There was nothing that the town of Port Charles loved more than a good old-fashioned funeral. They could gather, spread gossip and see people that they wouldn’t see any other time of the year.

There were few people in town that could be worthy of funerals so large but Lila Quartermaine had been one of their most beloved citizens, her family their wealthiest. No one threw a funeral like the Quartermaines.

Spend all your time waiting
For that second chance

The service was held in St. Mary’s Cathedral downtown and it was packed. Standing room only. There were lines of people to speak but in the end, Drs. Alan and Monica Quartermaine spoke of her, her granddaughter Emily and nephew Ned Ashton spoke.

The husband Edward sat in the front pew silent. For anyone who knew him, it was an indicator of his condition.

Afterwards, there was an invitation only reception though that didn’t stop the press and curious citizenry from trying to gain access.

Longtime friends Elizabeth Webber and Lucky Spencer escorted Emily from the long dark limousine. They kept her shielded from the press as they hurried her into the house. Behind them, Ned Ashton and Dillon Quartermaine helped their mother Tracy from the car to the house. Lila had been one of the few people to genuinely love Tracy and her mother’s death had devastated the normally cold and ruthless woman.

Grandson AJ Quartermaine came after them by himself. He’d driven in a car not sponsored by the family and it was generally rumored that he would leave soon after the reception.

Edward Quartermaine came last, held up by his son Alan and his daughter-in-law Monica.

For a break that would make it okay
There’s always some reason
To feel not good enough

Emily accepted the glass of water from Elizabeth and smiled thinly. “I’m fine,” she whispered. She fidgeted and looked around. She stopped after a moment, realizing she’d been looking for Nikolas.

Elizabeth patted her arm and smiled sadly. “I’m sorry he’s not here.”

“It’s all right.” Emily cleared her throat. “He—he would have been if he remembered. And he doesn’t. Let’s—let’s drop it.” She glanced around again. “So many people were here. So many people loved her.”

“She was a classy woman,” Elizabeth told her friend. “She always reminded me of one of those movie stars—the glamorous ones, you know?”

“There was no one like Lila Quartermaine,” Lucky remarked almost in awe. “The only person I’ve ever seen tell Edward to shut up and have him listen.” He caught the eye of his grandmother, Lesley and excused himself from the two women.

“I was almost hoping Jason would be here,” Emily murmured. “He loved her so much. But—this isn’t his scene. I just—I haven’t seen him since she died.” Her throat felt thick and her voice was hoarse from crying. “I don’t know how he’s handling it and you know that Sonny and Carly won’t give him five minutes alone to grieve.”

Elizabeth touched her arm and swallowed hard. “I could—I could check on him. If it would make you feel better. I have to go in a little while to relieve my baby-sitter. Do you want me to stop by the penthouse?”

Emily focused her tearful eyes on her friend and managed a weak smile. “Yeah—yeah that would be great. I just want to know he’s okay.”

And it’s hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction
Oh beautiful release

Nikolas Cassadine sipped his Scotch and stared at the roaring fire, the red and orange flames keeping his mind focused.

He knew that a woman named Lila Quartermaine had died, that she had been Emily’s grandmother. He’d found out that much from the newspapers. He had almost selfishly hoped it would make a memory flash in his head, it would create some emotion in his body.

But he was empty and the only thing he felt was the love for Mary, the woman who had lied to him.

He sipped the liquor and stared at the fire, wishing he knew how to rid himself of unwanted love.

Memories seep from my veins
Let me be empty and weightless
And maybe I’ll find some peace tonight

AJ Quartermaine was separated from the rest of the family, stood in his own little corner and sipped iced tea. He’d left Lydia behind in their island paradise. She’d felt sympathy for him but he had not brought her along. She didn’t know his grandmother.

His grandmother had loved him, had forgiven him for stealing most of the family’s fortune. He felt no guilt for that. Hadn’t they made it anyway? And after all the hell they’d put him through, he had deserved a reward.

He only hoped he could get out of here unscathed.

He smiled at an old family friend, nodded at a girlfriend from high school and shifted uncomfortably. Port Charles held no warm memories.

In the arms of the angel
Far away from here

Sara Evans hummed along to the Buffy theme song as she worked on her math homework. Baby-sitting for Cameron Webber was the easiest gig she’d ever landed and all she’d had to do was drop a hint to the mother at Kelly’s that she was looking for a job.

All Cameron did was sleep. He woke every once in a while but he just wanted to be held and fed. Mrs. Lansing had left a bottle of milk for him and Sara figured it was a pretty good gig all in all.

She frowned when she glanced at the grandfather clock in the corner of Audrey Hardy’s living room. She picked up the white baby monitor and shook it to make sure it was working.

Cameron hadn’t cried in nearly an hour. Hadn’t fussed. Hadn’t made a sound.

From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear

Samantha McCall tapped her fingers against the window restlessly. She hated feeling locked in, hated knowing that her life was in jeopardy, that her past had caught up with her.

She should have left town. She never should have come in the first place.

She looked around the large penthouse and exhaled slowly. Jason was prowling around the pool table, playing a solo game, trying to work out his frustration. She understood that—knew that his grandmother’s funeral had been today.

She wondered briefly why he hadn’t gone but did not ask. It was none of her business.

You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie

Emily sipped her water and moved to stand next to her brother. “I’m glad you were able to make it,” she said softly.

“I’m glad you called to tell me,” AJ replied. “I’m sorry—for Nikolas. I heard about his death and then—his memory loss.”

“I’ve been through it before,” she murmured. “I thought losing Jason was hard but losing Nikolas—” she looked at her brother. “I can’t—I can’t do this. This is about Grandmother. Not me.”

“And she wanted you to be happy—”

“I’ve been selfish enough.” She shook her head. “I have to respect Nikolas’s wishes. He doesn’t want to be around me, can’t forgive me, all right. I can handle it. I’m a big girl, AJ.”

You’re in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here

Elizabeth stepped off the elevator and glanced at her watch. She wondered if she should have called Sara, told her she was making a stop before coming home.

But Sara had baby-sat on more than one occasion. She was capable and she was responsible. If anything were wrong, she would call.

She moved as quietly as possible to the doorway to Jason’s penthouse and knocked, surprised when a pregnant Sam answered the door.

Elizabeth blinked. “Is Jason here?”

So tired of the straight line
And everywhere you turn

Sara took the steps too at a time and hurried into the nursery. Cameron lay on his back, his tiny little chest moving up and down. She sighed in relief and went to touch his forehead.

She yanked her hand back when she realized he was burning up. She whimpered. They so had not covered this in her baby-sitting class at the Y.

There’s vultures and thieves at your back
And the storm keeps on twisting

“Yeah, he’s here.” Sam stepped back. “Jase—Elizabeth Lansing is here.” She moved towards him. “You didn’t tell me you were friends with Ric’s wife,” she hissed.

“She’s not his wife anymore,” Jason murmured as he moved past the weirded out Sam and went to the door. “Elizabeth—”

“Could I come in?” Elizabeth asked. She cast an eye over her shoulder warily. “If Carly sees me, there’s no telling what’ll happen.”

“Yeah, yeah, sure.” He stepped aside and frowned at how different she looked since that last night at Kelly’s. She’d been about eight months pregnant, her hair had been different—everything about her had looked different.

“Emily was worried about you,” Elizabeth began but before she could get much further, her cell rang.

You keep on building the lies
That you make up for all that you lack

Nikolas crossed to the mini bar to pour himself another glass of Scotch but stopped dead at the sight of Mary standing in his doorway. He glowered at her but she didn’t wince or back away.

She had guts; he could at least give her that.

