a promise if your intentions are to help the person?” Michael asked.

“Yeah, I guess that’s a good way to put it.”

“It depends. Is this person going to be hurt? Are they in danger?”

“Physically, no. Emotionally, maybe. And this thing—” Jake pressed his lips together. “It affects other people. And it makes me mad. I wanna do something stupid. Like pop tires. Or sugar in the gas tank.”

Michael’s fork stilled, and he looked at Jake. “But you’re not gonna do those things.”

“I said they were stupid,” Jake muttered. “You said that just like Cam would have.”

“Older brothers who have been there and done that. I’ve done some stupid things in my life—a lot of stupid things that I thought were a good idea at the time.” Michael set his fork down. “And I had a younger brother who was impulsive and did a lot of things without thinking.”

Right. Morgan. Jake hadn’t thought about him in a long time — he’d been just a kid when that had happened. “Sorry. I wasn’t thinking—”

“I didn’t bring him up to make you feel bad. It’s just—I know how easy it is to give in to the anger. To the need to hurt someone else. My parents did it, so did my brother. I did. And I know my sister’s done it a time or two. I’m hoping I raise my kids better than that. And that I steer my little cousins in a better direction.” He folded his arms. “Now, this thing that makes you mad and might hurt other people. What happens if you tell the truth?”

“The person who told me won’t…they’ll be angry that I broke my promise. And maybe they won’t trust me or anyone else again. I don’t want them to feel alone.”

“Is this about Danny? I know he’s had a really hard time, especially since Alexis started all of this custody stuff. He’s trying not to talk about it, but—”

“It’s not Danny.” Jake took a deep breath. “It’s Scout. I found her crying earlier. Before dinner, sitting all alone in the nursery.” He looked down, missing the way Michael flinched at the mention of that room.

“It’s going to be really hard for her, going to DC. Danny has you and his dad, and all his family. Scout will be on her own. I wish…I wish Drew would leave her here, but—” Michael grimaced. “That’s a nonstarter for a lot of reasons.” He paused. “But something’s wrong, and you can’t tell anyone. It’s more than moving? More than her mom?”

“I guess all of that is part of it. Or making it worse.” Jake twirled the fork again. “Her dad did something pretty awful, and he’s making Scout lie about it, but it’s a really fucked up way. He told her she didn’t see it. But she did.”

Michael’s mouth tightened, and he dipped his head for a long moment. “And what she saw? This is the thing you don’t want to tell me? That will hurt people?”

“It’s what I promised to keep secret. But I think—I think she made me promise because of what Drew said to her. That she was bad if she lied, that maybe her mom would be disappointed in her, and that’s so messed up, you know? Maybe I should tell you because he’s an asshole, and shouldn’t get away with it—”

Michael held up his hand, and Jake stopped talking. “I think,” his older cousin began painfully, “that maybe you don’t have to tell me what she saw. She saw Drew, didn’t she? With someone else?”

There was a pit in his stomach, and Jake slowly nodded. “Yeah. You…you already know?”

“Yeah. I already know.” Michael dragged his hands down his face. “This is a goddamned nightmare,” he muttered, more to himself than to Jake. “They’re not even trying to keep this a secret. Are they trying to get caught?”

“Michael.”

“Where did she see them?” Michael wanted to know, dropping his hands. “She saw Drew with my wife, right? Where? When?”

“In the nursery—”

His face went white. “Oh, God, not the night her mother died. Tell me Scout didn’t see them that night.”

“I don’t—” Jake swallowed hard. “I don’t think so. She made it sound recent. Oh, oh, man. Michael, I’m so sorry—”

“Recent. So after the hospital where your mother saw them, and after the nursery when the nanny cam—” Michael stopped, took a deep breath. “Okay. Okay. I’m going—don’t worry. I already knew. Scout never needs to know we had this conversation.”

