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.”

← Flash Fiction: Dear Reader – Part 23 |