“What do you want?” he spat.

“I came to talk about our options,” Mary said faintly. “Our marriage wasn’t technically legal as you’re not Connor Bishop but you do have things at the house and I—” she faltered and looked away. “I just—I wanted to try and make this right.”

“Yeah—well you can’t.”

It don’t make no difference
Escaping one last time
It’s easier to believe in this sweet madness
Oh this glorious sadness that brings me to my knees

Dillon Quartermaine kept one on his grandfather and the other on his mother as he approached his girlfriend Georgie Jones at the buffet table. “Thanks for coming,” he told her.

“Yeah, no problem.” She shrugged and looked at her feet. “How’s your grandfather doing? My mother said he must be devastated.”

“He hasn’t said anything since she died.” Dillon frowned into his glass of soda. “You don’t know how weird it is not to hear him yelling about something. And my mother hasn’t argued with anyone. No one really has. It’s spooky, Georgie. It’s like—you want them to stop fighting but when they do…you just want them to start again.”

“They’re just in shock,” Georgie tried to assure him.

“Yeah…but it’s like…they’ve lost the will to be a family—to butt into each other’s lives.” He shook his head. “I don’t know how to deal with the Quartermaines if they’re not pushy and offensive.”

In the arms of the angel
Far away from here

“Sara?” Elizabeth said, a little surprised. “Is Cam okay…What? Wait—did you take his temperature—Oh my God, okay, okay, no, honey don’t panic. Just call—you already called 911? Okay, okay, I’ll meet you in the ER.” She snapped her cell shut, her hands trembling. “I have—I have to go. My baby—he’s got a 102.4 fever a-and Sara can’t get him to wake up.”

She moved past Jason towards the door but just as she reached the doorway, her legs gave out and she would have sank to the ground if he hadn’t caught her. Sam hurried forward and pulled out the desk chair.

“Take deep breaths,” Jason cautioned her.

“I really—I have to go. Cameron needs me.” Her hands were shaking so hard that she clenched them into fists. “I have to go.”

“You shouldn’t drive,” Sam told her. “Jason—maybe you should take her. I could call Emily to meet you all there.”

“That’s a good idea.” Jason looked back at an extremely pale Elizabeth. “We’re going to go now, okay? I’m going to take you to the hospital. Can you walk?”

She nodded numbly and he helped her to her feet.

From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear

“Maybe I can’t,” Mary allowed. “But it doesn’t matter where you spent these last few weeks. You didn’t remember when you were with me, you didn’t remember when you made love to Emily and you don’t remember now. Nothing I’ve done has kept you from remembering and I think you blame me.”

He stared at her for a long moment before she broke the gaze and looked at the ground. “There’s nothing at your house that I want.”

Mary nodded. “Fine. But I gave you a name, I gave you someone to be when you had nothing. Maybe I shouldn’t have. Maybe I shouldn’t have tried to fill the hole in my life with you. But I did. And you were happy.”

“I was living a lie,” Nikolas muttered.

“You were happy living a lie and now you’re back in your old life and you’re miserable,” Mary remarked. “Do you really think that this is an improvement? You don’t want to be around me, you don’t want to be around your family or anyone who loves you. Well, that’s fine. You can just be alone. I guess I’ll have to learn to do it again.”

“You were going to try to have a baby to keep me in your life,” Nikolas accused.

“Yes, I was and that made me realize how far I’ve gotten from reality.” Mary shrugged simply. “I’m starting grief counseling at the hospital. I’ve recognized my shortcomings, my problems and I’m looking for a solution. You’re just drinking yourself into oblivion.”

“What do you care, Mary?” Nikolas asked scathingly. “You’re nothing to me.”

The words had their desired effect and she looked away. “I accept that,” she whispered. “And it makes me glad. Because I love you. Not the man I tried to make you be, but I love you. And I can’t watch you destroy yourself.” She turned and disappeared down the hallway.

And he couldn’t decide if he was relieved or disappointed.

You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie

Emily slid her cell phone back into her purse and moved through the crowd to find Audrey. “Mrs. Hardy, I just spoke with Sam McCall. Elizabeth got a call while she was at the penthouse. Cam’s being rushed to the hospital.”

“Jesus,” Audrey murmured. She abruptly made her exit and Emily set out to find Lucky.

You’re in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here

A shaken and trembling Sara Evans was waiting for Elizabeth in the ER. “They brought Cameron into the back ten minutes ago and won’t tell me anything,” she said mournfully. “I was downstairs and I realized he hadn’t fussed or anything for a while so I went up to check on him—” She broke off. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Lansing, I don’t know what I did wrong…”

“It’s all right,” Elizabeth said, trying to keep her voice strong. Her eyes were trained on the pink curtains separating her from her child. “You didn’t do anything wrong, Sara.”

“I’m so sorry,” Sara kept saying anyway and her crying was beginning to wear on Elizabeth’s control. Her lower lip started to tremble. Jason took Sara’s arm and gently led her away, asking her to give them a minute.

“Elizabeth, can I get you anything?” he asked softly.

“You can tell me Cam’s okay,” Elizabeth whispered fearfully, “and promise me that I’ll never lose him.”

He could but it might end up being a lie and Jason had recently decided he was going to stop doing stuff like that to make people feel better. “I think that the doctors here will do the best they can,” he said after a moment.

Elizabeth opened her mouth to reply but a doctor appeared from behind the curtain. “I’m looking for Cameron Webber’s family.”

“That’s me,” Elizabeth said softly and her heart began to pound as the doctor moved towards them.

You’re in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here

Song: Angel by Sarah McLachlan

July 17, 2004

These clouds around you break your fall
As you came crashing to the ground

Dillon hesitantly held out a glass of water to his grandfather. “Monica says you should drink something.”

Edward didn’t move, didn’t look up at him and certainly did not take the glass. He simply sat on the couch and stared into space and Dillon decided he’d much rather Edward be starting in on his hair.

Brooke Lynn Ashton pulled him away from the couch. “Can’t people just leave him alone?” she asked, irritated. “His wife of like a hundred years has died. Do you think a glass of water is gonna change that?”

“Well—no,” Dillon stopped and glared at her. “Hey, you knew Grandmother for all of five seconds, okay? I knew her for a year and this is killing me. She was the first person to welcome me to the family. She smiled every damn time she saw me and never once started in on my hair, my girlfriend, or my future. Do you know how rare a person like that is in this family?”

“I know—”

“So stop trying to act superior,” Dillon muttered. He shoved the glass into her hand and stalked away. She glared after him.

Did you learn anything at all?
You climb back up to come back down

Felicia Jones sipped her glass of wine and touched her daughter’s shoulder. “This just feels so wrong to be at her funeral,” she murmured.

“I know,” Maxie sighed. “I mean, I know everyone dies sooner or later but I guess—I figure there are some people who just don’t deserve it. Who deserve to get to keep on living and I always thought Mrs. Quartermaine would be around.”

Amy Vining joined them. “This is the first time I’ve been to this place without the family getting into some loud and crazy argument,” she remarked. She shook her head. “Doesn’t seem right.” She looked to Felicia and Maxie. “Hey, did you see Audrey Hardy rushing out of here with Emily Quartermaine and Lucky Spencer?”

“No, is she all right?” Felicia asked curiously.

“Audrey’s great-grandson is ill,” Amy told them. “And you know what else? Elizabeth was with Jason Morgan when she find out.” Amy wriggled her eyebrows. “You think they’re together again?”

“She’s married,” Maxie said, before remembering that she lived in Port Charles and that marriage didn’t always count.