“Michael—”

“Thank you. For telling me. Or working your way around it.” Michael got up, his hands trembling slightly, gripping the chair so hard, the knuckles were white. “You’re a good kid. A good brother. You don’t have to worry about this anymore, okay? I’ll take care of it.”

He left then, through the terrace leading outside, and Jake just stared after him, then looked at the soggy mess in the tin pan on the table.

He should have stayed upstairs.

+37

Written in 33 minutes.

Molly jolted when she felt hands rest on her shoulders, but she relaxed when she realized it was TJ. “You scared me,” she said, pressing a fist against her heart.

“Sorry, you just looked so far away.” TJ followed her gaze to the table that sat by the terrace. His uncle Curtis was teasing his aunt Stella about the place setting. By the television, his grandfather Marshall was watching the game with, of all people, Molly’s father Ric. “You all right?”

“Remember our first Thanksgiving after we moved in together?” she asked, leaning back against him. He slid his hands from his shoulder to wrap around her in a backward hug. “In our tiny apartment?”

“I do. But I don’t mind having a bigger place.” He kissed her temple. “We can still call your mom.”

“I don’t know if it would be a good idea for us to be in the same room. We’re starting depositions next week.”

TJ was quiet for a minute. “I know you hoped your mother would back off—”

“She will. She has to.” Especially as Molly had scheduled Elizabeth and Jake to be deposed first. Her mother’s entire case depended on proving Jason as an unfit father. Who better to weigh in and make her mother see how doomed it was than the mother of his son? And his son?

“What if she doesn’t, Mol? When if it gets to having Danny and Scout see a therapist?”

“It’s my worst nightmare, but it’s not me doing this, TJ. It’s not Jason. Mom always thinks she has the right answers. I don’t know what gives her that kind of delusional confidence.” She took a deep breath. “But that’s the last time I talk about her or my sister. Let’s go see if anyone needs help in the kitchen.”

—

Despite her long friendship with Emily and history with Jason, Elizabeth hadn’t attended any Thanksgiving dinners before today. It was a little nerve-wracking, she thought, circulating from the sofa where she’d been catching up with Ned and Lois to the fireplace where Monica was holding court, sparring with Tracy. Jason’s mother had spent most of the last year ill, and unable to get around much. It was good to see her up and part of the family again.

As Elizabeth approached, she saw Tracy shoot Drew a fulminating glare and turn her back to the new Congressman. Her brows lifted at the coldness, but she kept her mouth closed, focusing on Monica. “I can’t tell you how much we miss you at GH. It doesn’t…it doesn’t feel right not to have a Quartermaine on staff.”

Monica sighed, and Elizabeth winced. “I’m sorry, I never meant—”

“No, no. Of course.” Monica patted her hand. “It’s the first time in more than fifty years. It’s…the reality.” She looked towards the foyer. “But perhaps someone will take up the mantel. Jake…he’s set on art?”

“He is.”

“A shame. His father was a talented, intelligent young man.” Tracy sniffed, lifted her glass of wine to her lips.

“I hear Cameron is pre-med, though,” Monica said, ignoring her sister-in-law. “Steve would be so proud of you both for carrying on the Hardy legacy.”

“I hope so. I had very big shoes to fill as head nurse.”

“Still not a Quartermaine, but Quartermaine adjacent. I’ll allow it,” Tracy decided, then clenched her jaw. “A better representation than some others who carry the name,” she muttered.

Elizabeth didn’t even have to look to know who Tracy was glaring at. “I feel like I’ve missed something. Everyone is a bit…” Frosty.

“It’s a little awkward,” Monica explained. She touched her chin. “It hasn’t been long since, ah—”

“Let’s just say the only quality Drew inherited from my brother is being an absolutely unfaithful alley cat. Sorry,” she added as an aside to Monica. “Though you were hardly better.”

“You either,” Monica challenged.

Elizabeth started to press for more, but saw Michael pull away from Brook Lyn and Chase and head down the back hall to the kitchen. “I’ll…I’ll be back.”