“To Ric Lansing,” Amy rolled her eyes. “Besides, everyone knows that Jason Morgan has had a thing for her for ages.”

“He was married, too,” Maxie said, exasperated but her mother was firmly intrigued with this conversation and she wondered when everyone had lost their morals.

“To Courtney Matthews, his boss’s sister. And have you seen her in a tank top? What man is attracted to that?” Amy said with a wicked look in her eyes.

“Oh, I don’t know. Jason, AJ, Brian Beck, Jax,” Maxie began to tick off Courtney’s men on one hand.

“And anyway, Elizabeth just brought a new baby into town that was conceived while she and Ric were apart. Blonde hair, blue eyes,” Amy murmured with a knowing look.

“Elizabeth has blue eyes and her sister has blonde hair,” Maxie said in frustration. Why did people want to spread mindless gossip?

“Really?” Felicia asked, her eyes wide. “You know, I always thought they made a good couple.”

“Oh, I quit.” Maxie threw up her hands and walked away.

Everybody knows your name
But they don’t know who you are

Alexis Davis entered the study at Wyndemere, hesitating just inside the doorway. Nikolas was standing in front of the fireplace, staring into the flames. “I’m not sure what to call you,” she said after a moment.

He turned and looked at her and Alexis wondered if she’d ever get used to idea of seeing nothing in his eyes. “I’m not sure,” he said after a moment. “I thought I was Connor Bishop but apparently I’m Nikolas Cassadine. Who am I supposed to be?”

“I suppose that’s up to you,” Alexis remarked. She lifted Kristina into her arms. “I wanted you to meet Kristina. She’s my daughter.”

The curly-brown haired imp struggled in her mother’s arms and reached for him. “Nik-was,” she said, clearly pleased to see him.

Nikolas came forward and set his shot glass on the desk. “She knows me.”

“You’re her cousin,” Alexis said. She bit her lip. “You were her cousin. Nikolas—” she closed her eyes and he saw the struggle inside of her. She wanted to be in his life but didn’t want to push.

He touched Alexis’s shoulder. “Nikolas will do. It seems simpler.”

She nodded. “I don’t want you to be who used you to be if that’s not what you want. I just—you were very important to me. My last piece of family. I don’t want to lose that.”

“Then we’re in agreement.” Nikolas nodded. “You are my aunt and Kristina is my cousin. She’s just a child and I don’t want to confuse her.” He took Kristina from Alexis and smiled at her. “Hey there.”

“Nik-was,” Kristina hugged him. “Where you be?”

“I’ve been lost,” he told her. “But I think I’m home now.”

But to them it’s just the same
Yeah you’re just another name

Elizabeth clutched Jason’s arm as the doctor drew near. “I don’t care if you lie,” she whispered. “Just promise me he’ll be okay.”

Thankfully, the doctor was in front of them before Jason had to make such a promise. “Mrs. Webber? We think Cameron has roseola.”

She didn’t correct the name but just blinked. “What is that?”

“It’s a common childhood illness. High fever, some fatigue, runny nose, irritability—usually signs of it. Cameron’s running the high fever and he’s starting to develop the rash.”

“Common,” Elizabeth repeated. “He’s going to be okay, though right?” she asked fearfully, her grip on Jason’s maroon shirt tightening.

“We want to keep him in the hospital to keep an eye on the fever and I’d like to draw some blood from you and your husband to be on the safe side but—”

Elizabeth released Jason and stepped away, startled. “I don’t have a husband. J-Jason’s just a friend.”

“Oh.” The doctor frowned. “Well, that’s fine then. In case Cameron needs blood, we’d just like to draw some blood from you and Cameron’s father. He’s B, you know and that’s rather rare.”

“Well…I’m O,” Elizabeth replied. “I don’t know—Zander was Cameron’s father and he died earlier this year. I don’t know his blood type but I guess that doesn’t matter.”

“That’s too bad then,” the doctor remarked regrettably. “Since the baby’s other parent would have had to been B or AB—they’re both somewhat rare.”

“I’m AB,” Jason spoke up. Elizabeth glanced up at him, a little surprised and the doctor smiled then. “I could give blood.”

“Well, that’s great then.”

The doctor had just led Jason away when the elevators slid open and Audrey, Emily and Lucky spilled out.

“Where’s Cameron?” Emily asked as Audrey put an arm around her granddaughter.

“He’s in with the doctors. Zander, Emily…what was his blood type?” Elizabeth asked.

“What?” Emily frowned. “He was O. Why?”

She said fame will bring you down
At least that’s what she used to say

“The whole world has gone insane,” Maxie said, disgusted as she joined Dillon and Georgie at the buffet table. “Vows mean nothing. Promises mean nothing. Why don’t people just walk around naked?”

Dillon raised his eyebrows, clearly interested in this thread of conversation. “I’m very intrigued by this plan and I’d like to help you develop it some more.”

Georgie smacked him before looking at her sister. “What’s wrong?”

“Amy Vining just—” Maxie bit her lip. “She’s just saying these things and talking about how Elizabeth Webber’s baby might be Jason’s and how they were having an affair and they were both married, for Christ’s sake. And it just reminded me of Mom with Luke when she was married to Mac. I just hate it. Why can’t people just make promises and keep them?”

“Because the generation before us had clearly too much too drink,” Brooke Lynn sniped joining them. She downed her soda. “Look at my parents. My dad’s been married—how many times now? And my mom’s never gotten over him. They’re divorced and I don’t think either of them knows why so they just blame it on the family.” She snorted. “Bunch of pansies.”

“If I get married, I’m never going to cheat,” Georgie said definitively. “I think it’s horrible. Especially if you have kids.”

“It’s bad even if you don’t,” Brooke Lynn argued. She let out a long frustrated breath. “How many times have Alan and Monica been divorced?”

“I think they’ve lost count,” Maxie remarked. “Not to mention Bobbie’s string of marriages, my mother’s and I think even AJ’s been married more than once.”

“Twice. Both were mistakes if you ask me,” Dillon shrugged. “Wasn’t here personally but anyone who marries Carly Corinthos or Courtney Matthews is asking for misery.”

The four teens studied the adults around them with open disapproval. It was a strange day in Port Charles when a bunch of kids were more mature than their parents.

Then they handed her another crown
She said it would never be this way

“So tell me more about you,” Nikolas asked. “You’re a lawyer. Are you married? Where’s Kristina’s father?”

Alexis sighed heavily and sat on the couch, watching Kristina try and braid Nikolas’s short dark hair without much success. “I’m not married though I have been once. Almost twice. Kristina’s father is Sonny Corinthos but he doesn’t know that and he never will.”

“Fair enough.” Nikolas looked at her. “Who did you almost marry?”

“Ned Ashton, Emily’s cousin. I loved him—part of me always will but it just wasn’t right for me.” Alexis leaned back and tilted her head to the ceiling. “I was married to Jax but that was somewhat of a mistake. He’s a great friend, lousy husband.”

“Was I married before being engaged to Emily?” Nikolas asked curiously.

“Yes. To Lydia Karenin for her family’s money. But you divorced and she left town with AJ Quartermaine. Before Lydia, you were engaged to Gia Campbell but broke it off when you grew apart.”

“I seem to have a long history of engagements. Why do you think that is?”

“You have a large and generous heart, Nikolas. That part of you has never changed.”

“I’ve heard a lot about who I used to be and part of me wishes that it could come back. That I could love Emily again and be Lucky’s brother and your nephew like I was before.”

“And the rest of you?”

“The rest of me doesn’t mind that I was Connor Bishop for a while and lived a simple life in a house in the woods with Mary,” Nikolas murmured.

Everybody knows your name
But they don’t know who you are

“No, that can’t be,” Elizabeth shook her head. “Zander’s got to be B or AB, Emily. Are you sure?”

“I’m sure,” Emily touched her shoulder. “We had to have blood tests to get married.” She looked at Lucky in worry. “Why doesn’t Mrs. Hardy go check on Cameron and we’ll get you something to eat?”

“No, no, see, Cameron is B. I’m O. Zander and I can’t both be O,” Elizabeth said urgently. Her eyes filled with tears. “Do you understand what I’m saying, Emily?”

“I think so. You don’t think that’s your baby?” Emily asked.

“I don’t think Cameron was Zander’s son,” Elizabeth whispered. Something flashed in her head then. Just a vision of her lying on a bed underneath someone and then Jason’s voice echoed in her head. “I’m AB.”

And then she fainted.

But to them it’s just the same
Yeah you’re just another name
La da da da da just another name

Mary slid the last of Connor’s clothes into a cardboard box and taped it shut. And by Connor, she meant the husband she’d lost in Iraq. It was time to say goodbye to him and to Nikolas.

She had lost them both but her heart was still beating. It was dented but still beating and this time, she would figure out how to survive on her own.

She had circulated her resumes to the local schools and was hoping to get a job before fall. She’d taught before and was eager to start a new life.

Without Nikolas.

She dumped the box on the porch and turned to go back inside to call the Salvation Army to come and pick up Connor’s things.

But Lorenzo Alcazar stood in her way. “Hello, Mary.”

Yesterday she was a little girl
Pretending she was queen

“You ever look at the people you’re related to and think…’This cannot be my life’?” Maxie asked Brooke Lynn. “Because I look at my mother over there gossiping with Amy Vining and God help me, I don’t get it.”

The other teen snorted. “Are you kidding? Look at my mother. I’ve been there, I’ve bought and ripped the T-shirt.”

“Hey, I’ve got Tracy,” Dillon reminded them. But the humor left his voice when he saw his mother sitting next to his grandfather, both of them silent and not looking at the other. “That’s the scariest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Georgie wound her arm through her boyfriend’s and rested her chin on his shoulder. “The pain is too fresh, Dillon. Give them a chance to recover.”

“What if they don’t?” He couldn’t keep the fear from bleeding through. “Grandfather’s heart hasn’t been very good lately. And I can’t believe I’m saying this—but what if they don’t start talking to each other? Arguing?”

“They will,” Maxie said firmly. “That’s how they operate. That’s what makes them a family.”

“I’m beginning to think it was Grandmother who did that,” Brooke Lynn remarked.

Didn’t know it’d change the world
Didn’t know what this should mean

Lucky caught Elizabeth before she hit the ground and moved her to the couch. Audrey went to get her granddaughter some water.

“Jesus, what the hell is going on around here?” Emily muttered as she cradled Elizabeth’s head in her lap. “Go find the doctor that’s treating Cam and get some blood tests done to be sure that’s the same baby Elizabeth gave birth to.”

“And if it he is?” Lucky asked. “You saw her face. Who could his father be?”

A sickening ball of dread began to form in Emily’s stomach. “She said that Zander had to be B or AB to be Cam’s father.”

“Right.”

Emily met Lucky’s eyes. “Jason’s AB.”

“What’s going on?” her brother asked from behind them, a little alarmed. “What’s wrong with Elizabeth?”

Emily shook her head and turned to face her brother. “Zander’s blood was Type O, Jase. Not B or AB. Do you understand what that means?”

Jason hesitated and came closer to the couch. “Someone made a mistake.”

“Yeah.” Emily watched Elizabeth’s face as her friend began to stir. “Someone sure did.”

Which mask will you wear today?
How about the one with the pretty smile

Sam started to pace when Jason hadn’t returned. She was worried that he was friends with the wife of one of most vile men in town. Surely Jason should have seen the conflict of interest in knowing Elizabeth Lansing. She’d left her husband but hadn’t divorced him. That had to mean something?

She twisted her fingers together and had just made up her mind to go to the hospital when the door swung open and her worst nightmare scowled at her.

“Where’s Jason?” Carly Corinthos demanded shrilly.

Sam looked at the ceiling and prayed for the strength not to smack the bony blonde into the next millennium. “He’s at the hospital with Elizabeth Webber.”

“He’s what?” Carly asked. “What the hell is he doing with that little twit?” she asked, pure loathing in her voice

Sam frowned. “I didn’t think it was possible but I do believe you hate her more than you hate me.”

To you it’s just another day
In a life you haven’t lived in quite awhile
Everybody knows your name
But they don’t know who you are

“What do you want?” Mary asked a little apprehensively. She stepped back.

“I heard about Nikolas. That he discovered the truth and has left you. I wanted to extend my sympathies.”

“Uh huh,” Mary said warily. “Well now he’s gone. You’ve got no reason to be here.”

“That’s where you’re mistake, Mary.” Lorenzo smiled then and a strange chill went down her spine. “I’m not finished with you yet.”

But to them it’s just a game
And I think it’s gone too far

“Mrs. Hardy.”

Audrey was about to rejoin her granddaughter and her friends when Dr. Chris Ramsey caught her arm. “Yes, Dr. Ramsey?”

“I’m treating your great-grandson,” Chris began. “And your granddaughter told me that her blood type was O and when she told me who was the father was, I pulled Zander’s records.”

“And?” Audrey asked impatiently.

“Mrs. Hardy, Zander Smith was Type O. There’s no way he’s the father of that baby,” Chris told her.

Everybody knows your name
But they don’t know who you are

“I wonder what gossip she’s spreading now,” Maxie said almost hatefully as she looked at Amy, speaking with Felicia and Bobbie. “That maybe Cameron Webber is the love child of Elizabeth Webber and Sonny Corinthos.”

Dillon perked up. “Now there’s a scenario worth looking…” he trailed off when Maxie threw him a look filled with loathing. “Right then. Horrible thing gossip is. Never agreed with it.”

“No, I bet Amy’s trying to figure out if Cameron’s Elizabeth’s baby at all,” Georgie conspired. “I bet she’s saying that it’s some strange woman’s who Elizabeth came across last fall and the whole pregnancy was faked.”

Brooke Lynn looked at Georgie skeptically. “She wouldn’t.”

“Oh, she so would,” Georgie nodded. “Amy never gets anything right. When Dillon came to town last year, she told anyone who would listen that another one of Alan’s illegitimate kids had come home.”

“Oh, ew. It’s bad enough Tracy’s my mother,” Dillon wrinkled his nose.

“That’s my point. She’s got to be stopped or pretty soon the whole town is going to believe Jason’s the father of that baby,” Maxie remarked. “And that’s not fair to Elizabeth. Or to Jason. And you know how Carly Corinthos and her sister-in-law will take this rumor.”

“I fear for the poor brunette already,” Dillon said grimly. He paused and leveled a suspicious glare on his girlfriend’s sister. “Wait. What do you mean she’s got to be stopped?”

Maxie sent him a charming smile and he shook his head. “Uh, uh. The last time I tried to help someone, I ended up trying to catch the butterflies in a South American jail.”

“Really?” Brooke Lynn asked with some curiosity. “I think that’s a story I’d like to hear.”

“Come on, Dillon,” Maxie asked with bright eyes. “It’s for the greater good.”

“No.”

Georgie stood on her toes and whispered something into his ear. “Yeah?” he asked, intrigued. “Can you do that with whipped cream and a feather?” He sighed heavily. “All right, but no planes, no guns, no fish and no dressing me up like a girl.”