She left them, followed Michael, calling out his name just before he reached the threshold of the kitchen. He turned and smiled at her. “Hey. I was hoping to get a minute to see you.”

“Same.” She kissed his cheek. “Do you have a few minutes? Can we talk somewhere?”

“Yeah, sure—” Michael gestured to another hall, leading her down to one of the sitting rooms near the front of the house. “Is everything okay? With Jason’s case? I got the subpoena. I think I’m supposed to be deposed sometime next week.”

“Oh.” Elizabeth blinked. “I didn’t realize that—but that makes sense. Molly said she wanted to start the depositions strong. I’m on Monday.” She pressed a hand to her belly. “I know it’s silly, but I’m nervous. It’s so important that these go well and that we get Alexis to back down before it goes as far as ordering Danny or Scout to talk to someone. They’ve been through so much. It’s bad enough Jake is up after me.”

Michael made a face, then scrubbed a hand through his hair. “Yeah, I hate the idea of that, too. Danny’s…you know, he can probably hold his own. But Scout…she’s just a kid. Kids—” He looked past her, his eyes slightly unfocused. “Kids shouldn’t be weapons.”

“No, they shouldn’t. And Michael—” She waited until he looked at her. “No matter what happens with you or Willow, I know you won’t let it happen to yours.”

“That’s the plan, but it’s harder than it should be.” He shook his head slightly. “So what did you want to talk to me about if it’s not Jason’s case?”

“Well, it is, but—” Elizabeth bit her lip. “A few days ago, Jason came over to talk to Danny and ran into Drew. Drew threatened to get involved with the custody case. Maybe even cooperate with Alexis.”

Michael pressed his lips together. “That’s bullshit—”

“I’m worried that a judge might think differently if Drew lets Scout stay with Alexis. Or just generally make all of this worse.” Elizabeth paused. “Your uncle didn’t want you to know this. But I can’t let Drew just throw around threats like this.”

Michael sighed, perched on the arm of a chair. “He didn’t want me to know because I’m pretending nothing is wrong. Pretending that my wife—” He closed his eyes. “Protecting me could cost him his son. Why would—”

“That isn’t how he looks at it. He doesn’t, Michael. Hey—” she touched his arm. “He doesn’t see it as an even exchange, and neither do I. We see it as Drew being a terrible person who isn’t afraid to hurt people to get what he wants. The only person putting you in the middle is him. Because we both know why Drew would want Jason to lose custody.”

“I could make his life uncomfortable,” Michael muttered. He looked at Elizabeth. “I’ve thought about it. Bankrupting him, going after Aurora, I don’t know, something. Anything so that Willow stops seeing him as a hero.” He took a deep breath. “I’ll talk to Jason. I can keep your name out of it—”

“Don’t worry about that. And I didn’t tell you because I think you should do something about the case. Jason can handle it, and I’m there if he needs anything. I told you because you needed to know what Drew is doing.”

Michael managed a faint smile. “I’m glad you’re back in my uncle’s life. You know? That he’s…he’s okay. After the way he came home—” He shook his head. “He’s lucky to have you in his corner.”

“I’m in your corner, too, Michael. What you’re dealing with…there are no easy answers. No simple ways out. I trust that you’ll find something that works for you. I just don’t think Drew should get away with pretending he’s applying for sainthood in the meantime.”

—

Jake tossed down the video controller with some disgust. “This is rigged. No way you got that good since I went to school.”

Next to him, Danny shrugged, tossed his own controller aside. “Haven’t had a lot to do except play.” He switched off the console, then rose and stretched. “Maybe we should go downstairs. See if dinner is happening.”

“Or if it’s pizza.” Jake got to his feet. He’d done his best to keep his brother distracted from thinking about how Thanksgiving was supposed to include Dante and Rocco. Though his mother had encouraged, Dante hadn’t felt right about being there without Sam. They came to the Quartermaines because of Danny’s connection, not Dante’s. They’d gone to Jake’s other grandmother instead.