You’ve got the most familiar face
But you’re just another name

Elizabeth opened her eyes and sat up a moment later. “What happened?”

“You fainted.” Emily swept Elizabeth’s hair out of her face. “Are you okay? What happened?”

Elizabeth looked at Jason for a long moment before looking at her best friend. “Nothing. Nothing at all.”

La da da da da just another name
La da da da da just another name

July 17, 2004

General Hospital: Emergency Room

Audrey Hardy stared at the young doctor in stunned silence. “Could you—would you mind repeating that please?”

“Zander Smith had Type O blood, as does your granddaughter.” Chris took a deep breath. “Cameron is Type B. Mrs. Hardy, you do understand what that means, right?”

“Y-Yes,” Audrey murmured. She narrowed her eyes and cast her gaze towards the waiting room where Elizabeth was surrounded by her friends.

And Jason Morgan.

“When they first came in, I didn’t realize she was your granddaughter,” Chris continued following her gaze. “She was clinging to him and I assumed they were married. Mrs. Hardy, he has Type AB. Which is compatible with Elizabeth’s to create Type B.”

“I see exactly what you’re saying,” Audrey told him. “But I’m going to ask you to keep it to yourself. There has to be a reason Elizabeth didn’t tell anyone and I want to honor it, whatever it may be.”

“Of course.” Chris nodded. “But you can tell her we’re keeping Cameron a few days. He does have roseola and we just like monitor high tempers in babies so young.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Across The Room

Elizabeth stood on shaky legs. “I’m fine. Really. I haven’t eaten all day a-and there’s just been a lot happening.” She locked eyes with Jason. “We have to talk. Now.”

She turned on her heel and started to walk away. After a moment, Jason followed her.

Lucky cleared his throat. “Em, do you think—”

“I don’t know what to think,” Emily replied softly.

“This may sound like a really crazy question but it really needs to be asked.” Elizabeth took a deep breath. “Did we ever sleep together?”

His eyes widened and he looked incredulous. “You don’t remember?”

She whimpered. “I think I need to sit down.” Elizabeth took a deep breath. “Refresh my memory.”

“After the chapel,” Jason told her. “You didn’t want to go home. I took you to Jake’s. You…you really don’t remember?”

“Chapel. Jake’s.” Elizabeth hesitated. “Jake’s sounds familiar. We—we played pool right?”

He nodded. “You wanted to be distracted. You were drinking and after a while I joined you. And it sort of happened.” He looked away. “When you didn’t mention it, I thought you wanted to forget it happened so I didn’t mention it either.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “When I woke at Jake’s the next morning, I was dressed. You were dressed. I thought—I thought you had slept in the chair or something. You never—I didn’t remember at all.”

“We didn’t exactly…stop to take them off,” Jason admitted. He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I can’t believe that you didn’t remember.” A thought occurred to him. “I-I was drunk, Elizabeth. I never would have taken advantage of you like that if I wasn’t.”

“Taken advantage?” Elizabeth repeated, baffled. “I’m just as much to blame as you are. When you found out I was pregnant, why didn’t you ever…ask?”

“Because I knew if Cameron were mine that you would have told me,” Jason said simply. “And you didn’t. So I knew—” He stopped. “He’s mine?”

“I—I think so,” Elizabeth whispered tremulously. “He can’t be Zander’s.”

“Now I think I need to sit down.”

Bishop House

Mary stepped back from Lorenzo with some apprehension. “What could you possibly want with me?” she asked.

He chuckled. “Why does everyone assume that I mean them harm?” he asked.

“Maybe it’s the creepy way you show up everywhere,” Mary retorted. “Now tell me what you want and leave.”

“I don’t want you to give up on Nikolas,” Lorenzo told her. “I told you—its nothing sinister. Nikolas being with you suits my purpose more than he does being alone or with Emily Quartermaine.”

“What is your purpose?” Mary asked. “You must have dozens of people eager to work for you. Why do you have to do this to him?”

“Because whether he remembers or not, he is a Cassadine and that is something important.”

“And what does any of that have to do with me? Why should you care who Nikolas loves?”

“Because he’s sulking right now,” Lorenzo explained impatiently. “He’s angry because he doesn’t remember, because he knows he should love Emily and angry because he can’t stop loving you.”

“He doesn’t love me,” Mary said faintly. “He hates me.”

“He can only hate you if you mean something to him,” Lorenzo told her. “I made your debts disappear, Mary. You can do this small favor for me.”

“Chase after a man who doesn’t love me? Doesn’t want me? Can’t stand the sight me? Some small favor.”

“Do it, Mary, and you won’t regret it,” Lorenzo promised her.

“I’ll tell him you’re putting me up to it,” Mary threatened. “He won’t like you messing in his life and I won’t lie to him.”

“Good,” he nodded. “Lying won’t get him back.”

She frowned as he passed her. What an odd man.

Kelly’s

“Step One,” Maxie began. “Make her life a living hell.” They had escaped the viewing and gone to Kelly’s to grab some real food and work on their master plan.

Dillon frowned. “That’s not really very specific there, Maximiliana.”

“Don’t call me that,” Maxie scowled.

Brooke Lynn hooted. “Your name is Maximiliana? And I thought my parents were cruel.”

“It’s actually Maria Maximiliana,” Georgie supplied, helpfully.

“Bite me, Georgiana,” Maxie muttered. “Can we concentrate on ridding the world of Amy Vining?”

“Perhaps we should redefine our focus,” Dillon remarked. “My motive here is to help a friend of Emily’s.”

“I thought it was the whipped cream and feather,” Brooke Lynn teased.

“Details,” Dillon sniffed. “So before we decide Amy’s wrong, we should be sure.”

“She’s wrong,” Maxie said flatly. “Elizabeth and Jason were married to other people.”

“So?” Brooke Lynn asked. “Look, I don’t know anything about these people. Never met them, never heard of them so fill me in on who they are.”

“Elizabeth is Emily’s best friend,” Georgie reported. “And you know how close Dillon and Emily are.”

“Plus, Emily is Jason’s sister,” Dillon said, waving a French fry around to emphasize. “So I’m really just looking out for the family here.”

“And the whipped cream and feather,” Brooke Lynn reminded.

“Anyway,” Maxie remarked pointedly, “they’ve been friends for ages. Since they thought her boyfriend died in a fire. It’s all very romantic actually.”

“Except for that whole they were married to other people thing,” Georgie said.

“Yeah, except for that. They were together for a while but then they weren’t. Elizabeth married Ric Lansing—”

“He’s an ass,” Brooke Lynn interjected.

“And Jason married Brenda Barrett first—”

“Dude, I so knew about that,” Brooke Lynn interrupted. “Mom was like—off the wall for days saying she knew there was an underlying sexual tension between them.”

“You wanna do this or not?” Maxie asked.

“Sorry, continue. This is all very fascinating.” Brooke Lynn nodded as to emphasize her point.

“And then they got divorced and he married Courtney last fall—Sonny’s sister.”

“Gorilla woman, check.”

“And then they both got divorced. But Elizabeth was pregnant and everyone figures it happened last fall while she was separated from her husband and Jason hadn’t married Courtney yet so if it is his kid, then technically they didn’t do anything wrong,” Georgie reported.

“He was still engaged and her divorce wasn’t final,” Maxie said stubbornly.

“Well it’s quite clear what has to be done.” Dillon shoved his plate away and folded his arms on the table. “Break into the kid’s hospital records and see what his files say.”

Georgie glared at him. “Oh, it’s so simple. Let’s just break the law,” she mocked. “And what if they say he’s not the father? That doesn’t prove anything.”

“But it would give us a place to start,” Brooke Lynn told her. “And if they say he is, the search is done.”

“It won’t,” Maxie said stubbornly. “Some people believe in their marital vows.”

“Maxie—” Georgie began.

“Marriage shouldn’t be something you do for fun,” Maxie told them. “Or to prove a point or on a whim. It’s a serious commitment and it’s supposed to be for the rest of your life.” She stood abruptly and left.

“She’s a little high strung,” Brooke Lynn observed.

“She’s just upset. Our father called last night and didn’t even ask to speak to us,” Georgie admitted. “It doesn’t bother me so much because I never really knew him but Maxie did.”

“I’m sorry,” Dillon murmured, squeezing her hand.

“Hey, I’ve got Mac, I think I got the better end of the deal,” Georgie said with a weak smile.

General Hospital: Lobby

Sara Evans approached the trio. “Hey—I’m Cam’s baby-sitter,” she began in a shaky voice, “and I was just wondering if he’s okay.”

“Of course, darling.” Audrey smiled at her and touched her arm. “Just a common childhood illness. He’ll be just fine.”

Sara exhaled slowly. “Thank God,” she breathed. “I was so scared. He’s such a good baby, Mrs. Hardy. He doesn’t cry a lot and he doesn’t fuss. He’s sincerely the sweetest baby I’ve ever looked after.”

“All right, sweetheart,” Audrey said soothingly. “Lucky, will you drive Sara home? Take her by the house to get her things. Sara—Elizabeth pays you at the end of the week right?”

“Right,” Sara said faintly. She followed Lucky onto the elevator and then Audrey looked to Emily with some suspicion.

“Did you know?” she demanded.

“Did I know what?” Emily asked innocently.

“That Jason is Cameron’s father,” Audrey said impatiently. “It’s the only explanation. Zander’s blood type doesn’t match and that baby looks too much like Elizabeth not to be her son. So who else with AB or B blood could it be?”

“Well, we shouldn’t automatically assume—” Emily began.

“Emily,” Audrey interrupted. “I’m not judging. I just want to know why she said nothing. Not to me, certainly not to Jason because if he had known, he would have done something.”

“I don’t think she knew either,” Emily admitted. “She fainted when she realized it.”

“How could she not know?” Audrey sighed. “This isn’t like not knowing who took your shoes, Emily. This is the father of her child.”

“Elizabeth would not have kept this from him,” Emily said fervently. “She’s better than that. She knows better than that.”

“Well, then how can you explain what’s going on?”

Across the room, Elizabeth and Jason weren’t having much better luck. Elizabeth was still reeling from Cameron’s illness and now…adding the knowledge of not only having slept with Jason Morgan, she’d carried his child, she wasn’t sure if up was down anymore.

He hadn’t spoken in a few more moments—too busy trying to wrap his mind around a few facts. One, that Elizabeth hadn’t been pretending that it never happened and two, he had a son.

He had a son. A biological child that was his. His blood. No one could ever take him away with the truth about his parentage.

“I—I need to see him,” Jason said finally, his throat thick. “Can…I see him?”

She blinked, trying to clear her head. “Of course you can.” She searched the emergency room for the doctor. “Dr. Ramsey,” she called, spotting him at the nurse’s station.

“Miss Webber?” Chris remarked. He approached them. “Cameron’s fever has come down almost a full degree. We’re still going to keep him for a few days.”

“That’s fine—when is he being moved to a room?” Elizabeth asked.

Chris blinked. “We generally don’t move infants to a room. They stay in the nursery but if you’d like a private room, I’m sure we can arrange something.”

“And I can stay with him?” Elizabeth questioned. “All night?”

“Sure. We generally encourage parents to do so.” Chris rubbed his jaw and slid his eyes towards Jason speculatively. “Will your friend be joining you?”

Elizabeth glanced at Jason, who still looked a little dazed. “Yes,” she decided. She motioned Chris closer. “I need…I need to arrange a paternity test,” she said softly.

Jason seemed to focus at that point. “Why do we need that?” he asked her. “There’s no other explanation.”

“I know but—I need to know for myself. I need—” she took a deep breath. “And I think you need it too.” She glanced at Chris and then pulled Jason a few feet away. “You’ll accept him without proof and that means a lot Jason, but I know you and you won’t feel safe until you have those test results in your hand.” She touched his arm. “And we’ll change all of Cameron’s records, I promise. I’ll never take him from you.”

He nodded and Elizabeth looked to Chris. “You already have Jason’s blood right?”

The doctor nodded. “And we have Cameron’s. I’ll put a rush on it,” he promised, “and arrange to move Cameron to a room. But for now—let me take you to him.”

He led them into the back, behind the curtains to one of the cribs. Cameron was lying on his back, crying so hard his little face was red. “He’s just irritated from the rash,” Chris told them. “He’s crying because he can’t scratch. But we’ve got some ointment to put on him that ought to soothe pain.”

Elizabeth made a small sound of protest and stepped up to the crib. “Can I hold him?” she asked.

Chris nodded. “Yeah, sure—you both can. You want me to tell your grandmother you’re back here?”

“Gram.” Elizabeth closed her eyes and sighed. “Tell her to go on home and take Emily if she can. I’ll talk to them both tomorrow.”

Chris nodded and left them alone. Elizabeth reached out to take Cameron into her arms but stopped and turned back to Jason. “He looks like he could use his father,” she said in a soft voice.

Swallowing hard, Jason moved next to the crib and gingerly lifted the small boy into his arms. Cameron’s crying continued but it seemed to quiet a little as he regarded this new stranger in with some interest.

“Hey, Cameron,” Jason said softly. “You don’t me and I don’t really know you but I hope that will change.” He shifted the baby to one arm and smoothed his hand over Cameron’s soft downy hair. “You have your mother’s nose,” he told his son.

Elizabeth’s breath caught in her throat and she looked at the two of them, wondering how she’d ever missed this. Cameron had Jason’s eyes.

The baby had stopped crying and was staring at Jason with a little bit of bafflement. He waved his tiny arms towards Jason’s face and his father smiled at the action. “If Monica were here, she’d probably say something about how you looked like me as a baby.”

Cameron yawned and turned his small head into his father’s chest as if burrowing in. His eyes were closed and he was completely calm. “I don’t know how to explain it,” Jason began and this time he was talking to her. He still hadn’t taken his eyes off Cameron and that melted her heart.

“Explain what?” Elizabeth asked, taking a step towards the two men in her life.

“I don’t—I don’t need a test to tell me what I already know,” Jason finally raised his eyes to meet her watery ones. “I can just feel it.”

“I can too,” she whispered. The tears spilled over her lashes and she wiped at them absently. “I’ll call Alexis tomorrow.”

“Alexis?” Jason repeated, frowning. “I don’t—”

“I need to know how to go about changing his birth certificate. Zander’s listed there. And Cam’s medical records, he’s my beneficiary in my will and my life insurance. I have to change his name on all those things,” Elizabeth explained. “As well as legally.”

“You’re going to change his name,” Jason said slowly.

“He’s your son, he should have your name,” she replied. “I don’t need a paternity test to tell me that.” She exhaled slowly. “And if you want, we can have her draw up a custody agreement. If that would make you feel better-”

He shook his head and looked back at Cameron. “I don’t need a custody agreement. I trust you.”

“Well, then.” She took a deep breath and kissed Cam’s forehead. “Welcome to the family.”

July 18, 2004

 General Hospital: Cameron’s Room

Later that night as some medicine eased Cameron’s pain long enough to let him sleep, Jason slipped out of the room and stood in the hallway, his eyes closed.