It was stupid, Jake thought. They were all connected. Why bother with two separate meals and make people choose? But it wouldn’t have changed anything. Because last year, Danny hadn’t been living at the Quartermaines.

He’d been with his mother.

Danny looked around the room, frowning. “Scout was here, wasn’t she? She was gonna watch us play.”

“I guess she got bored. Maybe she went downstairs.”

“Maybe.” Danny’s stomach rumbled, and he rubbed it. “I’m gonna go down, find something to eat.”

“Yeah, let’s go.” They headed into the hallway, but Jake stopped after a few feet, realizing the nursery door was slightly open. “Hey, you go ahead, I’m gonna see if Scout is still up here and grab her.”

“Tell her not to wait too long or the sweet potatoes will be gone,” Danny suggested. He disappeared around a corner, and Jake headed towards the nursery.

His intuition was right on the mark — Scout was sitting in the window seat, curled up, and looking out the window. He leaned against the doorframe. “Hey, kid. You wanna go down and get some appetizers?”

She looked at him, and he realized with a start there were tearstains on her cheek. He was looking after Danny the best he could, and he’d just assumed Danny was looking out for his sister—

But Danny shouldn’t have to, Jake decided. He was dealing with enough. “You want to be alone? I could put on the television for you or—”

Scout shook her head, then buried her head in her drawn up knees, her shoulders shaking. Jake shoved his hands in his pockets and crossed the room, perching on the edge of the window seat, pushing aside a few teddy bears. “Can I do anything?”

Scout looked up, her eyes splotchy. “I want my mom. You can’t fix that.”

“No, I can’t.”

Her lips trembled. “And Danny’s going to live with you. He said I can’t come.”

Jake cleared his throat. “He’s coming to live with his dad. And I’m going to stay, too. But you’re going to have an adventure. A whole new city, and school. Lots of friends to make.”

“D-don’t wanna make friends. Daddy says I have to stay with him. That I have to be a g-good girl and brave.” The last words were barely audible, more of a hiccup sob.

“It’s not easy to be in a new place,” Jake told her, lowering his voice. “When I was your age, I came home after a long time away. I didn’t know anyone, not even my mom or my brothers.”

Scout’s eyes widened. “You didn’t?”

“It was scary, but I…” Had managed it. Cam had been there to look after him, and his mom had never flinched, even when Jake had made trouble. Or accidentally blown up their house. But Scout wouldn’t have a Cam or Mom.  Or Danny.

She’d have Drew.

“We’re going to write you all the time. And call as much as your dad lets us. Danny says every day, and I’ll make sure he doesn’t forget. And you know my dad will bring him to see you as much.”

“B-but w-what if—” Scout took another heaving breath. “What if I mess up? What if I say something? Daddy will be mad and he might send me to school. Danny can’t come see me.”

“Say something?” Jake echoed. He tilted his head. “What does that mean?”

Scout shook her head fiercely. “Can’t tell anyone. Can’t say. It wasn’t real, and Daddy says I can’t tell lies. Mommy would be so mad at me. I d-don’t want Mommy to be mad.” Her face crumpled and she started to cry, and rock back and forth. “Can’t tell anyone.”

“You can tell me,” Jake told her. “You tell me what’s wrong, and I won’t tell anyone. No one,” he repeated.

Scout lifted her head, looking miserable and wretched. “You promise? Really, really promise?”

“Yeah, of course. We’re cousins, right? And you know what? Our dads are twins, so we’re, like, super cousins,” Jake told her. “That’s almost as good as siblings. You tell me, and I won’t tell anyone. Not even Danny. It’ll be our secret.”

“O-Okay.” Scout dragged a hand across her face. “I-I s-saw Daddy kissing Aunt Willow. He says I didn’t, but I know I did. And not like friends. Like Brook Lyn and Chase.”

+30