He wanted to tell his grandmother. He’d realized that earlier as he stood holding his son for the first time. He’d wanted to go straight to her and tell her that she had another great-grandchild. That he was finally a father for a real, a father for good.

She would have been so happy.

Soft footsteps sounded behind him and he turned to see Monica approaching him. “They called me in Admitting,” she told him. “Someone saw you checking in—are you all right?” she asked hesitantly.

“I wasn’t checking in,” Jason replied quietly. His voice was a little shaky. “I—someone’s here.”

Monica’s eyes sharpened. “Sam? Is she all right?”

He shook his head. “It’s not Sam.” He looked at her, her concern and anxiety vivid in her eyes. She thought he would turn her away.

And suddenly, he wanted to tell her.

“Elizabeth’s baby—Cameron.” Jason took a deep breath. “He’s my son, Monica.”

“Elizabeth’s…” Monica blinked and looked away. “He’s your son,” she repeated. “I can’t—why didn’t you tell anyone?”

“Because I didn’t know,” Jason admitted. “And neither did Elizabeth,” he told her quickly. He had seen the light in her eyes change to that fierce protectiveness. “She thought Zander was his father but the blood types—they don’t match. And mine do.”

Monica exhaled slowly. “I wouldn’t expect Elizabeth to keep that kind of truth from you. She’s…she’s not like that.” Her eyes were soft. “I’ve seen him, he’s a beautiful little boy.”

Jason nodded, the tightness in his chest expanding. “He has roseola. That’s…that’s why we’re here.” He looked away. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there today. I know—I know I got your hopes up the other day when I came by the house but…I just…I tried to go.”

“It’s all right. Today was more for us than it was for Lila.” Monica touched his arm. “It was enough that you came by. That you were with us at all.”

“I was just thinking about her. I wish I could tell her about Cameron,” Jason told Monica. “She would have loved him.”

“She would have been thrilled for you,” she said. “She knew how devastating it was for you to lose Michael.”

Jason nodded. “How—how is everyone?” he asked.

Monica sighed heavily. “In a daze. Tracy—despite her performance that first day, she’s still not speaking. And Edward—” she closed her eyes and shook her head. “You wouldn’t believe how much you miss his voice until it’s gone. He’s so lost, Jason. She was his world, his entire reason for breathing.”

Monica bit her lip and looked away. “Emily’s all right, I suppose. She’s had a lot to deal with in the last year but she was different when she came home earlier. Seemed distracted. Was she here at the hospital? Does she know?”

“She suspects. We haven’t told anyone,” Jason replied. “You were the first person I told.”

He saw just how much that meant to her, in the way the tears sprang to her eyes. “It’s starting to sink in for everyone,” Monica continued, her voice shaky. “I’ve been trying to convince AJ to stay a few more days but he’s going back to wherever he’s been staying. Maybe it’s better that way, I don’t even know. Justus has been spending his time with Edward, trying to draw him out. No one’s been able to even track down Skye to even tell her and Alan…” she bit down harder. “We haven’t fought since that first day, Jason. No one’s even raised their voice.”

And even Jason saw the problem in that. “No?”

“I never thought I’d miss it.” Her tears slid silently down her face. “I thought…I thought that if I ever had a day of peace and quiet, it would be bliss but after over twenty years of chaos…you get used to it.”

“I’m sorry.” Jason put a hand on her shoulder and awkwardly drew her into a hug. “We all loved her.”

“You’ll still come by the house?” Monica asked hopefully. “Even with Lila gone?”

“Yeah,” Jason nodded. “When Cameron gets out of the hospital…I’ll talk to Elizabeth about bringing him to meet the family.” He couldn’t believe that he’d said it and he blinked. The family. They were his family.

Despite how hard he’d tried to pretend that they weren’t.

Monica pulled away and kissed his cheek. “That’s a great idea. I should get back to the house. Would it be all right to tell Edward? I know how you feel about him but I just—I wonder if that kind of news would help.”

Jason sighed and looked away. “The one thing that I always admired in Edward was his love and devotion to Lila. No matter what kind of man he was, she loved him and he worshipped her. You can tell him.”

“Thank you.” She squeezed his hand and walked away. Jason exhaled deeply before reentering the room.

Elizabeth was curled up in a hospital chair, her head propped in her hand, her eyes closed. He didn’t know how she was comfortable sleeping like that but there really wasn’t any other option for her.

He crossed to stand over the crib. He didn’t need a paternity test to tell him this was his son. There was just something inside Jason that told him it was true. He almost couldn’t believe that he deserved this kind of miracle. To have a son. To have a son with Elizabeth.

He had thought about it once. That night at the penthouse—after they’d told each other how they felt—she’d come down the stairs and he’d pulled her into his arms. They’d stood in front of the window and he’d thought…this is what life with Elizabeth would be like. There would be the quiet moments when it was just the two of them.

And thinking about it being just the two of them had Jason wondering what it would be like to have a family with her. He’d never been one for picturing things but he’d tried so hard to imagine having a baby with her. A little girl with her hair or a boy with her smile.

And for a brief moment, he’d let himself see that, to wish for it.

After Elizabeth had left—after he was with Courtney, he had put those images away and he’d kept them away for a long time.

Until he’d heard she was pregnant with Ric’s baby and then again when she’d gotten pregnant with Cameron.

And now, he had that wish. He had a little boy with one of the people he’d always loved. If he could think of the best mother he’d want for his child, Elizabeth would be at the top of the list and he was so grateful to have this miracle.

There was a soft knock at the door and Jason quickly pulled it open and slipped back into the hall before the noise could wake either Elizabeth or Cameron.

Sam stood there, looking tired and worried. “Why didn’t you tell me you were staying the night with her and Cameron?” she asked, a little irritated. “I was sitting at home, worried and Carly kept coming over, ranting about how Elizabeth had trapped you again. What’s wrong with Cameron? Is he all right?”

“He has roseola.” Jason sighed. “He’s fine. But Elizabeth was going to stay the night and I—” He shook his head. “Sam, just go back to the penthouse and sleep. You need your rest and I don’t feel like getting into this right now. I’ll be home in the morning.”

Sam tilted her head to the side and frowned. “I didn’t even know you knew Elizabeth. Why are you staying all night with her and her son? Doesn’t she have another friend to do this?”

He glared at her. “I had a whole life before you came into it, Sam. Elizabeth and I—it’s just none of your business. Go home. I’ll talk to you in the morning.”

“Look, I’m sorry. I know I’m being a bitch and being demanding but I just—” Sam exhaled slowly. “Sonny told me today that he’s telling Carly the truth. That he can’t lie to her anymore and that he wants the baby.”

Jason inhaled sharply and felt like he’d been sucker punched. “No—he—he can’t.”

“I don’t know what to do, Jason—I promised you and Sonny promised you and I can’t take it from you but…” Sam closed her eyes. “Just tell me what to do and I’ll do it. I just want to do the right thing.”

“I can’t—I just can’t do this right now.” Jason shook his head. He was dazed again. He’d gained a child and lost another all in the same day.

“Jason—”

“Go home, Sam. We’ll talk then.”

He cut off another protest and went inside the room. Elizabeth was still curled up in the chair, her breathing deep and even. Cameron was wide-awake now though, silently staring at him.

Without thinking twice, Jason lifted his son into his arms and moved over to the window, mimicking a position he’d held with Michael so many times. “I know you’re not feeling well right now,” he began, his voice quiet and soothing. “And I wish there was something I could to make you feel better.”

Cameron’s tiny hand wrapped itself in Jason’s maroon T-shirt. “Your mother will probably hover around you for the next month or so because that’s just the kind of person Elizabeth is.”

He sighed heavily. “I’m not sorry that you’re my son but I am sorry about all the things you’re going to have to deal with as you get older.”

Cameron stirred at the change in his voice but Jason continued. “There’s my job, which isn’t safe enough for me on good days much less for you and your mother. And there’s Sonny and Carly.” He closed his eyes as he pictured his best friends’ reactions to this news. “And there’s the Quartermaines.”

“They’re good people,” he said after some hesitation. “I didn’t always believe that but I do now and if it’s all right with Elizabeth, you’ll get to meet some of them.”

Cameron yawned and rubbed his nose across Jason’s chest. “Yeah, you’re tired. Maybe you’ll sleep now.”

“He likes to be talked to,” Elizabeth murmured, joining them at the window. “I think it’s just the sound of someone’s voice. He often just…passes out afterwards.” She leaned over and kissed Cameron’s forehead, her hair tickling Jason’s chin. “We should put him in bed.”

“Yeah.” Jason swallowed hard. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“It’s okay—you should get some sleep too,” Elizabeth advised. She followed Jason to the crib where he gently laid Cameron back inside, covering him with a white hospital blanket.

“I just wanted to let you know that…I’m really glad he’s your son,” Elizabeth told him quietly. “I didn’t know—” she broke off and twisted her fingers together, looking at her feet.

“Didn’t know what?” Jason asked.

“I used to think about it,” Elizabeth admitted wistfully. “Before—before that night in the penthouse when I left…I used to think about what it would be like.” She took a deep breath. “To—have a family. With you.”

He blinked and opened his mouth to reply but she continued. “But I didn’t know how much I really wanted it…until I realized Cameron was yours.”

General Hospital: Nurse’s Station

“I cannot believe you’re taking this so seriously,” Brooke Lynn hissed as she and Dillon crept out of the stairwell.

Dillon glared at her and yanked his black baseball cap more firmly on his head. “I cannot believe all the noise your jewelry makes.”

“Let’s just get this over with.” Brooke Lynn rounded the corner of the nurse’s station. “You keep a look out,” she told him as she started to go through the stack of charts on the counter.

She found Cameron’s rather quickly but was very interested in seeing Jason Morgan’s chart right after it. She pulled both from the pile and flipped Cameron’s open first.

There were the basic information forms and Brooke Lynn sighed when she saw a Zander Smith listed as his father. She noted that and closed the folder. She set it aside and opened Jason’s.

Her eyebrows nearly shot off her forehead as she realized she was looking the results of a rushed paternity test. There in her hands, was the proof she wasn’t even sure why they were looking for it.

She slid the charts back into the rightful places. “Dillon, let’s go,” she whispered.

They disappeared into the stairwell and Dillon yanked the cap from his head and ran his hands through the unruly strands. “Did you find it?”

“I found it all right. First, Cameron’s file lists Zander Smith as his father—who’s that?” Brooke Lynn asked.

Dillon sighed in relief. “Maxie will be glad to hear that. I don’t know why it’s so important to her but—well, Zander used to be Emily’s husband.” He frowned. “What do you mean, first?”

“Jason Morgan’s chart was underneath Cameron’s and in there—there was a paternity test results which say that Jason is the father. Those are dated today while Cameron’s medical records are dated last month.”

“So—wow. He is the father.” Dillon frowned. “I can’t imagine why Maxie is putting so much pressure on this one thing. She barely even knows Jason or Elizabeth.”

“Well—maybe something else is wrong.” Brooke Lynn shrugged. “Either way, we got what we came here for. We can work out the rest of the details later.”

He put a hand on her arm as she started down the steps. “Look—you don’t really know Maxie and you put yourself on the line for her. That’s really cool, you know?”

“For some reason, this is important to her.” Brooke Lynn sighed. “I just wish it was something she wanted to hear.”

Jones House: Maxie’s Bedroom

Maxie was studying the chipped paint on her toenails when Georgie set down her magazine. “Maxie, I wish I knew what was bothering you.”

“Nothing.” Maxie frowned at the nail polish and wondered if she should reapply tonight or tomorrow.

“Why are Dillon and Brooke Lynn breaking into the hospital’s records to find out the paternity of a little kid we’re not related to, who’s the kid of a woman we’re—once again—not related to and possibly the son of someone else—watch this—we’re not related to?” Georgie asked, planting her hands on her hips. “And you barely know Jason or Elizabeth. Why does any of it mean so much to you?”

“It’s not them,” Maxie said, impatiently. “It’s Mom. It’s the way she gets sucked into and I just—” Maxie looked away. “You’re not old enough to remember Dad. You don’t know what they were like together.”

“Okay—now you’re confusing me. Maxie, you’re my sister and I love you. I’ll do whatever you need me to do but I need to understand what’s going on in your mind. Are you mad that Dad doesn’t pay much attention to us?”

“I’m mad that people don’t keep their promises. That Mom always promises to put us first and never does. That Dad said he’d always love me and that he lied.” Maxie sighed heavily. “It’s not about Elizabeth or her baby but I guess I just—you know Aunt Bobbie’s always going on and on about her. How strong she is, how admirable she is and all that stuff.”

“Uh huh.” Georgie bit her thumbnail. “So?”

“Well, I guess—it’s like, where does it end? What kind of person does it take to actually keep the promises that they make?” Maxie asked. “Aunt Bobbie thinks so highly of Elizabeth and I always thought she was really cool. I mean, you know all the stuff she’s been through. I just—I’ve always looked up to her,” Maxie admitted.

“Like a role model,” Georgie clarified.

“I guess.” Maxie’s cheeks flushed. “I know it’s stupid and you guys must think I’m going nuts but…I’m just tired of people turning out to be who they’re not. Mom—she’s great when she wants to be but being a mother is like something that comes and goes. Mac’s great. He really is. But even he’s more into his job than us. Lucas was away and only really wrote to you. And Kyle—” Maxie sighed, frustrated. “I just want someone to be who I think they are.”

“So if Dillon and Brooke Lynn come back and tell you that Elizabeth’s baby was fathered by Ric Lansing, that’s the answer you’re looking for,” Georgie stated.

“Yes,” Maxie nodded. “He’s her husband.”

“What if they come back and say that Jason’s the father or someone else altogether?” Georgie asked. “Does Elizabeth having a baby with someone else while she was separated from her husband—does that change everything else that she’s been through? Negate it?”

“I guess not.” Maxie frowned. “But—”

“People make mistakes, Maxie. Elizabeth is someone we barely even know and it’s so not cool of us to be poking into her business even if it is kind of fun and a distraction from Dillon’s grandmother. So whatever we find out—we have to keep it to ourselves.”

Maxie nodded. “I know.”

Dillon knocked at their window then and Georgie hurried to open it. He and Brooke Lynn crawled through. “Well that’s the first time I’ve committed a crime and not gotten caught,” he remarked cheerfully.

“So glad I didn’t know that until we were done.” Brooke Lynn sighed. “Well, mission accomplished. Information gained.”

“And?” Maxie prompted.

“Zander Smith is listed as the father on Cameron’s medical records but Brooke Lynn found a paternity test that says Jason is the father,” Dillon stated.

“Zander?” Maxie squeaked. “Wait—a paternity test?”

“Dated today. Big rush was put on it,” Brooke Lynn nodded. “And the kid’s records are from last month so I figure the test is more current. So—he’s the dad. Now what?”

Maxie’s shoulders sank and she sighed. “Nothing. You guys better get home before the Quartermaines notice you’re gone.”

Dillon snorted. “Yeah, whatever. They wouldn’t notice Jason riding through the halls on his bike.”